Meet Diane Franseen, Lab Manager at the Asphalt Materials, Inc. (AMI) Portage Terminal, H.G. Meigs! For more than 26 years, Diane has been integral in ensuring the quality of our material production.
As a lab manager, Diane combines technical expertise, curiosity and a methodical approach to problem-solving that has made her a trusted resource for colleagues across the company.
Diane’s path to the company began with a background in chemistry at Wheaton College in Illinois. Post-graduation, she spent a decade working in an environmental chemistry laboratory, primarily testing water and soil samples. During those early years, she developed strong laboratory fundamentals and learned valuable lessons from a mentor who taught her the importance of good recordkeeping and efficient lab operations.
These lessons were carried through to her work today: “Diane is a valuable part of the AMI organization,” says Quality Control and Quality Assurance Director, Kit Peregrine. “She is extremely knowledgeable about the formulation and testing of emulsion and asphalt binder products, and has one of the most organized labs I have ever seen.”
After taking time to be with her growing family, Diane landed at H.G. Meigs, thanks to a newspaper job listing for a laboratory position. She recalls watching the lab grow into what it is today, and the valuable experience of having a hand in its development: “I had great support from leaders here who were very open to hearing what direction I wanted to take the lab in.”
While she had vast experience in the lab setting, the asphalt industry was entirely new to her. Determined to learn, she immersed herself in training opportunities, attended industry events, served on the board of Asphalt Emulsion Manufacturers Association (AEMA) and discovered an industry of people willing to share knowledge and help others succeed.
Today, Diane leads the Portage lab team, which includes three technicians focused on asphalt emulsion and performance grade (PG) testing. The lab supports not only Portage but multiple AMI locations, handling a steady flow of samples and ensuring products meet the appropriate specifications. Maintaining consistency and staying current with specification updates are key parts of the team’s work. The lab also supports research initiatives when new products or testing methods require additional investigation.
“Diane is the glue that holds our lab team together,” says Kim Gessner, Lab Technician at the Portage lab. “She cares about quality and takes time to make sure things are done the right way. If there are any issues, she goes above and beyond to find the solution.”
One of Diane’s favorite aspects of her career has been tackling technical challenges. She particularly enjoyed contributing to research for an employee-led efficiency project focused on polymer optimization. The project involved studying sulfur dosing, mix temperatures and mix times when catalyzing polymer-modified products to better understand performance. Diane enjoyed the opportunity to dig into the work, generate valuable data and help advance the research effort. Looking back, she considers her contributions to the project one of the accomplishments she’s most proud of.
When asked what she enjoys most about working at AMI, Diane points to the people. She values the relationships she’s built over the years and enjoys collaborating with colleagues across the organization. She appreciates being part of a group focused on continuous improvement and sharing best practices.
Diane believes one of the keys to success is staying calm when faced with a challenge. She describes herself as methodical and persistent; when problems arise, she enjoys asking the right questions, working through the details and sticking with an issue until the team finds a solution.
According to Portage Lab Technician Penny Jacobson, attention to detail is engrained in the team culture and built relationships of trust. She recalls the lab’s commercial work before H.G. Meigs joined the Asphalt Materials family of companies in 2019: “Due to Diane’s integrity, our customers knew if we gave them a certificate for a sample it was accurate, whether it was passing or failing. We stood behind our work and still do.”
For employees just starting their careers, Diane has seen the benefits of growing with an organization: “Even though it’s not ‘the trend’ these days, I think there’s a lot of value in staying with a company for the long-haul” she explains. “AMI has so much to offer; there’s real value here for a new team member.” She notes the opportunities AMI encourages employees to pursue, like acquiring new skills and taking on different challenges within the company, as meaningful career-builders.
Outside of work, Diane stays busy alongside her husband of 36 years. Together, they operate a beef farm and spend weekends working on home projects. Family is a major part of her life, and she enjoys spending time with her eight grandchildren. Diane is also co-owner of Sweet Slice, a pie and bakery business she operates with her youngest daughter. Baking has long been a family tradition, dating back to the days when she and her mother would make dozens of pies to sell from a roadside stand. Today, that passion continues through the bakery.
After more than two decades with the company, Diane remains focused on the work she enjoys and the people she works with. As she looks to the future, her goal is simple: continue learning, keep solving problems and take each day as it comes. “Sometimes your career choices aren’t made by you; unexpected things can happen! But that new chapter and new experiences allow you to learn and grow.” She emphasizes, “It’s good to be excited about something new.”
Diane’s commitment to precision and willingness to continuously learn have made a lasting impact on both the Portage lab and AMI as a whole. Her technical expertise, steady approach and dedication to supporting her team help ensure we deliver the high standards our customers expect every day. We’re grateful for Diane’s 26 years of service and the impact she has on AMI every day!
Interested in joining the AMI team? Learn more on our careers page.
