Dr. Scott Smith, Co-Founder
Dr. Scott Smith is the inventor or co-inventor of many of the cutting-edge techniques used for the optimization of machine tool performance. Smith has 20 years of experience in high-speed machining, process development, machine design, and machine dynamics. Smith is President and a co-founder of OpSource, Inc., a company that uses machine dynamics knowledge to produce high-quality, reliable, on-time machined components. Smith was one of the founders of Manufacturing Laboratories, Inc. (MLI) and currently serves as a member of the board. Smith is a professor and chairman of the Department of Mechanical Engineering at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. He previously served as the Associate Director of the Machine Tool Research Center at the University of Florida. He is a Corresponding Member of CIRP (the International Institution for Production Engineering Research); he is on the Executive Committee of the Manufacturing Engineering Division of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, and on the Board of Directors for the North American Manufacturing Research Institute of the Society of Manufacturing Engineers. Dr. Smith was the 2012 recipient of SME's S.M. Wu Research Implementation Award. Dr. Smith has served as the Assistant Director for Technology at Advanced Manufacturing National Program Office in Washington DC. He holds a BSME from Tennessee Technological University, and both MSME and PhD from the University of Florida. Smith is a licensed professional engineer in Florida.
Dr. Scott Smith is the inventor or co-inventor of many of the cutting-edge techniques used for the optimization of machine tool performance. Smith has 20 years of experience in high-speed machining, process development, machine design, and machine dynamics. Smith is President and a co-founder of OpSource, Inc., a company that uses machine dynamics knowledge to produce high-quality, reliable, on-time machined components. Smith was one of the founders of Manufacturing Laboratories, Inc. (MLI) and currently serves as a member of the board. Smith is a professor and chairman of the Department of Mechanical Engineering at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. He previously served as the Associate Director of the Machine Tool Research Center at the University of Florida. He is a Corresponding Member of CIRP (the International Institution for Production Engineering Research); he is on the Executive Committee of the Manufacturing Engineering Division of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, and on the Board of Directors for the North American Manufacturing Research Institute of the Society of Manufacturing Engineers. Dr. Smith was the 2012 recipient of SME's S.M. Wu Research Implementation Award. Dr. Smith has served as the Assistant Director for Technology at Advanced Manufacturing National Program Office in Washington DC. He holds a BSME from Tennessee Technological University, and both MSME and PhD from the University of Florida. Smith is a licensed professional engineer in Florida.
Dr. Tom Delio, Co-Founder
Dr. Tom Delio is considered one of the nation's leading authorities on high speed machining and machine tool dynamics. Dr. Delio co-founded, along with renowned machine tool pioneer Dr. Jiri Tlusty, Manufacturing Laboratories Inc. (MLI) and continues to serve as its President. Dr. Delio's has worked at MLI for the past 13 years performing development work in high-performance machining and commercializing MLI's resulting products. This work includes high-speed spindle development, design of high-speed and high-precision machine tools, adaptive controls for high-speed machining and dynamics characterization methods of machine tools. Most recently Dr. Delio has led work on MLI's new product line for measurement and characterization of machine tools for the production shop environment. He has authored several papers in the area of spindle speed control and holds a patent that is utilized in several of MLI's products. Dr. Delio was selected as one of the six original partners of National Center for Defense Manufacturing and Machining; he is a Registered Professional Engineer; Certified Manufacturing Technologist and was the Recipient of the 2003 Pinckney Award (American Helicopter Society). He holds a BS, MBA and PhD from the University of Florida and a MS from Pennsylvania State University.
Dave Barton, Co-Founder
Dave Barton has over 30 years of experience in the metalworking and machining fields. He was Founder and President of American Machinist Supply in San Jose, California. He founded BlueSwarf in the Silicon Valley in 2002, moving it to Penn State University's Innovation Park at the end of that year. Mr. Barton was chosen as one of the six original partners of National Center for Defense Manufacturing and Machining. As an early entrant in B2B eCommerce, Mr. Barton served as Executive Vice President of venture-backed internet start-up MachineTools.com and served as a consultant to Federal Express, Autodesk, Milacron, Yahoo and eBay. He also served as National Sales Manager of Rutland Tool & Supply (later known as Airgas Direct Industrial) and President of Omat Contol Technologies USA. Mr. Barton earned a BS from Arizona State University and spent four years playing baseball in the San Francisco Giants farm system. Mr. Barton was one of the subjects of the 2004 best selling book, LIFE 2.0, How People Across America Are Transforming Their Lives by Finding the Where of Their Happiness, by the Publisher of Forbes, Rich Karlgaard. Barton co-authored "Servicization of the Cutting Tool Supply Chain" with Dr. Vittal Prabhu and Dr. Chen-Yang Cheng for the International Journal of Production Research. Barton was named the E.V. Bishoff Entrepreneur-in-Residence at Pennsylvania State University.
Dr. Tom Delio is considered one of the nation's leading authorities on high speed machining and machine tool dynamics. Dr. Delio co-founded, along with renowned machine tool pioneer Dr. Jiri Tlusty, Manufacturing Laboratories Inc. (MLI) and continues to serve as its President. Dr. Delio's has worked at MLI for the past 13 years performing development work in high-performance machining and commercializing MLI's resulting products. This work includes high-speed spindle development, design of high-speed and high-precision machine tools, adaptive controls for high-speed machining and dynamics characterization methods of machine tools. Most recently Dr. Delio has led work on MLI's new product line for measurement and characterization of machine tools for the production shop environment. He has authored several papers in the area of spindle speed control and holds a patent that is utilized in several of MLI's products. Dr. Delio was selected as one of the six original partners of National Center for Defense Manufacturing and Machining; he is a Registered Professional Engineer; Certified Manufacturing Technologist and was the Recipient of the 2003 Pinckney Award (American Helicopter Society). He holds a BS, MBA and PhD from the University of Florida and a MS from Pennsylvania State University.
Dave Barton, Co-Founder
Dave Barton has over 30 years of experience in the metalworking and machining fields. He was Founder and President of American Machinist Supply in San Jose, California. He founded BlueSwarf in the Silicon Valley in 2002, moving it to Penn State University's Innovation Park at the end of that year. Mr. Barton was chosen as one of the six original partners of National Center for Defense Manufacturing and Machining. As an early entrant in B2B eCommerce, Mr. Barton served as Executive Vice President of venture-backed internet start-up MachineTools.com and served as a consultant to Federal Express, Autodesk, Milacron, Yahoo and eBay. He also served as National Sales Manager of Rutland Tool & Supply (later known as Airgas Direct Industrial) and President of Omat Contol Technologies USA. Mr. Barton earned a BS from Arizona State University and spent four years playing baseball in the San Francisco Giants farm system. Mr. Barton was one of the subjects of the 2004 best selling book, LIFE 2.0, How People Across America Are Transforming Their Lives by Finding the Where of Their Happiness, by the Publisher of Forbes, Rich Karlgaard. Barton co-authored "Servicization of the Cutting Tool Supply Chain" with Dr. Vittal Prabhu and Dr. Chen-Yang Cheng for the International Journal of Production Research. Barton was named the E.V. Bishoff Entrepreneur-in-Residence at Pennsylvania State University.
Dr. Tony Schmitz
Tony Schmitz received his BS in Mechanical Engineering from Temple University in 1993, his MS in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Florida in 1996, and his PhD in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Florida in 1999. Schmitz completed a post-doctoral appointment at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and was then employed as a Mechanical Engineer from 1999-2002. During this time, he was also a lecturer at Johns Hopkins University. Schmitz accepted an appointment in the University of Florida’s Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering (UF MAE) in 2002 and joined the Mechanical Engineering and Engineering Science Department at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte in 2011. His professional recognitions include: 2011 Sports Emmy Award (NBC Learn) for the Science of NFL Football video series, 2010 North American Manufacturing Research Institute/Society of Manufacturing Engineers (SME) Outstanding Paper, 2009 UF MAE Teacher of the Year, 2005 SME Outstanding Young Manufacturing Engineer award, 2004 Journal of Tribology Best Paper Award, 2003 Office of Naval Research Young Investigator Award, 2003 National Science Foundation CAREER Award, 1999 Measurement Science and Technology Highly Commended Article, 1999 National Research Council Postdoctoral Research Associateship (NIST), 1999 Temple University Gallery of Success Inductee, 1998 Department of Energy/National Academy of Engineering Integrated Manufacturing Predoctoral Fellowship, and 1994 National Science Foundation Graduate Traineeship. Schmitz also serves as an associate editor for Precision Engineering and the ASME Journal of Manufacturing Science and Engineering.
Tony Schmitz received his BS in Mechanical Engineering from Temple University in 1993, his MS in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Florida in 1996, and his PhD in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Florida in 1999. Schmitz completed a post-doctoral appointment at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and was then employed as a Mechanical Engineer from 1999-2002. During this time, he was also a lecturer at Johns Hopkins University. Schmitz accepted an appointment in the University of Florida’s Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering (UF MAE) in 2002 and joined the Mechanical Engineering and Engineering Science Department at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte in 2011. His professional recognitions include: 2011 Sports Emmy Award (NBC Learn) for the Science of NFL Football video series, 2010 North American Manufacturing Research Institute/Society of Manufacturing Engineers (SME) Outstanding Paper, 2009 UF MAE Teacher of the Year, 2005 SME Outstanding Young Manufacturing Engineer award, 2004 Journal of Tribology Best Paper Award, 2003 Office of Naval Research Young Investigator Award, 2003 National Science Foundation CAREER Award, 1999 Measurement Science and Technology Highly Commended Article, 1999 National Research Council Postdoctoral Research Associateship (NIST), 1999 Temple University Gallery of Success Inductee, 1998 Department of Energy/National Academy of Engineering Integrated Manufacturing Predoctoral Fellowship, and 1994 National Science Foundation Graduate Traineeship. Schmitz also serves as an associate editor for Precision Engineering and the ASME Journal of Manufacturing Science and Engineering.
Alex James, CFO
Mr. James most recently served as Vice President of Finance for Coral Networks, a highly technical software start-up in Northern Virginia. Mr. James brings eight years of business and operational consulting experience while working for the consulting firm SSA & Company, formerly known as the Six Sigma Academy. His consultancy engagements focused on delivering margin enhancement through process and system reengineering at major accounts including Daimler, Tyco, Standard & Poor's, MetLife, Merrill Lynch, Guy Carpenter, Marsh & McLennan, Albertsons, and Heinz. Prior to his consultancy role, Mr. James held numerous positions with the General Electric Corporation in Finance and Corporate Accounting and graduated from their Financial Management Program. Mr. James received a BS from the United States Military Academy in Systems Engineering, a Masters in Industrial Engineering from the Pennsylvania State University, and also served as an Infantry Officer in the US Army. Mr. James is both a certified Six Sigma Master Black Belt and Lean Master.
Dr. David Dilley
Dr. David Dilley founded D3V in 2004 to provide machine tool vibration services designed specially for the metal - cutting industry. Dilley has been working in the metal - cutting industry for 10 years with 6 of those years at GM Powertrain as a tool and die supervisor, senior process engineer, and senior project engineer. In 2001, he was awarded a Boeing Fellowship to research drill and reamer vibrations with Boeing's Military Advanced Manufacturing R&D. Dilley has numerous journal and conference publications, and has lectured classes at Oakland University and University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. Dilley holds a BSME from the University of Missouri in Columbia, MS Engineering Management from Rensselaer Polytechnic and both MSME and Doctorate from Washington University in St. Louis.
Dr. Bethany Woody
Dr. Bethany Woody completed her Doctor of Philosophy in Mechanical Engineering (2005) at University of North Carolina at Charlotte. Dr. Woody is a cofounder, of InsituTec Inc. (2001), and has worked with government and industrial companies such as the NIST, Caterpillar, Boeing, and Bell Helicopter. Her primary roles at InsituTec include management, business development and customer outreach. Past collaborative efforts have included projects in the machining of titanium (Bell Helicopter), aluminum and nickel aluminum bronze. Her master’s project was recognized by the American Helicopter Society (AHS) Robert L. Pinckney Award for bringing breakthrough technology from the laboratory and research environment to the production floor. Dr. Woody’s current research interests include machine tool dynamics, high speed machining technology, and advanced manufacturing techniques. These efforts have led to significant experience in high speed machining, machine tool dynamics, process plan development, precision manufacturing, and uncertainty analysis.
John Heim, Board Director
John Heim has 20 years of construction and real estate experience and is also a partner in numerous residential and commercial properties in Harrisburg and Central Pennsylvania and in oil exploration and drilling ventures in eastern Texas. He currently serves on the Board of Directors for BlueSwarf tool dashboard™ which enables users to determine the maximum achievable speeds, feeds and cutting depths for their existing machines, tools and applications. He was the co-founder and President of Tricore Group, LLC a land development and construction management company in central PA. Mr. Heim received training in the Army for heavy equipment operation and road work in the Engineer Corps and began general contracting while attending Susquehanna University. Mr. Heim graduated from Susquehanna with a B.S. in business administration where he was a varsity football letterman and second team all-American. He has served as a mentor with The Second Mile Friend Fitness program and on the community advisory board for Easter Seals of Central PA. He resides in Warriors Mark, PA with his children.
Paul Cronin
Paul Cronin is a former two-time All-Academic Big 10 defensive back for the Penn State Nittany Lions under legendary Coach Joe Paterno. After graduating with a BA degree in Advertising and Public Relations from Pennsylvania State University in 2005, Mr. Cronin continued his football career in the Arena Football League. In 2008, he returned to State College to found Blue Line Images, a custom graphic design firm. Mr. Cronin developed the business model for Blue Line Images, creating an online ordering system, fulfillment center and affiliate program. Since 2010. Mr. Cronin has served in various capacities in sales and marketing management for BlueSwarf, including the branding and trade show participation.
Mr. James most recently served as Vice President of Finance for Coral Networks, a highly technical software start-up in Northern Virginia. Mr. James brings eight years of business and operational consulting experience while working for the consulting firm SSA & Company, formerly known as the Six Sigma Academy. His consultancy engagements focused on delivering margin enhancement through process and system reengineering at major accounts including Daimler, Tyco, Standard & Poor's, MetLife, Merrill Lynch, Guy Carpenter, Marsh & McLennan, Albertsons, and Heinz. Prior to his consultancy role, Mr. James held numerous positions with the General Electric Corporation in Finance and Corporate Accounting and graduated from their Financial Management Program. Mr. James received a BS from the United States Military Academy in Systems Engineering, a Masters in Industrial Engineering from the Pennsylvania State University, and also served as an Infantry Officer in the US Army. Mr. James is both a certified Six Sigma Master Black Belt and Lean Master.
Dr. David Dilley
Dr. David Dilley founded D3V in 2004 to provide machine tool vibration services designed specially for the metal - cutting industry. Dilley has been working in the metal - cutting industry for 10 years with 6 of those years at GM Powertrain as a tool and die supervisor, senior process engineer, and senior project engineer. In 2001, he was awarded a Boeing Fellowship to research drill and reamer vibrations with Boeing's Military Advanced Manufacturing R&D. Dilley has numerous journal and conference publications, and has lectured classes at Oakland University and University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. Dilley holds a BSME from the University of Missouri in Columbia, MS Engineering Management from Rensselaer Polytechnic and both MSME and Doctorate from Washington University in St. Louis.
Dr. Bethany Woody
Dr. Bethany Woody completed her Doctor of Philosophy in Mechanical Engineering (2005) at University of North Carolina at Charlotte. Dr. Woody is a cofounder, of InsituTec Inc. (2001), and has worked with government and industrial companies such as the NIST, Caterpillar, Boeing, and Bell Helicopter. Her primary roles at InsituTec include management, business development and customer outreach. Past collaborative efforts have included projects in the machining of titanium (Bell Helicopter), aluminum and nickel aluminum bronze. Her master’s project was recognized by the American Helicopter Society (AHS) Robert L. Pinckney Award for bringing breakthrough technology from the laboratory and research environment to the production floor. Dr. Woody’s current research interests include machine tool dynamics, high speed machining technology, and advanced manufacturing techniques. These efforts have led to significant experience in high speed machining, machine tool dynamics, process plan development, precision manufacturing, and uncertainty analysis.
John Heim, Board Director
John Heim has 20 years of construction and real estate experience and is also a partner in numerous residential and commercial properties in Harrisburg and Central Pennsylvania and in oil exploration and drilling ventures in eastern Texas. He currently serves on the Board of Directors for BlueSwarf tool dashboard™ which enables users to determine the maximum achievable speeds, feeds and cutting depths for their existing machines, tools and applications. He was the co-founder and President of Tricore Group, LLC a land development and construction management company in central PA. Mr. Heim received training in the Army for heavy equipment operation and road work in the Engineer Corps and began general contracting while attending Susquehanna University. Mr. Heim graduated from Susquehanna with a B.S. in business administration where he was a varsity football letterman and second team all-American. He has served as a mentor with The Second Mile Friend Fitness program and on the community advisory board for Easter Seals of Central PA. He resides in Warriors Mark, PA with his children.
Paul Cronin
Paul Cronin is a former two-time All-Academic Big 10 defensive back for the Penn State Nittany Lions under legendary Coach Joe Paterno. After graduating with a BA degree in Advertising and Public Relations from Pennsylvania State University in 2005, Mr. Cronin continued his football career in the Arena Football League. In 2008, he returned to State College to found Blue Line Images, a custom graphic design firm. Mr. Cronin developed the business model for Blue Line Images, creating an online ordering system, fulfillment center and affiliate program. Since 2010. Mr. Cronin has served in various capacities in sales and marketing management for BlueSwarf, including the branding and trade show participation.