TLT: How long have you worked in a lubrication-related field, and how did you decide to pursue a career in the lubricants industry? 
Hepley: I have been in the industry for 15 years. It started when I was a young girl watching my father work on cars. I preferred to help him build and paint snap on cars instead of playing house or with dolls. I am a classic car fan and have experience with working on cars. I worked in the automotive appraisal industry for a few years before my opportunity to work for POLARIS Laboratories happened. I was blessed enough to have been given the life changing opportunity to work for POLARIS and have enjoyed every minute of the journey. 

TLT: What has been your most rewarding accomplishment throughout your career in the lubricants industry? 
Hepley: My most rewarding accomplishment is being nominated to be on the STLE Board of Directors. I remember being at my very first President’s Luncheon at an STLE Annual Meeting and seeing the inauguration for the board, and I thought to myself, someday I would like to be a part of that table. At the time it seemed like a very far stretch for a young woman like me. However, I was determined that someday I would try, but first I decided to work hard, learn the industry and master my craft— and then the rest just all fell into place. I am extremely honored and humbled to be seated on the board alongside some amazing and dedicated individuals. 



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? 
Hepley: Be open to learning, make connections and be willing to help others. Never stop learning, and always invest in yourself. Never give up. If you fail, you dust yourself off and keep moving forward. Success cannot be reached without failure in between. 

TLT: Throughout the different segments within your career, which one has been the most interesting, challenging and/ or rewarding? 
Hepley: Balancing personal and work life. As a wife, mother and career woman, I was told that I couldn’t have it all. I had to decide between being a mom or having a career, that I couldn’t handle or have both. After some time, I learned how to balance the two, and I can say that I have the best of both worlds. Granted, I have an amazing support system both at home and at work that allows me to be able to balance both. At times it can be challenging, but don’t ever let anyone tell you it’s impossible. 

TLT: What are some of the most technical lubrication-based concepts or topics you have encountered throughout your career? 
Hepley: One concept is varnish analysis and how to remove it without causing further damage or leading to failure. This has made me become so passionate about varnish analysis, and I am always working on improving our program to ensure we are providing the best feedback and technical support to our customers to help them with varnish detection and removal. To this day, we are still learning so much about how it forms, how it interacts and the negative impacts it can have on a piece of equipment. 

TLT: What is the one thing you wish you would have learned earlier in your career? 
Hepley: I wish I learned more about mechanical engineering and had gone into a tribology or mechanical engineering field instead of criminology. I do plan to eventually go back and get my degree in either tribology or mechanical engineering. 

You can reach Elaine Hepley at ehepley@polarislabs.com.