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Has extensive experience in the development and evaluation of absorbent materials of all types for the management of all types of human exudates. This includes cellulose absorbent cores, superabsorbent materials, foams, fibers and non-woven absorbent materials. Has commercialized over a dozen embodiments in this area in commercial baby diaper, sanitary napkin and incontinence products through the years. Extensive work in the development of substrates in the area of wipes both dry and pre-moistened. Has expanded this area of expertise into industrial applications for oil sorbents in the area of spill control.

Participated in the commercialization effort of the first baby wipe in N.A., Baby Fresh, by Scott Paper in the mid-seventies. Developed air-laid technology for the private label segment in the baby wipe product category. Led the group that developed the substrate for Huggies Baby Wipes at Kimberly Clark utilizing KC's internal technology of "coform". Familiar and knowledgeable on lotion development and converting processes, as well as the use of spunlace and other non-woven for this application.

Extensive experience in managing "technology transfer and implementation" from R&D into Manufacturing, and the management of their respective "learning curves". Major initiatives include: broke handling system for Cotonelle adhesive creped tissue; commercialization of Scott Paper's air laid process for the manufacture of industrial; kitchen towels and baby wipes; commercialization of first-of-a-kind Kroyer (now Neumag) airlaid machine; commercialization of PET staple carded fabric ultrasonically laminated to compete with Dupont's Sontara; commercialization of carded web composite for personal care transfer layer; commercialization of various sanitary napkins (profiled pads; pantyliners and thin maxi's; commercialization of shaped fiber spunbond non-woven fabrics; commercialization of elastomeric tri-laminates; commercial of spunbond transfer layers; commercialization of tape-landing zone, transfer layer, apertured top-sheet, and leg-cuff diapers; commercialization of various incontinent disposable absorbent products and bladder control pads; commercialization of nine private label disposable absorbent products; commercialization of housewrap fabrics, anti-virucidal and clean room non-woven fabrics; and commercialization of film elastomeric laminates.

Experienced in the development of diaper coverstock and topsheets with carded, spunlace and spunmelt non-wovens. Managed major effort at downgauging spunbond topsheet from 0.9 osy to 0.6 osy from both material and product perspective. Managed the development efforts for polyethylene spunbond as well as bilobal fiber spunbond topsheet for added softness. Developed and commercialized hot needle apertured topsheet for baby diapers in 1986.
Also evaluated extensive surfactant types and methods of application for tosheet use.
In the backsheet or coverstock area led major development and cost saving opportunities in downgauging of films from 1.2 mils down to 0.8 mils, as well as led the developoment and commercialization of microporous film non-woven laminates in the breathable film backsheet application area.

Involved with cost savings of injection molded tampon tubes by downgauging. Worked on sanitization and sterilization methods for tampon materials such as cotton linters and string by gamma radiation, ETO and hot room sanitization. Developed full line of private label tampons with performance and manufacturing friendliness as objectives. Sourced both materials and converting processes for this products as well as assisted in the 510K preparation for the entire product line.

Extensive background in the extrusion and extrusion coating of polyolefin films both breathable and non-breathable for hygiene and industrial applications. Primary areas of focus were baby diaper backsheet, film elastomeric laminates, medical fabrics, industrial and clean rooom protective fabrics as well as housewrap.

As a Director of R&D for the branded Depend line of retail incontinence products improved the absorbent performance of the briefs and undergarments. Developed the first commercial application of mechanical fasteners on a absorbent disposable product in NA, and developed Poise, the first bladder control pad in the category. Continued product development and commercialization efforts with Private Label products as well as institutional. Management the development effort of a thermo-formed bladder control guard to compete with Serenity.
Knowledgeable of the category, consumer testing and performance measurements and material testing.

Significant experience in the development of processes and systems for intellectual property management. Extensive experience in working with over 28 patent attorneys through the years in patent filings, right-to-practice opinions, and non-infringement exercises.

Involved directly and indirectly in five patent law suits.

Very knowledgeable of the prior art in the baby diaper and non-woven areas, and capable of acting as "expert witness" in litigation of cases.

Has led and participated in six joint venture exercises by finding partners, participating in the negotiation of the deals, managing the joint ventures after formation, participating as a member of the Board of Directors, buying out of partners and ultimately managing the P&L of one of them.

Experiences were in Mexico(2), Argentina (1), Brazil (2), and People's Republic of China.

Participated in due diligence and negotiation process for seven other efforts which did not result in joint ventures in the Phillipines, Taiwan, Malaysia, Italy, Colombia, Chile and Argentina.

Managed major non-woven and absorbent materials development group while at Kimberly-Clark for the hygiene products category. Worked on several material joint development agreements with major suppliers in the industry in the area of cellulose pulp, super absorbents, and non-woven composites.

Intimate knowledge of the materials, their performance requirements and their correlation with end use application in baby diapers, sanitary napkins, wipes, and incontinent products.

More recent experience has focused on taking non-woven fabrics as well as film non-woven laminates into the construction material area with products such as housewrap, window flashing, and roof underlayment.

Knowledgeable of meltblowing and its fabric properties for use in wipes, absorbent structures and barrier fabrics. Extensive knowledge of hybrid technology and blending of meltblown fiber processes for absorbent structures.
Commercialized meltblown injection into diaper core fluff formers for integrity, commercialized coform for baby wipe substrate, commercialized meltblown in general spunbond/meltblown/barrier fabrics as well as elastomeric non-woven.
Developed and patented air-laid forming device to inject cellulose fibers into meltblown air stream for hybrid material development.

Has been involved with new consumer product development efforts and processes for over 20 years. Has developed two formal "product development processes" at two separate companies to use in R&D for streamlining purposes, imposing discipline, facilitating communication inter-function, and for the application "quality managment techniques".

Well versed in concept and material development for consumer products, market research, marketing engineering and manufacturing coordination including MTT, (Moist Toilet Tissue) and flushable wet wipes.
Categories are in personal care absorbent products primarily, but recently it has expanded to pet care products as well.

Experienced with 30+ years on all types of non-woven fabrics. Carded both thermally and chemically bonded, with various fibers such as PET, acetate, polyethylene, polypropylene and bicomponent. Spunlace, spunbond, meltblown, air-laid, and tissue.


Experience is in the area of polymers, fiber types, processes, topical applications, mechanical treatments,lamination, bonding economics, competitive benchmarking, intellectual property, and applications.

Have led many product and process initiatives in this area such as: air-laid fabrics with staple and cellulose fibers and the latex bonding of such; air-laid cellulose fabrics and their latex, thermal and hydrogen bonding; bilobal and trilobal spunbond; polyethylene spunbond, SMS, and bilobal spunbond;meltblown at various fiber sizes; laminates of various types and non-wovens co-extruded to films.

Have managed the operations of three non-woven processes: staple fibes and cellulose air-laid, cellulose air-laid, and ultrasonically bonded air carded PET.
Familiar with spunbond and meltblown operations and have developed very accurate cost models for the manufacturing of these materials as well as those made by other non-woven technologies.
Have worked in or toured a total of 28 non-woven manufacturing plants globally in: US, Mexico, Brazil, Argentina, Italy, Spain, Germany, Korea, Japan, and Australia.

Experienced in the design, product and material development and commercializaton of sanitary napkins both in branded and private label companies.
Knowledgeable of consumer habits, product requirements, packaging requirements, material composition, economics, competitive benchmarking, market research and marketing requirements.
Involved in many product initiatives in category from concept to commercialization.

Has been issued a US Patent on Three-dimensional sanitary napkin having absorbent material contoured on the baffle side and a US Patent on Absorbent article with dry surface composite construction, in the category.

Knowledge of absorbent core structures, cellulose fibers, superabsorbent, acquisition and distribution layers. Not only from a technical performance point of view but also from a cost, process and intellectual property angle as well.

Worked with major private label company in managing a project for a greenfield business launch in the feminine care absorbent products business. Work included submission of 510K's, product design, equipment, material supplier and site location selection.Managed a major cost reduction program in the area of flexible packaging and reduced annual costs by $15MM through change of printing technology used, down-gauging of materials and managing of order quantities.Assisted company in the understanding and circumnavigation around two problematic patents in a consumer product area.Assisted and directed client in the filing of a sensitive patent application in the non-woven area into a very crowded field of prior art.Developed a new non-woven process and assisted client in the manufacture and start-up of process equipment.Identified target company and facilitated acquisition of company by client in the disposable wipes industry.Participated in 10+ patent, trademark and business IP litigation cases as expert witness.