TLT: How long have you worked in a lubrication-related field, and how did you decide to pursue a career in the lubricants industry?
Damiani: I’ve worked for only one lubricant company my whole career, and that is Radco Industries, Inc. I began my full-time career at Radco in May 1989, fresh out of Tufts University, where my intent was to go to medical school. My dad, Robert Damiani, the founder of Radco, offered me a job in functional fluid sales, and I decided to take a year off before attending medical school. 

Really though, I started working at Radco as a second-shift operator in December 1983. My dad asked me if I was interested in a job in the plant after school (and after the football season), sweeping the floors and learning lubricant production. 

Before I started at Radco, I was scooping ice cream in the local ice cream store. I was always getting yelled at by the store manager because I was heavy with the toppings and whipped cream on my sundaes. Now as Radco’s chief formulator, I realize I am still heavy with the additives in my formulations!

TLT: What has been your most rewarding accomplishment throughout your career in the lubricants industry?
Damiani: This is an emotional answer. My dad was an STLE member in the late 1960s and would attend all the annual meetings. He was in functional fluid sales for Monsanto at that time, selling hydraulic fluids and heat transfer fluids. The fact that I can take my father’s legacy and vision in the industry and continue to grow that vision and legacy is one of my most rewarding accomplishments. The fact that the industry allows me to lead such a great organization like ILMA is a testament to what my dad taught me about the industry.

I am a still a member of the STLE Chicago Section even though I have lived in Fort Myers, Fla., now for almost nine years. I have so many friends in STLE, and especially the Chicago Section. I miss the monthly meetings. I’m looking forward to attending the in-person STLE Annual Meeting & Exhibition, May 15-19, at the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Resort in Orlando, Fla., as president of ILMA and reconnecting with all of my old friends!

TLT: What is the No. 1 piece of advice you would give to a person who might be interested in starting a career in the lubricants industry?
Damiani: I don’t think that a sophomore in high school taking first-year chemistry or a senior in high school taking Advanced Placement (AP) chemistry is thinking: “I can’t wait to get into the lubricants industry!”

Most of us fall into the industry. There are a few of us who are exceptions, as (like me) we were born into it.

We are not a “sexy” industry for young people to have an early interest in pursuing. I realized traveling to the United Kingdom Lubricants Association (UKLA) Annual Dinner in November 2021 that our colleagues overseas are just as concerned about the “silver exit” as we are. Our industry is losing incalculable knowledge with retirements and unexpected departures. That career industry knowledge is not being transferred to the next generation of lubricant professionals. The industry needs to look at attracting new, young, intelligent talent that will see the rewarding benefit of a career in lubricants.

I’d encourage anyone considering a career in the industry to make the leap! The lubricants industry is one of the best-kept secrets in manufacturing. Independent lubricant manufacturers contribute $14.4 billion in sales, $7.2 billion in gross domestic product and 26,000 good-paying jobs that amount to $2.7 billion in labor income. We also play a significant role in sustainability through the energy savings and equipment longevity that comes with using high-quality lubricants. It’s a great industry to earn a good living while doing meaningful work. Furthermore, there are plenty of mentorship opportunities with our more senior workers who are eager to share a wealth of knowledge and experience.

TLT: What are some of the most technical lubrication-based concepts or topics that you have encountered throughout your career?
Damiani: Radco works almost exclusively within the military specification lane, with an emphasis on aviation hydraulic fluids. Both STLE Life Member Lois Gschwender and Ed Snyder, both formerly of the U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Dayton, Ohio, literally wrote the book (and the military specifications) for the aviation hydraulics industry. Formulating to a military specification is challenging. There are reasons why upward of 30 parameters are set for just one specification.



TLT: When did you first become involved with ILMA?
Damiani: I’ve been involved with our industry organizations for 15 years. My dad was attending STLE Chicago Section meetings since the late 1960s. He also was a member of the North American Die Casting Association (NADCA). 

I actually got involved with STLE first. I began attending the STLE Chicago Section meetings in 2006 with the encouragement of STLE member Paul Hartsuch, who has been involved with STLE over the years on many levels. Hartsuch has been a good friend of mine and my family for many years. I’d love to see an STLE local section in Southwest Florida where I live now, because we have so many retired lubricant professionals in Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Naples, Fort Myers and Tampa, all within a 150-mile radius of Fort Myers.

I was introduced to ILMA through Brian Finch, who has worked in many facets of the lubricant industry in his career. Radco had pivoted our heat transfer fluid technology over to military specification lubricants, and when Finch joined the Radco team, one of the first suggestions was that we join ILMA. It was a natural fit, as Radco is a niche specialty military lubricant manufacturer.

As president of ILMA, I enjoy the crossover relationships of my ILMA contacts with my STLE contacts.

TLT: What are your goals as president of ILMA?
Damiani: Simple: to continue to create value for the ILMA membership by increasing member benefits. As an organization, ILMA is financially sound, and we navigated through the COVID-19 pandemic without two meetings. Last year, we were able to hold both meetings, and our membership was extremely appreciative of the opportunity to reconnect with the industry. The ILMA Engage meeting in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., this past April was almost to capacity. It’s apparent that our industry wants to re-engage.

Bottom line: Let’s get it rolling again!

TLT: What is the one thing you wish you would have learned earlier in your career?
Damiani: One of my passions in life is coaching youth football. As I’ve gotten older, I appreciate attending a coaching clinic or seminar and listening to a coach who has forgotten more about football than I know. I appreciate STLE’s technical presentations for the same reason. I just wish that when I was younger, I would have listened more.

You can reach Mike Damiani at mdamiani@radcoind.com.