Our History
BigSky Technologies LLC, based in Rochester, NY is a materials science company that manufacturers textile finishes inspired by nature. The company develops cost-effective solutions for the coatings, fabrics, and composite industries using sustainable manufacturing processes while reducing or eliminating the use of harmful chemicals.
BigSky acquired the GreenShield® business in June of 2009, and continues to build and maintain a technical team with expertise in chemistry and engineering. With several strong patents, the company provides the experience needed to evaluate new chemical applications and establish processes quickly and efficiently.
In 2012 the team scaled up manufacturing at a new location in Rochester, NY. Through various market and regulatory changes, BigSky transitioned the business from C8 technology to an environmentally conscientious C6 technology, which it currently provides to customers in the US and Canada.
Over the past several years the GreenShield finish has grown in the automotive interiors, commercial, and residential furnishing markets. GreenShield continues to grow, expanding the business into the performance outerwear, bedding and marine industries.
With GreenShield Less is More
OUR MISSION
At Big Sky Technologies, we are passionate about providing our customers with the highest level of service, limiting waste through the efficient use of resources and decreasing our footprint on the environment. Our goal is to be a world class manufacturer of environmentally conscious finishes that provide innovative solutions to a broad range of textile applications while reducing the amount of fluorochemicals used and promoting sustainability.
Our Team
The BigSky team has a combined total of 150 years of commercialization experience and over 100 patents
issued in their many years of R&D, commercialization, and business experience.
Cathy A. Fleischer PhD
Managing Partner
Cathy A. Fleischer, PhD, Managing Partner, co-founded BigSky Technologies LLC in April 2009 and purchased GreenShield and the associated assets in June of 2009. She is a highly recognized scientist and manager with extensive experience leading diverse technical organizations and teams delivering results in research, business and manufacturing. Dr. Fleischer held a variety of positions at Kodak, leading organizations that delivered highly innovative products and over 200 patents. Fleischer holds eleven patents individually and has numerous publications in the fields of polymer materials science, composites, adhesion and surface science. Fleischer received a doctorate degree in Polymer Science from the University of Connecticut and a master’s degree in Chemical Engineering from Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Her undergraduate degree in Bioengineering/Material Science was received at the University of Pennsylvania.
Michael Duffy
Managing Partner
Michael Duffy, Managing Partner, co-founded BigSky Technologies LLC in April 2009 and purchased GreenShield and the associated assets in June of 2009. In May of 2010 Duffy completed the acquisition and startup of Lendal North America, building a complete manufacturing and development facility from the ground up in just over a year. This provides BigSky Technologies with the opportunity to produce composite parts for any industry, with capability from mold design and manufacturing through materials selection and process development. He brings over twenty years of entrepreneurial experience in new product development, design and commercialization. Mr. Duffy is a chemical engineer that has held senior level management positions in both production and sales in the specialty chemical and paper markets.
Seth Brophy
Lead Chemist
Seth Brophy, Lead Chemist, joined the BigSky team late in 2013 as an intern straight out of his undergraduate education in Chemistry at the University at Buffalo. Seth specializes in liquid colloid chemistry, holding two patents relating to household cleaning products. As Lead Chemist for the GreenShield fabric finish, Seth manages the manufacturing process and conducts experiments to optimize the coating conditions for fabrics of interest to new and current customers. In addition, Seth provides technical support for current customers.
Paul Bennotti
Director of Marketing
Paul Bennotti, Director of Marketing, re-joined the Big Sky team in 2016. As one of the original marketers behind the GreenShield brand, Paul manages all marketing initiatives including; public relations, advertising, merchandising, and website development. One of Paul’s key objectives is to develop comprehensive selling tools and training programs that will assist in educating downstream customers about the technology behind the GreenShield finish. Paul holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Marketing and an Associates degree in Textile Technology from the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City and has more than 30 years of sales and marketing experience in the commercial and residential interiors industry.
GreenShield is About Choices
By choosing GreenShield, you choose to reduce the use of harmful chemicals impacting the environment and human health, increase recyclability and promote sustainability – it’s the right choice to make.
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