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For the past 19 years, most of his efforts have been directed at building teams and consortia to develop solutions for vexing technical and enterprise prob- lems through a mix of industrial, aca- demic, and government research. Most of his research focuses on metalworking with links to database development and IT tools such as the National Forging Tooling Database (with the University of Toledo), Simulation of Lean Practices through Job Shop Lean Modeling (with The Ohio State University), and Defor- mation Modeling (with Scientific Form- Since relocating to the Palmetto State in 1996, our family has grown and we are proud of our children. Nicola is a sophomore at Mercer University, Nata- sha is a junior at the Academic Magnet High School of Charleston, and Nathan is a freshmen at Wando High School. Charleston is a terrific city and we feel fortunate to live in a place where others vacation. For that, we thank SCRA and appreciate Jon’s hard work as a metal- lurgical engineer and committed mem- ber of ASM International, which has been with us over the decades. Thank you for allowing me to share some tales of my husband and your president. Should you visit the Lowcountry, we hope you stop by for a campfire. You know Jon’s story, and now we would like to hear yours. ~AM&P ing Technologies Corp.). SOUTH CAROLINA

as an executive officer within an Air Force sponsored think tank called Proj- ect Forecast II. This was an eye-opening experience, which explored far reach- ing technologies and systems aimed at maintaining U.S. dominance of air and space. Jon also completed his master’s degree in materials engineering during this time. Springboarding to Norton AFB and the Ballistic Missile Office (BMO) was eye opening as well. The military was surfing on the Reagan Buildup, the So- viet Union had to go, and the U.S. was upping the ante through a massive weapons systems initiative. Jon’s pri- mary assignment was to integrate all Air Force nuclear testing requirements, which he did. Sometime during that brief period, split between the BMO in San Bernardino, Calif., and the Nevada Test Site near Las Vegas, Jon realized he needed to switch paths, separate from the Air Force, and pursue his dream of thru-hiking the Appalachian Trail. METALLURGIST GONE WILD Hiking the Trail is one of the most significant events in Jon’s life. In 1988, he completed the 2137-mile journey atop the Appalachians from Georgia to Maine. Since first meeting Jon after his thru-hike, the frequency and inten- sity—and perhaps accuracy—of his trail hiking tales has diminished, although each year given any day between April and October, Jon can recollect within

20 miles or two days where he was on the trail. The kids and I like to tease him about his adventures, which are often prefaced by the phrase, “Back in ’88 when…” Nonetheless, Jon’s AT expe- rience was a significant event further framing his perspectives on life. EMERGING PROFESSIONAL PART II Upon returning from his “sabbat- ical,” Jon resumed participation in the Dayton Chapter while working at Uni- versal Technology Corp. (UTC). Chapter Chair David Lewis from Armco Steel wel- comed himback to ASM. Soon thereafter, Greg Barthold recruited Jon for the Fed- eral Affairs Committee and he was thrust into the realm of ASM International on the national level. It was during this sec- ond tour in Dayton when Jon and I met at a National Cash Register (NCR) party. SEASONED PROFESSIONAL While at UTC, a small business in Dayton, Ohio, Jon evolved into a sea- soned professional working on Air Force contracts. Many of these involved ad- vanced aerospace materials and man- ufacturing technology. When the Cold War ended and the business changed, Jon accepted a position in Ann Arbor, Mich., to lead Aeroquip Corp.’s near-net shape manufacturing and business de- velopment. During that move, I left NCR and joined Chelsea Milling Co., ultimate- ly marrying Jon and starting our family.

A D V A N C E D M A T E R I A L S & P R O C E S S E S | J A N U A R Y 2 0 1 6

Jon thru-hiked the 2137-mile Appalachian Trail in 1988.

The Tirpaks enjoy many outdoor activities including ziplining.