Personnel

Robert Hill - President, Solar Atmosphere s of Western PA has over 30 years of metallurgical experience involving a wide range of heat treating methodologies. During the past ten years Bob has specialized in the development of large vacuum furnace technology and titanium processing capabilities for Solar Atmospheres.

In 2000, Bob took on the responsibility of starting Solar Atmospheres second plant located in Hermitage, PA. At this location there are fourteen vacuum furnaces, including the world’s largest vacuum furnace, which is 36 feet long with a weight capacity of 150,000lbs. This 60,000 square foot facility primarily services the titanium industries that service aerospace, medical, and power generation arenas throughout the world.

Bob has been a member of ASM since 1980. He has published numerous articles on vacuum technologies and vacuum heat treating applications. Bob has publicly presented these papers at several National ASM Heat Treating Conferences, SME events, and at various local chapters throughout the country.

In 2000-2001, Bob served as the Chairman of the Philadelphia Liberty Bell Chapter of ASM. Additionally, he co-chaired the 2003 and 2005 ASM Heat Treating Society Conference and Exposition. In 2009, Bob was bestowed International Titanium Association Achievement Award. In 2010, he was appointed to the ASM Board of Trustee's. Bob is currently a sitting member of the Metal Treating Institute Board of Directors. He received a B.S. from Millersville University and a degree in Metallurgy from Spring Garden College.

Contact Information
Email:  bobh@solarwpa.com
Phone: 866.982.0660 

 

Suzi Generalovich - Quality Manager joined Solar 3 years ago as Aerospace Project Manager; focusing on Boeing and aerospace quality reviews. She then accepted the Quality Manager position. Suzi has more than 25 years of experience in the metals industry and has a B.S. from Geneva College. She previously worked at Titanium Metals Corporation. Prior to TIMET she was in Customer Relations and Production Planning Supervisor in the Steel Industry. She is a member of APICS (Advancing Productivity, Innovation and Competitive Success) and achieved the CSCP (Certified Supply Chain Professional) certification from APICS.

Contact Information
Email:  susan@solarwpa.com
Phone: 866.982.0660

 

Mike Johnson - Sales Manager Western PA joined Solar Atmospheres with over ten years of experience in heat treating and CNC machining operations. Michael previously held the position of Quality Manager for seven years at Solar Atmospheres Western PA (Hermitage), responsible for maintain Boeing, ISO, Lockheed Martin and Nadcap accreditations and quality systems. Michael’s promotion to Sales Manager for Solar Atmospheres Hermitage was seamless due to his background and knowledge of the material and aerospace specifications that he worked to on a daily basis. Michael is also an ASM member.

Contact Information
Email:  mfj@solarwpa.com
Phone: 866.982.0660

 

Kevin Bekelja - General Manager, Western PA has been with Solar for over 12 years. He has extensive vacuum heat treat experience with running and maintaining Solar’s state-of-art vacuum furnace equipment. Kevin is responsible for overseeing the day to day heat treat operations at Solar in Western PA. Kevin started with Solar at their plant in Souderton and then moved in 2001 to help start up Solar Atmospheres of Western PA. Kevin graduated from Elizabethtown College with a B.S. in Sociology/Anthropology.

Contact Information
Email:  kevin@solarwpa.com
Phone: 866.982.0660

 

Bob Sandora, Vice President of Operations, Western PA has more than 34 years of experience in building, installing and maintaining vacuum furnaces.  Bob moved from Solar’s Souderton facility to Solar Atmospheres, Western PA in January 2001 to develop the company’s newest facility in Hermitage, PA.  In 2006, Bob oversaw the Western, PA plant expansion from 24,000 to 65,000 square feet.  Bob currently oversees the operation of the facility and the maintenance of the equipment.  He has been a member of ASM since 2000.

Contact Information
Email:  bobs@solarwpa.com
Phone: 866.982.0660