Meet the Industrial Applications and Printed Electronics Committee
Art Dobie has been in the screen-printing industry for 40 years. He received his BS in Graphic Communications, specializing in Screen Printing Technology, in 1980 from California University of Pennsylvania. Art is a Life Member and Fellow of the Society of the International Microelectronics and Packaging Society (IMAPS) and was the 2006 recipient of the IMAPS John A. Wagnon Technical Achievement Award for outstanding technical contributions to screen printing technology as related to microelectronics. Art was inducted into the SGIA’s Academy of ScreenPrinting Technology in 1998, and received the SGIA David Swormstedt Sr. Memorial Award, recognizing the best published article or technical paper written for any aspect of the screen-printing industry in both 2010 and 2019.
Under Brooke’s leadership, NPI has expanded its services and product offerings by investing over $3 million in new and advanced-technology equipment. This progress, coupled with additional leadership training, marketing efforts, certifications, and rebranding, has positioned the company to be successful in the modern market. NPI was also the Tulsa Regional Chamber Manufacturer of the year in 2016. In the past, she won the Women in Manufacturing Step Ahead Award, the Tulsa Business and Legal News Women of Distinction award and was recognized as a Top 40 under 40 by the Tulsa People Magazine.
Brooke currently serves as a board member for SGIA, the Tulsa Regional Chamber, Tulsa Small Business Connection board, and is a member of the TRC Manufacturers Council. She also serves as a board member for the Port Authority, via a mayoral appointment.
In her time away from NPI, Brooke enjoys golfing, traveling, and relaxing with her 14-year-old son Conley, fiancé John, and French bulldogs Stella and Annie.
Jonathan Darling joined Romo Durable Graphics in 1994 after stints with Ernst & Young Consulting, Ford Motor Company and commodity trading at the Chicago Board of Trade. Jonathan gained a Finance and Engineering education at Purdue University, and returned “home” for his MBA from University of Wisconsin-Madison. Jonathan serves as President and Chief Troublemaker, taking the reins from his father Fred, who retired in 2007.
The family acquired Romo in 1983. Romo innovates, designs, engineers and produces durable graphics that bring new and better tomorrows for its OEM client base. Romo has been a proud, active SGIA member since its inception in 1953.
In his off time, Jonathan enjoys his family, golf, fishing, perfecting the art of ridiculously spicy Bloody Mary’s and bratwurst. Jonathan aspires to be a wedding-speech-giver-for-hire in his next life.
Mr. Miller is Vice President of National Sales at INSULECTRO. INSULECTRO is a National distributor supporting the printed circuit and printed electronics markets in North America. He duties consists of managing four regional sales teams and supporting the technical requirements of the high-end market in the USA.
Following his studies in physics at the University of Wisconsin and business at Northwestern University in 1972, Mike joined Meto-Grafics Inc as general manager. Established in 1948, Meto-Grafics, like many companies at that time, was still using old technology to produce its mostly-metal nameplates and control panels. Mike’s main thrust over the next several years was to bring Meto up-to-date, expanding their product offerings and technology into the world of computers and digital imaging and fabrication.
Mike brought Meto-Grafics (now DPI) in 1981, and then joined SGIA in 1986. This connection with the industry as a whole gave Meto the contacts and resources to continue its technological advances and processes into virtually all metals and plastics, and to expand its customer base nationally into transportation, aerospace, military products and high-energy transmission.
1987, Mike assumed the role of President of Meto-Grafics and continued to steer the company into cutting-edge technology and quality. He served on the SGIA Board of Directors in the 1990’s, and again in the 2010’s. He has chaired and served on numerous SGIA committees for 30+ years. In addition, Mike served two terms on the General Motors Supplier Council and was Co-chairman of the GM Supplier Council Technology Committee in the 1990’s.
Meto-Grafics merged with St. Paul Stamp Works Inc in 2016, with Mike remaining president of the Meto-Grafics Division.
Outside of his business life, Mike is married to concert pianist and music professor Terree Shofner-Emrich, has four grown daughters, five grandchildren and an Irish Water Spaniel. His personal interests are opera, travel, cooking, woodworking and armchair sports.
Mike received his Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering from Pennsylvania State University in 1991 and completed the Indiana University of Pennsylvania MBA Certificate Program in 2010. To maintain his professional growth and keep informed of current technology, he attends industry symposiums and tradeshows as well as continuing education classes at local colleges.
Phil Heft’s career comes with a wealth of experience within the PEMS Industry, having spent sixteen years at Nicomatic Corporation where Phil was instrumental in managing, servicing and supporting the Printed Electronics and Flexible Technology Industry.
Prior to that, Phil was partner/owner of Metro New York Rep Firm Heft & Ficarra Associates where he successfully provided technical sales starting in 1983 for Miller Dial Corporation and then in later years with Valmark.
Joining in advance of Memcon’s 10th year Anniversary in October 2017, Phil joined a fast growing manufacturer and supplier focused on flexible and printed electronics. Whether products for HMIs (Human Machine Interface), Displays, Wearables, etc to all industry – Memcon provides standard and custom solutions reducing costs and solving problems.
Phil was past President of NY Chapter of ERA as well as the Radio, Television and Electronics Square Club. Named in patent for Ultra-Thin-Alphnumeric-Displays. He has also made presentations to SGIA, AHAM and SID.
About: Memcon is a Global Supplier to the Membrane Switch and Flexible Technology Industry, which offers customers a range of quality products and services to suit their needs. Memcon’s understanding and experience in the Industry is unparalleled. More information on the company’s products, services provided, international locations, and exhibition schedule can be found on the website; Memcon.net.
Thomas Bianchi is currently Vice President and Partner at Eastprint Incorporated, a 40-year-old screen printer and electronic assembly contract manufacture. He has over 25 years of experience in the marketing, manufacturing and designing of HMI Technologies from membrane switches to In Mold Electronics. In addition to HMI technologies, through his knowledge of Printed Electronics Technologies, he has led Eastprint to become a leader in Wearable Device contract manufacturing for medical body worn patches and e-textile integration. He currently serves, and is past chairman, on the Industrial Applications and Printed Electronics committee of the Screen Graphic Imaging Association. He holds a BS in Business Administration from the Peter Paul School of Management at the University of New Hampshire.