Technical Fellow at Blue Origin and Principal- Mantee Metallurgical Services, LLC
Thomas N. Ackerson, PE, MBA
Biodata of the Speaker
Thomas (Tom) Ackerson is a materials testing executive with over 37 years of experience in metallurgical and non-metallic testing and characterization, failure analysis, forensic investigation, litigation support/expert witness, optical and electron microscopy, and corrosion testing/prevention. His education includes a B.S. in Materials Science and Engineering from North Carolina State University, an MBA from Averett University, and various continuing education short courses. Tom is a licensed professional engineer with registration in AL, GA, NC and SC.
Currently employed as a Technical Fellow with Blue Origin (Merritt Island Rocket Park), Tom’s duties include failure analysis, material characterization, and materials/coatings characterization primarily for the New Glenn rocket, Blue Origin’s heavy-lift orbital launch vehicle that stands nearly 98 meters tall. He is a subject matter expert of aluminum alloys, particularly the 2XXX series as they relate to friction stir welding and corrosion prevention using surface modification and advanced coatings. He is also a mentor of several emerging career professionals (ECP) at Blue Origin.
Tom recently completed a 3-year term as a board member of the Failure Analysis Society (FAS) within ASM International, and each year he plans/chairs sessions for the Failure Analysis symposium at IMAT. He is a member of ASM International’s IDEA Committee (Inclusion, Diversity, Equality, and Awareness) and frequently helps plan the Women in Manufacturing and Engineering Breakfast. Other activities include being a participating member of ASTM International, serving on the G01 Committee for corrosion testing, volunteering with NCEES for the Metallurgy/Materials Professional Engineer Exam, and most recently volunteering as a mentor for the 2025 O4U Engineering Conference for high-achieving LGBTQ+ engineering undergraduate students.
Class Content
· Corrosion Theory
o Electrochemical Processes
o Corrosion Cells
o Anodic vs. Cathodic Materials
· Corrosion Examples
o Types of Corrosion
o Case history
· Testing to mitigate corrosion
o Why we test
o Testing methods
o Protective coatings/surface modifications
· Summary
Course Fee
Use hyperlink or pay on-site using Credit card
Non-Members $100, ASM Members $75, Students $25
RSVP by March 5th to gilda.parkinson@imrtest.com
Contact Person
Rick Gerads
NDT Managing Director
M – 651-783-6842
O- 310-632-8500 ext. 21228
Email – rick.gerads@element.com
ASM Contact: Gilda Parkinson - 657-456-5211
Date & Time THURSDAY MARCH 12th, 2026
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Registration at 10 AM, Class Start time 10.30 AM, Lunch Break at 11.30 AM, Class Resumes at 1 PM and ends around 2.30 PM including 30 minutes Q&A session.
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Request, please carpool if possible. Everyone carries photo ID. Non-US citizens carry passport as proof of ID. Registration takes about 3 minutes per person and has to be done on site. Please arrive on time to allow enough time to complete the registration formalities.