Ricky W. Magee, director of the technology laboratory for Columbian Chemicals Co. in Marietta, Ga., has been elected to the ASTM International board of directors for 2010-2012.

As technology laboratory director at Columbian Chemicals, Magee is responsible for Columbian’s global technology laboratory, which provides material science, analytical and applications information in support of product development, quality assurance and technical service for rubber and industrial carbon blacks. Magee’s career has focused on the management of analytical and material science laboratories, which has recently expanded to include rubber applications. His experience includes surface area techniques and scanning and transmission electron microscopy.

In 1984, the year he completed his M.S. in chemistry at Northeast Louisiana University in Monroe, La., where he also earned his B.S. in chemistry, Magee became a chemist at Columbian Chemicals Co. in the firm’s research and development center. He then held the position of laboratory manager of Columbian’s colloidal and oil laboratories. In 2000 he was named director of analytical services with responsibility for supporting technical services, research and development, and quality assurance activities. He assumed his current position in 2004.

Magee, who joined ASTM International in 1990, is chair of Committee D24 on Carbon Black and Subcommittee D24.41 on Carbon Black Nomenclature and Terminology. For his work in several D24 groups, which has contributed to the ongoing improvement and development of test methods for the carbon black industry, Magee received the Award of Merit and accompanying title of fellow in 2008. In 2000, Committee D24 honored Magee with a Distinguished Service Award. Magee is also a member of the U.S.A. Committee for International Standards on Rubber in Committee D11 on Rubber and of the U.S. Technical Advisory Group to the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) Technical Committee 45 on Rubber.

In addition to ASTM International, Magee is a member of the American Chemical Society and a sustaining member of the Microscopy Society of America.

ASTM PR Contact: Erin McElrone, Phone: 610-832-9602; emcelron@astm.org

Release #8440/Dec2009