John has significant expertise in the development, integration, and test of microprocessor-based space-flight hardware, having designed and developed hardware and software for numerous space-flight computers and instruments and having been responsible for both functional and environmental testing of many hardware units. He has been responsible for system-engineering and product assurance tasks on several large avionics development projects and has managed projects for agencies such as BMDO and NASA, as well as for commercial customers. He has been involved in a number of independent analysis and review tasks relating to space-flight electronic designs for both NASA and commercial clients and regularly participates in NASA reviews as an outside review board member for the GSFC Explorer program.

John’s program involvement includes SDI (LACE/UVPI, RME, Thrusted Vector), UARS (HRDI instrument), GP-B (STU and free-flyer), RADARSAT-1 (Attitude Control Processor), STS-45 (SEPAC), STS-85 (JMFD controller), SNOE, MSTI-1,2, and 3, Rosetta (Alice instrument), IMAGE, GALEX, Deep Impact, and New Horizons (Alice and Ralph instruments).

John is currently the chief engineer in the Department of Space Systems at Southwest Research Institute in San Antonio, Texas. His primary tasks in this position include mentoring junior engineers, coordinating the internal review process, reliability program planning, parts engineering oversight, and process improvement. He also takes an active role in SwRI’s instrument development programs.

He is a Texas native with degrees from Trinity University of San Antonio (BS) and The University of Texas at Austin (MSE). He has a wife and two kids who keep him balanced and a dog that drives him crazy.

Seminars: 2005 MAPLD International Conference