Lori Maria Tarkany Balster’s passion for chemistry and consulting has led her to a flourishing career. Balster, the chief executive officer of Knowledge Imports LLC, is an influential leader and author who has made significant contributions to her industry by promoting knowledge exchange. Her leadership is driven by a deep passion for education and empowering others.
Balster’s journey began as a chemist at Systems Research Laboratories/Arvin/Calspan in Dayton, Ohio, in 1994, where she laid the foundation for her future endeavors. Balster continued to expand her expertise as a chemist at Innovative Scientific Solutions Inc. in Beavercreek, Ohio, from 1996 to 1999, during which time she performed original scientific research in the U.S. Air Force fuels laboratory and writing or co-writing many abstracts, articles, technical reports, and scientific research articles for audiences ranging from aviation fuel chemistry experts to the general public.
Today, Balster’s passion for writing and literature has proved fruitful as a successful writer and consultant since 2014. As a self-employed professional, she has demonstrated exceptional versatility and commitment to literary expertise. Balster’s work with Fondriest Environmental Inc. as a science writer from 2014 to 2022 also helped solidify her reputation as an expert communicator of complex scientific concepts. Furthermore, Balster has been serving as a proposal writing, editing, and compliance consultant with Palmer Consultants LLC (now Strategic Growth Advisors) in Colorado since 2017, specializing in U.S. government proposals.
In addition to her work in this sector, Balster has found success as the chief executive officer of Knowledge Imports LLC, a company she founded in 2020 in Dayton, Ohio.
Following Balster’s tenure as SRL/Arvin/Calspan chemist, she was affiliated with the University of Dayton Research Institute, marking significant milestones in her career as she evolved from an assistant research chemist in 2000 to an associate research chemist by 2005 and a research chemist between 2005 and 2013. During this period, Balster contributed significantly to projects as a U.S. Department of Defense contractor, writing or co-writing many research articles, technical reports, and other literature for the aviation community and the general public. Additionally, Balster gave talks locally, nationally, and internationally on the original jet fuels chemistry research she performed with her colleagues at UDRI for the U.S. Air Force. Balster also had the opportunity to impart knowledge as an adjunct general chemistry laboratory instructor at the University of Dayton during the 2013 to 2014 academic school year.
Balster worked prolifically in testing jet fuel thermal stability, which was the major focus of her original research with UDRI colleagues. She devised a method for detecting and quantifying the component responsible for thermal stability behavior — a class she and her co-authors referred to as “polar species” — using a combination of high-performance liquid chromatography and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry.
Balster’s academic background is equally impressive, as she holds three college degrees: a Bachelor of Arts in chemistry, a Bachelor of Arts in English, and a Master of Arts in English language and literature from the University of Dayton. She earned both BA degrees in 1994 and her MA in 2010.
Balster also received the Publications Recognition Program Award from American Mensa for best essay of 2010 and academic accolades from the University of Dayton. Looking forward to future success, she aims to grow her company by creating stable jobs for writers, editors, and scientists while fostering a positive corporate culture.
