Visiting members across the map
Rebecca Lintow, CAE, Executive Director | TLT Headquarters Report December 2025
After connecting with members on both coasts in 2025, STLE leadership looks forward to meeting with more of our community in the new year.
One of the most rewarding parts of serving as STLE’s Executive Director is the opportunity to meet our members where they spend their professional time: at section meetings, corporate facilities and events across the country. This past year, I’ve been fortunate to travel with members of the STLE Executive Committee to visit many of our local sections and corporate members, and I’ve been reminded at every stop that STLE’s greatest strength is our community.
In February, I joined then-STLE President Jack McKenna for a visit to the STLE Philadelphia Section, one of our most active and long-standing sections. We enjoyed an insightful meeting with local members who continue to advance tribology and lubrication excellence in the region. During the same trip, we met with several companies in the STLE community, including ExxonMobil, TotalEnergies, Münzing, BP and Evonik. These conversations offered valuable insights into the challenges and opportunities facing our industry—from sustainability initiatives and workforce development to emerging technologies and market trends. Each visit reinforced how deeply our members are engaged in shaping the future of tribology and lubrication science.
In September, the STLE Executive Committee and I had the privilege of visiting the new STLE Pacific Northwest Section for their inaugural meeting. It was inspiring to see such enthusiasm from both longtime STLE members and professionals new to the community. We also had the opportunity to visit Boeing and PACCAR, two companies that exemplify innovation and collaboration in applying tribology and lubrication principles to real-world engineering challenges.
These visits are more than just travel—they are essential to our mission and directly align with STLE’s strategic plan. One of our key goals is to strengthen member engagement and expand collaboration across all sectors of our community. Meeting members face to face allows us to listen, learn and better understand the needs of the organizations and professionals we serve. It also helps ensure that our programs, publications and events continue to deliver value that supports your success.
As we look ahead to 2026, I want to extend an open invitation to all STLE Local Sections and Corporate Members: let’s connect. Whether your section is newly formed or well established, or your company is exploring new technologies or expanding globally, we would love the opportunity to visit, meet your teams and hear about the work you’re doing.
If you’d like to schedule a visit or share an upcoming meeting or event, please reach out to me directly. I also encourage you to continue sharing your stories and photos on social media using the hashtag #STLEConnect—a celebration of how our members are linking ideas, people and progress across the tribology and lubrication community.
Every visit, every conversation and every connection helps shape STLE’s future. Thank you for welcoming us into your workplaces and sections this past year. I look forward to seeing many more of you in 2026!
You can reach Certified Association Executive Rebecca Lintow at rlintow@stle.org.