Al Faulkner’s career in engineering, spanning four decades, reflects a lifelong dedication to technical excellence, steadfast leadership, and a tenacious commitment to the communities and institutions that have shaped his journey.
While attending The University of Alabama as a chemical engineering student, Faulkner completed four semesters of co-op work with DuPont at the Savannah River Site. Upon earning his chemical engineering degree in 1988, he joined DuPont as a technology engineer working with nuclear materials in chemical processing and the purification of plutonium. In 1993, Faulkner transitioned to working for Monsanto in Pensacola, Florida, beginning as a manufacturing engineer and progressing through leadership positions in multiple manufacturing units. He remained with the company as it evolved into Solutia and later Ascend Performance Materials. Faulkner managed the Decatur operating plant from 2006 to 2012 and led the manufacturing team on the engineering development of the world’s largest propane dehydrogenation plant. Now as the director of capital projects for Ascend, Faulkner leads a team that executes capital projects around the globe.
Throughout his career, he has remained committed to UA. Since 2010, he has served on the Chemical Engineering Advisory Board and the Capstone Engineering Society Board of Directors, including committee leadership and as president of the CES. Additionally, he joined the Dean’s External Advisory Board in 2024. He frequently volunteers at student recruiting events with the College, attends student networking events, and represents Ascend at career fairs.
Faulkner was named a fellow of the UA Department of Chemical Engineering in 2007 and as the 2025 Lee J. Styslinger Jr. College of Engineering Outstanding Alumni Volunteer. Faulkner and his father are the only SCoE alumni to be honored as both Outstanding Alumni Volunteers and SCoE Fellows. He was also recognized for excellence in manufacturing awards during his time with Monsanto and Solutia.
Faulkner has served in leadership roles at his church for nearly three decades and has served with the Ascend Cares Foundation since its inception in 2011. Additionally, he served as chair of the 2011 United Way Campaign in Morgan County, Alabama.
Faulkner lives in Gulf Breeze, Florida, with his wife, Tricia. They have two children and five grandchildren.