Dr. Linda S. Smith
Polymer Phases, Inc.
PO Box 5844
Oreland, PA 19075-0058
Phone: (215) 275-3853
Fax: (215) 884-5797
E-mail: linda.smith@polymerphases.com
Web Site:  www.polymerphases.com

Specialties:

EDUCATION

Ph.D. Physical Chemistry, University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK
B.S. Chemistry, Miami University, Oxford, OH
Certificate of Business Administration, Wharton Management Program, Univ. of Pennsylvania, PA

EXPERTISE

Designing acrylic latex materials for coatings and graphic arts.
1.Good block, fast dry
2.emulsion polymer structure/performance relationship
3.applications testing
4.wood coatings, kitchen cabinets and furniture
acrylics solventborne
powder coatings
good understanding of regulatory issues for paints and coatings
Stage-gate product development, multi-functional team with process leader.
Strategic planning, "one-page strategic plan."

Markets:

Wood Coatings

From my very first project until I left Rohm and Haas, 17 years, I always had some involvement in developing polymers for wood coatings. Primarily I led a team that developed acrylic polymers that could be used for the various coatings of furniture and have low VOC. These coatings had the appearance, block resistance and other properties that came close to what nitrocellulose offered. We also developed kitchen cabinet coatings, UV curable coatings, 2-pack and 1-pack thermoset coatings and a good starting point for a sealer coat. We had a very good understanding of polymer structure/performance relationship.

Graphic Arts

While working at Rohm and Haas, I gathered experience in both business and resin development in waterborne and solvent-borne resins for the Graphic Arts market. I was a Research Section Manager leading the applications group of 12 scientists developing waterborne resins for OPV and inks for applications such as cigarette packaging, playing cards, flexible packaging and magazines. We also had significant sales in hobby/craft and a patent in white-out technology. Later on, I was global business manager of a solvent and solid-grade product line that had strong sales in graphic arts. Recently, I have consulted for a couple of projects in the Graphic Arts market, covering polymer design, volumes, and pricing for applications in waterborne OPV's, inks and barrier coatings.

Throughout my career I have been at the interface of technology and business. I am strong strategically and can connect different technologies with different market opportunities.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Polymer Phases, Inc., Oreland, PA
President 2008 - Present
President of a start up chemical company in the renewable materials space.
Identify financial support for the company.

Arkema, Inc., Philadelphia, PA
Fluorochemicals Senior Marketing Manager for North America.2006 - 2007
Focus on foams, solvents and aerosols

Philips Electronics - Lighting Manufacture1998 - 2003
Vice President, Innovation to Market, Turnhout, Belgium 2001 - 2003
Global market of high Intensity discharge lamps.
Lead R&D, Mechanization and Strategic Planning.
Implementing new business strategy that focused on "systems" instead of on "products".
Generated projected $80 million increase in sales over 3-year period.
Slashed operating costs by $15 million through reduction of off-grade product by 60% and implementing sharing practices between global production facilities.
Fueled a 50% increase in sales through implementation of strategic growth initiatives over a 5-year period.

Senior Director of Marketing, Somerset, NJ 1998 - 2001
High Intensity Discharge Lamps - North American Category Leader.

Rohm & Hass Company, Philadelphia, PA, Styrene/Acrylic Copolymers 1981 - 1998

Worldwide Marketing Manager 1996 - 1998
Directed business for solvent and solid grade polymers for coatings.
Turned around business unit, growing sales 33% and driving sales growth by 40-60% in emerging regions, within a 2-year period.

Marketing Manager, Wood Coatings 1994 - 1996
Project: To replace nitrocellulose with waterborne latexes for wood coatings.
Launched a major technology conversion in Europe and North America that drove a 10-fold increase in annual sales and established a technology leadership position.

Research Section Manager, Industrial Coatings 1990 - 1994
Waterborne latexes for coatings on metal, plastic, wood and graphic arts.
Directed research and development applications.
Sent to Wharton 2-year evening business school.

Senior Scientist, Industrial coatings 1981 - 1989
Waterborne Latexes for coatings on metal, plastic, wood and graphic arts.
Named outstanding scientist of the year.


CREDENTIALS

Certificate, Graduate Business Program, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
Technical Focus Award - Federation of Societies for Coatings Technology.
Women in Coatings Achievement Award for Scientific Achievement - National Paint Show.
Otto Haas Award for Outstanding Scientists and Engineers - Rohm & Haas.
Invited Technical Speaker to Piedmont Society Mini-Trade Show.
Grants from National Science Foundation and Ben Franklin.

PUBLICATIONS AND PATENTS

2 publications
Awarded 6 patents, (world patent application for Polymer Phases technology has been published).