Company Six Sigma
Resume:
David E. Decker
** ******** **** *: 585-***-****
Rochester, NY 14618 C: 607-***-****
abnrjt@r.postjobfree.com
SUMMARY
An innovative and data driven experimenter seeks a hands-on position in polymer synthesis working in
the laboratory, pilot plant and production environments.
QUALIFICATIONS
Polymer Synthesis Polymer Synthesis Six Sigma Black Belt used
Expertise – Expertise – Research, for Process Optimization,
Styrene/Acrylic/VBC/VDC Scale-up, Manufacturing Improvement and Control
Emulsions, Aqueous and Awarded 17 US Patents Cross-Functional
Non-aqueous Solution on the uses of polymers Commercialization Team
Polymers, Polyesters, in photographic films and Leadership
Polycarbonates papers and inkjet papers
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
NOVOMER INC, Ithaca, New York 1/2007 to 11/2008
Established in 2004 as a spin-off from Cornell University, Novomer does R&D on green, biodegradable polymers
containing up to 50% carbon dioxide. The company currently employs about 20 people with corporate offices in
Waltham, MA and an R&D facility in Ithaca, NY.
Senior Process Chemist – Responsible for projects involving research, development and scale up of
the synthesis of biodegradable polycarbonates using epoxides and carbon dioxide as monomers with
novel, proprietary catalysts.
Recommended essential process equipment that resulted in moving the polymer synthesis from
the bench to pilot scale to production.
Investigated polypropylene carbonate synthesis process variables that enabled reproducible
molecular weights and increased process efficiency.
Investigated different precipitation methods that resulted in discrete, low-color polymer particles.
Investigated the use of packed bed resins to remove impurities from polymer solutions.
Interacted with toll manufacturers to identify the best facility for polymer scale up and
manufacturing.
Experienced in air-free chemical transfer techniques.
Experienced with NMR, UV-Vis, GPC, and Karl Fischer instruments used to gather data for
problem solving.
EASTMAN KODAK COMPANY, Rochester, New York
Founded in 1888 by George Eastman, Kodak produces imaging materials and equipment currently
focusing on digital photography and printing. The company employs 27,000 people worldwide.
Senior Scientist – Applied Technologies 1992 to 3/2006
Responsible for projects involving research, development, scale up and production of free radical
initiated emulsion polymers, surfactant free emulsion polymers and core/shell polymers made by batch,
semi-continuous and seeded processes, aqueous solution polymers and solution polyesters.
David E. Decker Page 2
Awarded 17 US patents on the use of emulsion polymers as film adhesives, primers, protective
overcoats, anti-curl and anti-crack additives, dye mordants and dye delivery vehicles.
Led projects that resulted in the commercialization of eight polymer manufacturing processes
that enabled the introduction of new or improved products primarily inkjet papers and inks.
Utilized Design of Experiments to determine the impact of process variables on polymer products
resulting in processes that consistently met specification.
Collaborated with university research groups resulting in an expanded scope of polymers.
Generated technical and progress reports in written, oral, and poster form resulting in the
effective sharing of knowledge among peers and management.
Mentored junior level scientists resulting in the rapid growth of their skill set.
Supervised the work of technicians resulting in the capture of unexpected results and the timely
delivery of robust processes.
Chemist – Polymer Development 1980 to 1992
Responsible for projects involving scale up and production of solution and emulsion polymers, melt
condensation polyesters and modified PVOH photo resists (polyvinyl cinnamate/napthoate).
Commercialized seven polymer manufacturing processes resulting in improved features for
photographic film and paper.
Used Six Sigma techniques to analyze raw material, production, and process verification data.
Recommended process improvements that reduced the number of out-of-specification runs.
Generated technical and progress reports in written, oral, and poster form resulting in the
effective sharing of knowledge among peers and management.
EDUCATION
M.S., Materials Science and Engineering, Rochester Institute of Technology
- Masters Thesis on Plasma Phase Polymerization and Etching
B.S., Chemistry, Rochester Institute of Technology, Rochester, New York
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Certified Statistical Black Belt with training in teambuilding skills, Design of Experiments, Six
Sigma and Lean Manufacturing methodologies.
Expertise in Mettler RC1 Calorimeter operations and analysis resulting in seamless scale-up from
bench to production.
Attended short courses/symposia in: Particle Morphology (University of New Hampshire), Colloid
and Surface Science Symposium (Lehigh University), Fluid Mixing (AICHE), Colloid Chemistry
(Rensselaer Polytechnical Institute), Advances in Emulsion Polymerization and Latex Technology
(Lehigh University).
DAVID E. DECKER
51 Edgemoor Road
Rochester, New York 14618
Home – 585-***-****
Cell – 607-***-****
abnrjt@r.postjobfree.com
Addendum to Resume
List of Patents Awarded
US 7,241,562 (7/10/2007) Color photographic element having improved speed
Eastman Kodak Company, Sidney J. Bertucci, David M. Teegarden, David E. Decker, Thomas H. Whitesides, Larry D. Edwards.
US 6,881,492 (4/19/2005) Primer composition for polyesters
Eastman Kodak Company, Yuanqiao Rao, DeBasis Majumdar, David E. Decker, Robert J. Kress.
US 6,869,178 (3/22/2005) Ink jet printing method
Eastman Kodak Company, Hwei-Ling Yau, David E. Decker, Xiaoru Wang, Wendy S. Krzemien.
US 6,861,114 (3/1/2005) Ink jet recording element
Eastman Kodak Company, Hwei-Ling Yau, David E. Decker, Xiaoru Wang, W endy S. Krzemien.
US 6,749,982 (6/15/2004) Imaging member with polyester base
Eastman Kodak Company, Yuanqiao Rao, DeBasis Majumdar, David E. Decker, Robert J. Kress.
US 6,645,705 (11/11/2003) Protective overcoat for photographic elements
Eastman Kodak Company, Hwei-Ling Yau, Kevin M. O'Connor, David E. Decker,
Elmer C. Flood.
US 6,645,582 (11/11/2003) Ink jet recording element
Eastman Kodak Company, Sridhar Sadasivan, Elizabeth A. Gallo, Lixin Chu, John M. Baier,
David E. Decker, Xiaoru E. Wang.
US 6,447,111 (9/10/2002) Ink jet printing method
Eastman Kodak Company, Elizabeth A. Gallo, Lixin Chu, Sridhar Sadasivan, John M. Baier,
David E. Decker, Xiaoru E. Wang.
US 6,221,546 (4/24/2001) Protecting layer for image recording materials
Eastman Kodak Company, Hwei-Ling Yau, Tienteh Chen, David E. Decker, Kevin M. O'Connor.
US 6,214,938 (4/10/2001) Overcoat material as protecting layer for image recording materials
Eastman Kodak Company, Hwei-Ling Yau, Tienteh Chen, David E. Decker, Stephan L. Twist,
Kevin M. O’Connor.
US 6,147,139 (11/14/2000) Inks containing heat fusible particles and method for use
Eastman Kodak Company, Lori Shaw- Klein, Thomas W. Martin, David E. Decker,
Charles Anderson, Douglas E. Bugner.
US 6,140,390 (10/31/2000) Melt-fusible inkjet recording elements and inks with improved durability
Eastman Kodak Company, Douglas E. Bugner, Lori Shaw-Klein, David E. Decker,
Paul E. Woodgate.
US 6,130,014 (10/10/2000) Overcoat material as protecting layer for image recording materials
Eastman Kodak Company, Hwei-Ling Yau, Tienteh Chen, David E. Decker, Stephan L. Twist,
Kevin M. O'Connor.
US 6,075,090 (6/13/2000) Method of preparing a non-aqueous composite wax particle dispersion
Eastman Kodak Company, Yongcai Wang, James L. Bello, David E. Decker, Dennis Smith.
US 6,045,917 (4/4/2000) Ink jet recording element
Eastman Kodak Company, Gregory E. Missell, David E. Decker.
US 5,952,130 (9/14/1999) Protective layer for gelatin based AGX photographic products
Eastman Kodak Company, Hwei-Ling Yau, Tienteh Chen, Jeffrey F. Taylor, Elmer C. Flood,
David E. Decker.
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