Team Members
Kris Pollet, Director EU Law & Policy
Walt Rosenberg, Vice President
Mike Kirschner, President
Mike Kirschner has over 25 years of extensive cross-functional experience in all phases of the product lifecycle, from conception through production and end-of-life at both electronics OEMs and semiconductor manufacturers. He has been President and Managing Partner of Design Chain Associates, LLC since its inception in 2001 and is an internationally recognized expert in the analysis and impact of environmental regulation on electronic products, and is a highly sought after speaker and author. He has recently contributed two chapters to the "Governance, Risk, and Compliance Handbook", to be published by Wiley in 2008 and is featured in the new book "Exposed: The Toxic Chemistry of Everyday Products and What's at Stake for American Power". Prior to founding DCA Mike held Engineering and Engineering Management positions at Compaq, Tandem, Intel, and Intergraph, as well as at several start-ups in Component Engineering, Reliability, Quality Assurance, Software Development, and Product Design roles. Mike received his BSEE from Worcester Polytechnic Institute in Worcester, MA.
Mike is also on the Editorial Advisory Board of Electronics Supply & Manufacturing Magazine, a CMP publication.
Tom Valliere, Senior Vice President
Tom Valliere combines over 14 years of supply chain management at Compaq (now Hewlett Packard) with an extensive engineering background. In his 30+ years of experience in the electronics industry, Tom has worked in semiconductor and circuit hardware design, Component Engineering, Reliability Engineering, and standards development. Tom has been involved in merging corporate acquisitions and dealing with data integration issues such as dissimilar numbering and configuration systems. Tom has driven the implementation of several ERP systems, including ASK MANMAN, MAPICS, AMAPS, and SAP.Clients and past employers include Compaq, Square D Company, NCR, Motorola, ITT, and Honeywell. After four years of service with the Army Security Agency, Tom received his BSEE from the University of Miami.
Ken Stanvick, Senior Vice President
Ken Stanvick has over 25 years of experience in the High Tech Electronics Industry. His responsibilities have spanned the roles of Design Engineer, Custom and Industry Standard Component Engineering Group Manager, Quality Assurance Manager, and Independent Consultant He has extensive expertise in all aspects of the design and supply chains with a thorough understanding of the best practices, processes and requirements of design, electronic component supplier technical and business management, systems manufacturing, test, quality and reliability engineering, and ISO Registration.
Ken is recognized as an industry expert in regards to global Environmental Compliance Regulations, which impact the electronics industry. He has spoken at many leading electronics industry events and has conducted seminars and workshops in the USA, Canada, and Mexico.
Walt Rosenberg, Vice President of Environmental Solutions
Walt has over 25 years of Environmental, Health, Safety and Security experience in the oil refining, semi conductor and computer industries. As Vice President of Corporate, Social and Environmental Responsibility (EHS&S) for Hewlett-Packard, Walt was responsible for the development and implementation of HP’s programs, policies and strategies in the areas of customer and employee data privacy, corporate business practices, social responsibility and environmental sustainability. Walt led HP’s efforts to be recognized as a leader in global citizenship by establishing innovative programs that support community development, stakeholder interests, customer and business needs for the $80 billion technology company.
Prior to the HP merger with Compaq Computer Corporation in 2002, Walt served as the Corporate Director of Environmental, Health and Safety for Compaq. During his 14 year tenure at Compaq, Walt was responsible for leadership and management of worldwide environmental, health and safety teams with emphasis on management systems, governance processes, mergers/acquisitions and remediation.
Walt’s expertise includes policy/strategy development, global standards development, executive/board of director communications, supply chain practices, compliance management, management systems, auditing, remediation management, metrics development, mergers/acquisitions, due diligence and liability management. Walt holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Environmental Chemistry from Northern Arizona University and a Master of Science degree in Hazardous and Waste Material Management from Southern Methodist University. Walt has served on the Board of Directors for the World Environment Center (2004-2006), a non-profit, non-advocacy organization that promotes sustainable development in multinational corporations. Walt is a member of the technical advisory board for Konarka Technologies, Inc. of Lowell, MA, a solar energy technology development company.
Kris Pollet, Director EU Law & Policy
Kris Pollet is Director EU Law & Policy at Pollet Environmental Consulting, an environmental law and policy advisory firm based in Brussels, Belgium. Kris assists companies, trade associations, and government entities with interpreting, implementing, and complying with all issues relating to EU environment law. He has significant experience in providing advocacy advice in the context of the decision making process that leads to the adoption of environmental law and policy.
Mr. Pollet was previously the head of the EU environmental law & policy practice at the Brussels office of global law firm White & Case. Before that he worked as policy advisor to two UK Members of the European Parliament, and at the Secretariat General of the European Commission.
He has published widely in the Journal of the Japanese Institute for International Business Law, and has written several chapters in the first Japanese language book that deals exclusively with EU environment law. He has also been a frequent contributor to several publications of the Economist Intelligence Unit, and to Recycling Laws International.
He is invited to speak at conferences and seminars in the US, Asia, and Europe on electronic waste issues, eco-design, chemicals policy, and emissions trading. His working languages are English, French and Dutch, and he also speaks German and elementary Japanese.
Bill Oberlin, Project Manager
Bill Oberlin has 32 years of experience with a broad variety of roles including Project Management, R&D, Quality, Test, Manufacturing, Product Design, Product Stewardship, and Contract Administration. Experience includes the electronics, computers, and defense industries. Prior to joining DCA he held Engineering and/or Management positions at HP (formerly Compaq and Tandem), Trimble Navigation, Ampex, Honeywell, and the US Navy. Bill is experienced in project management, new product introduction, product design, processes development, PCB design/layout, Pb-free processes, RoHS implementation, failure analysis, sub-contracting & outsourcing, CAD systems, MRP systems, and relational databases. Bill received his BSEE from Marquette University in Milwaukee, and holds one U.S. patent.
Joel Russeau, Project Manager
Joel Russeau has over 29 years of experience in the Defense and Computer Industries. His responsibilities have spanned the roles of Component Engineer/Manager, Material Quality Assurance Manager and Manufacturing RoHS Program Manager for major corporations such as Martin Marietta, Datapoint, Tandem Computers, Compaq Computers and most recently Hewlett Packard. He served as Chairman of the Electronics Industry Quality Conference and has presented papers and co-hosted a seminar at the Military & Aerospace COTS Conference. Joel brings a wealth of experience in component selection, application, qualification and obsolete (End-of-life) component management. His extensive expertise and knowledge fosters a close working relationship with all team members during the product lifecycle, including Design Engineers, Quality Assurance and Manufacturing Operations. Joel received his Engineering Degree from the University of Central Florida.
Judy Szabo, Project Manager & Quality Black Belt
Judy Szabo is an accomplished quality professional who specializes in quality assurance and customer service protocols. She has 30 years combined experience in the electronics and service industries focused on new product introductions, problem identification, problem solving, process improvements, designing quality programs, and training statistical methods. She has held various quality management positions for Fortune 500 companies such as General Electric, Sperry Electronics, Square D Corporation and most recently, JPMorgan Chase where she held the position of Vice President of Business Processes related to Quality Assurance. Her corporate management skills have extended across multi-site and international locations. She brings proven skills in statistical analysis, reporting and achieving client objectives on time and within budget. She holds a BS Ed degree, is a certified Black Belt and experienced in all aspects of Quality Assurance; specifically Audit & Certification, Compliance & Control and Process Analysis & Improvement.
