Joseph Walker is fond of talking about the “silent, behind-the-scenes material technology” that goes into every component that Freudenberg-NOK Sealing Technologies manufacturers for its customers. Now Walker’s contributions to the company’s technological revolution – and the rubber industry overall – have been recognized by members of the Rubber Technologists Network (RTN) who have named him the USA Rubber Technologist of the Year for 2016. Joseph Walker Walker is the Global Director of Advanced Materials Development for Freudenberg-NOK Sealing Technologies. He is responsible for overseeing all advanced material developments globally within the company. As USA Rubber Technologist for 2016, Walker was cited for his contributions to the rubber industry through industrial research, education and training of the next generation of rubber professionals. Walker was honored during the RTN’s USA Rubber Industry Forum held in Pittsburgh, Penn. July 18-22. He attended the forum as a guest lecturer speaking on the essentials of rubber technology and the rubber molding process. “We are delighted that Joe Walker has been recognized for his tremendous dedication to the advancement of the rubber industry,” said Dr. Ernst Osen, Sr. Vice President and Global Head of Materials Technology, Freudenberg Sealing Technologies. “Joe not only makes invaluable contributions to Freudenberg’s material research and development activities, but he is a tremendous asset to the rubber industry overall because of his active participation in development of educational rubber curriculums and trade associations that support the next generation of rubber professionals.” RTN is an organization of rubber technologists founded by TechnoBiz USA Inc. and Rubber World magazine in March 2016 to exchange information on rubber technology. RTN honors dedicated rubber technologists for their contributions to the sustainability in the rubber industry globally. RTN has 200 members and hopes to connect all rubber technologists globally. Walker joined the Freudenberg-NOK in 1998. In addition to his position as Global Director of Advanced Materials Development, he is a board member for the Association of Rubber Products Manufacturers and a member of the Society of Automotive Engineers, Society of Plastics Engineers, Original Equipment Suppliers Association, Automotive Industry Action Group and the Americas Tech Team of the American Chemistry Council. Walker regularly lectures on the opportunities and challenges associated with the rubber industry and is on the Rubber Industry Advisory Board for Ferris State University. He is past chairman of the American Chemical Society’s Rubber Division. A graduate of Lawrence Technological University, Walker holds 23 patents in the fields of materials and applications, process and compositional chemistries. He has authored and edited many research publications.