Lee C. Coates, retired director of technical service for Sid Richardson Carbon Co. in Akron, Ohio, has received a 2006 ASTM International Award of Merit and accompanying title of fellow. ASTM International Committee D24 on Carbon Black cited Coates for his contributions to D24 standards work and his support of the committee. The award is the highest Society honor given to individuals for their participation in standards development activities.

Coates lives in Stow, Ohio, with his wife Sandy.

An ASTM International member since 1986, Coates serves on a number of D24 subcommittees, and he has been a subcommittee officer for many years. Coates is also a member of Committee D11 on Rubber. From 1994 to 2000 he held the position of the D24 vice chairman. In addition, Coates has represented the U.S. position to the rubber committee of the International Organization for Standardization for many years. For his work on D24, Coates previously was honored with a D24 Distinguished Service Award.

After graduating from Youngstown State University with a B.S. in chemistry, Coates worked for General Tire and then Mohawk Tire as a tire compounder. He joined Sid Richardson Carbon Co. in their technical services group in 1974.

Coates is also active in the American Society for Quality and is a Certified Quality Engineer. He served as Chairman for the Akron Rubber group and is a member of the ACS Rubber Division.

Release #7453