John White, Former UA Chancellor, Named to NanoMech Advisory Board

Springdale-based NanoMech Inc., a global leader in nano-lubricant manufacturing, announced Monday that former University of Arkansas Chancellor John White has become a “significant investor” in the company, as well as a member of its board of advisors.

“Dr. White is truly a national treasure in science and engineering leadership, including his excellent reputation for advancing innovation, tech transfer and commercialization on both a federal and state level at the very best institutions in America,” NanoMech chairman and CEO Jim Phillips said in a news release.

White, an Arkansas native and UA graduate, was chancellor from 1997 until 2008. He has remained at the UA as a faculty member in the College of Engineering.

Prior to returning to the UA, White was dean of the College of Engineering at Georgia Tech from 1991 to 1997.

Ajay Malshe, a distinguished professor of mechanical engineering at the UA, founded NanoMech in 2002.

“It is humbling to receive a strong endorsement from Dr. White, who is one of the world’s top industrial engineers,” Malshe said in a statement. “NanoMech is the country’s leading nanomanufacturing company, and experienced engineering business advice from Dr. White will be a treasure for continuing to achieve global leadership.”

A member of the National Academy of Engineering, White served two six-year terms on the National Science Board. In addition, he has served as: president and director of the Foundation for the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award; president of the Institute of Industrial Engineers; chairman of the American Association of Engineering Societies; and president of the National Consortium for Graduate Degrees for Minorities in Engineering and Science Inc.

He has also served on several boards of directors for publicly traded corporations, including Eastman Chemical Co. (1994-2004) and J. B. Hunt Transport Services Inc. (1998-2016).

“I am delighted to accept a role with NanoMech on their NanoMech advisory board along with several well-known and creative American technology, innovation, media and manufacturing leaders,” White said. “The combination of Ajay with Jim Phillips’ demonstrated skill-sets in technology entrepreneurship bodes well for continuing to build out a world class material science company with breakthrough products making America more competitive.”

White noted that any and all proceeds from his investment in NanoMech will go to the UA.

“Research performed at the University of Arkansas by Dr. Malshe and his students led to NanoMech’s creation,” he said. “As chancellor, one of my goals was for research performed by our faculty to spawn high-tech companies and lead to economic development. NanoMech is a shining example of a research university being an economic engine for a region and state.”