JEC COMPOSITES MAGAZINE - Issue #72 - April/May 2012 - 25

human ressources

Quality assurance lab manager :
ensuring everything meets standards
Cindy Gordon was recently promoted to the position of Quality Assurance Laboratory Manager at Norplex-Micarta headquarters in Postville, IA (USA). She succeeds Roger Tieskotter, who retired after 36 years of service. Let’s see what her job involves.
she will oversee the training of lab technicians and assistants on the correct use of lab equipment. She will also ensure that industry standards and safety regulations are followed when testing, and that the appropriate documentation is maintained. for selecting, approving, purchasing, and installing laboratory equipment as well as maintaining up-todate testing procedures. I also work in conjunction with product development engineers, manufacturing engineers and marketing departments to conduct analyses for new and existing materials that are being developed or improved.
JCM: What do you see as your biggest challenges in your new position?

Biography
Ms Gordon has been with Norplex-Micarta for 37 years. Prior to her promotion to laboratory manager, she worked in the quality assurance laboratory as a lab technician for 20 years. Before that, she worked 3 years in the

engineering department and 13 years on the production floor in the plant’s raw material processing department. n
More information: www.norplex-micarta.com Contact: info@norplex-micarta.com

s Gordon is responsible for all aspects of the lab, including equipment, employees, supplies, and documentation. As Quality Assurance Laboratory Manager,

About Norplex-Micarta Norplex-Micarta is a leading manufacturer of high-performance thermoset composites. The company’s vast product line serves power generation, alternate energy, ballistic protection, construction, electrical devices, electronics, heavy industrial, military/aerospace, oil & gas, and transportation markets throughout Europe, Asia/ Pacific and the Americas. Norplex-Micarta is located in Postville, IA (USA).

Cindy Gordon Quality assurance laboratory manager Norplex-Micarta

JEC Composites Magazine: JEC Composites Magazine: What does your new job consist in?

Cindy Gordon: My res-

ponsibilities include coordinating the activities of the Quality Assurance Department, which include scheduling of all laboratory testing, audit activities, institutional approvals, and raw and finished materials approval/ rejection. I am responsible

C. G. : One of the biggest challenges I face as the Quality Assurance Lab Manager is Norplex-Micarta’s growing role in the global market. For decades, the majority of specifications that Norplex-Micarta tested to were the standard specifications used in

- Directing the calibration programme - Coordinating or performing product testing - Maintaining, updating and investigating new test procedures - Investigating new/improved lab equipment - Maintaining training of QA personnel - Investigating customer complaints - Interacting with customers

No72 April - May 2012 /

jec composites magazine 25

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interview

North America, which were NEMA, military, and ASTM specifications. With new uses for thermoset plastics found every day, our rapidly expanding customer base is becoming worldwide, and we now receive many inquiries to see if Norplex-Micarta has materials that meet European or Asian specifications. Though there are many similarities between specifications in the United States and those used in other parts of the world, there may also be unique tests or test methods required by these specifications that we are required to familiarize ourselves with. Though new tests and test methods can be a challenge to learn, it has also provided us a greater knowledge of the performance capabilities of our product line.

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Job duties and responsibilities - Ensuring material disposition - Directing members of the QA Department - Overseeing institutional approvals and compliance

http://www.norplex-micarta.com

JEC COMPOSITES MAGAZINE - Issue #72 - April/May 2012

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of JEC COMPOSITES MAGAZINE - Issue #72 - April/May 2012