Panel Discussion: Circular Refrigerant Economy

Casey Williams

Industry Liaison Officer

University of Kansas

https://www.linkedin.com/in/caseywilliamsphd/

Dr. Casey Williams serves as the Industry Liaison Officer for EARTH, leading partnerships across the HVACR value chain. With experience consulting for edtech and tech startups and working at the intersection of academia and industry, Casey specializes in translating research into real-world innovation. He has advised early-stage teams on strategy, product development, and data-driven decision-making while facilitating collaborations that accelerate commercialization. At EARTH, Casey is the primary point of contact for industry members, ensuring clear communication, aligned priorities, and strong integration between research and industry needs.

Kalin Baca

Co-Founder, CEO

Icorium Engineering Company

linkedin.com/in/kalinbaca

Kalin Baca is the CEO and Co‑Founder of Icorium Engineering Company, where she leads the commercialization of advanced refrigerant separation technologies. A chemical engineer by training, she earned her PhD from the University of Kansas and previously contributed to award‑winning research at Sandia National Laboratories. Her work spans sustainable engineering, ionic‑liquid‑based separations, and STEM leadership

Mark Shiflett

Foundation Distinguished Professor and J.L. Constant Distinguished Professor of Chemical and Petroleum Engineering and ERC EARTH Center Director

University of Kansas

https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-shiflett-b451b317/

Mark Shiflett is a chemical engineer whose work advances environmentally friendly, energy‑efficient industrial processes, building on nearly three decades at DuPont where he helped develop non‑ozone‑depleting refrigerants and earned major professional honors. He continues to drive sustainable chemical innovation through extensive patents, publications, and leadership within the engineering community.

Steve Harrill

CEO & Owner

Chiller Services Refrigerant Recovery & Reclamation, LLC

https://www.linkedin.com/in/steve-harrill-14616569/

Steve Harrill leads Chiller Services Refrigerant Recovery & Reclamation, guiding customers through the full refrigerant lifecycle with solutions spanning recovery, reclamation, sales, and analytical testing. His team supports industry partners with high‑volume recovery capabilities and authorized Chemours distribution, emphasizing compliance, service quality, and collaborative success across the HVACR sector.

Chris Mussey

General Manager

American Refrigerants, Inc.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/christophermussey/

Chris Mussey leads American Refrigerants, Inc., a trusted EPA‑certified reclamation facility founded in 2008 that provides nationwide refrigerant recovery, reclamation, sales, and buy‑back services. He brings deep expertise in strategic planning and financial leadership, drawing on a background in mergers and acquisitions to guide company growth while supporting contractors and industrial clients with compliant, cost‑effective refrigerant solutions.

Dave Watson

Director of Quality

Hudson Technologies

https://www.linkedin.com/in/dave-watson-5ba280138/

Dave Watson oversees quality at Hudson Technologies, bringing nearly three decades of experience spanning laboratory leadership, analytical operations, and refrigerant chemistry. He supports Hudson’s mission by ensuring high‑standards in recovery, reclamation, and sustainable refrigerant management, helping advance environmentally responsible practices across the HVACR industry.