Jerry D. Messman, Ph.D., Director

Jerry holds a PhD in analytical chemistry from the University of Maryland (College Park, MD) and a B.A. degree in chemistry and mathematics from Chadron State College (Chadron, NE). He conducted chemistry graduate studies and pre-doctoral research in analytical atomic spectrometry at the University of Florida (Gainesville, FL), and post-doctoral research in analytical laser ionization spectrometry at the University of Arkansas (Fayetteville, AR). As Director of Stranaska LLC, Jerry is responsible for strategic research, new business development, and educational outreach activities.

Prior to founding his first company in 1993, Jerry held various applied research positions in government (U.S. Geological Survey and National Bureau of Standards) and industry (Battelle and Perkin-Elmer) involving analytical chemistry, spectrometry, and certified reference materials. During his tenure at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) from 1988 to 1992, Jerry was responsible for rejuvenation of the high-accuracy spectrophotometry program in the Chemical Science and Technology Laboratory. He directed all NIST activities involving the production, certification, and recertification of UV/VIS spectrophotometric Standard Reference Materials (SRMs) including SRM 930, SRM 931, SRM 1930, SRM 2031, and SRM 2034. During that time, Jerry was privileged to have benefited from the valuable knowledge and mentorship of Dr. Radu Mavrodineanu, the "founding father" of NIST's contemporary spectrophotometric SRM program.

For the past 15 years, Jerry has devoted his entire professional efforts to extending the legacy of Dr. Mavrodineanu by helping analytical laboratories and metrology groups around the world strengthen or reinforce their spectrophotometric calibration practices to ensure value-added compliance with analytical measurement objectives, quality assurance goals, and regulatory requirements. He has published numerous papers in scientific and trade journals, and as a speaker, he has made many podium and/or poster presentations at scientific meetings, seminars, workshops, and short courses. In addition to his sole ownership and daily management responsibilities for Stranaska LLC, Jerry still maintains sole ownership and oversight management of his other company, Refmacal Labs LLC, a reputable, commercial calibration laboratory for analytical spectrophotometry.

Contact:   jerrym@stranaska.com

Additional Information:   Jerry D. Messman

Marla J. Messman, Operations Assistant

Marla provides valuable assistance in various support functions within the company including office and telephone reception, customer service, administration, human resources, marketing and sales, tradeshow and editorial research, and general business oversight and guidance. She serves as operations liaison to Refmacal Labs LLC, a leading commercial calibration laboratory for analytical spectrophotometry, which is solely owned and managed by Dr. Jerry D. Messman. Marla also sits on the Board of Advisors for both Stranaska LLC and Refmacal Labs LLC.

Marla recently became a grandma ("Nana") for the second time when daughter Andrea Potter gave birth on April 14 to a baby girl named Claire Isabelle. Born at 3:10 pm, Claire Isabelle weighed in at 7 pounds, 3 ounces, and she was 20 inches long. CONGRATULATIONS!

Contact:  marlam@stranaska.com

Additional Information:   Marla J. Messman

Andrea C. Richardson, Research Assistant

Andrea holds an ACS-certified B.S. degree in chemistry from Rockhurst University. As an Analytical Scientist for Stranaska LLC from 1996 to 1998, she played a key technical role in the development and implementation of some of the company’s original science-based laboratory procedures for the calibration of spectrophotometric reference material artifacts. From 1998 to 2000, Andrea worked in a water quality laboratory in Texas, where she was involved in numerous scientific activities, including chemical analysis, validation, and drafting of quality responses to audits and performance evaluations. In 2001, Andrea rejoined the Stranaska family on a part-time basis, first as Technical Sales Leader, and currently as Research Assistant.

Andrea recently became a mother for the second time when she gave birth to a baby girl named Cecilia Marie. Born April 13, Cecilia Marie weighed 6 pounds, 14 ounces, and she was 20 inches long. CONGRATULATIONS!

Contact:  andrear@stranaska.com

Additional Information:   Andrea C. Richardson