Below are biographies and photos for this year’s SIA election. Voting will be conducted primarily online. In advance of the election, SIA members will receive information about how to cast their ballots digitally.

CANDIDATE FOR SECRETARY (3-year term, you will vote for 1)

Steven Walton

Steven A. Walton has been a member of SIA since about 1994 and has served in various roles since about 2013: board member, Executive Secretary (ongoing), and journal editor (ending). He is committed to helping the society succeed and believes that the secretary’s role is more in keeping with his capacity to do so. In that, he is happy to fulfill a need of the society. He recognizes the role of effective communication and organization in advancing the SIA’s mission (viz., the recent Strategic Plan), and would be honored to continue the excellent work of our previous secretary of many years—which is to say, not proposing any changes in the function of the office. It is proposed that the functional overlap the role of Secretary and Exec. Secretary makes organizational sense as well (role stacking), since the ExSec. has less of a role now that our Office Manager is salaried. But Walton will be pleased to act as the liaison between HQ, the leadership, the Board, and universities (including, of course, Michigan Tech). Indeed, he hopes that the the revitalized committee structure and the expanded direction of the journal will catalyze more interactions across many fields.

CANDIDATE FOR TREASURER (3-year term, you will vote for 1)

Nanci K. Batchelor

Nanci Batchelor works for the accounting firm of WithumSmith+Brown in Princeton, New Jersey. As SIA Treasurer since 1987, Nanci has diligently managed the Society’s financial affairs and insurance needs. She coordinated the last revision of the Society’s by-laws. A former Roebling Chapter president, Nanci helped organize the 1985 Annual Conference in Newark, NJ, the 1987 Fall Tour of the New Jersey Pine Barrens, and the 2002 Annual Conference in Brooklyn.

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CANDIDATES FOR BOARD OF DIRECTORS (3-year term, you will vote for 3)

Colin Batchelor

Colin Batchelor has been a member of the SIA and the Roebling Chapter since 1994. A 2011 graduate of Seton Hall University, he earned his bachelor’s degree in business administration with a concentration in finance and sport management. If elected, he will work closely with the business and financial decisions for tours and conferences including venue and vendor selection, scheduling, and other logistics. Colin previously managed similar tasks for the non-profit NJ-NY Track Club. Colin resides in Bordentown, NJ.

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Marty Johnston

Marty Johnston is a Professor of Physics at the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul MN. An experimental physicist, his primary scholarship is in nonlinear dynamics where he works with precision pendulums to understand the limits of predictability in deterministic systems. He is also involved with industrial archeology; teaming with engineers, geologists, and historians in tracing the development of 19th and early 20th century technology. Working alongside his students, Marty analyzes patents and photos, builds models, and applies the tools of physics, to better understand how early technology functioned. o establish a community of people – and organizations – interested in iron and steel heritage, assist others who want to establish other special interest groups (perhaps bridges and infrastructure, industrial museums, textiles) and assist with the strategic planning process.

Marty’s publications, presentations, and grants cover a blend of technical and applied work. He is an active member of the American Physical Society, American Association of Physics Teachers, and the Society for Industrial Archeology. Marty has presented at multiple SIA conferences and served as the 2024 and 2025 SIA Presentations Committee Chair. His history of the Iron Mountain Mine in Pardee Montana was published in JSIA, Vol 38, No 2. He is currently working on the history of C. W. Hunt and his novel patents related to material handling.

NOMINATIONS COMMITTEE (3-year term, you will vote for 1)

Scott See

Scott See attended his first SIA annual conference in 2001. Over the last twenty-four years, he has attended numerous annual conferences and fall tours; delivered conference presentations; contributed to the newsletter; and moderated conference sessions. Scott also served on the SIA board from 2021 to 2024, and he is the current chair of the SIA Travel Scholarship Committee. As an active SIA member, and a graduate of Michigan Tech’s Industrial Heritage and Archaeology Program, Scott would like the opportunity to join the Nominations Committee to help the society identify candidates for future leadership and committee roles.

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