Instructor Bios

Norman Mier Jr. (nmier@solder.net) is a U.S. Marine Corp. retired veteran with over 20 years of experience in the electronics rework and repair industry. He received his training through the Navy's Micro Miniature (2M) Electronic Repair Program. He has progressed through every level of rework and repair recognized in the industry. Norman has also earned the highest certifications awarded by IPC in electronics training, being certified as a Master Instructor in IPC A-610D, J-STD-001D, IPC A-620 and 7711/7721. He has worked through BEST for several electronics industry leaders and created tailored courses for their equipment. This also includes providing training to technicians and engineers in surface mount and advanced surface mount technology. The knowledge Norm has brought to these companies has been invaluable to their process improvement efforts. His skill has also been a major factor in keeping BEST training at the forefront in the electronics-training field.

Kris Roberson (kroberson@solder.net) Kris brings over 14 years of electronics industry experience including SMT manufacturing and instructor experiences to our students.  His education includes a Pilot's License as well as airframe and power plant mechanics licenses.  Kris has experience as a machine operator, Machine and Engineering technician as well as an Electronics and Process Engineer for companies as Motorola, US Robotics, and Bose, Fuji placement machines, Universal placement machines, DEK screen printers, Electrovert and Vitronics-Soltec wave soldering machines are all pieces of equipment that Kris has run and maintained.  Kris and his wife make their home in the South East corner Michigan, outside Kalamazoo.  Kris has earned the highest Certifications awarded by the IPC in electronics training, being certified as an Master Instructor in IPC7711 / 7721, IPC A-610D and IPC J-STD 001D.

Henry Torres Henry is a Quality Assurance Manager with over 30 years of experience in the Electronics Industry in Silicon Valley.  His previous jobs include IBM, General Electric, Eagle Technology and has been with Manufacturing Resource Corporation for the past 15 years.  Henry has worked as production planner for high volume production of Novell Ethernet Cards at 3 assembly facilities which produced 300,000 boards a month.  He has over 20 years of experience in Quality Control and currently manages ISO9001-2008 Quality Management System.  Henry has implemented new procedures to improve production efficiencies along with many hours of training production employees on new and revised procedures.   Henry has been certified as an Instructor in IPC-A-610D.  He can instruct in Spanish and/or English.