The Foundry Management Hall of Honor Recognition is given to entrepreneurs, engineers, and executives, all of whom have made indelible imprints on the metal casting industry and on their companies for 25 years or more. According to the magazine, "As the millennium winds down, the definition of leadership seems to have changed in the minds of the public. Sadly, often those deemed a leader are lacking in the true qualities needed for such an honor. This is not the case with this year's Hall of Honor recipient, Paul H. Mikkola."

Paul Mikkola began his metalcasting career at GM Powertrain (formerly known has the Central Foundry Div. of GM) after graduating as a Foundry Educational Foundation (FEF) scholar from Michigan Technological University in 1966. During his tenure with GM Powertrain he served in a number of positions including chief metallurgist at the Saginaw, MI, malleable iron plant; manufacturing superintendent at the Defiance, OH, aluminum and ductile iron plant; and general superintendent at the Saginaw ductile iron foundry. In 1986, Mr. Mikkola moved to GM's foundry headquarters to serve as manager of advanced manufacturing engineering.

In 1989, he joined the corporate advanced engineering staff at the GM Technical Center, Warren, MI. He then went on special assignment to the GM join venture with Hughes Aircraft in Los Angeles, where he worked on government sponsored aerospace research and learned how to design research programs. Paul returned to the GM Technical Center in 1991, as its director. Finally, in 1995 he was placed in charge of GM Powertrain's newly refurbished R&D lab.

1998 saw a new professional chapter unfold, as Mr. Mikkola chose to leave GM after 31 years of service and join Hitchiner, Milford, NH, where he continues to apply his vast knowledge of R&D in the position of executive vice president-operations. He is responsible for all aspects of operations including Hitchiner's Ferrous, Nonferrous, Gas Turbine, Mexico/International, and Tool & Die divisions.

Additionally, Mr. Mikkola has had a high profile in many industry associations including the American Foundrymen's Society, ASM, SAE, SME, North American Die Casting Association, and FEF as its president. He holds four patents and has published more than 30 technical papers. In 1989, Mr. Mikkola received an honorary doctorate of engineering from Michigan Technological University. He also served on the Engineering Advisory Committee at both the University of Virginia and Michigan Technological University and served as President of the Michigan Tech Committee during 1995 and 1996. He also served on the Michigan Tech Board of Trustees from 1981 to 1991.

Paul Mikkola and his wife Pam reside in Bedford, NH, and have two daughters.