By Dave Savasstano, Editor | May 20, 2015
In his 32 years at Shamrock Technologies, Joon Choo has continually earned the respect and friendship of his colleagues in the ink industry, leading to his receiving NAPIM’s Technical Associate Member Service Award in 2011 as well as this year’s Pioneer Award. Still, he is surprised about receiving these honors.
“Very simply, I am so touched to be nominated to such an august group of contributors to the industry,” Choo, Shamrock Technologies’ VP, said. “When I think about the alumni who joined us for the 100th anniversary, and those who have received this Pioneer recognition, I realize how little I have done compared to these icons. It is truly humbling, but yet a thrilling honor.”
Actually, Choo’s list of accomplishments is lengthy, beginning almost to the day he went on a job interview with Bill Neuberg, Shamrock Technologies’ owner, while a doctoral student and ended up joining the company as a developmental chemist.
“In that interview, Bill asked me to describe for him the crystal structure of polyethylene, and when we were done, he hired me,” Choo noted.
Choo quickly was named lab manager in 1984, and by 1986, he was tasked with setting up sales and marketing in Asia. Choo continues to assume additional responsibilities, serving as technical director until 1996, when he became executive director of Shamrock Technologies Asia based in Kuala Lumpur. He returned to USA in 1999 as director of marketing for inks, and in 2001, became VP of marketing. He said that joining Shamrock and the ink industry has proved to be the right decision.
“I am very fortunate to have found a home here among friends,” Choo concluded.