Meet our team
The CRTC is Veteran Friendly!
We have 3 military veterans on the team and very much appreciate their service to our country.
We have 3 military veterans on the team and very much appreciate their service to our country.
Mark O’Brien, Product Designer & Business Development Manager, brings over 25 years of creative design, dynamic problem solving and real-world product development experience to the CRTC. His background in environmental design and passion for creating new products and experiences has culminated in a broad portfolio of successful projects including the Microsoft Enterprise Agility Center (permanent and mobile installations), the FLEXHIBIT modular STEM based interactive science exhibit system and the design, production and installation of interactive and interpretive exhibits at the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary Exploration Center, Santa Cruz (NOAA). Mark is constantly looking for opportunities to apply new concepts, incorporate new materials and develop new products that make a difference. As a below knee amputee, Mark relies daily on a prosthetic leg that is made of super strong, lightweight carbon fiber. Every step he takes is a reminder of how the application of innovative materials can greatly improve our lives. When not designing, prototyping or testing the next new product idea, Mark can often be found surfing with his eight year old daughter, learning to cook a new dish with his wife Roxanne (an amazing chef!) or enjoying the Olympic Peninsula trails with his black lab “Otto”.
Susan Kenney, Business Development Manager, brings over 34 year of experience in National Sales & Marketing roles. She started her career with DuPont in the Automotive Refinish Industry as a Technical Representative in Atlanta, GA. She then moved into multiple roles in the offset & flexographic printing markets, residential and commercial remodel design & national builder markets for both Corian® & Tyvek® HomeWrap® & Tyvek® Protective Apparel. Throughout her career, she has had a passion of working with customers on many levels and values the importance of working on a team. Susan enjoys reading, RV camping, boating and spending time with friends and family.
Geoffrey Wood, Fellow and VP of Innovation, leads technology development and implementation for CRTC. He brings his considerable knowledge and expertise to this project in support of the product development teams. Mr. Wood has management expertise and success in protecting, licensing, and commercializing intellectual property. Mr. Wood has a BS in Chemical Engineering from Cornell University and an MASc degree in Materials Science (Composites) from the University of British Columbia. He has experience in government R&D and private industry and is well respected in the composites community. His company, Profile Composites Inc. won the JEC Award for Most Innovative Composites in both the aerospace and transportation categories. Time spent in the family construction business in Trinidad, West Indies, affords him a wealth of social and business knowledge, including underrepresented populations. Mr. Wood is the author of 4 US patents. In his spare time, Geoffrey enjoys architecture and design as well as paddle-boarding, kayaking, hiking and anything done outside on the water.
Guy Houser, Director of Engineering, Veteran - brings twenty-six years of experience in engineering, project and business management, specializing in composite materials, product development, tooling design, production line setup, intellectual property, and product life cycle management (from concept through commercialization). Guy has sixteen years of experience as a successful lead engineer/manager for large-scale medical device companies and seven years of experience as a successful business manager for a wholly owned North American subsidiary of a European medical device company. Guy has been a lead college instructor for Composites Manufacturing Technology and CATIA V5-R21 and has been awarded seven US design patents. He holds a BS and MS in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Wyoming and an MBA from the University of Washington. In his spare time, Guy enjoys boating, fly-fishing, home remodeling and anything on the water.
Joel Lippold, Product Engineer, has nearly a decade of experience in design and manufacturing of high-volume, high-performance composite products. His critical role in concept and design, materials application, performance analysis, and manufacturing process integration and improvement is invaluable in driving product execution and delivery. His approach to development stands on a foundation of economic and environmental responsibility in conjunction with long-term sustainability encompassing the lifecycle of a product. In his spare time, Joel enjoys keeping up on technology and trends, gardening, animals and home repair.
Bob Hartman, Machinist and Facilities Technician Veteran - Bob Started machining in small job shops in and around Tulsa, OK in the late 1980's and has many years of expertise in CNC Milling . He has several years in the field of production work as well as in tool and die fabrication. He has an AAS degree in Computer Technologies with a focus on Network Administration from Vatterott College in St. Louis, Mo.. He loves to share his manufacturing knowledge and experience with others that show an interest in CNC milling and machining in general. In his spare time, Bob enjoys camping, fishing, hiking or just walking the beaches of the Olympic Peninsula with his family.
David Walter, Website Manager, earned his Associates Degrees in Web Design and Cybersecurity at Peninsula College and his BS degree in IT Networking & Cybersecurity from Whatcom College. He has a passion for technology and enjoys building and repairing computers and servers and designing complex network systems. In his spare time, he enjoys motorcycles, hiking, biking and weight lifting.
Nicole Wright, Sales Engineer & Social Media Manager, is a graduate of Michigan Technological University with a BS in Mechanical Engineering. She recently moved to the beautiful Olympic Peninsula from her previous residence in Detroit, Michigan. Nicole has 5 years of experience in battery assembly process development, engine machining, and production supervision in the automotive industry where she worked for General Motors. She is passionate about sustainability and making renewable energy and technologies more accessible. In her spare time, Nicole enjoys hiking, gardening, graphic design, baking, and ballet.
Preston Burroughs, Production Technician - Veteran - Preston is the first graduate of the Peninsula College Advanced Manufacturing - Composites Technology Program to join the CRTC as full-time staff. Preston assisted the team when we first launched the Swift 2.0 and is featured in a video on the website. He has a wealth of manufacturing and production experience and was an aircraft mechanic in the U.S. Navy. In his spare time, Preston enjoys playing the guitar and spending time with his wife and daughter.
Tayler Lemon, Production Technician - Tayler was born and raised in Port Angeles. She graduated from Port Angeles High School in 2009 and has over four years of experience working with composites, paint and fiberglass work in the luxury yacht industry. She very much enjoys learning new and exciting things about composites and advancing her skills. In her free time, Tayler is a horse expert and competes in rodeos across the Northwest. She trains horses and people how to ride without problems, and volunteers at the local horse rescue.
Jesse Painovich - Production Technician - Jesse was born in Anaheim, CA so he knows a lot about Disneyland, Knotts Berry Farm and sunshine! He enjoys hiking, swimming, board games and 4-wheeling during his time off. He enjoys learning new things and working with carbon fiber to create cool products.
Mark Quinlan, Innovation Manager - Q brings to us a wealth of innovation experience. He has invented and commercialized numerous products and loves being in the lab working up the next big thing. He is an expert in metals and patination and leads the technical efforts on our CarbonClad - Metal offering. When Q is not in the lab or his workshop, you will find him surfing or out in nature with his 2 dogs.
Juliette Smith, Finance Manager, is a Seattle native and recently moved to Sequim. She loves the Olympic Peninsula and very much appreciates her time outdoors. She has an Associate's Degree in Accounting and has several years of experience with QuickBooks. She has project management expertise and enjoys building things as she has been involved in the home construction business for several years. In her spare time she has built a tiny home and loves gardening, landscaping and dancing.
Alex Walter, Production Technician - Alex earned his AAS in Advanced Manufacturing and Composites from Peninsula College. He enjoys using composites to fabricate new products and prototypes for various industries from aerospace to high performance sporting goods. He looks forward to assisting on many new projects as he appreciates the opportunity to learn more and expand his expertise. In his spare time, Alex enjoys hiking, reading, playing the guitar and working out.
Tyler Hansen, Production Technician - Tyler graduated from high school in 2015, and then went on to Peninsula College for two years in the study of Fisheries. He has done volunteer work for several Natural Resource organizations around the Olympic Peninsula. He had the opportunity to help complete a stream survey and performed water testing for healthy and unhealthy sediments levels for our native salmon and steel-head populations. He cares very much for the earth and nature and connects with the way that the CRTC is working to help keep composites out of landfill. In his free time, Tyler enjoys fishing and being with his lovely wife Rachel and children.
Regena (Gena) Caughlin - Production Technician - Gena comes to the CRTC from the great state of Arkansas and moved to Port Angeles in 2019. She has an Associate's Degree and loves mechanical things and enjoys machining and fabrication. In her spare time she enjoys being outdoors, reading and cooking.
Philip Jankowski - Director of Manufacturing - Philip has extensive management skills with over 25 years in production, innovation and internal auditing for the marine, aerospace and medical device manufacturing industries. He previously was the Composites Manager at Trulife in Poulsbo, WA where he led the manufacturing team in production and innovation of a wide range of carbon fiber prosthetic and orthotic devices.
Rich Bemm - Customer Care Manager - Richard (Rich) Bemm, Customer Care Manager, has a BS degree in park and recreation administration from George Williams College. He has been the executive director for a township park district in Illinois and the park and recreation director for the city of Longview in Washington. His relationship with CRTC started through volunteering his pickleball club members to critique the prototype models of the CRTC's Swift pickleball paddles and the SwiftNet® portable pickleball net as the CRTC advanced the development to the final product. This has made him very knowledgeable of the CRTC's pickleball products. Besides pickleball, Rich enjoys fly fishing, kayaking, biking, hiking, and volunteering on community service projects.
Colin Kahler - Production Technician - hails from Sequim, Washington. Colin earned his AAS degree in Advanced Manufacturing and Composites, CNC machining and programming, and Lifecycle Recycling from Peninsula College in 2019. As a former IACMI intern and SAMPE student member, Colin looks to continue growing his skill set through learning to optimize the usage of carbon fiber pre-preg materials and better add to his understanding and design of composites for his personal hobbies in the automotive and sporting goods fields. In his spare time Colin enjoys spending his time in the beautiful outdoors of the PNW.
Dave Walter, Chief Executive Officer, has an extensive background in engineering, sales, marketing, operations, product development, global business management and leadership, based on a distinguished career with the DuPont Company in multiple businesses and locations in which he held 23 different positions in 8 different geographic locations. He is a Lean Certified, Six Sigma Black Belt and is a certified Project Management Professional (PMP) who is highly adept in innovation, team building, problem solving, and strategic planning. He holds 2 US patents and is also Lean Startup Certified by the National Science Foundation I-Corps. He is a much sought after speaker on sustainability, having led the effort to take DuPont’s Building Innovations global business from 81 million pounds of landfill in 2008 to zero pounds by the end of 2011. He has had a lifelong passion and study of leadership and team building and is an avid reader to this day. He also has a deep commitment to sustainability and helping to solve the issues of hunger and housing in the world. In his spare time, Dave enjoys playing pickleball, hiking, fishing, biking, gardening and home remodeling. He is also a guitar enthusiast and enjoys music of all types.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Dr. Charles Brandt
Chair of the Board
Dr. Brandt is the Director of the Coastal Sciences Division within Pacific Northwest National Laboratory's Energy and Environment Directorate. The division includes approximately 60 staff based at the Marine Sciences Laboratory (MSL) in Sequim, Wash., and at offices in Seattle and Portland, Oregon. The division's work focuses on coastal environmental health and restoration, sustainable ocean energy, understanding and mitigating effects of climate change on coastal systems, and coastal security. Dr. Brandt is an adjunct professor in the Zoology Department at Washington State University.
Chair of the Board
Dr. Brandt is the Director of the Coastal Sciences Division within Pacific Northwest National Laboratory's Energy and Environment Directorate. The division includes approximately 60 staff based at the Marine Sciences Laboratory (MSL) in Sequim, Wash., and at offices in Seattle and Portland, Oregon. The division's work focuses on coastal environmental health and restoration, sustainable ocean energy, understanding and mitigating effects of climate change on coastal systems, and coastal security. Dr. Brandt is an adjunct professor in the Zoology Department at Washington State University.
Ray Grove
Secretary & Chair- Technical Advisory Committee
Mr. Grove is a retired aerospace materials engineer with an extensive background in the development and use of high tech composite materials - the same material that the CRTC will be using in its initial phases. He has broad composite industry knowledge and enjoys the journey to bring new composite products to market. Mr. Grove was on the Boeing Commercial Airplanes Product Development team for the majority of his 35-year career with Boeing. He has led research and development in the field of sustainable materials and recently led the Boeing carbon fiber recycling activities, collaborating with some of the best recycling entities around the globe
Secretary & Chair- Technical Advisory Committee
Mr. Grove is a retired aerospace materials engineer with an extensive background in the development and use of high tech composite materials - the same material that the CRTC will be using in its initial phases. He has broad composite industry knowledge and enjoys the journey to bring new composite products to market. Mr. Grove was on the Boeing Commercial Airplanes Product Development team for the majority of his 35-year career with Boeing. He has led research and development in the field of sustainable materials and recently led the Boeing carbon fiber recycling activities, collaborating with some of the best recycling entities around the globe
Elizabeth Andreini
Director
Elizabeth is the President of Accelerate Marketing, a consulting firm specializing in high-impact marketing and product management strategy and execution for companies needing to transform marketing, uncover or optimize market and product growth opportunities. She is an experienced executive and veteran entrepreneur with 30+ years of global experience in marketing, product management, business development and sales. Elizabeth has worked in both corporate and early-stage environments; her career includes executive and senior marketing positions across a variety of diverse industries, including healthcare and technology. She has a passion for innovation, technology and bringing exciting new products to market. Elizabeth earned an MBA in Marketing and International Business from the University of Washington’s Michael G. Foster School of Business and received a BA degree in economics from Claremont McKenna College.
Director
Elizabeth is the President of Accelerate Marketing, a consulting firm specializing in high-impact marketing and product management strategy and execution for companies needing to transform marketing, uncover or optimize market and product growth opportunities. She is an experienced executive and veteran entrepreneur with 30+ years of global experience in marketing, product management, business development and sales. Elizabeth has worked in both corporate and early-stage environments; her career includes executive and senior marketing positions across a variety of diverse industries, including healthcare and technology. She has a passion for innovation, technology and bringing exciting new products to market. Elizabeth earned an MBA in Marketing and International Business from the University of Washington’s Michael G. Foster School of Business and received a BA degree in economics from Claremont McKenna College.
Loren Lyon
Director
Loren is the past President of Impact Washington until is retirement in 2019. He has 30+ years of experience in manufacturing with companies such as Eldec Corporation, Data I/O, Applied MicroSystems, Kistler-Morse and SelfCHARGE. His roles included; Director of Materials, Vice President of Operations, and CEO. He has been certified by APICS, ISM and ASQ, received the prestigious Ernst and Young “Entrepreneur of the Year” Award for Manufacturing, and led companies in the Washington Technology “Fast 50” (rapid growth). He is President of the Eastside Chapter of the Keiretsu Forum, an Angel Investor group and holds a Bachelor of Science in Operations Management from SUNY.
Director
Loren is the past President of Impact Washington until is retirement in 2019. He has 30+ years of experience in manufacturing with companies such as Eldec Corporation, Data I/O, Applied MicroSystems, Kistler-Morse and SelfCHARGE. His roles included; Director of Materials, Vice President of Operations, and CEO. He has been certified by APICS, ISM and ASQ, received the prestigious Ernst and Young “Entrepreneur of the Year” Award for Manufacturing, and led companies in the Washington Technology “Fast 50” (rapid growth). He is President of the Eastside Chapter of the Keiretsu Forum, an Angel Investor group and holds a Bachelor of Science in Operations Management from SUNY.
Nobuyuki Odagiri
Treasurer
Nobuyuki Odagiri serves as Vice President and Senior Technical Fellow for Toray Composite Materials America, Inc., (CMA) of Tacoma, a longtime leader in the advanced materials industry. Odagiri-san has held numerous leadership positions during his 36-year career with the company, and been responsible for the overall management of Toray CMA operations including setting strategy as well as the Research & Development of Carbon Fiber Reinforced Composite Technologies. He has broad leadership experience and significant expertise in polymer synthesis and design, matrix resin design, and composite material design and fabrication. Odagiri-san is a person of very high character combined with exceptional technical knowledge and really brings outstanding skills and abilities to the team.
Treasurer
Nobuyuki Odagiri serves as Vice President and Senior Technical Fellow for Toray Composite Materials America, Inc., (CMA) of Tacoma, a longtime leader in the advanced materials industry. Odagiri-san has held numerous leadership positions during his 36-year career with the company, and been responsible for the overall management of Toray CMA operations including setting strategy as well as the Research & Development of Carbon Fiber Reinforced Composite Technologies. He has broad leadership experience and significant expertise in polymer synthesis and design, matrix resin design, and composite material design and fabrication. Odagiri-san is a person of very high character combined with exceptional technical knowledge and really brings outstanding skills and abilities to the team.
Joe Mc Swiney
Director
Joe is Principal at Nua Holdings, founded to create a better alternative for ownership succession in the Outdoor Sporting Goods arena. Prior to founding Nua, Joe was CEO of SOG Knives & Tools, a tactical brand specializing in the creation of essential gear ranging from everyday carry to mission critical. From 2006 to 2016 Joe served as President of Cascade Designs Inc., home to the iconic outdoor equipment brands: Therm-a-Rest, MSR, Platypus and SealLine. Joe has been a longtime activist on sustainability, participating in both European and US Outdoor Industry sustainability industry movements for over a decade. This included creation of the Higg Sustainability Index and the foundation of the European Outdoor Conservation Association. He is a passionate supporter of the start-up community. This includes acting as fractional COO for early-stage start-ups as well as mentoring via accelerators such as Fledge and University of Washington CoMotion Labs. Joe is also advisor to Middlerock, a consulting team targeting transformational intervention at mid-stage tech start-ups. Joe received his undergraduate degree in Electronics Engineering from the Cork Institute of Technology in 1986 and attended University College Galway, to earn his MBA in 1994. In his spare time Joe is an avid martial artist, tech hobbyist, mountain biker, hiker and parkour advocate.
Director
Joe is Principal at Nua Holdings, founded to create a better alternative for ownership succession in the Outdoor Sporting Goods arena. Prior to founding Nua, Joe was CEO of SOG Knives & Tools, a tactical brand specializing in the creation of essential gear ranging from everyday carry to mission critical. From 2006 to 2016 Joe served as President of Cascade Designs Inc., home to the iconic outdoor equipment brands: Therm-a-Rest, MSR, Platypus and SealLine. Joe has been a longtime activist on sustainability, participating in both European and US Outdoor Industry sustainability industry movements for over a decade. This included creation of the Higg Sustainability Index and the foundation of the European Outdoor Conservation Association. He is a passionate supporter of the start-up community. This includes acting as fractional COO for early-stage start-ups as well as mentoring via accelerators such as Fledge and University of Washington CoMotion Labs. Joe is also advisor to Middlerock, a consulting team targeting transformational intervention at mid-stage tech start-ups. Joe received his undergraduate degree in Electronics Engineering from the Cork Institute of Technology in 1986 and attended University College Galway, to earn his MBA in 1994. In his spare time Joe is an avid martial artist, tech hobbyist, mountain biker, hiker and parkour advocate.
Andy Bridge
Director
Andy is the Director of Business Development at Orenco Composites, located in Sutherlin, OR. Orenco focuses on innovative composite products for industrial markets ranging from wastewater, buildings and tanks to bridges. He holistically combines market assessment, business case planning and creative product development directly associated with the customer's latent needs, in order to deliver terrific sales vale. Andy has a real passion for displacing metallic products with composites.
Andy has over 30 years of experience in composites manufacturing including tooling design, material selection and process engineering. His professional experience includes R&D/executive roles at Janicki Industries, Werner Paddles and Dagger Kayaks. He also also studied and implemented successful new product development strategies and has started and sold two sporting goods companies.
Andy was raised in canoes and started racing with his dad when he was 8. He qualified for the U.S. Whitewater Team at age 17 and went to Wales to compete in the World Championships. He built his first composite kayak at age 13 and that really started him on his journey with composites and their amazing strength to weight relationship. His racing career includes 10-time U.S. National Champion in C-1 downriver and World Cup Champion in 1992. He has raced in over 20 countries ranging from Norway to Slovenia. In addition to racing, Andy has organized and led various whitewater exploratory expeditions to Baffin Island in the Canadian Arctic to Borneo in Indonesia.
Director
Andy is the Director of Business Development at Orenco Composites, located in Sutherlin, OR. Orenco focuses on innovative composite products for industrial markets ranging from wastewater, buildings and tanks to bridges. He holistically combines market assessment, business case planning and creative product development directly associated with the customer's latent needs, in order to deliver terrific sales vale. Andy has a real passion for displacing metallic products with composites.
Andy has over 30 years of experience in composites manufacturing including tooling design, material selection and process engineering. His professional experience includes R&D/executive roles at Janicki Industries, Werner Paddles and Dagger Kayaks. He also also studied and implemented successful new product development strategies and has started and sold two sporting goods companies.
Andy was raised in canoes and started racing with his dad when he was 8. He qualified for the U.S. Whitewater Team at age 17 and went to Wales to compete in the World Championships. He built his first composite kayak at age 13 and that really started him on his journey with composites and their amazing strength to weight relationship. His racing career includes 10-time U.S. National Champion in C-1 downriver and World Cup Champion in 1992. He has raced in over 20 countries ranging from Norway to Slovenia. In addition to racing, Andy has organized and led various whitewater exploratory expeditions to Baffin Island in the Canadian Arctic to Borneo in Indonesia.
Rahul Shendure
Director
Having started his career as an engineer with GE's plastics business, Rahul has spent most of his 25-year career commercializing climate-tech innovations ranging from fuel cells (product management at Ballard Power Systems) to renewable fuels and chemicals (first business hire / VP, Product Marketing at Amyris) to ocean energy (co-founder of Oscilla Power). Bellwether Bio, a cancer diagnostics company he co-founded in 2016, was acquired by Guardant Health in 2019. Rahul is an active investor in early stage climate-tech and health-tech companies. He earned a BS in Chemical Engineering from MIT and his MBA from Harvard.
Director
Having started his career as an engineer with GE's plastics business, Rahul has spent most of his 25-year career commercializing climate-tech innovations ranging from fuel cells (product management at Ballard Power Systems) to renewable fuels and chemicals (first business hire / VP, Product Marketing at Amyris) to ocean energy (co-founder of Oscilla Power). Bellwether Bio, a cancer diagnostics company he co-founded in 2016, was acquired by Guardant Health in 2019. Rahul is an active investor in early stage climate-tech and health-tech companies. He earned a BS in Chemical Engineering from MIT and his MBA from Harvard.