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Frank M. Spinola ’66 received the 2004 Distinguished Alumni Award at the University’s Commencement ceremony in June. He was recognized for his long and successful career, highlighted by 11 years as president and CEO of Indspec Chemical Corporation, a company he helped create in 1988. The Distinguished Alumni Award recognizes professional and public service contributions by University alumni.
Spinola graduated from Lowell Technological Institute in 1966 with a bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering. He spent his career at Koppers Co., Inc, working as a plant engineer in a coal tar refinery and in other production-related positions in various parts of the country. In 1988, after Beazer Industries acquired Koppers, Spinola led a leveraged buyout of the specialty chemicals division, creating Indspec Chemical Corp., a producer of resorcinol specialty resins for the tire and adhesives markets, sodium sulfite, and salt cake. He served as president and CEO until the company was sold in 1999. Under Spinola’s leadership, Indespec’s stockholder value increased by 4,000 percent.
Spinola serves on the boards of Big Brothers and Sisters of Greater Pittsburgh and of Family Resources of Allegheny County, an organization that works to prevent child abuse. He also serves on the council of the McGowan Institute, a research organization developing regenerative medicines and artificial organs.
Spinola and his wife, Mary Jo Roberto, who is a 1966 graduate of Lowell State College, endowed a scholarship in 2004 that will aid students of the Merrimack Valley with financial need, demonstrating their commitment to the future of higher education in New England. The Spinolas reside in Pittsburgh, Pa., and Longboat Key, Fla. They have two children and three grandchildren.