12/9/2024

Dr. Francis A. Via has more than 40 years’ experience in managing/directing industrial R&D and market development at Stauffer Chemical Company, Akzo Nobel Inc. GE and others. He achieved more than a dozen commercial successes in specialty chemicals, catalysts, agricultural chemicals, pharmaceuticals and polymers.

Dr. Via is the recipient of numerous awards including two internal GE awards for technical excellence and productivity. In 1994 he was elected Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science. He was selected to authored a chapter for the American Chemical Society’s millennium publication Chemical Research – 2000 & Beyond; co-authors included five Nobel Laureates. He chaired the External Research Director’s Network ‘95-‘97 for the Industrial Research Institute and served as a consultant for the Department of Energy for over 20 years.

Dr. Via has 30 patents, 11 publications, and more than 25 invited presentations. He holds a BS degree from West Virginia University and a Ph.D. from Ohio State and attended management training at the Wharton School, the NYU Stern School and several other programs.