The Duval family established an educational fund with the ASM Materials Education Foundation in honor of Mr. Jean Duval’s accomplishments during his long, productive, and innovative career as chairman and CEO of Aubert & Duval (Paris, France). The Jean Duval Educational Fund is designated for educational activities to encourage young people to enroll in materials science or other STEM professions for their lifelong career.
Jean Duval’s life and career can serve as a model for ASM members and all materials technologists, scientists, and metals manufacturing and engineering professionals worldwide. During World War II, Mr. Duval became a German prisoner, but was able to escape early in the war. After returning to France, he was highly involved with the free French resistance movement. After the war, he joined Aubert & Duval, which was founded by his father and Mr. Aubert. The company was a significant player in the manufacturing of special tools and alloys and Mr. Duval was made CEO and became chairman in 1971. During his 20 years of leadership, Duval succeeded in growing the company into a world class supplier of steel, nickel base, and titanium components in products sold throughout the world.
