Keynote Speakers for ASME Turbo Expo 2010 Are Announced

NEW YORK, Jan. 6, 2010 – Three leaders in the gas turbine and energy business will be the keynote speakers at ASME Turbo Expo 2010 to be held June 14-18 at the Scottish Exhibition and Conference Center in Glasgow, Scotland.

Colin Smith, director of Engineering and Technology at Rolls-Royce plc in Derby, UK; Peter Christman, Jr., president of Pratt & Whitney Power Systems in East Hartford, Conn., and Walter D. Downing, executive vice president at Southwest Research Institute in San Antonio, Texas, will address the conference on June 14. The theme of the keynote session is “Extending Limited Natural Resources through Energy Technology Innovations.”

In the session, the three speakers will outline the collaborative efforts of turbine manufacturers, researchers, and end users to stretch the world’s limited fossil fuel resources while reducing carbon greenhouse gas emissions in stationary power systems and aircraft engines.

Colin Smith joined Rolls-Royce as an undergraduate apprentice in 1974. He has served in the company as chief engineer on the Trent 500 and Trent 700 engines, head of engineering for compressors and fans, and director of research and technology. Peter Christman, Jr. has management responsibilities for all operations at Pratt & Whitney Power Systems. Prior to joining Pratt & Whitney, he served on the management teams of Energy Services, Inc. and Energy Maintenance Corp.

Walter Downing directs the activities of twelve technical operating divisions at Southwest Research Institute. He also has served as a senior research engineer in electronics systems and vice president of the Avionics and Support Systems Division.

ASME Turbo Expo 2010 will bring together engineers and researchers from around the world to discuss recent technology advancements in engine design, materials, operations and maintenance, noise reduction, alternative fuels, combustion diagnostics, and micro-turbines, among many other topics.

The ASME International Gas Turbine Institute (IGTI) organizes and manages Turbo Expo. IGTI, headquartered in Atlanta, Ga., supports the exchange of information focused on improving the design, manufacture, operation and maintenance, and environmental impact of gas turbines, turbo-machinery, and related equipment.

About ASME ASME helps the global engineering community develop solutions to real world challenges. Founded in 1880 as the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, ASME is a not-for-profit professional organization that enables collaboration, knowledge sharing and skill development across all engineering disciplines, while promoting the vital role of the engineer in society. ASME codes and standards, publications, conferences, continuing education and professional development programs provide a foundation for advancing technical knowledge and a safer world.

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ASME Contact: John Varrasi varrasij@asme.org or 212.591.8158

Media contact: Regina Nisita rnisita@affectstrategies.com or 212.398.9680 ext 145