STLE Appoints Kevin Delaney from Vanderbilt Chemicals as 2025-2026 STLE President

Park Ridge, Illinois (May 20, 2025) — 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 — today announced that Kevin Delaney, global sales director for the Petroleum Group at Vanderbilt Chemicals, LLC, in Norwalk, Conn., assumes the role of 2025-2026 president for a one-year term beginning May 20, 2025.

Delaney serves as the society’s principal executive officer and chair of its board of directors. During his one-year term, he will focus on STLE strategic goals and volunteering.

“Kevin brings a powerful combination of technical expertise, visionary leadership, and deep commitment to the tribology and lubrication engineering community,” said Rebecca Lintow, CAE, STLE executive director. “His long-standing involvement with STLE and passion for advancing our mission make him uniquely positioned to lead STLE into an exciting new chapter. We are confident his presidency will strengthen STLE’s impact, expand our reach, and inspire continued innovation in the field.”

Delaney graduated with a bachelor of science degree in chemistry from Penn State University in 1979. He has worked in the lubricants industry for more than 40 years. The first 20 years of his career were spent in the laboratory synthesizing additives, formulating packages, developing metalworking fluids and providing technical service for polyalkylene glycols and biocides. Since then, he’s worked in technical sales and sales management with extensive experience in Asia Pacific.

Delaney has been an STLE member since 1983. He held every office in the previous STLE Connecticut Section at least once and organized several of their education days. He was on the STLE Board of Directors from 2005 to 2009. He also was vice chair of the Metalworking Technical Committee in 2000.

Joining him on the STLE executive committee for the 2025-2026 term are Vice President Steffen Bots (ADDINOL Lube Oil GmbH), Secretary Dr. William B. Anderson (Afton Chemical Corp.), Treasurer Peter Lee (Southwest Research Institute), Immediate Past President Jack McKenna (Sea-Land Chemical Co.) and STLE Executive Director Rebecca Lintow.

“STLE is very different from when I started, but the changes have been an example of continuous improvement,” said Delaney. “This organization has progressed through thousands of small impacts. I hope to contribute what little I can during my short tenure.”

Click here for a headshot photo of Delaney.

About the Society of Tribologists & Lubrication Engineers (STLE)

The Society of Tribologists and Lubrication Engineers (STLE) is the premier technical society serving the needs of over 15,000 individuals and 200 companies and organizations that comprise the tribology and lubrication engineering business sector. STLE members are employed by the world’s leading corporations, academic institutions and governmental agencies dealing with science and technology. STLE supports these distinguished technical experts with various professional education and certification programs. STLE is a professional technical society providing robust resources in technical research, education and professional development delivered through programming, courses, events and periodicals on topics most important to you: safety, energy usage, maintenance, natural resources, wear and productivity.

Tribological advancements can improve productivity, profitability, sustainability and safety across several industries, including manufacturing, metalworking, transportation and power energy. Membership is available to those interested in staying current with the latest technologies, advancing their careers and making new professional connections worldwide. STLE membership is a low-cost investment with high professional rewards. For more information or to join today, visit www.stle.org.

Media Contact: Rachel Fowler |+1 847-993-7959 | [email protected]