BIRMINGHAM/HUNTSVILLE, Ala. – Southern Research Institute, a not-for-profit scientific research organization based in Birmingham, today announced that Thomas J. Heyer has joined Southern Research as Manager of Business Development in the Engineering Division, working in Birmingham as well as the new office opened in Huntsville last month.
“Tom’s expertise in the identification and commercialization of composite materials opportunities and innovative product development for new and existing global markets will be valuable to the engineering team at Southern Research, and also to our customers,” said Michael D. Johns, vice president of Engineering. “This is an area of business with high growth potential, so we look forward to his leadership.”
Heyer will direct marketing of engineering services for the development and testing of composite components and structures. Previously he was Technical Product Marketing Manager at Ticona Technical Polymers Division, Celanese Corporation since 2004. He managed the maintenance and growth of a global specialty polymer line while a Business Unit Manager at Zeon Chemicals. His career experience also includes nine years at 3M Company and seven years with General Motors. He received his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science, respectively, from the University of Rochester, and earned a Master’s degree in Business Administration from The University of Texas at Austin. He has achieved Six Sigma DFSS Black Belt certification and been active in a wide range of community service organizations.
About Southern Research Institute
Southern Research Institute is a not-for-profit 501(c) 3 scientific research organization founded in 1941 that conducts advanced engineering research in materials, systems development, environment and energy, and preclinical drug discovery and development. More than 550 scientific and engineering team members support clients and partners in the pharmaceutical, biotechnology, defense, aerospace, environmental and energy industries. Southern Research is headquartered in Birmingham, Ala., with facilities in Wilsonville, Ala., Frederick, Md., and Durham, NC and offices in Huntsville, Ala., New Orleans, La., Washington, DC and Kiev, Ukraine. For more information see southernresearch.org.
