Dear NECA Members and Friends,

Thank you for visiting the Northeastern Chemical Association (NECA) website. 

 

NECA is an organization founded in 1977 by petrochemical industry members to philanthropically support endowments and scholarships for chemistry and chemical engineering students, while also providing industry members and colleagues with opportunities to network at events throughout the year.

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Please look at the “Scholarships” tab on our website to see our fantastic endowments.  In addition to seven university endowments, we support a high school mentorship program at the Liberty Science Center in New Jersey, and the Chemistry Education Foundation’s National Challenge for 5th to 8th grade participants.   We genuinely want to help develop the next generation of chemists, engineers, and energy experts, while enjoying fun networking opportunities with our industry.

 

While NECA originally focused on hosting events in the northeastern region of the US and Canada, we expanded the reach of the organization by adding events in Houston, Texas.  Our abbreviation of NECA is perfect, because while it still refers to the organization’s formal name of “Northeastern Chemical Association”, it also has a secondary tag line of “Now Everyone’s Chemical Association”. 

 

We would love to see you bring your colleagues, suppliers, and customers to our events.  The 2025 schedule includes the following wonderful networking opportunities:

 

• March 20: Wine tasting at the Art of Cellaring in Houston, Texas

• May 21: Golf outing or wine tasting at the Renault Winery and Resort in Egg Harbor, New Jersey

• September 10: Saint Arnold Brewing Company in Houston, Texas

• December 11: Annual holiday luncheon at the University Club in New York City

 

If you are not already a member, please consider joining NECA.  The annual membership fee ($150) and the net proceeds from our events support our scholarships and endowments.  In addition, your membership gives you discounted rates to our events and contact information for other members.   If you work in the chemical or petrochemical industry, we’d love to have you join us as a member and attend our events.

 

I attended my first NECA event in 2005, and I have enjoyed every event over the years.  I have served as a board member, in various officer roles, and now I have the privilege to be the 2025 NECA President.  NECA is a great organization due to the people who support it, and it is an honor to work with so many amazing industry professionals.  All NECA officers, board members, committee members, and networking event chairs volunteer their time to support this great 501(c)(6) non-profit organization, and I want to thank all of them for their dedication and hard work.

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If you have an interest in serving on a NECA committee, assisting with an event, or have any suggestions, we would love to hear from you.  Contact me or any Board officer through our website under the officer listing page.

 

Best Regards,

 

Helen G. Speakman

2025 NECA President