Supporting the Next Generation: Advocacy
At Kyanite Mining Corporation, supporting the next generation means staying actively engaged in the industries we serve—through knowledge sharing, industry involvement, and ongoing connection to the work shaping them.
Industry Organizations and Committees
For decades, we’ve been involved with organizations including The Refractories Institute (TRI), the Investment Casting Institute (ICI), and the National Mining Association, staying closely connected to the industries our materials support.
Within TRI, KMC is engaged at the leadership level. Steven Ashlock, our Vice President and Director of Marketing & Sales, serves on the Board of Directors as Chairman of the Associates, representing raw material suppliers and maintaining close connection to the needs of refractory manufacturers, suppliers, and contractors.
He also serves on the Scholarship Committee, which awards merit-based scholarships to students entering the refractories field—one he received himself early in his career—and is involved in the Membership and Standards Committees.
KMC is engaged with ICI as well, where Steven serves on the Education Committee and contributes to the development of educational programming for the investment casting community.
John Snoddy, our Environmental & Safety Director, represents KMC through the Virginia Transportation Construction Alliance (VTCA), contributing to both environmental and safety committees, and we are active members of the National Mining Association, supporting collaboration across the broader mining sector.
Emerging Professionals
Advocacy includes supporting and creating opportunities for those entering the field, while helping attract and retain the talent needed to keep these industries strong.
KMC is involved in TRI’s Emerging Leaders sessions and ICI’s Investing in the Future Committee, where those newer to the field and experienced professionals connect, share insights, and learn from one another.
These interactions give emerging professionals access to mentorship, resources, and practical insight to support their growth, while giving industry leaders a clearer understanding of what the next generation is looking for in a career.
Global Connections
Just as we serve customers worldwide, our advocacy extends beyond our own region.
KMC is involved in international organizations such as the European Investment Casters’ Federation (EICF) and the Latin American Refractory Association (ALAFAR), where we engage in technical discussions and stay connected with partners across global markets.
That involvement continues through our work in international standards. We contribute through ASTM’s C08 Refractories Committee, helping shape how materials are tested, classified, and understood globally while staying current with evolving testing and sampling methods.
We also support broader industry events like Sustain: Woodfire NC 2025, a triennial international conference in the wood-firing ceramics community. Hosted by our long-time customer Starworks, the event brings together artists, manufacturers, and technical experts from around the world, offering a chance to share ideas and stay connected to the work happening across the field.
Supporting the Next Generation
Supporting the next generation takes different forms.
Over the past quarter, we’ve focused on investing in our people, supporting education, and staying involved in the industries we serve—building skills, preparing the next generation, and contributing to the work that keeps these fields advancing.
Together, these efforts reflect a broader commitment—within KMC, across the industries our materials support, and in the innovation that drives them forward.
