JANICE L. LEBGA
Principal Investigator, ELINOR COATINGS, LLC
Could you please share your current role, what it entails, and what excites you most about it?
I am a principal investigator at Elinor Coatings. My role is a combination of research and development, coatings formulation, and project management. These diverse responsibilities are exciting and leave no room for boredom. Conducting literature reviews and researching gaps in coatings technology development are only a few facets of my duties and present me with opportunities to assume educative and leadership roles at Elinor Coatings.
What brought you to the coatings industry? Was it part of the plan, or did you discover coatings along the way?
At the onset of my academic journey, becoming a coatings scientist never pinged on my career radar. While process control and various aspects of science piqued my interest as an undergraduate chemical engineering student (Geneva College, Beaver Falls, PA), it was my time as a graduate student (Clarkson University, Potsdam, NY) that proved most influential vis-à-vis my interest in the coatings industry. Under the tutelage of Professor Sitaraman Krishnan, I researched the optimization of powdered coatings, and this initiative doubled as my introduction and segue into the industry.
How important has mentorship or a piece of advice from someone been in your career—and have you had the chance to mentor others in return?
Several individuals were instrumental in shaping my career, and I credit them with providing me with a key piece of advice—to seek mentors who possess diverse perspectives and are at different stages of their respective careers. I leveraged that advice to engender tailored solutions to problems associated with researching and developing corrosion-resistant coatings. Today, I mentor several individuals in the field and remain open to mentorship opportunities that may come my way in the future.
How, if at all, did your educational background shape your path into coatings?
My doctoral thesis explored powdered coatings applied via compression molding at high temperatures and pressures. We investigated the effects of adding cermet particles in polyether ether ketone powder to increase wear resistance and decrease coefficients of friction. Through this work, I became interested in better understanding coatings. Materials characterization and root cause analyses constitute other core aspects of my education that continue to play important roles in research I conduct that warrant any optimization in coatings performance.
Working with liquid formulations instead of powders has its challenges, but their basic principles are similar. Elinor Coatings is intentional about making on-the-job learning and development opportunities available to all its employees. I leverage these initiatives to eliminate any gaps in my knowledge on paint formulations.
What’s one project or innovation you’ve worked on that you’re especially proud of?
One project I’m especially proud of is still ongoing, but I’ve been deeply involved in it from the very beginning,starting with initial formulations, through process development, optimization, and multiple prototype iterations, all the way to the final stages. Seeing an idea evolving into a tangible product that meets all performance specifications is incredibly rewarding. It’s been a collaborative effort at Elinor Coatings, and I’m proud to have played a key role in bringing it to life.
How do you stay current with advancements in coatings technology?
I maintain active memberships in organizations like the Association for Materials Protection and Performance (AMPP). A cross pollination of ideas with other industries is equally important, so I read journals and attend conferences to learn about new developments in coatings and other industries. On occasion, I enroll in independent classes to maintain a pulse on best practices for coatings development, management, and marketing.
Have you ever taken a detour or changed directions in your career? What did that pivot teach you?
During a three-year period in my career, I prioritized the well-being of my children who were still very young. To keep my scientific interests up to date, I tutored college students in chemistry and mathematics. I learned that teaching others is one of the best ways of teaching oneself. I draw on this experience when engaging with colleagues who are reluctant to train and mentor new employees in our organization and profession.
Have you faced any significant professional challenges, and if so, how did you overcome them?
Returning to full-time employment after a hiatus was very challenging, as many employers tend to frown upon long gaps in employment. Though I tutored during my time away, it was sometimes challenging to convince prospective employers that I had not lost touch with recent trends in coatings and was readier than any time before to be a productive, contributing member of their organizations.
How has the coatings industry changed since you entered it?
There is a saying that goes,” the only constant in life is change.” The use of artificial intelligence and computational modeling in the coatings industry has launched the industry to newer heights. Smart coatings with 2D-imbedded metal complexes are on the rise. Digital applications of paints via robotics are no longer concepts but are becoming the norm. There has been significant advancement in the development and use of environmentally safe coatings with reduced VOCs, the elimination of hazardous air pollutants (HAPs), and elimination of chromates. These are but a few changes that come to mind. Many more exist.
What skills or traits do you think are essential for success in this industry?
I find that, to succeed in this industry, one ought to possess a teachable personality and an insatiable appetite for learning.
What advice would you give someone just starting out in the industry or considering a career in coatings?
Become a member of associations like the Association for Materials Protection and Performance and the American Coatings Association. Find several mentors at different stages of their careers and find someone to mentor. You will learn from all angles. Read, explore, talk to people in industry. Talk to the end-users of the coatings. They provide insight into what they need better than anyone else, and this leads to meaningful development in future coatings.
What’s something people outside the industry might not understand or be surprised to learn about working in coatings?
Most people are familiar with architectural coatings and automotive coatings, but I have encountered several individuals who are not aware of protective coatings such as corrosion-resistant coatings. They are often surprised to learn that paint is used to protect the integrity of metallic structures including bridges, maritime equipment, and aerospace assets.
What keeps you motivated and eager to come to work each day?
I am blessed to work with an awesome team of people at Elinor Coatings. The job is both challenging and fascinating because the need for clean coatings is constant and growing (i.e., low-VOC coatings, HAPs-free coatings, chrome-free coatings, and coatings which are safer to apply and do not damage the environment). It is rewarding to be part of such a team that strives to implement such changes and deliver robust coatings on a quotidian basis.
Do you have any professional goals that you’re still eager to accomplish?
I don’t think that will ever stop. I nurture a constant need to be better and more efficient today than I was yesterday. That means I always have new goals to accomplish. Two years ago, I led a small team; today, I manage large projects; tomorrow, I would like to manage branches of Elinor Coatings. I also dream of educating and empowering youth populations to set specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART) goals.
How does company culture impact your work and ability to perform successfully?
Company culture plays a crucial role in determining how successful an organization will be at implementing its projects! A culture that encourages employees to be creative, educates them on ways to improve success rates, and accommodates unforeseen events in their lives, is bound to be sustainable. It is also important to recognize that company culture is a two-way street between leaders and employees. When both groups prioritize a positive company culture, everyone, including stakeholders and clients, thrives.
What opportunities or unique advantages does your company offer that someone new to the workforce or not too familiar with coatings should consider as a career pathway?
Elinor Coatings offers entry-level roles such as research assistant and laboratory technician, which are ideal for individuals new to the workforce or unfamiliar with the coatings industry. These positions provide foundational training and hands-on experience, serving as stepping stones to more advanced roles like coatings chemist, coatings scientist, or research scientist. This structured progression not only helps new employees visualize clear career paths within the company but also supports long-term retention by fostering growth and development from within.
Janice Lebga is a research scientist and co-principal investigator at Elinor Coatings, where she leads a team of scientists involved with protective coatings research, particularly primers and topcoats. Her vision and contributions helped establish the company’s robust internship program, and she is an advocate for girls and women pursuing careers in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics).
Lebga earned her Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering from Clarkson University in Potsdam, N.Y. Her dissertation focused on the formulation and characterization of low-friction, high-wear-resistant powder coatings, which helped launch her career in the coatings industry. She has authored several research studies and possesses expertise in formulating architectural coatings, specialty coatings, and many more.