February 17, 2020 — Southwest Research Institute announced today consolidated revenues of nearly $674 million in 2019, up more than 15% from 2018 and the highest ever recorded at the Institute. Internal spending on research and development increased by 20%, topping $8.1 million.
The Institute’s Advisory Trustees, Board of Directors and special guests gathered for the 72nd Annual Meeting where SwRI scientists and engineers gave updates about the latest research and development initiatives at the Institute.
Wayne S. Alexander, retired president of SBC Southwestern Bell, was elected chair of the board. He previously served as board chair from 2008–09 and was vice chair from 2006–07 and 2017–2019. Sam Dawson, P.E., CEO of Pape-Dawson Engineers Inc., was elected vice chair. Dawson joined the Board in 2018. This term marks his first as vice chair.
“It is an honor to be named the Chair of the Board for Southwest Research Institute,” Alexander said. “Over the past two decades I have watched this organization grow and make extraordinary discoveries and scientific leaps forward. I am privileged to serve at SwRI, as it continues to be one of the leading R&D organizations in the world. Today we saw some of the great strides our scientists and engineers have made over the past year, finding solutions to extremely difficult technical problems.”
Staff presentations touched on critical energy issues as well as overviews of projects concerning vehicle efficiency, machine learning, homeland security and space exploration.
Attendees also heard about LotusFlo™ and the AF-369 VHF/UHF Terrestrial Direction-Finding Antenna, two developments that won R&D 100 Awards in 2019, recognized as among the 100 most significant innovations of the year. SwRI developed LotusFlo, a superhydrophobic coating and process for applying it to offshore drilling pipes. The AF-369 antenna improves the frequency range while reducing cost of terrestrial direction-finding antennas.
“I am extremely proud to be a part of this extraordinary Institute,” said SwRI President and CEO Adam L. Hamilton, P.E. “The Institute is filled with incredibly talented people who are constantly working to advance science and engineering for the betterment of all humankind.”
SwRI also announced the retirement of longtime board member, Roger R. Hemminghaus, chairman and CEO emeritus of Ultramar Diamond Shamrock Corp. Hemminghaus served as an Advisory Trustee beginning in 1986 before joining the Board of Directors in 1988. Going forward, he will serve as an advisory trustee.
Hamilton also introduced 13 new advisory trustees who will serve three-year terms: Hemminghaus; Gene L. Ames III, co-general partner of Compadre Energy Partners Ltd.; Bradley C. “Brad” Barron, president and CEO of NuStar Energy LP; Henry Cisneros, chairman and co-CIO of American Triple I Partners; Dr. Mike Flores, chancellor of Alamo Colleges District; Dr. Paul Goldbart, dean of the College of Natural Sciences at The University of Texas at Austin; Allen Harrison, president and CEO of Methodist Healthcare System; Dr. Byron C. Hepburn Maj. Gen. (USAF, Ret), associate vice president and director of the Military Health Institute at UT Health San Antonio; Willard E. “Bill” Imhoff III, president of Intertech Flooring; Earl Maxwell, CPA, CEO (retired) of St. David’s Foundation; Allan L. Reagan, president and CEO, Flix Entertainment Group and Aramcor Inc.; Maj. Gen. Angie Salinas, USMC (Ret.), CEO of Girl Scouts of Southwest Texas; and Dr. David Silva, distinguished professor of physics and astronomy and dean of the College of Sciences at The University of Texas at San Antonio.
The SwRI Board of Directors re-elected Institute officers and vice presidents including: Hamilton; Walter D. Downing, P.E., executive vice president and COO; Beth Ann Rafferty, CPA, chief financial officer, vice president – finance and Institute secretary; Mónica R. Trollinger, JD, general counsel; and Linda M. Boehme, CPA, treasurer and assistant Institute secretary.
Eleven vice presidents also were reappointed including: Kenneth H. Bennett Jr., Applied Physics; Dr. James L. Burch, Space Science and Engineering; Danny M. Deffenbaugh, Mechanical Engineering; Dr. Steven W. Dellenback, PMP, Intelligent Systems; Paul Easley, Facilities and General Services; Dr. Michael G. MacNaughton, P.E., Chemistry and Chemical Engineering; Tony Magaro, Human Resources; Steven D. Marty, P.E., Fuels and Lubricants Research; Mary Massey, P.E., Applied Power; C. Nils Smith, P.E., Defense and Intelligence Solutions; and Daniel W. Stewart, P.E., Powertrain Engineering.
For more information, visit annualmeeting.swri.org or contact Tracey M.S. Whelan, +1 210 522 2256, Communications Department, Southwest Research Institute, 6220 Culebra Road, San Antonio, TX 78238-5166.