1. Rick Gurule
drg0623@gmail.com | 503.385.5702
4778 Ward Drive NE, Salem OR 97305
CAREER OBJECTIVE
To obtain a challenging career in the field of conservation (preferably water), that utilizes my skills and education
with opportunities for professional growth and skill expansion.
PROFILE HIGHLIGHTS
 Materials and quality testing with over 17 years of experience in QA at Global chemical manufacturing firm.
 Business-minded and constantly seeking strategies for product development, waste reduction and product
increase, with strong troubleshooting skills to minimize downtime and optimize up time.
 Self-directed and accountable, with exceptional customer service acumen and a unique blend of relationship
building, project leadership, and community activism.
 Excellent communicator and public speaker, passionate learner, experienced trainer and team builder of varying
sized groups up to 100+ employees.
 Proven abilities in mediation and conflict resolution, with strong analytical and organizational skills ability to
prioritize with detail orientation.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Specialty Chemical/Resin Processing & Ops Specialist 1989 - 2006
Borden Chemical Inc. (Global Leader of Resin Mfg) Springfield OR
Process & Testing
 Responsible for new testing of resins to determine water tolerances for best results.
 Refined water tolerance tests for quality improvements, and collaborated with chemists to change
processing procedures for water conservation and increased production.
 Increased production output to increase cost savings, improved efficiencies, employee retention, and
improved consistency of deliverables.
 Collaborated with EHS coordinator on chemicals, reactor, water, and emissions readings, documented and
reported to regulatory agencies including LRAPA, City of Springfield, and Springfield Utility Board.
 Conducted chemical exposure surveys and tests, charted/compiled/analyzed findings, and reported test
results to Directors, Department heads, local labs, LRAPA, SUB, and EWEB.
 Coordinated with phenolic and urea teams, safety teams, and equipment utilization team to analyze
production equipment to ensure optimal output and capacity.
 Contributing author of manufacturing SOP procedures for production and testing.
 Program developer and lead trainer for all specialty resins, and developed an industry standard in resin
production that increased procedure safety quality and reduced wastes.
 Coordinated and directed contractors and maintenance workers for new equipment and products.
Operations & HR
 Managed day-to-day resin processing operations and performed constant quality assurance testing to ensure
final product safety and superior performance.
 Company Team Member for Positive Action Committee and Customer Awareness Team.
 Led local audit and analysis teams to design and implement best practices and process improvements
 Accountable for inventory management, audits and corrective actions, and efficient shipping and receiving
(raw materials and final products) in compliance with safety standards and DOT regulations.
 Managed OSHA safety records, LRAPA reporting, and permitting for City, County and State agencies.
 Gathered, analyzed and interpreted resin processing data to calculate COGS (ph, ri, phenol, resin temps,
processing times, etc.), and prepared findings reports for team meetings.
 Interviewed and made hiring recommendations, new-hire processing and orientations, OSHA and company
training for policies/procedures/standards, product development strategies and waste reduction.
 Developed and implemented programs to reduce product defects, manufacturing process training, and
employee performance rewards.

2. Safety
 Monitored site conditions to ensure proper daily use of industrial hygiene, safety habits and procedures.
 Instructed on confined entry training, ensured site safety to maintain clean, unobstructed work areas, and
responsible for confined spaces safety permits and lock-out/tag-out procedures.
 HAZMAT trainer for proper DOT packing/shipping and created documentation for national and
international hazardous materials transport.
 Trainer and team builder for raising awareness and policy standards for hazardous emissions, site safety and
overall workplace health.
 Authored multiple SOPs and OSHA safety training videos as a key member of the Safety Committee and
Equipment Utilization Team.
 Implemented numerous safety, quality, and productivity improvement initiatives, and received Awards for
increasing safety awareness.
 Certification inspector for forklifts, fire prevention, driving, electrical high voltage and lock out tags.
Water Manufacturing/General Labor 1978 - 1989
Pierce Corporation Eugene OR
 Diverse responsibilities including epoxy coating, shipping/receiving, equipment operator, and site maintenance.
EDUCATION, TRAINING & COURSEWORK
Bachelor of Science in Environmental Studies - University of Oregon, Eugene OR Dec 2012
o Honors/Cum Laude, Member Golden Key National Honor Society
Associate of Arts - Lane Community College, Eugene OR Jun 2009
o Honors, Member Phi Theta Kappa
Training & Coursework
 First Aid, CPR, HAZMAT and Industrial Hygiene
 Environmental Leadership Program with focus on Environmental Education Projects, Conservation Science &
Community Engagement.
 PPPM Departmental Studies/U of O – DOT, Clean Air and Water Act, Water Rights, Environmental Impact and
Assessments, Threatened and Endangered Species Acts, and Free Range Rights.
 McKenzie River Salmon Hatchery – water sampling for DEQ testing, thermal testing and turbidity levels, and
researched water temperature data. Conducted water temperature surveys for smolt mortality rates.
 Dorena Research Center - assisted in research project for harvest, tagging, and propagation of cedar trees, and
contributing researcher on cone production and disease rates.
 Leaburg Fish Hatchery - maintained pond sterility, performed thermal water and turbidity tests, contributed to
spawn processing of trophy rainbows, and key participant in creek restoration and educational aquatic center.
 Proficiencies in MS Office Suite, SAP Program, Facebook, YouTube, LinkedIn, Twitter.
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT
 Umpqua and Coos River STEP Programs – restored salmon habitat, and creek restoration at Leaburg Hatchery.
 Lane Community College & University of Oregon guest speaker for Environmental Leadership and McKenzie
River Valley experiences.
 PowerPoint Presenter for McKenzie River water issues, and the effects of troll nets, ghost nets and coral reefs
on Columbia River salmon.
 Participant in community project "MyMcKenzie", displayed throughout the local community.
 McKenzie River Arts Festival, Presenter of photos and water conservation issues.
 McKenzie River volunteer for Free Fishing Day and Mount Pisgah tour guide.
 Creator of YouTube video "Rick Gurule and McKenzie River, My Meditation."
REFERENCES
Available Upon Request