STLE elects Petro-Canada Lubricants’ Paul Hetherington as 2020-2021 president

The Society of Tribologists and Lubrication Engineers (STLE) — the technical society serving individuals, companies and organizations that comprise the tribology and lubrication engineering business sector — announced that Paul Hetherington, CLS, manager, technical services, Canada, for Petro-Canada Lubricants Inc., a HollyFrontier Business, and former treasurer, secretary and vice president of STLE, will assume the role of 2020-2021 president effective immediately for a one-year term.

In his new role, Hetherington will serve as the principal executive officer of the society and as chairman of its board of directors. Joining him on the STLE Executive Committee are Vice President Ken Hope, Ph.D. (Chevron Phillips Chemical Co. LP), Secretary Ryan Evans, Ph.D. (The Timken Company), Treasurer Hong Liang, Ph.D. (Texas A&M University), Immediate Past President Michael Duncan, Ph.D. (Daubert Chemical Company Inc.) and STLE Executive Director Edward P. Salek.

“Paul is a recognized thought leader that has served STLE at both the local and national level,” said Edward P. Salek, CAE, STLE executive director. “He’s designed and collaborated on numerous technical and education programs, and his insights will be invaluable as STLE continues to evolve and address the changing needs of our members and their respective industries in today’s business environment.”

During his term, Hetherington will lead STLE’s volunteers and professional staff in the implementation of a strategic plan that emphasizes education, technical innovation and global advocacy in the areas of tribology and lubrication. Throughout the year, he will represent the society and speak at industry meetings throughout North America and around the world about the positive impact tribology can make in industrial and everyday applications.

“I’m honored to serve as 2020-2021 president of STLE,” said Hetherington. “I look forward to leading STLE’s efforts as we help our members navigate the new normal and continue to advance tribology in a variety of industries and applications, including manufacturing, metalworking, transportation and power generation.”

With more than 39 years of experience, Hetherington has extensive industry knowledge in various reliability initiatives, including the development of several programs such as oil analysis, vibration analysis, thermography and ultrasonics. Hetherington joined Petro-Canada Lubricants in 2011 as a senior technical services advisor.

Prior to joining Petro-Canada Lubricants, Hetherington was the manager of training and consulting services for Fluid Life. He also was the former corporate lubrication and fuel specialist with Syncrude Canada Ltd., a major oil sands operation in northern Alberta, where he was employed for more than 20 years. Paul has provided training, consulting and failure analysis expertise in the field of lubrication and oil analysis throughout Canada.

In 2007, Hetherington joined the STLE Board of Directors, and in 2017, he joined the society’s executive committee, serving one-year terms as treasurer, secretary and vice president. Hetherington has held STLE’s CLS certification since 1994 and has been an active member of STLE since 1990, holding several positions in the STLE Alberta Section, as well as making presentations at various educational seminars and annual meetings.