Type Of Business:
Gas and technology company
Expertise:
Equipment design and selection (filters, pumps, heat exchangers, centrifugal compressors, etc.)
Major Product/SVS:
Praxair supplies atmospheric, process and specialty gases, high-performance coatings, and related services and technologies. Susan works in the division focusing on the refinement of atmospheric gases and CO2.
Hobbies/Sports:
Biking; Hiking; Singing in her church choir; Reading; Foreign Cultures (particularly Japanese and British); Exercise; Music
Education Degrees:
Bachelor's Degree in Chemical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology (1992)
Affiliations Awards:
American Institute of Chemical Engineers
Work History:
Joined Praxair, Inc. in 1992 as an Operations management trainee at the Theodore, AL facility. Promoted to plant engineer in 1993, where she was responsible for small projects and day-to-day operation of the facility. During this time, she helped to implement the ISO9000 quality system at several facilities. In 1996, Susan was transferred to Praxair's central engineering office in Tonawanda, NY where she began specifying equipment for new production facilities of various sizes. After several years, she was shifted from project work to the revision of global equipment standards. In 2001, Susan rejoined the US Operations team as a Cost Reduction engineer. In this role, she estimated, solicited funds for, and executed projects of varying complexity to reduce production costs, primarily focusing on reduced power consumption and increased equipment reliability. She also provided non-project technical support for the production facilities. After 10 years in this position, she transferred to her current position as a member of the mechanical integrity team.
Career Achievements:
Named on a US patent as part of the development and implementation team for a cryogenic pipe insulation system.
Charity:
The Ride For Roswell (2011 Extra Mile Club Member)
Supports Catholic Charities of Buffalo, United Way of Buffalo & Erie County, cancer research, Parkinson's research, Alzheimer's research, and local shelters and charities.
Number Of Years In Profession:
20
Number Of Years In Current Position:
1
What Does He/She Attribute Success To:
She attributes her success to good mentors and using her intelligence to resolve problems.
Why did you become involved in your profession or industry?:
She became involved in her profession because she was hired by the company right out of college.
Extended Bio Profile:
Susan was born in Florida and grew up in north and south Georgia, finally settling into the Atlanta suburban area when she reached her teens. She always enjoyed science classes, and in high school she discovered a love of Chemistry, but did not have much desire for labs and lab reports. When a family friend mentioned that Engineering was a real-world application of science, she was intrigued and applied to GA Tech as a Chemical Engineering student.
Susan worked as a co-op student at Hoechst Celanese in Spartanburg, SC in addition to her studies at GA Tech. The Polymer QA department gave her a chance to gather real world experience which she highly valued. She also worked 20 hours per week on campus at the postal station to supplement her grants and scholarships.
She became interested in Praxair during her job interviews during her senior year, and she was excited when they offered her a position in Mobile, AL just five hours away from her family.
Susan grew up as a reader, a love that she inherited from both of her parents. She prefers science fiction and science fantasy, but also enjoys "real life" science, history, and culture books.
In high school, she discovered Japanese Animation and is still a fan today. Her love of reading and animation blended a few years ago and she began to write fanfiction for some of her favorite series. She has also taken a few basic Japanese courses and learned to read the hiragana and katakana writing systems.
Susan also loves music. Her preference is for pop or dance music, but she listens to almost anything. Her love of music is expressed in her anime CD collection, her participation in her church choir, and in her role as volunteer cantor at her church.
Giving back to the community is important to her, so Susan volunteers as a cantor and choir member at her church. She also participates in a local charity bicycle ride (Ride For Roswell), and donates to many charities. She also participated as a visiting scientist at a local elementary school (a program her company sponsors) before her travel schedule became prohibitive.
Position Responsibilities and Duties:
Susan is currently involved with the Mechanical Integrity program for Praxair's PSM locations. Her current duties involve auditing information for existing locations and closing gaps where necessary. She also provides technical assistance to operating facilities.
Awards/Honors:
US Patent 7 854 236 (joint)
Where Will You Be In 5 Years:
In five years, Ms. Kelley intends to learn and improve her skills in different areas in her company.