Our Team
Monica Rommel
CEO, Owner
What does a person who is passionate about composites and advanced materials do? They sink all of their retirement money into a small business that makes boron and silicon carbide fibers and products from those fibers. Monica Rommel is life long learner who has worked at two aerospace prime contractors as a materials engineer supporting the development of fighter jets, supersonic transports and satellite payload systems.
Rick Rommel
Chief Business Officer, Co-Owner
Rick has a long career spanning aerospace, consumer technology and retail. This apparent career confusion driven by a lifelong focus on innovation and how to “build that next great thing”. A physicist by education, but business leader by trade, Rick’s excited about how our Specialty Materials products can support new high-tech solutions. When not working, he’s challenging his son on a chessboard or via video game.
Cory Timoney
Director, Technical Operations
Cory is a mechanical engineer with experience in production and research and development. His career has taken him from working with nanomaterials; to plant-wide production equipment. This has allowed him to tackle problems both big and small. In his spare time he enjoys the water, reading, and is an avid skier.
John Zima
VP, Operations
John is a mechanical engineer by education and an operations and business leader by trade. He has designed and built composite satellite structures, airplanes, rapidly deployable housing, optical payloads, and space vehicles. Before joining Specialty Materials, he ran a $100M space business, delivered the transceiver for NASA JPL's record-setting DSOC mission, and moved an entire factory from California to New York in under a year. In his spare time, John competes in 70.3 triathlons, renovates his old house, and hunts for the next great restaurant or bar. His personal mantra: "Pain is temporary, achievement is forever."
Troy Minahan
Plant Manager
Troy started as a Technician in 2008 and applied his technical aptitude to begin a career within Specialty Materials. Working through the ranks and interacting with some of the greatest minds in the industry, he has learned to work with what is available and get it done. As a father of two, you can find Troy gaming or doing anything car related with his spare time.
Garrett Bernard
Director, Business Development
Garrett has spent the better part of his career in marketing and business development roles growing specialty chemical and advanced manufacturing companies. He has a background in materials science and is an instrument-rated pilot.
Scott Winroth
Program Manager
Scott has more than 20 years of engineering experience with a broad range of knowledge in the fields of mechanical engineering, plastics engineering, and engineering management. He is a UMass Lowell alumnus and a U.S. Army veteran. In his spare time, Scott enjoys photography, running, hiking, and watching his son play soccer.
Stephanie Trinidad
Customer Solutions & Communications Manager
Stephanie has more than 20 years’ combined experience in office management, administration, supervision & customer service. She is thrilled to be a part of our SMI team and looks forward to being a complete support to our customers. She was born & raised in our hometown of Lowell, MA., she is a wife, a Mom, & has two adorable dogs. She loves spending time with her family, finding new places to travel, & enjoys everything New England!