Joseph B. Hockenbury Jr.
Savannah
Summary
Dynamic engineering leader with a proven track record at GAF, excelling in operations management and process improvement. Spearheaded initiatives that enhanced manufacturing efficiency and reduced costs, while fostering cross-functional collaboration. Adept in quality assurance and statistical analysis, driving significant project success and team engagement.
Overview
12
12
years of professional experience
Work History
Manager Technical Services
GAF
Savannah
2023.01 - Current
- Led team of four process engineers and three quality control specialists to drive excellence.
- Managed analytical initiatives, ensuring plant compliance with safety and environmental standards.
- Facilitated resource allocation, achieving goals in safety, quality, productivity, and cost control.
- Provided technical support in statistical applications and process capability assessments.
- Translated customer needs into manufacturing support, implementing necessary product improvements.
- Resolved all plant quality and field claims efficiently.
- Coordinated trials for process improvements, including pre-trial training and post-trial reports.
- Supervised quality department personnel, fostering professional growth through development plans.
Asphalt Yard Process Engineer/Supervisor
GAF
Savannah
2024.11 - 2025.08
- Led asphalt operations team to ensure daily supply for Roofing Mill.
- Oversaw incoming asphalt and oxidation processes, facilitating rail-to-shingle production.
- Monitored asphalt data to uphold downstream shingle quality.
- Identified and implemented improvements in asphalt operations for safety and reliability.
- Supported enhancements in quality, efficiency, and cost-effectiveness of operations.
- Participated in HAZOP analysis, leading necessary process changes and equipment introductions.
- Managed capital project design, scope development, and cost estimation for strategic asphalt projects.
- Administered $2.2MM operating budget while overseeing $5MM onsite projects including bulk tank installation, boiler replacement, heating infrastructure upgrades, VFD and pump overhaul.
Modbit Process Engineer III
GAF
Savannah
2023.01 - 2024.11
- Led process improvement initiatives to enhance cost savings, capacity, and yield for existing and new processes.
- Reduced Box Erector downtime by 28% compared to previous year.
- Eliminated slow time and excess waste in smooth product processing through Cooling project.
- Developed and updated SOPs, Work Instructions, JSAs, and Product Matrixes.
- Implemented SQCCE processes for effective shift meeting handoffs within GBS initiatives.
- Supported Braincube rollout for optimizing operator workstations.
- Conducted daily troubleshooting, root cause analysis, and continuous improvements to minimize scrap and downtime.
- Executed capital project infrastructure upgrades for $5MM in plant equipment.
Advanced Process Improvement Chemical Engineer
EASTMAN CHEMICAL COMPANY
Kingsport
2021.12 - 2022.12
- Developed methods and strategies for scaling new products from lab to pilot manufacturing sites.
- Gained technical expertise in Cellulose Ester processes to enhance safety, cost-efficiency, quality, and capacity.
- Supported Engineering and R&D by implementing a new matrix solvation system, reducing raw material costs by 33%.
- Decreased water costs by 25% and batch turnaround time by 22% using Design of Experiment methodologies.
- Collaborated with cross-functional teams to drive process improvements and business initiatives.
- Led Safety KI team in refreshing Emergency Documentation to a streamlined One Page Work Instruction format.
- Conducted HAZOPs, PHAs, Design Safety reviews, and risk assessments with Environmental, Health, and Safety teams.
- Initiated and managed PSSR for new or modified equipment.
Senior Process Engineer
HOLCIM BUILDING ENVELOPE, ROOFING INSULATION
2019.07 - 2021.12
- Engineering leader in Polyisocyanurate foam insulation division supporting 7 locations.
- Actively develop and drive all aspects of a continuous process line including traditional chemical engineering wet end, foam laydown science and development characteristics, mechanical dry end processing, packaging operations, and cure process through ownership of Standard Works, Managements of Change, and chemical formulations in designated plants.
- Support and influence cross functional collaborative teams with Research and Development, Maintenance and Reliability, New Product Process, Lean Champions, and Quality to drive new product development and legacy process improvements.
- Engineering lead for new product ISOGARD implementation at dedicated sites.
- Design trials and studies using statistical methodologies, Design of Experiments, and modeling techniques to further understand product characteristics, quality improvements, and reduce process variation.
- Led cross functional Engineering, R&D and Quality team to improve thermal insulation and compressive characteristics.
- Loss tree savings of $1.1MM for 2020.
- 37% first pass yield improvement at targeted sites.
- Perform HAZOPs, PHAs, Design Safety reviews, and risk assessments with Environmental, Health, and Safety.
- Initiate and own PSSR for new or modified equipment.
- Engineering lead for plant operating systems upgrade using Ignition software.
Process Engineer
HYDRO EXTRUDED SOLUTIONS
Rockledge
2018.05 - 2019.07
- PRECISION TUBING NORTH AMERICA
Associate Chemist
ADPEN LABORATORIES
Jacksonville
2013.09 - 2015.07
- AGROCHEMICAL DEPARTMENT
Education
Masters of Science - Chemical Engineering
Florida Institute of Technology
Melbourne, FLBachelor of Science - Chemical Engineering
Florida Institute of Technology
Melbourne, FLBachelor of Science - Chemistry
University of North Florida
Jacksonville, FLSkills
- Operations management and process improvement
- Quality assurance and statistical analysis
- Project management and technical documentation
- Manufacturing efficiency and cost reduction
- Risk assessment and team leadership
- Cross-functional collaboration
Publications
Spectroscopic Properties of CuO, SnO, and Dy2O3 Co-doped Phosphate Glass: From Luminescent Material to Plasmonic Nanocomposite, Jimenez, J. A.; Hockenbury, J. B., J. Mat. Sci., 2013, 48, 6921, 10.1007/s10853-013-7497-0
Instrument Experience
- Perkin Elmer Lambda 35 UV/VIS
- Perkin Elmer Spectrum One FTIR
- Quanta Master 30 PTI Spectrofluorometer
- LC-MS/MS (Agilent 1200 HPLC and 1290 UPLC coupled with ABSCIEX 4000, 5500, and 6500 Triple Quadrupole systems) using Analyst and MultiQuant Software
- TA Instruments Thermal Conductivity FOX 314
- Instron Tensile and Compression
- PMA 500 Pentrometer
- Mettler-Toledo Softening Point Machine
- Anton PAAR PMCC 500
- Koehler Open Cup Flash
Timeline
Asphalt Yard Process Engineer/Supervisor
GAF
2024.11 - 2025.08
Manager Technical Services
GAF
2023.01 - Current
Modbit Process Engineer III
GAF
2023.01 - 2024.11
Advanced Process Improvement Chemical Engineer
EASTMAN CHEMICAL COMPANY
2021.12 - 2022.12
Senior Process Engineer
HOLCIM BUILDING ENVELOPE, ROOFING INSULATION
2019.07 - 2021.12
Process Engineer
HYDRO EXTRUDED SOLUTIONS
2018.05 - 2019.07
Associate Chemist
ADPEN LABORATORIES
2013.09 - 2015.07
Masters of Science - Chemical Engineering
Florida Institute of Technology
Bachelor of Science - Chemical Engineering
Florida Institute of Technology
Bachelor of Science - Chemistry
University of North Florida