Be that person
By Jack McKenna, STLE President | TLT President's Report September 2024
Build your network of experts within STLE for easy exchange of information.
I hope as you read this column you have had a chance to slow down a bit and enjoy some of what summer means to many of us, particularly in the upper Midwestern U.S. where I and the STLE headquarters staff reside—warm temperatures; trips to the pool, lake or ocean; or whatever means escape to you.
In my first speech as president of this great society, I talked about the very Chicago phrase, “I know a guy.” I went on to say that today this statement should be the gender neutral, “I know a person,” but what it means to me is, I know someone who can help you. If your car broke down, you got in a fender bender or if you had some unplanned household repair, you would dread the idea of having to seek out assistance from the unknown and risk getting taken advantage of. I had a brother-in-law (sadly he passed away in 2020) who always was able to help out, sending me to Pinky Auto Body Shop a few months before his passing to get a bumper repaired. He always “knew a guy.” At its essence, this phrase is all about helping each other find solutions to problems.
STLE is about channels for sharing of information—from the academic community to commercial research professionals, problem solving for lubricant companies and even people who are on the front line of supply like additive manufacturers and distributors (more on these categories in a future TLT column). The idea is that we meet and build networks for the open and easy exchange of information. STLE conferences and local section meetings are a great place to start. STLE also offers a variety of online and print options that can serve as a network to you, too. STLE’s LinkedIn audience is great at connecting and is always on the move. When sharing with others on any social media platform, make sure to use the hashtag #STLEinMotion when traveling, networking and so on.
As for print options, TLT lets you connect with the article contributors who share their ideas and expertise. Feel free to connect with these experts as well. You also can research topics through TLT Archives at
www.stle.org/TLTArchives.
When the information exchanged comes from a trusted source, you know it will be reliable. I encourage each and every one of you to “be that person” for someone else in our greater community. You may help someone today who will be “your person” when you find yourself in need in the future.
Jack McKenna is vice president of corporate accounts for Sea-Land Chemical Company located in Cleveland, Ohio, and is based in Elmhurst, Ill. You can reach him at jack.mckenna@sealandchem.com.