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Bob Schulz
Published: May 23, 2014 9:34 am ET
Updated: May 23, 2014 9:36 am ET
Roger Jones was a true pioneer in the reinforced thermoplastics industry.
I met him in around 1968, when he joined LNP as market development nanager, and I was just learning the ropes as eastern division manager.
LNP’s flagship business then was fluoropolymer specialties; thermoplastics got lost in the rounding.
Roger became VP and GM in 1971, and growth took off under his leadership. In 1976, LNP was sold to Beatrice Foods, and Roger, as president and GM, guided us in transitioning from a privately-held company to the Big Company world.
LNP continued to prosper within highly-decentralized Beatrice, and Roger’s successful management style — cool, measured, firm but fair was the prime driver.
My personal “I owe him big time” moment came in 1981, when Roger left LNP to take his talents to another industry. He recommended me as his successor, which, I’m certain, was a very hard sell to his boss at Beatrice. I was considered “too young” to head a booming multi-national operation.
Roger, thank goodness, prevailed, and I then spent another 22 years with LNP, while we changed owners three more times. But that’s another story; the point here is that Roger had tremendous faith in me, and was willing to go to the mat over it. There aren’t many bosses like that.
After a few years as a prodigal, Roger returned to his true love, reinforced plastics, and until his recent passing, continued to be active in the field, consulting, authoring several books, presenting papers at numerous conferences and serving on the Board of PlastiComp, a leading producer of long fiber thermoplastic composites.
The industry — and we — will sorely miss this multi-talented, and decent man.
Bob Schulz
former LNP CEO
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