Bob Wettermann - President
Katy Radcliff - Customer Service, Training Services and Soldering Products
Laura Ripoli - Customer Service, Rework/Repair and Build Services
Jim French - Operations lead, PCB Rework/Repair and Test
Hung Hoang -Operations lead, BGA and Products
Norman Mier Jr.- Senior Technical Trainer, IPC Master Instructor
Richard Wierzbicki- Master IPC Instructor
Tammy Grefkowicz- QC Manager, Trainer
James Barnhart- Senior trainer, course developer
 

Bob Wettermann (bwet@solder.net) is the president of BEST. Bob is an electrical engineer and has experience in marketing, sales and design. He holds several patents in the fields of both surface science and factory automation products. In addition he is a member of IPC and SMT.

Norman Mier Jr. (nmier@solder.net) is a U.S. Marine Corp. retired veteran with over 20 years of experience in the electronics rework and repair industry. He received his training through the Navy's Micro Miniature (2M) Electronic Repair Program. He has progressed through every level of rework and repair recognized in the industry. Norman has also earned the highest certifications awarded by IPC in electronics training, being certified as a Master Instructor in IPC A-610D, J-STD-001D, IPC/WHMA A-620 and 7711/7721.

He has worked through BEST for several electronics industry leaders and created tailored courses for their equipment. This also includes providing training to technicians and engineers in surface mount and advanced surface mount technology. The knowledge Norm has brought to these companies has been invaluable to their process improvement efforts. His skill has also been a major factor in keeping BEST training at the forefront in the electronics-training field.

Richard Wierzbiki (rwierzbicki@solder.net) Is a veteran teacher of 35+ years. Rich is a graduate Chicago State University, Bachelor of Science and Education. He likes to expose the student to the technologies and methodology currently employed by the electronics industry in the manufacturing and maintenance from consumer electronics to critical needs applications such as medical, laboratory, or military equipment. He has worked in various roles in teaching instructing students in drafting, electronics and woodworking. Certifications awarded by the IPC in electronics training, being certified as an instructor in IPC7711 / 7721, IPC A-610DE and IPC J-STD 001E.

Jim French (jfrench@solder.net) Brings very practical knowledge to his classroom teaching. He has been involved in various manufacturing, PCB repair, rework and electronics repair assignments in his career spanning 10 years. Having been in the contract manufacturing environment responsible for pick and place, solder paste printing, reflow oven profile development and cleaning processes Jim has experienced firsthand some of the challenges in PCB assembly. Jim has experience with several Chicago-area contract manufacturers and currently leads BESTs’ test and PCB rework/repair operations. Jim is a certified instructor in both IPC JSTD-001 and IPC A-610.

Hung Hoang (hhoang@solder.net)Hung brings over 15 years of practical SMT assembly, hand soldering, rework and repair experience to BEST Inc. In addition Hung has been instrumental in the development of BESTs’ proprietary stencil and rework tools. His expertise is in BGA and leadless device rework. Hung is a certified instructor in IPC7711/21.

Katy Radcliff (kradcliff@solder.net) , is responsible for the training coordination and products at BEST. Her education includes a Bachelor of Science degree in Speech Communication from Southern Illinois University. She has also completed the coursework for a Master of Science in Education specializing in Workforce Education and Corporate Training from Southern Illinois University. Katy works with customers on their stencil and PCB rework and repair tools requirements.

Laura Ripoli (lripoli@solder.net) is the Customer Service Representative for rework, repair and build services at BEST. Laura is the main contact for rework, repair and build services. Laura has extensive experience in the electronics industry and has worked in a project management and customer care role for OEM, distribution and end user customers. Her responsibility is to assist in managing your crisis and getting your boards moved through our process in the most efficient manor to meet your needs.

Tammy Grefkowicz (tgrefkowicz@solder.net) Tammy brings a wealth of practical experience is support of her training credentials being in the electronics industry for 15+ years. She started as a PCB rework and repair specialist at Cray computers followed by a stint at Celestica, a top EMS provider. She then was trained at UW-Stout in technical education and training while being a full time trainer at Celestica Inc.

James Barnhart (jbarnhart@solder.net) James started as a 2M Miniature/Mico-miniature repair technician in 1986 and progressed to being an 'A' level instructor in the Navy's 2M program. He has worked in the electronics field since the mid 80's and trained many technicians in the repair of PCB's and was a trainer of new instructors for the Navy's 2M program. During his time as an instructor he was involved in the rewriting of the 2M courses and adding SMT repair techniques.