I was born in Hawaii (on Oahu) and spent the first 17 years of my life there. I then moved to Lodi, California where I graduated from high school. From Lodi, I went to the Napa Valley for 2+ years at Pacific Union College. I then transferred to Cal Poly in Southern California to continue work on my EE degree. I spent the next 20ish years in Southern California and have lived all over the region. Out of college, I formed Microtek Laboratories, an independent electronics and materials test facility. In 2003, I opened a second facility in China that I grew until it sold in 2024. I serve as President of Reliability Assessment Solutions Inc, manufacturer of the HATS²™ Test System and hold patents associated with the system. I have served served as the Global Electronics Association Board Chairman, and earned a spot in the IPC Hall of Fame (a lifetime achievement award) as well IPC Presidents & Dieter Bergman IPC Fellow awards. I have served as Chairman the IPC's TAEC, Rigid Board General Committee, HDI General Committee, Rigid Board Test Method Task Group & IEC TC91 Working Group 10 PCB Test Methods.
I have participated on more than 50 IPC Technical Committees & have published dozens of articles & technical papers and taught many cources on Reliability, Testing, Test Methods & Failure Analysis. I am the author of the “Acceptability & Quality of Fabricated Boards” section (Chapter 51) of Coombs 6th edition book “The Printed Circuits Handbook” (The accepted Bible of the PCB Industry), which has now been translated into several languages. In my early years I worked as a Pineapple Packer, Fireman, Lifeguard, Tow Truck Driver, Construction Worker, Gardener, Grave Digger, Vehicle Maintenance/Bodywork Technician, Burger “Technician”, Math & Physics Tutor, Gas Station Attendant and various positions in a PCB manufacturing facility. In 2007, I was awarded Honorary Citizenship of Changzhou, China for my contributions to the growth of the city. I have travelled extensively and consider traveling one of my favorite things to do (although the airline ride there is seldom pleasant).
