I’m excited to announce that Paint & Coatings Industry magazine has presented the 2024 PCI Lifetime Achievement Award to Joanne Hardy, who retired from Axalta Coating Systems in late 2023. The award recognizes an individual who, during the course of his or her career, has made outstanding contributions to the coatings industry. The winner is announced at our annual Coatings Trends & Technologies Summit in Lombard, IL. We received 17 excellent nominations this year, which were reviewed by our Publisher and Editors. Joanne was nominated by Robert K. Roop, Ph.D., Senior Vice President & Chief Technology Officer, at Axalta. We also received letters of recommendation from three of her Axalta colleagues. Following are just some of their comments.

“Joanne has demonstrated commitment and vision in supporting the development and growth of the coatings industry. Through her knowledge, skills, and experience, Joanne and her teams helped shape many of the major innovations in the coatings industry over the last three decades. These advances include high-solids technologies, waterborne technologies, low-temperature-cure coatings, primerless coating systems, improved durability coatings, wet-on-wet technologies, and numerous other coatings innovations that have changed the coatings industry in a positive direction.” — Robert K. Roop, Ph.D., Senior Vice President & Chief Technology Officer, Axalta Coating Systems

“Joanne was instrumental in driving business success for the coatings group both at DuPont and its spin-off, Axalta. I worked alongside Joanne in numerous roles and regions. Regardless of where and what she was doing, Joanne always rallied her team around her and towards the success of the business. Joanne’s involvement – whether direct, as a team leader, or as a mentor – has been critical to the growth of the organization.” — Michael Bennett, Director, Global Product Management, Axalta Coating Systems

“Joanne Hardy coupled her amazing communication skills with her strong passion for the scientific method and mentoring to become the single best people leader at Axalta. During her tenure, she personally mentored hundreds of young scientists and engineers that have gone on to do great things in their respective careers. In all cases, Joanne Hardy taught these individuals to take challenges head on, question the norm, be passionate about their work, innovate with boundaries, and drive towards the best-balanced solutions.” — Matt Boland, Vice President, Global, Refinish Technology, Axalta Coating Systems

“One of the areas of service that Joanne is passionate about is advancing women’s careers in STEM. Joanne was one of the first leaders to support programs internally and externally, helping the next generation of scientists, engineers, and innovators. These initiatives prepared them to lead, be bold, and challenge thinking to drive better outcomes in areas that matter.” — Karin Becker, Technology Director – Process Technology, Axalta Coating Systems

Joanne and her teams made many significant achievements that have advanced the coatings industry. You can learn about her career experiences, her research, favorite projects, and outlook for the coatings industry in PCI’s Coat It! Podcast here. On behalf of the entire PCI team, congratulations Joanne!