John Beam (right) accepting the 2013 Distinguished Ambassador Award from Jean Wolf
John W. Bean, Chairman of Symmco Inc. Currently, semi-retired, John W. Bean is Chairman of Symmco, Inc., a leading manufacturer of powdered metal engineer parts, located in Sykesville, Pa. He began his career at Ideal Products, Inc. retiring as President after 40 years of service.
Residing in Sarasota, FL since 1994, his current pursuits include serving on the board of Children First, the Head Start provider for Sarasota County, three times nationally recognized as a Program of Excellence. Additionally, he is a Trustee of the New College Foundation in Sarasota, supporting the Honors College of the Florida State system.
In the recent past, Bean has served as Trustee of Washington and Jefferson College in Washington, PA, where he received his BA in Political Science and Economics in 1965, and Vice Chair of the Board of the Marie Selby Botanical Gardens in Sarasota, FL a leading research institution of epiphytes; orchids and bromeliads. Bean served in the US Army in various overseas and domestic assignments.
He has enjoyed his long and productive association with Penn State DuBois, supporting the continuing efforts of the DuBois Educational Foundation and the Materials Engineering program thorough his association with Symmco, Inc. He and his wife Alexandra enjoy their family; daughter Tara, son in law Greg, grandchildren Peter, Yuri and Sava and great grandchildren Devin and Amanda. They also enjoy their Pomeranians, Kalinka and Misha.