Rob Mason, CEF, PMP, ACG is a Principal Materials Scientist and Program Manager at Concurrent Technologies Corporation and is based in Tampa, Florida.
Rob MasonHe is a renowned speaker, and a presentation of his was recognized by the U.S. DoD Corrosion Office as one of five winners in the Allied Nations Technical Corrosion Conference in Birmingham, Alabama, in 2017.
When not working diligently for CTC's clients, Mason teaches at one of the most distinguished music schools in Florida.
How did you get your start in the finishing industry?
Like many folks in the finishing industry, I kind of fell into it. In 1995 I was working for a large pharmaceutical company. I wanted a change and applied for a chemist position with a “specialty chemical” company. That company was Fidelity, then a leading supplier of electroless nickel technologies. I got the position, and it felt right for me. I got to work with a solid team on a wide array of applications. I enjoyed the diverse technologies and applications so much that I eventually worked my way into supporting all five of their divisions: Job Shop, Memory Disk, Liquid Metal Concentrates, Non-Fluoborates, and Printed Circuit Products. And what a diverse array of work that provided! That’s how I got started doing this unique and important work, and I am fortunate to continue to do so, at least some of the time!
What do you enjoy best about the industry?
I like the fact that the work integrates so many disciplines. It became immediately apparent during my CEF training that a finisher needs to be adept not only at chemistry but also at math, geometry (determining surface areas), electricity, metallography and materials, analysis techniques, and so many more technical areas. I like the challenge of that. Plus, who doesn’t love nice shiny plated parts?! There is something really satisfying about seeing cruddy parts go into the bath and nice shiny plated parts come out.
Who is your hero?
Abraham Lincoln. Talk about a guy who succeeded against all odds and in the absolute worst of circumstances!
If you could live anywhere, where would it be?
Tough question. I’m pretty happy here in Tampa, so right here works. I was also happy in a lot of the places I lived in up in New Jersey, and I lived in quite a few. I guess I would say it doesn’t matter; I’m not the kind of person who is impacted by the outside environment either way. Wherever I am, if my family is there and they’re happy, then I’m happy.
What is your biggest fear?
Letting people down. I’m also more than a little concerned for the future, how our society is becoming so divided and compartmentalized that people like my autistic son may not be valued someday.
What is your favorite family vacation?
Three-way tie: a family vacation to Wildwood Crest, NJ, when I was a kid; my honeymoon; and my last trip to Ireland to bring my daughter Beth to college. So that’s how Guinness is supposed to taste!
What would you change about yourself if you could?
Ha! This space way too small. Right off the top of my head, I will say that I wish I had more hours in the day and more energy with which to do something with them. Improving my focus and patience would be great, too.
What really makes you angry?
I don’t get angry a whole lot; I consider myself to be a fairly even-tempered person most of the time. I’m more on the “frustration” level. I’d have to say what gets me most frustrated is my own shortcomings, my own inadequacies, and the issues that result thereof. I do have others, so don’t get me started.
What motivates you to work hard?
The thought that I could let people down if I don’t. That’s a motivator right there. I also really like building, leading, and supporting teams, and seeing my teammates succeed is a big motivator as well.
What is your favorite thing about your career?
In his younger days, Rob Mason played in a band called The Way In; this was a gig at the Cove in Roselle, NJ.Lots of things. Please keep in mind that I have multiple careers going on right now. From the finishing/engineering/program management (PM) side, it’s the versatility needed and the opportunity to do different things. In that career, I have worked in metal finishing — all aspects from the cradle to the grave — materials science, business development, project management, organizational leadership, corrosion science, additive manufacturing, and so many more. Furthermore, I got to work for and with a wide range of great people and helped all of them to meet their goals and aspirations. Good stuff. The music teaching side is even more of that, with a bit more focus and simplicity; there, you simply have to focus on the student(s) in front of you, figure out what you can do to make them better, and make it fun — a piece of cake.
What is your biggest complaint about your job?
Not too many complaints; I’ve been lucky.
What is your proudest accomplishment?
Rob Mason's proudest accomplishment: his children Chris, Beth and Joe.Lots here, too. First and foremost would be my kids. All three of them have had to face great challenges in their young lives – more than I would have liked – and they have faced and overcome them with patience and grace. I recognize that these are their accomplishments and not mine, but man, it is awesome to have even the smallest pat. My daughter Beth attends Trinity College in Dublin, Ireland, where she has shined and excelled with no family there. My son Chris is graduating high school, became an Eagle Scout, completed an advanced, self-instructed calculus course, and is getting ready to attend one of the most prestigious music colleges in the country – all in 2021 so far! And my son Joe, who is diagnosed with autism, continues to step up and meet the challenges he faces as a high school student, a BSA Scout, and a member of the prestigious Florida Boychoir. They are three truly amazing people, working hard with wit, humor, smiles, and hearts of gold. On the finishing/engineering / PM side, I had projects in which I installed two different advanced chemistries at two military facilities, the first efforts to do so. That was a cool accomplishment. Plus, I led a project to install a fiber optic sensor system on a 100-year-old bridge in Illinois with a world-renown expert in those technologies (shout out to Keith Chandler at ChM4). When you participate in a snowball fight on top of a 100-year-old bridge, you know you have reached a pinnacle. On the teaching side, I got to teach an older gentleman who was not only mentally challenged but also had a deformed left hand. I came up with a way for him to play Elvis’ “Hound Dog.” Watching his face light up when he was able to do that? Priceless. I also taught a dyslexic kid how to read music. He worked so hard on it that when he was done, he could read music better than he could read English! That told me that I have a knack for teaching special needs, and I continue to seek opportunities to do so.
What is your favorite book?
What a question to ask a bibliophile! I’ll go with Steven King’s Christine.
What makes you laugh the most?
My kids goofing on each other. Also, comedians. I can’t decide who is the GOAT right now: Chris Rock or Dave Chappelle. And George Carlin’s stuff from years ago is shockingly prophetic today.
What was the last movie you went to?
Like actually saw in a real theater? Avengers Endgame. And it was worth it.
What did you want to be when you were small?
I wanted to be a professional musician when I was a teenager and beyond. But before that, I don’t exactly recall. I will say that I did spend a lot of time just trying to stay safe in my difficult situation. I’ll say when I was small, I wanted to be a survivor. Still do.
If you could choose to do anything for a day, what would it be?
Sleep! Seriously though, I probably just spend a day with my family at the beach.
What is your favorite game or sport to watch and play?
Hockey or baseball because my son Joe loves to watch those with me.
Would you rather ride a bike, ride a horse, or drive a car?
Horse. I can do the other two whenever I want, but horse riding — when done properly — is a truly unique experience.
What would you sing at Karaoke night?
“Saturday Night” by the Misfits. It’s right in my range.
What would be your last meal?
Jalapeno poppers to start, then a giant bacon cheeseburger, tater tots, hot buttered corn, Jack Daniels and Coke Zero to drink, and chocolate ice cream. I’d keep it pretty simple. But if we’re really going ultimate all-out fantasy here, scratch that meal — I’d give anything to have my grandmother’s homemade lasagna again.
Who is your favorite author?
Again, a tough question for a bibliophile. I can’t give a short answer here. How’s this: Fiction: H.P. Lovecraft, Stephen King, Clive Barker, Don Stancavish (shout out to my best bud and a truly phenomenal writer with two outstanding published novels under his belt). I should also mention that I love reading my daughter Beth’s short stories, for which she has already won a few local and international awards. Non-fiction: Patty Azzarello, James Altucher, Michael Masterson / Mark Ford, Matthew Kelly, Malcolm Gladwell, Don Stancavish (yup, he writes non-fiction too).
Have you ever had a nickname? What is it?
“Mace” was one that stuck around for a long time. More recently, my son Joe calls me “Mr. Crabs” of Spongebob fame. I’ve had others, but they are unprintable.
Do you like or dislike surprises?
Depends on the surprise. Generally, yes. I enjoy the good ones and can — eventually — handle the bad ones, especially when I see them coming.
In the evening, would you rather play a game, visit a relative, watch a movie, or read?
Play a game takes the top honor. But not internet gaming; I’m more of a card games and chess kind of guy. The Mason family Uno games are simultaneously cutthroat, hilarious, and memorable. Reading, of course, takes a close second.
Would you rather win the lottery or work at the perfect job? And why?
Lottery. Because if I could do that, I could take time off and find/create the perfect job.
Who would you want to be stranded with on a deserted island?
This question is deceptively complex. Before I answer it, can I tell you my thinking? I know almost everyone cites a famous person here, and that’s fine—nothing at all wrong with that. But think about it: would you really want to be alone on a deserted island with said famous person? They are people just like anyone else, and they do have their bad sides. Take Winston Churchill. Yes, you would have great, thought-provoking conversations with him on the deserted island. But that guy was a notorious smartass! And a chain smoker! And (reportedly) a nudist! How long could you deal with that on a deserted island? Plus, you need to look at the survivability aspect – you could be on that island for a very long time! How helpful would said famous person be in that regard? So, with all that in mind, and this may sound corny, but I’d say my wife, Susan. Who else could put up with me? Plus, I know I would survive with her. Not only is she the smartest and most awesome and resourceful person I have ever met, but after all the difficulties, hells, and challenges we have been through thus far, a deserted island would be a walk in the park.
