Our Team
Few companies have the depth of expertise and breadth of experience Polaris does. Our experts have decades of experience behind them. They understand the complexities of the rare earths industry, the physical nature of the materials themselves and the high-tech applications for which they can be used.
Mitchell L. Spencer, P.E.
President
“I think the most important thing for us to remember is to listen carefully to the customer and then to respond to their needs. The customer will tell you almost everything you need to know."
Before joining Polaris, Mitch gained 25 years of varied industrial experience from General Motors and Magnequench International. His last assignment from Magnequench was to serve as the Engineering Project Manager for the design and construction of an NdFeB magnet manufacturing facility in Tianjin, China. After three years in Tianjin, the project was completed successfully, on-time and within budget. He also has extensive experience in powdered metal processing, industrial fire safety, and alloying and rapid quenching of rare earth alloys.
Mitch graduated from Purdue University with a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering in 1982. In 1991, he received his M.S. in Engineering Management from Stanford University. He currently lives in Carmel, with his wife, Brenda, who is also a mechanical engineer working at Polaris. In his spare time, Mitch enjoys playing the trumpet for the Carmel Symphony Orchestra, in Carmel, Indiana.
Fred Brewer
Director of Supply Chain Management
“When Polaris sources quality goods at competitive prices and delivers them “on time” and in the correct quantities, our customers’ requirements are temporarily met, so we follow-up with continuous improvement.”
Fred brings over 40 years of engineering and manufacturing experience to Polaris. Fred, the Director of Supply Chain Management at Polaris, brings 20 years of purchasing and logistics experience to the team. For the last two decades, he has served as both purchaser and logistician for rare earth materials, magnets and other metals.
Fred’s previous experience includes 30 years with General Motors, and subsequent positions with Magnequench International and Advanced Material Resources in Toronto, Canada. Fred holds a Chemical Engineering Technology degree from Purdue University. Fred and his wife enjoy traveling in their spare time.
Dr. V. (Prem) Panchanathan
Staff Research Engineer
“We at Polaris assist our customers from the material selection stage to the final product. Also, we study the market and assess the requirements and develop new products accordingly. To put it simply, we are “Polaris – The Problem Solvers.”
With more than 175 publications and 25 USA patents to his credit, Dr. Panchanathan is an outstanding resource for Polaris. He is also a member of the Innovation Hall of Fame with Delphi Corporation (General Motors). His work as Staff Research Engineer includes market development and technical assistance for customers.
Dr. Panchanathan received his Ph.D. in Material Science from the Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, India and his M.S. degree in Manufacturing Management from the GMI Engineering and Management Institute (presently known as the Kettering Institute) in Flint, Michigan.
Dr. Panchanathan served as Professor of Metallurgy at the Institute of Technology, Chennai, India for 11 years. Subsequently, he worked for more than 20 years in rapidly solidified alloys, magnets and magnetic materials at Marko Materials, Magnequench International and Kane Magnetics International. In these positions, he was mainly responsible for the development of various NdFeB powders, which are widely used in production today.
Edward Welker
Staff Development Engineer and Sales Coordinator
“When your company needs design cooperation and quality prototype parts, we want your first thought to be Polaris Rare Earth Materials. We want to make your company and ours the success story in the industry.”
Ed is responsible for Sales and Applications Engineering at Polaris. Ed worked at Delco Remy for 33 years and has a rich background in Materials Engineering, Process Engineering, Product Engineering and Sales. Ed also worked as Product Development Engineer for Delphi Corporation (lithium battery development) and Advanced Materials Resources in Toronto, Canada. He is especially knowledgeable in the area of epoxy binders and injection-molded compounds for rare earth magnets.
Ed holds a B.S. in Chemistry and an M.S. in Economics from Ball State University in Muncie, IN. In his spare time, Ed enjoys golf, ballroom dancing, traveling, and family life.
Stan Musselman
Staff Design Engineer
“The Polaris team affords you the flexibility to expand your technical and engineering staff as needed…with a trusted partner.”
At Polaris, Stan is responsible for engineering design, mechanical concepts, and assists our customers with design for manufacturability.
Stan earned a B.S. in Industrial Engineering from General Motors Institute and studied Finance at The University of Miami in Coral Gables, Florida. Through his 40-year career, Stan has held various Engineering, Engineering Management and Corporate-level Management responsibilities. His expertise in Quality Assurance, Production, Strategic Planning and Projects Management is a great asset to the Polaris team. Stan’s former employers include Delco-Remy Division of General Motors Corporation; the Metallurgical Division of P.R. Mallory & Co., Incorporated; Yorktown Tool & Die Corporation; and Magnequench International.
Stan’s outside interests include physical fitness activities, current events and continual learning.
Brenda Spencer
Administrator/Office Manager
“Here at Polaris Rare Earth Materials, I believe our greatest asset is our people. Each one of us is dedicated to providing customer service that is second to none. We realize that our business is only as strong as our commitment to our customers.”
There’s always one key person who holds the office together. For Polaris, that someone is Brenda Spencer, Mitch’s wife. Brenda runs the office, handles incoming customer calls, invoicing, and daily accounting. Brenda, who is herself a Mechanical Engineer, received her B.S. from Purdue University.
Brenda worked for five years at GM Delco-Remy in Process Engineering before leaving the industry to raise their son, Craig. Now, back in the business again, Brenda is an invaluable asset to the organization and daily operations of Polaris. Brenda enjoys playing piano and gardening in her spare time.
