Meet Our Leaders

Loyal M. Peterman Jr.

Mr. Peterman is President and Founder of Abrasive Technology. He is AT's Business Process Engineer, and Business Strategy Coach and Process Engineer. As sole owner since 1992, Mr. Peterman has grown AT to 11 locations (United States, Canada, Mexico, United Kingdom, Spain, Singapore, Germany and Poland) and approximately 400 associates, to become one of the largest privately held superabrasive grinding and tooling manufacturers in the world.

Under Mr. Peterman's leadership, AT invented and patented the process for brazing diamond to steel (P.B.S.®), used today in a broad spectrum of industries and markets. Personally, Mr. Peterman has earned other patents and patent applications in the areas of gear grinding, electronics and superabrasive wheel manufacturing.

Mr. Peterman earned an M.B.A. degree from Xavier University, and M.S. and B.S. degrees in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Cincinnati. These degrees provided the knowledge base that enabled him to begin his career as a Design Engineer at GE Jet Engines and in Borazon Market Development at the GE Superabrasives facilities. Mr. Peterman is a founding board member of the Ohio Foundation for Entrepreneurial Education (OFEE) and is a past president and board member of the Industrial Diamond Association of America. In 1999, he was named Ernst & Young's Central Ohio Entrepreneur of the Year in Manufacturing. He is a speaker for Organizational and Leadership Development for process-centered learning corporations. Mr. Peterman served as treasurer and a board member at The Country Club at Muirfield Village.

David Altiero

Mr. Altiero is a member of the Business Strategy Process at Abrasive Technology, where he, along with five team members, is responsible for establishing long-term strategic direction, annual goals and budgets for the company. In addition, Mr. Altiero is a Coach, providing associate development to the Sales, Product Development and Application Engineering, Customer Service and Marketing Processes.

He joined the company in 1984 and throughout his tenure was appointed the company's first vice president of manufacturing, introducing CNC machining and computer-controlled equipment into the manufacturing process. Additionally, he orchestrated two major expansions at the Lewis Center, OH, facility.

Mr. Altiero has more than 30 years of manufacturing management expertise, having worked at Rockwell International, Liebert (a division of Emerson Electric) and International Paper. Mr. Altiero earned a B.S. degree in Business Administration from Youngstown State University.

Shahla Amiri, P.E., Ph.D.

Ms. Amiri is a member of the Business Strategy Process at Abrasive Technology, where she, along with five team members, is responsible for establishing long-term strategic direction, annual goals and budgets for the company. In addition, she is Process Engineer for the Lewis Center Order Fulfillment Process and Coach for ATNA. Ms. Amiri joined Abrasive Technology in 1990, having served in a variety of leadership capacities supporting Engineering, Research, Manufacturing and the Montreal facility.

Previously, Ms. Amiri worked in high-level engineering positions for Diabrasive International Montreal, Renault Automotive Company in France and the National Scientific Research Center in France. Ms. Amiri is a published author of several technical papers. She is a Professional Engineer and holds a Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering from Ecole Centrale de Paris. In addition, she graduated with top honors with a M.Sc. in Chemical Engineering from Ecole Centrale de Paris and earned a B.Sc. in Chemical Engineering from Shiraz University.

Jesus Bonastre

Mr. Bonastre is General Manager of Abrasive Technology Europe SA, the Company’s Barcelona, Spain manufacturing location. Having joined the Company in 1990 when Abrasive Technology acquired Diabrasive Europe SA, Mr. Bonastre strategically leads and directs the manufacturing operations for this location which specializes in production of tooling for the stone industry.

With 36 years of management experience in the superabrasive industry, Mr. Bonastre has served as general manager at major manufacturers including Teco SA and Idesa, with specialized knowledge in diamond tooling for industrial, glass, optical, automotive and ceramic applications. Mr. Bonastre earned a masters degree in Business Management from IESE Business School in Barcelona and a Mechanical Engineering degree from Hight Engineering School, also in Barcelona.

Tanya L. Patrella

Ms. Patrella is a member of the Business Strategy Process at Abrasive Technology, where she, along with five team members, is responsible for establishing long-term strategic direction for the company. In addition, she is the Process Engineer for the Associate Development and Resources Process. Ms. Patrella is also a Coach for the Leadership team. Having joined the company in 1987, she has made significant leadership contributions in Customer Service, Marketing, Regulatory Compliance, Administrative Support and Human Resources.

Ms. Patrella led the successful integration of the company's acquisitions into the AT organization. In addition, she has worked with the Center for Creative Leadership over the past 10 years to provide leadership training for all associates with the implementation of the Process Centered Organization. Prior to joining AT, Ms. Patrella worked for First National Bank of Chicago, Liebert Corporation and General Telephone Company. She earned her B.S. in Marketing from The Ohio State University.

Daryl L. Peterman

Mr. Peterman is a shareholder of the company and a member of the Business Strategy Process at Abrasive Technology, where he, along with five team members, is responsible for establishing long-term strategic direction, annual goals and budgets for the company. In addition, he is the Process Engineer for the Sales, Product Development and Application Engineering, Marketing and Customer Service Processes. He has made significant contributions in leading proactive marketing initiatives with a targeted focus on premier global customers.

Mr. Peterman joined Abrasive Technology in 2005 after serving several years with Houlihan Lokey Howard & Zukin in Los Angeles, where he successfully marketed companies for strategic or financial buyer sale. Prior to that, he worked at City National Bank in Structured Finance, with Enterpulse.com as a Project Manager, and Andersen Consulting as a Consultant. Mr. Peterman earned an M.B.A. in Finance from The Anderson School at UCLA and a B.A. in Economics, cum laude, from Vanderbilt University.

Steve Swords

Mr. Swords is a member of the Business Strategy Process at Abrasive Technology, where he, along with five team members, is responsible for establishing long-term strategic direction, annual goals and budgets for the company. In addition, he is Chief Executive of Abrasive Technology Ltd., with responsibility for operations at the company's three United Kingdom locations.

Mr. Swords joined AT in 1998 when the company acquired Habit Diamond and its United Kingdom manufacturing facilities. He has 25 years of experience as Chief Executive for medical, aerospace and precision engineering companies. Mr. Swords earned an M.B.A. degree from London Business School and a B.S. degree in Mechanical Engineering from Strathclyde University in Glasgow.