Featured Speaker

Dr. Roger Schneider - President, Rho Sigma Associates, Inc.

Keynote Address Abstract:

The research and development, manufacture, transportation, storage and end use of energetic materials (EMs) employs individuals with surprisingly diverse backgrounds. To serve well the EM community, a consultant must have not only a specific area(s) of expertise, but be well versed in the many disciplines germane to the field. In addressing his client's needs, Dr. Schneider routinely draws upon his formal training in chemistry, physics, mechanical engineering (fluid dynamics, heat transfer and material science), chemical process safety and risk management, and even human behavior. Using the chronology of his own career to date as a framework, he will briefly discuss some of the truly fun and intellectually satisfying stuff in which he has been fortunately involved, while waxing not too rhapsodically upon the pros and cons of technical consulting as a profession.

Speaker Bio:

Upon his release from active duty in the US Navy in 1974, Roger Schneider co-founded Rho Sigma Associates (Whitefish Bay, WI), a scientific and engineering consulting firm, which will soon be celebrating the beginning of its 33rd year in business. He earned his Ph.D. degree in physical inorganic chemistry with minors in physics and mechanical engineering from UWM (1982), with professors Ken Watters (principal) and Russell Howe as his research advisors. He did a year of post doctoral research with Keith Hall, appreciating the art and science of heterogeneous catalysis. During his years as a graduate student and postdoc, he continued his self-employment as a consultant and performed duties as a Naval Reserve officer. Dr. Schneider primarily consults in energetic materials (pyrotechnics, explosives and propellants) and is an internationally recognized expert in pyrotechnics. His clients include the US Army and Navy, pyrotechnic signal manufacturers, and fireworks manufacturing and display companies, worldwide. Roger enjoys a good or even not so good pun, and probably wastes too much time doing scientific cartooning. In his spare time he bowls spares, cooks spareribs and looks for spare change under seat cushions.