top of page
The Abaris Team
Abaris Training Resources Inc. is proud to have such a dedicated team of employees committed to offering the highest level of service and knowledge in the field of advanced composite training!
Click on photos to read individual bios:
Executive Staff
Executive Team
Michelle Dziedzic
President
Michelle’s aspiration in composites started just a little over a decade ago and progressed as she learned the intricacies of training in composite manufacturing and repair as well as what it means to offer educational services.
Her desire to learn and be involved was key to her growth and heightening her career in composites.
Michelle believes “to navigate any career and bring others along with you, you must lead with your mind and your heart. Building sincere relationships internally and externally through the years has really been my absolute fulfillment as well as my true key to success!”
Michelle is a member of the Society for the Advancement of Material and Process Engineering (SAMPE), and the Nevada Women’s Fund who works with community donors and supporters to raise financial contributions and other resources to support northern Nevada women and families. She supports many industry scholarships for organizations such as the NBAA, AWAM and MRO competitors.
Michelle is always looking for ways to support you. Please feel free to drop her a line on how we may help you build a better business!
Contact information:
Email: Michelle@abaris.com
Phone: +1 (775) 827-6568
Michelle’s aspiration in composites started just a little over a decade ago and progressed as she learned the intricacies of training in composite manufacturing and repair as well as what it means to offer educational services.
Her desire to learn and be involved was key to her growth and heightening her career in composites.
Michelle believes “to navigate any career and bring others along with you, you must lead with your mind and your heart. Building sincere relationships internally and externally through the years has really been my absolute fulfillment as well as my true key to success!”
Michelle is a member of the Society for the Advancement of Material and Process Engineering (SAMPE), and the Nevada Women’s Fund who works with community donors and supporters to raise financial contributions and other resources to support northern Nevada women and families. She supports many industry scholarships for organizations such as the NBAA, AWAM and MRO competitors.
Michelle is always looking for ways to support you. Please feel free to drop her a line on how we may help you build a better business!
Contact information:
Email: Michelle@abaris.com
Phone: +1 (775) 827-6568
Paul Dziedzic
Vice President
Paul comes to Abaris from a grocery executive and leadership position in the Produce industry. One of few industry leaders who experienced every level or step in the industry.
He has over thirty-five years in business operations. He excels in quality control, training, building relationships, financials and leadership standards.
Paul started bagging groceries in college to supplement his income, which led to operational director positions for several companies including Raley’s, Scolaris, Whole Foods and Bristol Farms.
As an established leader, he incorporates a strategic vision to help the company become more profitable, achieve a higher standard of service, and meet its overall goals. This involves coordinating with managers across multiple departments, such as information technology and customer service, to ensure that these departments operate smoothly and are on track to meeting the company's goals.
In his most prior position he established a record sales year in 2020 achieving 10 million in sales over projected budget. Reaction to industry needs, previous supply relationships, execution of contract pricing, and aggressive sales plans were some of the key components used to achieve this success!
Coaching was also a huge part of Paul’s early days in his career, as he participated in his children’s choices of sports. Always being an involved parent and teacher, “because "there is no other way!” He continues to bring those traits to the work environment and is very competitive.
For Paul, failing is not an option. Sometimes it just takes smaller steps to achieve goals.
Paul was very fortunate to grow up with the Air Force “Dad” in his life - an officer and a Navigator in KC135’s and a trainer in the Navigator field. His leadership skills and regimen always showed why hard work and commitment to a plan was necessary, these principles became ingrained in Paul. It taught him respect, dedication, discipline, and a passion for every endeavor.
Paul is here to support his wife, Michelle, in any way necessary. He enjoys the challenge and Customer Service is his absolute favorite role. Paul always tries to make the customer’s experience as good as possible so they may concentrate on learning in one of the most interesting fields in our world - composites!
Contact Information:
email: paul@abaris.com
+1 (775) 827-6568
Paul comes to Abaris from a grocery executive and leadership position in the Produce industry. One of few industry leaders who experienced every level or step in the industry.
He has over thirty-five years in business operations. He excels in quality control, training, building relationships, financials and leadership standards.
Paul started bagging groceries in college to supplement his income, which led to operational director positions for several companies including Raley’s, Scolaris, Whole Foods and Bristol Farms.
As an established leader, he incorporates a strategic vision to help the company become more profitable, achieve a higher standard of service, and meet its overall goals. This involves coordinating with managers across multiple departments, such as information technology and customer service, to ensure that these departments operate smoothly and are on track to meeting the company's goals.
In his most prior position he established a record sales year in 2020 achieving 10 million in sales over projected budget. Reaction to industry needs, previous supply relationships, execution of contract pricing, and aggressive sales plans were some of the key components used to achieve this success!
Coaching was also a huge part of Paul’s early days in his career, as he participated in his children’s choices of sports. Always being an involved parent and teacher, “because "there is no other way!” He continues to bring those traits to the work environment and is very competitive.
For Paul, failing is not an option. Sometimes it just takes smaller steps to achieve goals.
Paul was very fortunate to grow up with the Air Force “Dad” in his life - an officer and a Navigator in KC135’s and a trainer in the Navigator field. His leadership skills and regimen always showed why hard work and commitment to a plan was necessary, these principles became ingrained in Paul. It taught him respect, dedication, discipline, and a passion for every endeavor.
Paul is here to support his wife, Michelle, in any way necessary. He enjoys the challenge and Customer Service is his absolute favorite role. Paul always tries to make the customer’s experience as good as possible so they may concentrate on learning in one of the most interesting fields in our world - composites!
Contact Information:
email: paul@abaris.com
+1 (775) 827-6568
Louis C. Dorworth
Direct Services Manager
Mr. Dorworth has been involved in the advanced composites industry since 1978. He has been associated with Abaris since its inception in 1983 (post Lear Fan) and has been employed by Abaris Training Resources, Inc. since 1989. He now serves as the Direct Services Division Manager at Abaris.
By trade, Lou is a composite materials and process (M&P) specialist, with experience in research and development (R&D), material and process engineering, manufacturing engineering, tool design/engineering, tool fabrication, and of course, teaching composite related subjects.
His career in aerospace composites includes work on such programs as the Lear Fan 2100 (the first all-CFRP airframe), Beechcraft Starship 1, B-2 bomber, C-17 transport, MD-11, Boeing 777, and the Airbus A-330/340 to name a few. He has also been involved with a number of non-aerospace programs in the motorsports, marine, sporting goods, and wind energy industries.
Lou is a professional member of the Society for the Advancement of Material and Process Engineering (SAMPE), serving since 1982. He is the immediate past chair of the Bonding and Joining Technical Committee as part of the SAMPE Technical Excellence initiative. He is a senior member of the Society of Manufacturing Engineers (SME), serving since 1997, and is the recent past chair of both the SME Technical Community Committee and the Composite Technical Sub-committee.
Lou is a well-published author, conference presenter, and co-author of the popular textbook titled “Essentials of Advanced Composite Fabrication & Repair,” first edition published in 2009 and second edition, published in 2019 by Aviation Supplies & Academics, Inc. (ASA).
Contact Information:
Email: lou@abaris.com
Phone: +1 (971) 261-2053
Mr. Dorworth has been involved in the advanced composites industry since 1978. He has been associated with Abaris since its inception in 1983 (post Lear Fan) and has been employed by Abaris Training Resources, Inc. since 1989. He now serves as the Direct Services Division Manager at Abaris.
By trade, Lou is a composite materials and process (M&P) specialist, with experience in research and development (R&D), material and process engineering, manufacturing engineering, tool design/engineering, tool fabrication, and of course, teaching composite related subjects.
His career in aerospace composites includes work on such programs as the Lear Fan 2100 (the first all-CFRP airframe), Beechcraft Starship 1, B-2 bomber, C-17 transport, MD-11, Boeing 777, and the Airbus A-330/340 to name a few. He has also been involved with a number of non-aerospace programs in the motorsports, marine, sporting goods, and wind energy industries.
Lou is a professional member of the Society for the Advancement of Material and Process Engineering (SAMPE), serving since 1982. He is the immediate past chair of the Bonding and Joining Technical Committee as part of the SAMPE Technical Excellence initiative. He is a senior member of the Society of Manufacturing Engineers (SME), serving since 1997, and is the recent past chair of both the SME Technical Community Committee and the Composite Technical Sub-committee.
Lou is a well-published author, conference presenter, and co-author of the popular textbook titled “Essentials of Advanced Composite Fabrication & Repair,” first edition published in 2009 and second edition, published in 2019 by Aviation Supplies & Academics, Inc. (ASA).
Contact Information:
Email: lou@abaris.com
Phone: +1 (971) 261-2053
Administrative Team
Administrative Team
Micheal Herzer
Media Manager
Micheal was a Phase 1 student prior to joining the Abaris team in 2017 as a Shop Technician. Over the years his job evolved from helping with shop preparations to aiding the students in the workshop, reducing the workload of the instructors and helping the classes run more efficiently. By 2022 Micheal had completed Abaris’ Phase 1, 2, & 3 repair courses, Manufacturing 2, NDI, Resin Infusion, and the Train-the-Trainer courses. As a result of his quick study and increased knowledge gained, Micheal had become a more valuable asset to Abaris. By the Fall of 2022, the company saw a need for a stronger web presence and Micheal became our Media Manager. This is a perfect fit for him as he had been working on building his own web presence in his free time and now works with the Abaris marketing and graphics teams to aid in the growth of the company.
Contact Information:
Email: mherzer@abaris.com
Phone: +1 (775) 827-6568
Micheal was a Phase 1 student prior to joining the Abaris team in 2017 as a Shop Technician. Over the years his job evolved from helping with shop preparations to aiding the students in the workshop, reducing the workload of the instructors and helping the classes run more efficiently. By 2022 Micheal had completed Abaris’ Phase 1, 2, & 3 repair courses, Manufacturing 2, NDI, Resin Infusion, and the Train-the-Trainer courses. As a result of his quick study and increased knowledge gained, Micheal had become a more valuable asset to Abaris. By the Fall of 2022, the company saw a need for a stronger web presence and Micheal became our Media Manager. This is a perfect fit for him as he had been working on building his own web presence in his free time and now works with the Abaris marketing and graphics teams to aid in the growth of the company.
Contact Information:
Email: mherzer@abaris.com
Phone: +1 (775) 827-6568
Janet Lawrence
Office Manager
Janet Lawrence is the office manager for everyday operations at our Reno, Nevada headquarters, providing customer service to clients worldwide. Janet Lawrence was a hometown native of Sacramento CA for 35 years and is new to the Reno NV area and the world of composites as of 2021. Janet’s previous background in management, was in the financial industry for last 13 years prior to Abaris, and 6 years prior to that in retail management.
She is happy to greet each of our students and guests and welcome them to Reno and Abaris. Janet is an Abaris team member who strives to provide excellent customer service and office efficiency. She also enjoys creating a cohesive and positive workspace, a team player who thrives in a collaborative environment and is excited about deepening the relationship with our community and industry.
Contact Information:
Email: janet@abaris.com
Phone: +1 (775) 827-6568
Janet Lawrence is the office manager for everyday operations at our Reno, Nevada headquarters, providing customer service to clients worldwide. Janet Lawrence was a hometown native of Sacramento CA for 35 years and is new to the Reno NV area and the world of composites as of 2021. Janet’s previous background in management, was in the financial industry for last 13 years prior to Abaris, and 6 years prior to that in retail management.
She is happy to greet each of our students and guests and welcome them to Reno and Abaris. Janet is an Abaris team member who strives to provide excellent customer service and office efficiency. She also enjoys creating a cohesive and positive workspace, a team player who thrives in a collaborative environment and is excited about deepening the relationship with our community and industry.
Contact Information:
Email: janet@abaris.com
Phone: +1 (775) 827-6568
Olivia Kamka
Office Administrator
Olivia Kamka is our Office Administrator. Her duties include registering and enrolling clients, processing payments, assisting students with travel reservations, local dining suggestions, and generally answering any questions that the students might have during their time at Abaris. A Reno, Nevada native, Olivia is currently attending school at Truckee Meadows Community College (TMCC), studying in the field of psychology in order to better connect with our customers and the greater community.
Contact information:
olivia@abaris.com
+1 (775) 827-6568
Olivia Kamka is our Office Administrator. Her duties include registering and enrolling clients, processing payments, assisting students with travel reservations, local dining suggestions, and generally answering any questions that the students might have during their time at Abaris. A Reno, Nevada native, Olivia is currently attending school at Truckee Meadows Community College (TMCC), studying in the field of psychology in order to better connect with our customers and the greater community.
Contact information:
olivia@abaris.com
+1 (775) 827-6568
Training Team
Training Team
Corrie Volinkaty
Service Director/Internal Auditor
Mr. Corrie Volinkaty has been with the Abaris Training team since January 2007. He teaches advanced composite fabrication and repair courses regularly, as well as the specialized adhesive bonding course at Abaris and onsite for our customers worldwide. He was instrumental in developing the curricula for our Cessna Aircraft composite repair course and the Airbus manufacturing repair course, taught at their Broughton, Wales, UK facility.
Corrie enjoys working with students and is able to relate instruction topics to real world issues. He prides himself in his ability to take a complex subject and make it easy to understand.
Prior to joining the Abaris team, Corrie was a technical instructor at Cirrus Aircraft in Duluth, MN. His responsibilities included composite specific training on SR-20 & SR-22 aircraft and coordinating field warranty work. He was the point of contact at Cirrus for all re-assembly activity across the globe. Corrie also spent time in his early career working for Northwest Airlines as a mechanic, responsible for maintenance and upgrades to aging aircraft, as well as fleet work on the Airbus A-320’s.
Prior to his aviation work he worked at Current Designs building composite sea kayaks. Corrie also spent two years in the Robotics & Flexible Automation program at a local community college, gaining skills in hydraulics, electronics, mechanical assemblies and troubleshooting problems.
Corrie received his FAA Airframe and Powerplant (A&P) certificate in 1996, his Inspection Authorization (IA) certification in 2012, and is a licensed glider pilot, flying on weekends when his schedule permits.
Mr. Volinkaty is a member of the Society for the Advancement of Material & Process Engineering (SAMPE), the Aircraft Maintenance Professionals (AMT) Society, and the Soaring Society of America (SSA). He has NCATT certification for “Instructor Specializing in Aircraft Structures and Composites.”
Contact Information:
Phone: +1 (775)-827-6568
Email: corrie@abaris.com
Mr. Corrie Volinkaty has been with the Abaris Training team since January 2007. He teaches advanced composite fabrication and repair courses regularly, as well as the specialized adhesive bonding course at Abaris and onsite for our customers worldwide. He was instrumental in developing the curricula for our Cessna Aircraft composite repair course and the Airbus manufacturing repair course, taught at their Broughton, Wales, UK facility.
Corrie enjoys working with students and is able to relate instruction topics to real world issues. He prides himself in his ability to take a complex subject and make it easy to understand.
Prior to joining the Abaris team, Corrie was a technical instructor at Cirrus Aircraft in Duluth, MN. His responsibilities included composite specific training on SR-20 & SR-22 aircraft and coordinating field warranty work. He was the point of contact at Cirrus for all re-assembly activity across the globe. Corrie also spent time in his early career working for Northwest Airlines as a mechanic, responsible for maintenance and upgrades to aging aircraft, as well as fleet work on the Airbus A-320’s.
Prior to his aviation work he worked at Current Designs building composite sea kayaks. Corrie also spent two years in the Robotics & Flexible Automation program at a local community college, gaining skills in hydraulics, electronics, mechanical assemblies and troubleshooting problems.
Corrie received his FAA Airframe and Powerplant (A&P) certificate in 1996, his Inspection Authorization (IA) certification in 2012, and is a licensed glider pilot, flying on weekends when his schedule permits.
Mr. Volinkaty is a member of the Society for the Advancement of Material & Process Engineering (SAMPE), the Aircraft Maintenance Professionals (AMT) Society, and the Soaring Society of America (SSA). He has NCATT certification for “Instructor Specializing in Aircraft Structures and Composites.”
Contact Information:
Phone: +1 (775)-827-6568
Email: corrie@abaris.com
Michael Meringolo
Chief Technical Instructor
Michael Meringolo came to Abaris Training in 2008 with over 27 years of composite experience. He began working with composites in the 80’s fabricating sand rail bodies using glass-fiber mat & polyester resin materials and construction methods. Kit Planes soon took his interest, as he went to work for an independent builder fabricating different aircraft from Burt Rutan’s Long EZ to the Lancair IV pressurized aircraft. In 1997, he began working exclusively at Lancair Kits in Redmond, Oregon. After a year of building gear-boxes for the Lancair kits, he transferred to the certified side of the company working primarily in Research and development for primary structures of this new high performance all composite four-seater aircraft, building static and fatigue test articles, dealing with all testing and paperwork concerning certification of the aircraft. During this 13 years Michael took a short detour during his career to Scaled Technologies in Montrose Colorado, then quickly returned to Columbia Aircraft Manufacturing spending the next few years as their composite shop Production Manager. Through this experience, Michael gained knowledge in many areas of composites; from part-model and plug fabrication, to mold making, prepreg and wet lay-up, resin infusion, trimming & machining, surface preparation, composite bonding, and finishing. Michael’s background also includes lessons in composite theory and actual structural repair from his time with Lancair/Columbia (now Cessna). He was involved with the Lancair Tigress concept aircraft, the Legacy, as well as the evolution of the Columbia 300/350 and 400 models (now known as the Corvalis and Corvalis TT. Mr. Meringolo is a Professional Member of the Society for the Advancement of Material and Process Engineering (SAMPE). He has been awarded the prestigious NCATT certification for “Instructor Specializing in Aircraft Structures and Composites.” Michael also holds Industry-recognized CertTec® “Basic Composites Examiner” (CTE) Authority.
Contact Information:
msm@abaris.com +1 (775) 827-6568
Michael Meringolo came to Abaris Training in 2008 with over 27 years of composite experience. He began working with composites in the 80’s fabricating sand rail bodies using glass-fiber mat & polyester resin materials and construction methods. Kit Planes soon took his interest, as he went to work for an independent builder fabricating different aircraft from Burt Rutan’s Long EZ to the Lancair IV pressurized aircraft. In 1997, he began working exclusively at Lancair Kits in Redmond, Oregon. After a year of building gear-boxes for the Lancair kits, he transferred to the certified side of the company working primarily in Research and development for primary structures of this new high performance all composite four-seater aircraft, building static and fatigue test articles, dealing with all testing and paperwork concerning certification of the aircraft. During this 13 years Michael took a short detour during his career to Scaled Technologies in Montrose Colorado, then quickly returned to Columbia Aircraft Manufacturing spending the next few years as their composite shop Production Manager. Through this experience, Michael gained knowledge in many areas of composites; from part-model and plug fabrication, to mold making, prepreg and wet lay-up, resin infusion, trimming & machining, surface preparation, composite bonding, and finishing. Michael’s background also includes lessons in composite theory and actual structural repair from his time with Lancair/Columbia (now Cessna). He was involved with the Lancair Tigress concept aircraft, the Legacy, as well as the evolution of the Columbia 300/350 and 400 models (now known as the Corvalis and Corvalis TT. Mr. Meringolo is a Professional Member of the Society for the Advancement of Material and Process Engineering (SAMPE). He has been awarded the prestigious NCATT certification for “Instructor Specializing in Aircraft Structures and Composites.” Michael also holds Industry-recognized CertTec® “Basic Composites Examiner” (CTE) Authority.
Contact Information:
msm@abaris.com +1 (775) 827-6568
Dan Carter
Technical Instructor
At the pinnacle of his career, Dan joined the Abaris Training team in an effort to share his knowledge of advanced composites with others. He brings to Abaris a broad background of past job experiences including the following: Service as a United States Marine, Airframes Equipment Specialist for NAVAIR, Sales Engineer for Heatcon Composite Systems, Sales Manager for McClarin Composites LLC and most recently Temper Inc.
Dan’s career in aircraft maintenance began when he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps, at the age of seventeen, and trained in the maintenance of U.S. Naval Aircraft. Dan’s active-duty service spanned over a decade. He participated in six-unit deployments; three to Okinawa Japan, one to the Republic of the Philippines, one Western Pacific cruise aboard the U.S.S. Tarawa (LHA-1) and lastly to Saudi Arabia in support of Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm. He also, as a civilian employee of the Department of Defense, deployed to Anbar Province, Iraq, in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom II (2004) and was awarded the Global War on Terrorism campaign medal.
Having experience in the maintenance of the UH-1N, UH-1Y and Bell Helicopter models AH-1J thru AH-1Z Bell Helicopter platforms, Dan left active duty and subsequently served as an H-1 Helicopter Airframes Equipment Specialist, employed by the Naval Aviation Engineering Service Unit (NAESU) which later became the Naval Air Technical Data and Engineering Service Center (NATEC). Dan was based at MCAS Camp Pendleton, CA., from April of 1996 until July of 2012, at which time he was transferred to MCAS New River, NC.
It was while employed by NATEC, in May of 1997, that Dan attended his first classes at Abaris Training. After completing the Fabrication and Damage Repair, Phase I & II courses, he returned to MCAS Camp Pendleton and began training Marines and Sailors in the advanced composite Repair Process.
Dan served nearly eighteen years as an H-1 Airframes Representative. He established local technical training curriculums, for Advanced Composite Repair, trained Organizational, Intermediate and Depot level technicians and artisans in the Advanced Composite Repair process. Serving as a Subject Matter Expert and assisted the leadership of Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 39 (MALS-39) in identifying facility requirements for their Rotor Blade Repair Shop. Coordinating with the H-1 Engineering Authority, he identified, recommended, and helped to procure required equipment and materials which enabled the Marines to increase local repair capabilities, resulting in over three million dollars in savings, over the first 5 years.
Leaving NATEC in 2013 and accepting a position as Sales Engineer for Heatcon Composite Systems, for the Northeast U.S. and Eastern Canada. This experience provided an opportunity to work directly with Aircraft OEM’s and MRO’s in designing solutions to industry composite repair challenges.
In 2019 Dan accepted a position at McClaren Composites LLC where he served as the Sales Manager for the Mid West U.S. While employed at McClaren, Dan was introduced to Open Mold Fiber Reinforced Composites and Fiber Reinforced Filament Winding and the special processes and requirements associated with open mold manufacturing. Dan’s time at McClaren Composites also introduced him to Vacuum Assisted Resin Transfer Molding (VARTM) and Reaction Injection Molding (RIM) processing.
In his most recent position, Dan served as Director of Sales and Marketing for Temper Inc. For 20 years, Temper Inc. has been developing Advanced Material Processing Equipment which employs Inductive Heating utilizing Smart Susceptors. This technology was first developed for use in manufacturing allowing for rapid consolidation and curing of Fiber Reinforced Thermoplastics. Temper’s Smart Susceptor technology expanded to include the rapid densification of Titanium powder into complex shapes which are 99.98% densified titanium. The technology has been further expanded to include thermoset processing in an out of autoclave (OoA) process, achieving thermal uniformity previously only achievable in an autoclave.
Contact Information:
Email: dan@abaris.com
Phone: +1 (775)827-6568
At the pinnacle of his career, Dan joined the Abaris Training team in an effort to share his knowledge of advanced composites with others. He brings to Abaris a broad background of past job experiences including the following: Service as a United States Marine, Airframes Equipment Specialist for NAVAIR, Sales Engineer for Heatcon Composite Systems, Sales Manager for McClarin Composites LLC and most recently Temper Inc.
Dan’s career in aircraft maintenance began when he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps, at the age of seventeen, and trained in the maintenance of U.S. Naval Aircraft. Dan’s active-duty service spanned over a decade. He participated in six-unit deployments; three to Okinawa Japan, one to the Republic of the Philippines, one Western Pacific cruise aboard the U.S.S. Tarawa (LHA-1) and lastly to Saudi Arabia in support of Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm. He also, as a civilian employee of the Department of Defense, deployed to Anbar Province, Iraq, in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom II (2004) and was awarded the Global War on Terrorism campaign medal.
Having experience in the maintenance of the UH-1N, UH-1Y and Bell Helicopter models AH-1J thru AH-1Z Bell Helicopter platforms, Dan left active duty and subsequently served as an H-1 Helicopter Airframes Equipment Specialist, employed by the Naval Aviation Engineering Service Unit (NAESU) which later became the Naval Air Technical Data and Engineering Service Center (NATEC). Dan was based at MCAS Camp Pendleton, CA., from April of 1996 until July of 2012, at which time he was transferred to MCAS New River, NC.
It was while employed by NATEC, in May of 1997, that Dan attended his first classes at Abaris Training. After completing the Fabrication and Damage Repair, Phase I & II courses, he returned to MCAS Camp Pendleton and began training Marines and Sailors in the advanced composite Repair Process.
Dan served nearly eighteen years as an H-1 Airframes Representative. He established local technical training curriculums, for Advanced Composite Repair, trained Organizational, Intermediate and Depot level technicians and artisans in the Advanced Composite Repair process. Serving as a Subject Matter Expert and assisted the leadership of Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 39 (MALS-39) in identifying facility requirements for their Rotor Blade Repair Shop. Coordinating with the H-1 Engineering Authority, he identified, recommended, and helped to procure required equipment and materials which enabled the Marines to increase local repair capabilities, resulting in over three million dollars in savings, over the first 5 years.
Leaving NATEC in 2013 and accepting a position as Sales Engineer for Heatcon Composite Systems, for the Northeast U.S. and Eastern Canada. This experience provided an opportunity to work directly with Aircraft OEM’s and MRO’s in designing solutions to industry composite repair challenges.
In 2019 Dan accepted a position at McClaren Composites LLC where he served as the Sales Manager for the Mid West U.S. While employed at McClaren, Dan was introduced to Open Mold Fiber Reinforced Composites and Fiber Reinforced Filament Winding and the special processes and requirements associated with open mold manufacturing. Dan’s time at McClaren Composites also introduced him to Vacuum Assisted Resin Transfer Molding (VARTM) and Reaction Injection Molding (RIM) processing.
In his most recent position, Dan served as Director of Sales and Marketing for Temper Inc. For 20 years, Temper Inc. has been developing Advanced Material Processing Equipment which employs Inductive Heating utilizing Smart Susceptors. This technology was first developed for use in manufacturing allowing for rapid consolidation and curing of Fiber Reinforced Thermoplastics. Temper’s Smart Susceptor technology expanded to include the rapid densification of Titanium powder into complex shapes which are 99.98% densified titanium. The technology has been further expanded to include thermoset processing in an out of autoclave (OoA) process, achieving thermal uniformity previously only achievable in an autoclave.
Contact Information:
Email: dan@abaris.com
Phone: +1 (775)827-6568
Danny Holmes
Shop Technician
Danny studied mechanical engineering in college and eventually found his path to Abaris in October 2022, where he is currently the shop technician in charge of preparing the workshop with equipment, tools, and materials needed to facilitate each class. Danny also assists the instructors in making panels, maintain stock, and keeping the facility clean. After taking our (M-1/R-1) Phase I class in March of 2022, he found that the composites industry was what he wanted to pursue and is now following that dream.
Contact Information:
Danny@abaris.com
+1 (775) 827-6568
Danny studied mechanical engineering in college and eventually found his path to Abaris in October 2022, where he is currently the shop technician in charge of preparing the workshop with equipment, tools, and materials needed to facilitate each class. Danny also assists the instructors in making panels, maintain stock, and keeping the facility clean. After taking our (M-1/R-1) Phase I class in March of 2022, he found that the composites industry was what he wanted to pursue and is now following that dream.
Contact Information:
Danny@abaris.com
+1 (775) 827-6568
Greg Kress
Engineering Instructor
Greg has a Master of Science degree in aeronautical engineering from the United States Naval Postgraduate School, Monterey, California. His graduate studies emphasized composite laminate analysis, composite finite element analysis, and composite failure criteria. Currently, Greg is the co-owner of Top Flight Aerostructures, Dallas, Georgia. His company provides engineering services and replacement parts for aircraft repair, overhaul, and new design. As the former Lead Composite Structural Engineer for Delta Airlines, he is intimately familiar with all aspects of composite structural analysis and repair design & analysis, laminate analysis, and mechanical testing with composite materials. Greg teaches many Abaris engineering courses, including our Aerospace Repair Analysis and Substantiation, Composite Laminate Analysis, and Advanced Aerospace Repair Analysis and Substantiation courses. In addition, Greg dedicates much of his time to the research and development of new and improved methods for repair analysis, bonded joint analysis, mechanical testing, Digital Image Correlation, composite manufacturing, and structural assembly. His personal interests include experimental aircraft, eVTOL UAM, and UAV (drone) design, fabrication, and flight test. Greg is on the Composite Materials Handbook (CMH-17) coordination committee, working with the Guidelines, Supportability, and Damage Tolerance working groups. He served on the Commercial Aircraft Composite Repair Committee (CACRC) of the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE), and initiated the Composite Repair Analytical Techniques task-group.
Contact Information:
Email: greg.kress@topflightaero.com
Phone: +1 (678) 378-7750
Greg has a Master of Science degree in aeronautical engineering from the United States Naval Postgraduate School, Monterey, California. His graduate studies emphasized composite laminate analysis, composite finite element analysis, and composite failure criteria. Currently, Greg is the co-owner of Top Flight Aerostructures, Dallas, Georgia. His company provides engineering services and replacement parts for aircraft repair, overhaul, and new design. As the former Lead Composite Structural Engineer for Delta Airlines, he is intimately familiar with all aspects of composite structural analysis and repair design & analysis, laminate analysis, and mechanical testing with composite materials. Greg teaches many Abaris engineering courses, including our Aerospace Repair Analysis and Substantiation, Composite Laminate Analysis, and Advanced Aerospace Repair Analysis and Substantiation courses. In addition, Greg dedicates much of his time to the research and development of new and improved methods for repair analysis, bonded joint analysis, mechanical testing, Digital Image Correlation, composite manufacturing, and structural assembly. His personal interests include experimental aircraft, eVTOL UAM, and UAV (drone) design, fabrication, and flight test. Greg is on the Composite Materials Handbook (CMH-17) coordination committee, working with the Guidelines, Supportability, and Damage Tolerance working groups. He served on the Commercial Aircraft Composite Repair Committee (CACRC) of the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE), and initiated the Composite Repair Analytical Techniques task-group.
Contact Information:
Email: greg.kress@topflightaero.com
Phone: +1 (678) 378-7750
Randy Jones
NDI Instructor-ANST Level III
Mr. Jones has over 38 years working in NDT in engineering, inspection, and technical sales. His knowledge has been acquired the through experience in the Aerospace, Automotive, Utilities, Petrochemical, Mining and the Pulp/Paper industries. Recently, he has gained more experience with composite materials through contracts with Lamborghini, Scaled Composites, Stratolaunch, two America’s Cup sailing teams, Erickson Sky Crane, Composite Approach and others. In early 1983, the Garrett Turbine Engine Company (now Honeywell) hired Randy. While at Garrett, he performed research and development on automated inspection systems for new high-speed rotating engine components. In 1985, Krautkramer hired Randy as a Technical Sales Engineer to sell and support industrial ultrasonic (and later eddy current) equipment. In 1991, Mobile Inspection employed Randy at the San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station to support their erosion/corrosion, turbine and balance of plant inspection projects. In 1996, Randy returned to selling Krautkramer instruments with a greater knowledge of how to support his customers. Inspection Technologies, Inc. (ITI) became the manufacturers’ representative for Krautkramer (now GE/Baker Hughes) in 2001. At that time, Randy joined the staff at ITI and still works special projects for them. Randy is an ASNT certified Level III and, since 1998, has been a contract consultant, instructor and NDI engineer for Abaris Training Resources, Inc. in Reno, NV.
Contact Information
Email: randy@abaris.com
Phone: +1 (909) 626-2600 x124
Mr. Jones has over 38 years working in NDT in engineering, inspection, and technical sales. His knowledge has been acquired the through experience in the Aerospace, Automotive, Utilities, Petrochemical, Mining and the Pulp/Paper industries. Recently, he has gained more experience with composite materials through contracts with Lamborghini, Scaled Composites, Stratolaunch, two America’s Cup sailing teams, Erickson Sky Crane, Composite Approach and others. In early 1983, the Garrett Turbine Engine Company (now Honeywell) hired Randy. While at Garrett, he performed research and development on automated inspection systems for new high-speed rotating engine components. In 1985, Krautkramer hired Randy as a Technical Sales Engineer to sell and support industrial ultrasonic (and later eddy current) equipment. In 1991, Mobile Inspection employed Randy at the San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station to support their erosion/corrosion, turbine and balance of plant inspection projects. In 1996, Randy returned to selling Krautkramer instruments with a greater knowledge of how to support his customers. Inspection Technologies, Inc. (ITI) became the manufacturers’ representative for Krautkramer (now GE/Baker Hughes) in 2001. At that time, Randy joined the staff at ITI and still works special projects for them. Randy is an ASNT certified Level III and, since 1998, has been a contract consultant, instructor and NDI engineer for Abaris Training Resources, Inc. in Reno, NV.
Contact Information
Email: randy@abaris.com
Phone: +1 (909) 626-2600 x124
Fernando Ricardo
SA Technical Instructor
Fernando V. Ricardo was born in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil in 1965. He graduated as an aeronautical engineer at Instituto Tecnologico de Aeronautica (ITA) in 1989. After his graduation he started his professional career as an airworthiness engineer at DAC, Brazilian Aeronautical Authority, in Rio.In 1992, Fernando moved to São Paulo for a position as Director of Maintenance, with SKYJET, a charter airline operating DC-10-30s. Fernando has vast experience in aviation, and has travelled around the world. In 2002 he became sales representative for Heatcon Composite Systems covering Brazil, when his experience with composites began. In 2009 he became Heatcon sales engineer for all of Latin America and in 2011, an Abaris Training instructor. Fernando currently lives in Brasilia, DF, and is responsible for the Heatcon Abaris Latin America Training Center (HAL). Due to his trilingual skills, he is capable of teaching Abaris Training courses in English, Spanish or Portuguese.
Contact Information
Email: abarisbrazil@abaris.com
Fernando V. Ricardo was born in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil in 1965. He graduated as an aeronautical engineer at Instituto Tecnologico de Aeronautica (ITA) in 1989. After his graduation he started his professional career as an airworthiness engineer at DAC, Brazilian Aeronautical Authority, in Rio.In 1992, Fernando moved to São Paulo for a position as Director of Maintenance, with SKYJET, a charter airline operating DC-10-30s. Fernando has vast experience in aviation, and has travelled around the world. In 2002 he became sales representative for Heatcon Composite Systems covering Brazil, when his experience with composites began. In 2009 he became Heatcon sales engineer for all of Latin America and in 2011, an Abaris Training instructor. Fernando currently lives in Brasilia, DF, and is responsible for the Heatcon Abaris Latin America Training Center (HAL). Due to his trilingual skills, he is capable of teaching Abaris Training courses in English, Spanish or Portuguese.
Contact Information
Email: abarisbrazil@abaris.com
bottom of page