News Watch

Nordson Corp. (Amherst, OH) has named John Keane as corporate vice president with responsibility for the company's finishing systems businesses. To increase the company's focus on continued expansion in Asia, Mark Gacka, corporate vice president, assumes responsibility for the entire pacific Rim region, including Japan.

Dow Chemical (Auburn Hills, MI) has made George Hamilton president of Dow Automotive. He previously served as Dow Automotive's vice president of automotive materials, and was named chief operating officer in March.

For outstanding leadership in the organization of activities and standards development in Committee D01 on paint and Related Coatings, Materials and Applications, Eugene Praschan, a consultant in Fayetteville, NC, has received an Award of Merit from ASTM International. Of particular note are his contributions in the development of cooperation between ASTM D01 and the EPA and between ASTM and ISO.

St. Louis Metallizing (St. Louis) has promoted Todd Degitz, formerly sales manager, to vice president of sales, and Les Nappier, formerly plant superintendent, to vice president of operations.

Mike Idacavage of UCB Chemicals (Smyrna, GA) re-ceived the RadTech President's Award at the RadTech winter meeting in Clearwater, FL, for his leadership in the technical development and educational work in UV and EB technology.

Jamestown Powder Coatings (Columbus, OH) has appointed Missie Cox to the position of sales and marketing coordinator. She will maintain her responsibilities at the company's corporate offices in Jamestown, PA.

Sartomer Co. (Exton, PA) has promoted Bill Wittig, former marketing manager of monomers and oligomers, to business manager of its Specialty Polymers Group. He will oversee all business activities for the group, which supports formulators in the elastomers, plastics, coatings, adhesives, sealants and polyurethanes markets.