SGIA Membrane Switch Symposium Recognition

SGIA Membrane Switch Symposium Speakers

	Steve Baker, GM Nameplate Inc. Steve Baker is the National Sales Manager for Intaq products at GM Nameplate Inc. He joined GM Nameplate in 2004 as the Medical Business Development Manager, where he substantially increased the medical device component business before being tasked with the management responsibility for the company’s Intaq line of electronic-user, interface component and membrane switch products. He has spent 25 years in various segments of the membrane switch industry. Baker's previousexperience includes 18 years with Key Tronic Corp. In his time at Key Tronic, he worked extensively on PC keyboard technology for major OEMs (including IBM, AT&T, Compaq and NCR). Baker’s knowledge of the PC and Notebook computer markets includes project management, design and development and sales expertise. Additionally, Baker served for five years as Director of Sales for Conductive Rubber Technology in the elastomer industry.

	Neil Bolding, MacDermid Autotype Inc. Neil Bolding, MacDermid’s Business Support Manager, is a 25-year veteran of the printing industry. He is experienced in production and QC functions, primarily in the customer technical support field. Over the years, Neil has been a regular contributor to SGIA’s training programs.

	Tom Brown, Oryon Technologies Development Tom Brown is a Chemical Engineer and graduate from Brigham Young University. He has worked in the semiconductor and electronics field for 24 years. His current position as Technical Director at Oryon has brought him into the electroluminescent industry. Brown is a past speaker at the Membrane Switch Symposium. To date, he has received four patents on EL and membrane switches.

	Jay Catral, Konica Minolta Sensing Americas Inc. Jay M. Catral is a Sales and Applications Specialist, Radiometric Products and Solutions, for Konica Minolta Sensing Americas Inc. He has worked at Konica for 15 years, starting in the photo service division, transferring to Sensing ISD in 2002 and then to Sales and Applications Specialist in 2007. Part of his job has been to calibrate and repair Konica’s whole product line, from light meters and spectrophotometers to 3-D scanners. Catral has a degree in electronics and communication engineering from De La Salle University.

	John Crumpton, USA DuPont John Crumpton has a degree from Durham Technical Institute, and worked at DuPont Microcircuits Materials Division for the past 22 years. Currently, he is a Technical Support Specialist and responsible for supporting polymer thick film for the Americas and DuPont’s Hybrid and LTCC material offerings for the Northeast Region.

	John Dillon, LasX Industries Inc. John Dillon is the Vice President of LasX Industries Inc. in St. Paul, Minnesota and a Co-founder of the company. He is responsible for the company's contract production group, which pursues applications in the electronics, medical diagnostic and graphic arts markets. He has Bachelor of Science degrees in manufacturing engineering and industrial engineering from the University of Wisconsin. Dillon has focused 25 years of his career on the machine tool and industrial laser markets in the United States.

	Dave Fisher, Nicomatic-North America Dave Fisher, President of Nicomatic-North America, holds a BSME from the Rensslaer Polytechnic Institute, and has worked in the membrane switch industry for the past 11 years. Previously, he worked in the aerospace industry, primarily on the F-15 Fighter Aircraft Program and the power distribution system for the Boeing 737.

	James Gill, Fujifilm Dimatix Inc. James Gill, Fujifilm's European Sales Director, is a frequent industry speaker with vast knowledge on sales efforts in Europe. Previously a Global Marketing Director with VUTEk, Gills serves on SGIA's Executive Committee.

	Bea Purcell, Nazdar Bea Purcell, Nazdar's Market Segment Manager, has held various sales and technical positions in the membrane switch industry. Purcell has a bachelor's degree in chemical engineering and a Master of Science in education.

	Joe Sampair, Mathias Die Company Joe Sampair is the Sales Manager for Mathias Die Co. in St. Paul, Minnesota. He has been with Mathias Die for 21 years. Sampair has a thorough knowledge and hands-on experience with the technologies of die making, die cutting, laser cutting and d’slugging. His responsibilities include developing new opportunities, creating application solutions, determining application feasibilities and managing the customer service team.

	Mike Streun, Automation Alternatives Mike Streun is the Founder and CEO of Automation Alternatives in Toronto, Canada. He started the company when he sold a pick-and-place machine for placing metal domes, which he created in his garage. Three months later, a national distributor took interest in his product. Automation Alternatives has increased its technology to include the placement of electronic components, dispensing, automated testing and laser cutting. Automation Alternatives now employs 15 people.

	Mike Suchocki, TEKRA Corp. Mike Suchocki, a Senior Technical Development Specialist with Tekra, is a frequent speaker at industry trade events and author of several articles in trade and professional publications. Prior to Tekra, Suchocki worked in technical marketing at GE Plastics' Lexan film division.

	Jeffrey Warmkessel, Ashland Inc. Jeffrey R. Warmkessel, Ph.D., has been working in the area of radiation-curable pressure sensitive and laminating adhesives for 10 years as a Staff Scientist for Ashland Performance Materials. He currently works in product development and technical service on application and commercialization of the UV-curable, pressure-sensitive adhesives. Warmkessel has one patent and a doctorate degree in polymer science from the University of Akron. He has spoken at several technical conferences on radiation-curable topics.