Summary
Problem solver with excellent analytical, organizational, leadership and communication skills seeking technical role in research or new product development team. Experience coordinating industry-university cooperative research programs.

Experience

More than 20 years of experience in research and development (R&D) for Albany International, a public, global advanced textile and polymer materials processing company with a core business producing custom-designed synthetic fabrics and belts essential to the production of paper. Albany International Research Co. (formerly Fabric Research Laboratory) was also a contract R&D lab for many years. Involved there in new product development for a wide range of products including biomedical tissue scaffolds, water transport bags, bulletproof vests and fiber-reinforced composites.

Albany International Research Co., Director of R&D – 2 years (2006-2008)
• Reporting to the CTO, responsible for managing all aspects of a major R&D center with a budget of $10M and a technical staff of 45 people comprised of lab scientists (chemical and physical), technology teams, new product development teams and facility support (accounting, human resources, maintenance).
• Co-director of global R&D organization responsible for co-managing and coordinating new product development and basic research activities supporting production in the Americas, Europe and Asia.

Albany International Research Co., R&D Manager – 8 years (1997-2006)
• Led global cross-functional teams focussed on new product development. Took press product line mix of new technology introductions from 10% to over 35% in three years, translating to $3M increased annual revenue.
• Used computer modeling and lab trials to establish key performance factors. Earned three US patents.
• Key technical partner in cooperative research program with machine builder and Finnish simulation engineering firm.
• Corporate representative on advisory board for research institute at the Georgia Institute of Technology.

Albany International, Press Fabrics Division, Project Leader – 5 years (1993-1997)
• Ran laboratory and pilot trials using Design-of-Experiments methodology to assess the effect of fabric style on the papermaking process. Developed custom compression test to compare new and competitor products.
• Wrote computer program to simulate stress distribution in fabrics in rolling nip (Nip Profile TM) allowing designers to compare different fabric styles during the custom design process.
• Designed and implemented process improvements resulting in 20% reduction in needling process time.

Consultant to Albany International – 2 years (1991-1993)
• Tested and modified custom-developed software for prediction of sheet dryness in press section of a paper machine.

Albany International Research Co., Research Assistant – 6 years (1978-1984)
• Characterized physical behavior of polymeric fibers and fabrics using standard and custom test methods for both dynamic and quasi-static situations.

Professional Accomplishments

Fundamental Research Programs
• Led teams of scientists exploring the fundamentals of sheet dewatering and drying during the papermaking process leading to improved fabric designs and establishment of practical process limitations.

Computer Modeling
• Pioneered the use of Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) and Finite Element Analysis (FEA) to predict the behavior and explore the fundamental influence of textile belts during the papermaking process.

Engineering Factors
• Established key performance factors as tool for screening new product concepts.

Physical Characterization
• Expert in measuring mechanical behavior of polymer materials, especially for fibers and textile structures. Primarily nylon and polyester materials.

Professional Accomplishments (cont’d)

Research Advisory Council at the Institute for Paper Science and Technology at the Georgia Institute of Technology
• Member of industrial board advising academic research programs relevant to the paper industry.

Advisory Board to the Dean of the College of Human Ecology, Cornell University
• Served as alumnus representing the industrial textile industry.

Women in Science and Engineering, UMass Lowell program volunteer
• Volunteered in annual program for school age girls that demonstrated engineering and science career options.

Education

Ph.D. Fiber Science, Cornell University, 1991
M.S. Mechanical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 1986
B.S. Clothing and Textiles, Framingham State College, 1978

Professional Memberships

Fiber Society
• Governing Council, President

Technical Association of the Pulp and Paper Industry (TAPPI)
• Water Removal Committee: Membership Chair, Secretary, Committee Chair

Publications and Presentations

“CFD Analysis of a Dryer Pocket”, K. Laakkonen, M. Kurki, L. Martinsson, M. Toney, TAPPI Engineering Conference, San Antonio, December 2001.

“A Computer Model of a Roll Press Nip”, J. Skelton, M. Toney, TAPPI Journal, 84, March 2001.

“Computer Modeling of Fibrous Structures”, Journal of the Textile Institute, 91, P133, 2000.

“A Computer Model of a Roll Press Nip”, J. Skelton, M. Toney, TAPPI Engineering Conference, San Diego, September 2000.

“Modeling of Industrial Textiles: Paper Machine Clothing”, Gordon Research Conference, Fiber Science, July 1999.

“Modeling of Press Fabrics and Vented Press Belts for Shoe Presses”, TAPPI Engineering Conference, Miami, September 1998.

“Bending and Torsional Fatigue of Nylon 66 Monofilaments”, M. Toney, Ph.D. Dissertation, Cornell University, January 1991.

“On the Mechanics of Twisted Synthetic Ropes”, M. Toney, M.S. Thesis, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, September 1986.

“Cumulative Geometric Changes in Woven Fabrics with Repeated Flexing”, M. Toney, M. Schoppee, J. Skelton, Textile Research Journal, 46, June 1986.