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Alcan's Mike Wheeler Honored for Service to Aluminum Industry, Association

9 September 1999

Alcan's Mike Wheeler Honored for Service to Aluminum Industry, Association

    DETROIT, Sept. 9 -- Dr. Michael Wheeler, director of research
in aluminum and automotive for Alcan, was honored tonight with The Aluminum
Association's service award.
    Wheeler was selected to win the first annual Marlan Boultinghouse Service
Award, which was established by the association's Board of Directors in 1998
to honor the late ARCO President.  Boultinghouse was a long-time member of the
organization's Board of Directors, Executive Committee, and numerous other
committees and divisions.  Boultinghouse passed away in July 1998.
    In describing Wheeler's contributions, Board member Joe Viland, chairman
of the award's selection committee and president of Wabash Alloys, said, "Mike
has been the single-most durable and persistent, technical advocate for the
use of aluminum in automotive.  He has been tireless in his efforts over his
20-plus-year career."
    Wheeler has led Alcan's development of aluminum materials and enabling
technology for aluminum intensive vehicles since the inception of these
programs by Alcan in 1982.  In 1996, he was appointed Director of Research for
Alcan International.
    He is a graduate of the University of Bristol, and has held senior
positions in both the Banbury and Kingston research and development centers of
Alcan.  He presently lives in Canada.
    Wheeler was nominated by an association colleague from Alcoa.  The
nomination pointed out Wheeler's participation in the 20 Aluminum Association
Design Seminars; representing the association in the Partnership for a New
Generation of Vehicles; initiating a scrap sorting project via the newly-
formed Automotive Aluminum Alliance with the auto industry; and many other
contributions.
    "Mike is often called upon to speak on behalf of the industry," Viland
said tonight.  "When he does, and regardless of the audience, his
presentations exude competence, integrity, and inspire confidence in the
audience."
    The Aluminum Association, based in Washington, D.C., represents primary
and secondary  producers of aluminum, as well as semi-fabricated products.
Member companies operate approximately 200 plants in 35 states.