After a 39-year career in the bolted, flanged connection industry, Jerry Waterland has retired.

A monumental moment occurred in the fluid sealing industry in 1996 when Jerry Waterland left his technical leadership position with W.L. Gore and joined VSP Technologies. Having such a well-known force in the sealing world transfer his professional future to VSP was a significant coup for VSP and our customers.

Jerry took a deep dive into gasket performance and reliability, centering his engineering expertise on creating a new environment in the fluid sealing industry. This focus fostered new designs and technical understanding of gaskets and BFCs, drastically improving the sealing products' performance in the industrial marketplace. Early in his career with VSP, Jerry's innovations changed the metallic gasket market, which had largely stagnated since 1912.

It did not stop there; Jerry continued to create new designs and technologies in the soft gasket market. The manufacturing process led to the conception and success of the CycleTight® family of gaskets; adding one more engineered product that transformed the tank car sealing and performance expectations in the transportation industry. During his 39-year journey with W.L. Gore and VSP, Jerry amassed 16 patents and writing credits in at least 60 fluid sealing publications. Additionally, Jerry served on multiple prestigious organizations such as the ASME, PVRC, ASTM, and FSA.

Jerry entered the fluid sealing business and began participating in the Pressure Vessel Research Council (PVRC), helping develop new performance-based gasket test methods and protocols. Jerry was eager to bring awareness of the PVRC research, test methods, and protocols and share his knowledge of performance-based gasket testing.

New technical knowledge created a notable shift in how gaskets are marketed and used today, a change to which Jerry was deeply committed. Technological advancements in research, testing, and marketing have set the baseline for VSP as we lead the world of BFC expertise and expand this to other sealing products.

Jerry has been coined "Mr. Gasket" by VSP customers, suppliers, and competitors. His professional associations and relationships went well beyond what any other company in the industry could ever possess.

Despite Jerry's retirement, VSP customers remain in good hands as we continue our mission to deliver innovative, value-added products and services to our customers. Dan Reid took on the Engineering role as Director, where he continues to develop VSP's line of engineered products, taking them into an era focused on low emissions and sustainability. Jim Frew has taken a new role as Senior Director, overseeing VSP's Business Development, Engineering, and Marketing departments. So, as we celebrate Jerry's ground-breaking career, we look forward to continuing his vision of redefining the world of fluid sealing!

Reflecting back on Jerry’s 39-year career:

1. What contribution has made the most significant impact on the fluid sealing industry? My and VSP's unique focus on gasket performance requires knowledge and expertise with the entire bolted, flanged connection, not just the gasket. Starting in 1983, applying engineering/technical expertise to the world of industrial gasketing.

2. What project or moment do you feel the most pride in being involved in during your career? Creating broad awareness of the PVRC research, test methods, and protocols within the User community and successfully applying it to ensure enhanced reliability and performance of BFCs.

3. What about gaskets created such a deep passion? Engineers graduate from college without learning anything about BFCs. Starting in the mid-80s and continuing today, the industrial world is starving for applied expertise in this field.

4. What will you miss most? Sharing knowledge/expertise with colleagues and customers around the world.

5. What do you see for VSP's future? Continued dominance in the world of BFC expertise and expanding this to other sealing products.