The AEWC Center   

The Advanced Engineered Wood Composites Center

The Advanced Structures and Composites Laboratory

Vernon Darling

Laboratory Operations Manager

AEWC Center

University of Maine

Phone 207-581-2160

Fax 207-581-2074

E-mail Vernon.darling@umit.maine.edu

June 8, 2004

A. Work Experience

A.1  University of Maine Advanced Engineered Wood Composites (AEWC) Center, Orono, ME.

                             August 2002 to present Laboratory Operations Manager

                             Major duties include responsible for management and coordination of mechanical and structural testing for research projects.  I am responsible for maintaining the laboratory to ISO 17025 standards, supervising staff, planning, scheduling testing machines and safe operations.

                             Specific responsibilities include

·         Working with a project manager to develop and implementing Work Instructions, including safety procedures, for large-scale structural testing and wood-composite manufacturing.

·         Write and modify Work Instructions using MS Word software.

·         Supervise the daily actives of one Laboratory Technician.

·         Supervise a team of 20 student laboratory assistants.

·         Maintain ISO 17025 Certification

·         Maintain calibration records on all measuring equipment.

·         Coordinate calibration of equipment with outside vendors, including checking the vendor’s credentials for ISO certification.

·         Maintain a equipment inventory including an equipment number list

·         Maintain an equipment information filing system containing all current manuals and parts list.

·         Insure all testing is performed using the latest standards.

·         Conduct audit’s of project activities to insure compliance with AEWC internal standards, industry standards, ISO standard, and the client’s requirements for the manufacture and testing of project specimens. 

·         Schedule and coordinate the use of AEWC Lab equipment to manufacture and test project specimens.

·         Training student laboratory assistants to properly use the AEWC Center machine shop and wood shop.

·         Maintain an inventory of all project-related expendable items.

·         Ensure the safe and proper storage of all test materials, including chemicals for formulating wood adhesives and primers.

·         Collect, store, and perform preliminary analysis of project data using MS Excel computer spreadsheet software.

·         Monitored all project tests and manufacturing setups, including hydraulic actuators, computer controllers, data-acquisition systems, and mechanical and hydraulic clamping systems, and scheduling of and performing preventative maintenance.

·         Operation of Instron 8800 structural testing system, and training/qualification of AEWC personnel on this system.

A.2  Superior Lines, Newburgh, ME.

                             May 1995 to October 2001:  Performed pavement maintenance, layout painting, Sealing, Crack filling, of parking lots and roads. Performed repairs and maintenance on the company’s trucks and equipment. Responsible for the proper use and storage of paints, solvents, sealers, and other chemical compounds. I was responsible for safe operation of road-painting equipment and maintenance of traffic on high-volume traffic roads.

A.3                       Substitute Teacher:

                             1996:  Hartland Jr. High School

                             1997:  Brewer School System

                             1998:  Herman School System

A.4  Diamond Elementary School, US Army Dependent School System, Fort Stewart, GA.

                             October 1984 to November 1994:  School plant Supervisor and Safety Coordinator.

                             Responsibilities include:

·         Ensuring US Army safety standards were met at all schools within the system.

·         Conducting monthly safety inspections for all school within the system.

·         Conducted monthly emergency evacuation drills.

·         Administered annual safety training to school faculty and staff.

·         Supervising custodians and contract laborers.

·         Ordering and maintaining school supplies and equipment.

·         Performed day-to-day repairs using school woodshop equipment.

·         Created and maintained an inventory of materials and supplies for the school system using computer database software.

A.4  United States Army.

                             Twenty (20) years service, attained rank of Sergeant First Class with Master Instructor rating.  Awards Include Bronze Star, Good Conduct Medal with 5 Clusters, Air Medal, Vietnam Campaign Ribbon, Vietnam Cross of Gallantry.

                             1962-1964:  Engineer Equipment (heavy construction equipment) Repairman.

                             1964-1969:  Aircraft Maintenance Sergeant (Platoon Level). Responsibilities included.

·         Scheduling aircraft for mission.

·         Scheduling and assigning aircraft flight crews.

·         Scheduling regular maintenance and repair of aircraft and weapons systems.

·         Trained enlisted personnel for tactical operations of and aerial weapons platoon, and deployed as a unit to the Republic of Vietnam.

·         Platoon Safety NCO (Non-Commissioned Officer).

·         Maintained platoon personnel training records.

1969-1975:  Senior Aircraft Maintenance Sergeant (Company Level).  Responsibilities included:

·         Supervising platoon Aircraft Maintenance Sergeants.

·         Supervising Allied Shops (Hydraulic, Avionics, Electric, Rotor, and Machine shops).

·         Technical Supply.

·         Scheduling aircraft, hanger space, maintenance, etc. for an aviation company.

·         Company Safety NCO.

1975-1979:  Senior Aircraft Maintenance Sergeant and Instructor. Responsibilities included:

·         Developing self-paced and classroom instruction modules (lesson-plans and courses) for Criterion Referenced Instructional Workshop, Student counseling Course, Instructor Training Course, Instructor Technology Workshop.

·         Classroom instructor teaching Instructional Techniques and student counseling.

·         Self-paced classroom monitor for Instructional Technology Workshop.

·         Building Safety NCO.

1979-1980:

·         Preparing and delivering briefings for the aviation group commander addressing aircraft maintenance, management, readiness, and safety.

·         Performing battalion, company and platoon-level inspections of maintenance operations and safety.

·         Acting as a technical resource to battalion, company and platoon maintenance offices and NCOs.

1980-1983:  Battalion Senior Aircraft Maintenance Sergeant. Responsibilities included:

·         Managing and coordination an aircraft maintenance facility utilized by several company-sized units.

·         Coordinating the maintenance between the individual companies and direct support.

·         Coordinating transition from UH-1 (Huey) aircraft to UH-60 (Blackhawk) aircraft, including safety and retraining of aircraft mechanics.

A.6 Other – Experience

                             1982-1983:  Electricians assistance, wired houses from rough in to trim out.

                             1983-1984:  Substitute U.S. Mail Carrier.

B. Education

B.1 College

Associate of Science in General Education

Troy State University

Troy Alabama

March 16, 1979

B.2 U.S. Army Schools:

Engineer Equipment Repair School

Helicopter Mechanic School

Management System (Office Management)

Aviation Mishap Prevention (Safety) Management course

Aviation Leadership Management Course

Criterion Referenced Instruction Workshop

Student Counseling Course

Instructor Training Course

Instructor Technology Workshop

 B.2 High School:

July 8, 1976

B.3 Additional Professional Training:

High and Low Pressure Boiler Operator Course

Eastern Maine Technical College

Bangor Maine

April 1995

8800 Series S/H Operations Course

Instron Corporation

100 Royall Street

Canton, Massachusetts

June, 2002

Updated November 11, 2004