IPC Master Certification Instructors - BEST, Inc.

Instructor Bios

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 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.

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.
James Barnhart (jbarnhart@solder.net) James Barnhart 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. He is a certified instructor of IPC J-STD-001E and IPC7711/21.
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. She holds IPC trainer credentials including A610, IPCJSTD-001 and IPC7711/21.
Richard Wierzbicki(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.

Ruffin Blackard(jrblackard@gmail.com) Ruffin spent the first 16 years of his career helping two small original equipment manufacturers support their products as their national service manager. He spent a few years as a systems engineer responsible for integrating barcode reading and tracking equipment into industrial manufacturing assembly lines. His first professional solder training came from Pace, Inc. in the mid 90's followed by a role as an IPC trainer at Circuit Technology. Ruffin assisted a local staffing company develop a solder training program to train workers so they could be very effective in their duties where the staffing agency placed them. He is certified in JSTD-001, IPC 610, and IPC 7711/7721.

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