1988-89 AFS Chair - Ric Herrera

Ric Herrara, 1988-89 Chair, began his Filtration Industry career with Donaldson Company as Chief Engineer, filter Materials and continued with Fleetguard/Nelson as Chief Technical Officer and VP engineering and Technology. He has been married to his wife Sharon for 41 years and has 6 children and 15 grandchildren. He has received a BS/MS in Chemistry and an MBA.

In addition to AFS chair, Ric was Chair of the Filtration Society North Central Chapter and TAPPI Nonwovens Division. As a leader in the filtration industry, his professional awards include the AFS Wells Shoemaker Leadership and Service Award in 1993, Division leadership and Service Award – TAPPI Nonwovens Division and the 2003 Nonwovens Division Technical Award – TAPPI (Mark Hollingsworth Award) 

Why did you join the AFS and filtration industry?

When I began my career in the Filtration Industry with Donaldson Company, I was given the opportunity to do R&D work with filter materials and quickly found F & S a very challenging and rewarding field of work.

I felt at the time, as did some fellow filtration people, the need for a forum of engineers, scientists and others interested in filtration and separation. We wanted to address the Industry needs and discuss technical advances to improve filtration and separation work. We also felt it was important to become involved with the academic world and to encourage and educate college students towards a career focus interest in filtration and separation. These concerns led to the founding of the North Central Chapter of the Filtration Society with the help of Wells Shoemaker and others. 

What changes (technology, economic, governmental, environmental etc) have had the most impact on the filtration industry?

From my area of work (Air, Liquid and Exhaust Filtration in Heavy Duty Engines and Industrial Environments), it was the development of non-glass submicron fibers and the development of High Temperature Fibers for Exhaust Filtration. Both developments have helped a great deal by lowering pressure drop across the cartridges and increasing capacity or defined sometimes as “extended life at high efficiency/ low pressure drop”. Both developments have helped environmentally, economically and technically.

Where do you see the filtration industry in 5-10 years?

The emerging environmental needs for F & S are enormous. Diesel HD/Automotive exhaust filtration, Industrial Liquid and Air-Bio filtration are growing. Eastern Europe and  Asia countries are being required to meet industry standards both for exporting their products and concern for their own environmental regulations and health issues.