Our team of dedicated and highly qualified engineers and technicians are here to make your project go smoothly. Each member of the team brings something special and unique to the experience helping you through every step of your journey.
Dennis Kelso
appLab™ Manager
My background includes a bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering from the University of Pittsburgh, a master's degree from Bloomsburg University, and over seventeen years in plastics at SEKISUI KYDEX. An interesting fact is that I build WWII scale models in my free time.
Favorite Song: Comfortably Numb by Pink Floyd
Favorite Color: Blue
Favorite Hobby: Anything outdoors, especially football
Erin Connelly
Senior Applications Engineer
I have a bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering from Penn State University and a master's degree from Wilkes University, combined with 15 years of quality engineering experience in multiple industries, with12 specific to plastics. As a quality engineer, I learned the value of designing and planning a process upfront instead of figuring it out in production to ensure proper fit, form, and function. I use that experience to help prevent issues before they happen in the aviation market.
An interesting fact is that in high school when I was applying to college, I originally wanted to be a pharmacist. When I took chemistry and physics my teacher asked if I knew what chemical engineering was. He told me I would be great at it. Once he explained what a Chemical Engineer does, I knew that is what I wanted to be. If it wasn't for my high school teacher, I would have never gone into plastics or engineering.
Favorite Song: Anything as long as it isn't country music.
Favorite Color: Blue
Favorite Hobby: Relaxing on our pontoon boat with my family and friends.
Shawn Gum
Business Development Engineer
I have a bachelor's degree in Plastics and Polymers Engineering from Pennsylvania College of Technology and a master's degree in Management from The University of Alabama (Roll Tide!). I have been with SEKISUI KYDEX for over 19 years with experience throughout many areas of our business. An interesting fact is that am the head coach of my son's youth football team.
Favorite Song: Enter Sandman by Metallica
Favorite Color: Pantone 201 (Roll Tide!)
Favorite Hobby or Interest: College football (Roll Tide!)
Michael Kessler
Senior appLab™ Specialist
I started on the shop floor at SEKISUI KYDEX in 2003, and with over 13 years of hands-on extrusion experience, I moved to the appLab™ in 2017. I am always learning more about physical and analytical testing of polymers, both our products and potential products with R&D, as well as competing polymer products. An interesting fact is that I am a former pizza delivery person.
Favorite Song: In The Meantime by Spacehog
Favorite Color: Pantone 3005 C
Favorite Hobby: Building/modifying/repairing PCs and networking
Sean Stabler
Vice President of Innovation
Growing up in Central Pennsylvania on a farm is what motivated me to become an engineer. I learned early on that when the equipment broke, we would have to learn how to repair it. My fondest memories are drawing a blueprint at the kitchen table with my grandfather on our approach to fix the machinery that I damaged. Since those humble days I have obtained a Bachelor's degree in Plastics and Polymer Engineering from Pennsylvania College of Technology and a master's degree in Materials Science from Drexel University. I've been working in the polymer industry since 2003.
Favorite Song: Anything Classic Rock and Country Music
Favorite Color: Blue, because we can't wear it at SEKISUI KYDEX manufacturing sites.
Favorite Hobby: Anything outdoors (hunting, fishing, gardening, hobby farming) with family and friends
Collin Everett
appLab™ Specialist
I have an Associates Degree in Automated Manufacturing Systems from Luzerne County Community College. I have been working as a machinist and programmer since 2016. At SEKISUI KYDEX, I am specifically focused on designing and machining thermoforming and CNC tools used to create customers rapid prototype parts out of appLab™. An interesting fact is that I enjoy riding the bike I built for myself.
Favorite Song: Going Down to the River by Mississippi Fred McDowell
Favorite Color: Denim Blue
Favorite Hobby or Interest: Acoustic Guitar