Professional Curriculum Vitae

EMPLOYMENT EXPERIENCE
 
1998-Present Polymer Laboratory Manager in commercial failure analysis and materials consulting laboratory. Administer polymeric-related projects for clients including failure analysis, product evaluation, and material suitability. Provide consulting to solve polymeric materials problems. Offer expert opinion and give support to polymeric materials based projects involving litigation. Develop and present customized training, educational, and marketing presentations. Write formal polymer test procedures and implement quality control practices in support of ISO 9002 registration and A2LA accreditation. Manage the operations of the Polymeric Materials Department including operational budgeting, scheduling, and billing projections. Supervise, develop, and coordinate the engineering staff and technicians within the department. Participate in marketing activities including presentations and strategic planning. Perform capital project management for departmental programs.

1995-1998 Polymer Scientist providing consulting with client companies to solve polymeric materials problems including failure analysis, material selection, performance evaluation, and deformulation. Manage all aspects of completion of projects involving polymeric-based materials such as plastic, rubber, adhesives, paints and coatings, and lubricants. Communicate results of materials projects to clients through detailed formal repots and presentations. Perform materials analysis including Infrared Spectroscopy, Thermal Analysis, and mechanical evaluation. Develop new experimental methods as required to fully test and evaluate polymeric-based materials. Function as primary marketing representative to develop growth in the Polymeric Materials Department.


Cooper Power Systems - Components and Protective Equipment Div.
1991-1995 Chief Chemist responsible for the formulation of rubber compounds used in molded electrical connectors. Act as project coordinator on all materials development projects. Supervise quality control aspects of rubber mixing facility, including incoming materials and compounded rubber. Troubleshoot mixing and molding manufacturing problems involving rubber and plastic compounds. Manage the Materials Laboratory, including supervision of three technicians, budgeting, capital acquisitions, and general operations. Administer Design-of-Experiments programs for material and manufacturing improvement. Act as key resource person on general materials topics such as plastic molding compounds, adhesive paints, and metals. Interface with mixing and molding personnel at Cooper’s overseas facility to maintain trouble-free operation. Development of testing methods and regimen to evaluate new and existing rubber and plastic materials.

Cooper Power Systems - Components and Protective Equipment Div.
1991-1992 Materials Chemist responsible for investigation and implementation of improvements and/or cost reductions through the development of superior rubber formulations for molded electrical products. Troubleshoot problems as they arise on the manufacturing floor. Oversee analysis and approval of incoming materials including the revision of specifications.

Cooper Power Systems - Thomas A. Edison Technical Center
1989-1991 Associate Research Scientist responsible for the overall completion of applied research and development projects relating to materials used in the electrical distribution industry. This includes experiment design, analysis, methods development, and final report disposition. Interface with division personnel to maintain working relationships to support research programs. Oversee complete operation of the Thermal Analysis Section, including equipment usage and result interpretation.

Aldrich Chemical Company, Inc. - Quality Control Dept.
1985-1989 Analytical Organic Chemist responsible for overall operation and method development of GC-FTIR instrumentation. Act as primary resource person for Infrared Spectroscopy Section. Evaluate analytical data and make testing assignments. Perform literature research on all new chemical products. Directly responsible for completion of Vapor Phase IR Library for publication, including chemical analysis, spectral evaluation, sample selection, and scheduling. Trained and supervised two technicians.


EDUCATION

Master of Science - Engineering Management
Milwaukee School of Engineering (Wisconsin) 2000

Bachelor of Science - Chemistry
Bachelor of Science - Criminal Justice
Carroll College (Waukesha, Wisconsin) 1985

Attended numerous technical short courses and seminars.
Taught seminars in basic polymeric failure analysis.


TECHNICAL PRESENTATIONS

Failure Analysis of Plastics - Principal Instructor
Chemical Interaction with Plastic Materials - Principal Instructor
Failure Analysis of Materials, Polymeric Materials - Instructor
Failure Analysis, Marquette University - Guest Lecturer



PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS

Society of Plastics Engineers (SPE)
American Chemical Society (ACS)
Rubber Division of the ACS
Wisconsin Rubber Group – Past President
ASM International

PUBLICATIONS

“Characterization of Plastics in Failure Analysis”, ASM Handbook Volume 11 – Failure Analysis and Prevention, ASM International, December 2002, pg. 437-459.

"Failure Analysis of Automotive Assemblies - Parts I and II", Presented at ANTEC, 2002.

"Conducting a Plastic Component Failure Investigation", Presented at the International Appliance Technical Conference, 2002.

"Application of Strategic Management to Test Laboratories", Managing the Modern Laboratory, ISC Management Publications, Inc., Volume 6, Number 1, pg. 5-9.

"Failure Analysis of a Cracked Construction Vehicle Grille", Presented at ANTEC, 2001.

"Plastic Component Failure Analysis", Advanced Materials and Processes, ASM International, May 2001, pg. 56-59.

"Failure Analysis of a Polysulfone Flow Sensor Body - A Case Study", Practical Failure Analysis, ASM International, April 2001, pg. 55-58.

"Testing Beats Talking", Appliance Manufacturer, Business News Publishing Company, March 2001, pg. 21-24.

"Using Failure Analysis to Assure Product Quality", Automotive Plastics, Society of Manufacturing Engineers, February 2001, pg. 34-39.