Background

Lessells, Gerald Alan was born on August 5, 1926 in Wallasey, England. Son of Horace Alan and Elsie (Escott) Lessells. came to the United States, 1928, naturalized, 1936.

Education

Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering Practice, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 1950.

Career

Development engineer, Mathieson Chemical Corporation, Niagara Falls, New York, 1950-1955; senior development engineer, Olin Mathieson Chemical Corporation, Brandenburg, Kentucky, 1955-1957; research supervisor, United States Indsl Chemical Company, Cincinnati, 1957-1961; group leader, United States Indsl Chemical Company, Tuscola, Illinois, 1961-1965; manager process development, Mobil Chemical Company, Edison, New Jersey, 1965-1969; technical director, ink division, J.M. Huber Corporation, Edison, 1969-1983; environmental services manager, J.M. Huber Corporation, 1984-1985. Cons. Community Action Training Institute of New Jersey, 1968. Vice chairman research committee National Printing Ink Research Institute, 1972-1973.

Member educational council Massachusetts Institute of Technology, since 1962. Life member National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, since 1955.

Achievements

• Patentee in field, 1963-1969.

Works

• Other Work

  • American Chemical Society Reviewer: Industrial and Engineering Chemistry, 1959-1966. Contributor articles to professional journals.

Membership

Chairman Decatur (Illinois) Human Relations Commission, 1964-1965. Chairman budget committee New Brunswick, Urban League, 1966-1968. Member Citizens Advisory Committee to Mayor of Edison, chairman public information committee, 1967-1968.

Member of advisory board pre-college programs New Jersey Institute Technology, 1979-1985. Served with Army of the United States, 1944-1946. Fellow American Institute Chemical Engineers (national director 1973-1975, Service to Society award 1974, minority affairs coordinator 1975-1983, F.J. Van Antwerpen award, 1987).

Connections

Married Mary Joline Reddan, June 11, 1950. Children: Glenn Alan (deceased). Eric Michael, Douglas Bruce.

father:

Horace Alan Lessells

mother:

Elsie (Escott) Lessells

spouse:

Mary Joline Reddan

child:

Glenn Alan Lessells (deceased)