Lightning Talks

Jay currently serves as Director of Sales for Elsner Engineering Works, Inc. with over 25 years of service to the company. He has a strong engineering background with degrees from The Pennsylvania State University in both Electrical and Mechanical Engineering Technology and a bachelor’s degree from Drexel University. A second-generation employee of Elsner, Jay worked through the ranks of the company with his first role being in the machine shop. Attending school at night while working full time for Elsner during the day, Jay was able to work his way into the engineering department. After more than 10 years as a machine designer, combining mechanical and electrical skills, Jay moved into the sales arena when the opportunity arose. Jay currently oversees the Elsner Sales team and works to support the corporation’s strategic initiatives.

Dr. Christine Sun, President of Waterloo Filtration Institute, is a renowned technical and market expert in the global filtration industry. With over 30 years of experience in both academia and the industry, she has an in-depth knowledge of filtration, and extensive hands-on expertise in product development, with over 100 technical publications and patents. She is also actively involved in many air/liquid filter standard test developments.

Dr. Sun received her Ph.D. from Tsinghua University, Beijing, China, and her Executive Certificate from Northwestern University - Kellogg School of Management. From 2004 to 2011, Dr. Sun worked for Freudenberg Filtration Technologies as the R&D manager and Technology Director for Donaldson 2011-2013. She was the AFS Chair from 2016 to 2017 and received the AFS Fellow Award in 2019, Sr. Scientist Award in 2012, and the best paper award from INDA in 2008. She is also an editorial board member for Textile Research Journal and Journal of Industrial Textiles.

Dr. Sun is also recognized as "a brilliantly articulate and lively instructor who is skilled in guiding filter media professionals through the complexities of the air, liquid, and nanotechnology markets." Over the years, she has developed many unique professional courses to promote the global filtration industry for a clean, healthy, and sustainable world, such as "Nanofiber Technologies in Filtration" (AFS, 2013-2019), "Filter Media Training Course" (INDA, 2014-2017), "Liquid Filtration Tutorial" (INDA 2013), "Air Filtration Market, Technologies and Trends" (AFS, 2015-2019), "Filter Media Market and Technologies" (WFC12, 2016), "Filter Media Technologies" (AFS, 2015-2019), and "Facemask Media Technologies (AFS 2020). 'The add addition of INDA's Nonwoven Filter Media Training Course was tremendously received' as Dave Rousse, INDA's Past President, said after Dr. Sun's course at Filtration 2014.

Kent Williamson is Head of Product Development for Ahlstrom, Americas. He has over 30 years of experience in the global filtration market with extensive development and customer focus in mobile engine and industrial applications.

Kent has spent his entire career with Ahlstrom in various positions in Quality, TCS and Product Development with specific focus on fibers, chemistry and processes related to a wide array of filtration media products.

Kent has a BS degree in Pulp and Paper Engineering from North Carolina State University and currently resides in Nashville, TN.  

1996 – 2000      Studies of Environmental and Process Engineering at the University of Applied Sciences of Trier, Environment Campus of Birkenfeld, Germany

Degree: Graduate Engineer (German: Diplom Ingenieur)

since 2001 - 2023     Application and Sales Engineer at the company Palas® GmbH in Karlsruhe, Germany

     In charge of the field of aerosol generators, particle measuring devices, filter test stands, etc.

Since 2023     Senior Area Manager Industry & Science