TEXTILE EXPERT

Expert Witness No. 716

EDUCATION:

1967 - Bachelor of Science in Textile Technology from the University of Massachusetts, Dartmouth

1969 - Master of Science in Textile Technology from the Institute of Textile Technology, Charlottesville, VA

EMPLOYMENT:

President, R. Associates, Inc., 1983 to Present

Employed with the United States Government at the U.S. Army Natick Research,

Development & Engineering Center, Natick, Massachusetts (Individual Protection

Directorate), 1969-1983

EXPERIENCE:

As President of R. Associates, Inc.:

Work as consultant, coordinator and liaison between contractors and the Federal Government in all facets of government contracting with an emphasis on textiles, clothing and equipment items

Represent manufacturers as government marketing manager, selling products to the Government and its contractors. This representation has included manufacturers and suppliers of uniforms, protective apparel and equipment, footwear, headwear, handwear, sleeping bags, industrial and apparel fabrics, coated fabrics, ballistic fabrics, nonwovens, plastic and metal hardware, zippers, yarns, threads, webbings, cordage, ropes, elastic products, socks, adhesives and coatings, laminates, reflective materials, rubber products and medical items

Assist contractors and materials suppliers with the interpretation of government specifications, drawings, solicitations, contracts and related documents

Develop new specification requirements in conjunction with the introduction of new products to the Military and other Government agencies

Design, initiate and monitor testing programs for the evaluation of new products with potential for use in military applications. These products include fabrics, zippers, plastic and metal hardware, various buttons and fasteners, medical items, footwear insoles, waterproof-breathable membranes, yarns threads, elastic cords and webbings, insulation, waterproof glove inserts, embroidered items, ballistic and flame-protective fabrics and treatment, silicone and rubber gasket materials

Assist in the evaluation and subsequent selection of materials and components to be used in the manufacturing of government and military items, such as woven and knit fabrics, dress, utility and protective uniforms, dress and utility handwear and footwear, load-carrying equipment, sleeping bags, ropes, cordage, thread, tentage, air-drop items and chemical protective systems

Represent commercial testing labs as government coordinator, resulting in the receipt of several subsequent government testing contracts. This program involves a comprehensive effort from the solicitation of bidders through pre and post-award meetings with government representatives, to the eventual contract award

Worked with clients who are selling to military agencies in the Middle East.   Responsibilities included testing and evaluation of numerous uniforms, fabrics, equipment items, insignia, blankets and protective items. These programs have required extensive travel within the United States and to suppliers' facilities in Europe

Continuously monitor all government contracts as part of a marketing strategy

Developed a broad network of government contractors and suppliers as customers and clients.

Developed a broad network of military, civilian government, medical agencies and hospitals, and associated personnel

Initiate, submit and monitor Value Engineering (cost savings) proposals on government commodities, which results in the receipt of royalties paid to the contractor by the Government

Assist contractors with their own Value Engineering Change Proposals

Provided expert testimony on behalf of the Department of Defense in cases tried before the Armed Services Board of Contract Appeals, Falls Church, Virginia

Provided expert testimony and vital information in civilian cases

Guest lecturer

Regularly act as point of contact and government program manager, requiring the scheduling and moderating of meetings between government and commercial organizations

Frequently visit military, government and commercial facilities during the performance of routine responsibilities

Attend trade shows such as the Industrial Fabric Show, the Bobbin Show,  the National Safety Council, the National Association of Uniform Manufacturers and Distributors, and the National Association of Military Surgeons. Frequently participate as an exhibitor as these shows

Attend various government sponsored meetings to stay abreast with procurement and contracting procedures

Regularly communicate with government and commercial clients via the Internet

Perform fabric audits and inspections for commercial clients, requiring travel to various manufacturing facilities

As Textile Technologist, U.S. Army:

Developed specification requirements for military documents which are used in the procurement of various items such as industrial and apparel fabrics, all combat, protective and dress clothing, threads, zippers, tents, parachutes, handwear, footwear, ballistic and chemical protective equipment and any components used in the manufacturing of these items.

Tested and evaluated materials and end items in the laboratory and in the "field" to determine their capacity for use in various military scenarios.

Developed and monitored quality assurance requirements, including inspection procedures and sampling plans for all army clothing and equipment items. These requirements were used by the government quality assurance representatives during their factory and item inspections in the contractors' manufacturing plants.

Assisted in the revision and maintenance of Federal Test Methods Manual, FED. STD. 191A, which contains all of the test methods and procedures used in the laboratory testing of military textile, clothing and equipment items.

Supervised the Fabrication Engineering Laboratory, which was responsible for the development and maintenance of all requirements for the sewing technology, threads, seams and stitch types used in all military clothing and equipment items

Co-authored and maintained Federal Specification V-F-106F, Fastener, Slide, Interlocking, which is the document used in the selection and procurement of zippers for virtually all military and government items

Initiated an ongoing program to evaluate the use of fusible interlinings in military clothing items. The program included the concurrent development of specifications, testing and quality assurance procedures. Acted as coordinator for all of the Armed Services for this program

Developed and maintained specifications for fabrics, threads, linings, quilted liners nonwoven fabrics, zippers and Velcro type closures

Attended meetings at various government installations and contractors' plants in the performance of routine responsibilities

Participated in briefings on current projects

Attended courses and classes as part of a continuing education in job-related areas, such as:

Design of Experiments - U.S. Army Natick Laboratories

Sampling Procedures for Reliability Testing - USAMETA

Nondestructive Testing - Army Materials & Mechanics Research Center

Reading Improvement - U.S. Army Natick Laboratories

Clothing Manufacturing and Inspection - Def. Personnel Support Center

Review of Specifications - Defense Personnel Support Center

Knitting Fundamentals - North Carolina State University

Executive Seminar in Value Engineering - USAMETA

Writing Seminar - U.S. Office of Personnel Management

Project Management - U.S. Office of Personnel Management

Sewing Machine Technology - Union Special Sewing Machine Corp.

AWARDS:

Dean's List, University of Massachusetts, Dartmouth

American Association of Textile Technologists Scholarship, 1965-1967, University of Massachusetts, Dartmouth

American Association of Textile Technologists Senior Student Award, 1967

Two Year Fellowship to the Institute of Textile Technology, 1967-1969

Commendation and Cash Award from the Department of the Army for Approval of a Cost-Saving Value Engineering Proposal, 1982

MEMBERSHIPS:

Former Member of the American Association of Textile Technologists

Government Representative to:

Apparel Quality Committee of the American Apparel Manufactures Association

Government Contracts Committee of the A.A.M.A.

Thread Institute

Slide Fastener Association

Appointed member of the Textile Advisory Council, Department of Textile Sciences, University of Massachusetts, Dartmouth

Massachusetts Board of Realtors

American Association of Retired Persons