Meet Our Staff
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Raymond Klouda, Vice PresidentElite Since 1979 (32 years) Mr. Klouda has been active in the related fields of electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) and RF shielding design since 1979. He is an experienced expert in military and commercial EMC specification, including Mil-Std- 461, RTCA-DO160, FCC rules, Canadian Regulations, CE Marking and International compliance including CISPR and IEC/ISO specifications. As a technical reviewer, he assesses and approves radio devices under the Telecommunication Certification Body program. In addition, he leads the team responsible for the administration of Elite’s ISO 17025 quality system and ISO Guide 65 certification systems. He is an iNARTE Certified EMC Engineer and a Licensed Professional Engineer in the State of Illinois. He is an active member of the IEEE EMC Society and the Membership Officer for the Chicago Chapter. Mr. Klouda received his electrical engineering degree from the University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana B.S.E.E. (1981) and graduated with honors (Tau Beta Pi and Eta Kappa Nu Honor Societies). |
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Thomas Klouda, Vice PresidentElite Since 1985 (26 years) Mr. Klouda is Elite’s technical expert for equipment management. He ensures that Elite remains a state of the art test facility. His specialized area of knowledge includes testing avionics to the indirect effects of lightning strikes and nuclear electromagnetic pulse (EMP). His primary responsibilities include research and development of new test systems, equipment, and processes. He is also the manager of Elite’s calibration department having responsibility for management of existing test equipment and acquiring new instruments and systems. He is a member of the Strategic Planning, Safety, and Quality Teams. He is a member of the IEEE EMC Society and the Society of Automotive Engineers. He currently attends the SAE AE-2 Lightning Committee meetings. He is an iNarte® Certified EMC Engineer. Mr. Klouda received his engineering degree from Illinois Institute of Technology in Chicago B.S.E.E. (1985). He has also received a Certificate in Business Administration from the University of Illinois at Chicago (1997). |
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Patrick E. Hall, MIL/Aero Team LeaderElite since 1977 (34 years) Mr. Hall is Elite’s Military/Aerospace Team Leader. His specialized area of knowledge includes MIL-STD-461A through MIL-STD-461F EMC tests, DO-160A through DO-160F EMC tests and D6-16050-4 through D6-16050-5 EMC tests. He has developed Elite’s MIL-STD-461, DO-160 and D6-16050 EMC test procedures. He is also knowledgeable with the application of FCC, CE mark and automotive specifications. Mr. Hall received his engineering degree from DeVry Institute of Technology B.S.E.E.T (1981). He is also an iNarte® Certified EMC Engineer (Certified August, 1989). |
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Craig Fanning, EMC Lab ManagerElite since November 1986 (25 years) Mr. Fanning is the manager of Elite’s EMC testing department. As manager, Mr. Fanning supervises EMC laboratory scheduling, test resource management, and sector operations. He also oversees all EMC programs to ensure efficiency and customer satisfaction from scheduling through invoicing. In addition to managing the EMC lab, Craig drives Elite’s lean and process improvement efforts as well as new service development. Mr. Fanning’s area of technical specialization is in automotive, truck, and construction equipment test standards. He is an active member of the SAE EMI/EMR/EMC committees, ISO TC22/SC3/WG3 USTAG, and CISPR D WG1 and WG2 USTAG. Craig has also authored several IEEE EMC Symposium papers published in 2006, 2007 and 2009. Craig received his engineering degree from DeVry Institute of Technology in 1986 (B.S.E.E.T.). He also has a Certificate in Business Administration and a Certificate in Lean Operations and Principals, both from University of Illinois at Chicago. Craig holds iNARTE certifications as an EMC Technician and as an EMC Accredited Test Laboratory Engineer. |
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Franklin Bowes, Senior EMC EngineerElite since 1986 (25 years) Frank Bowes is a Senior EMC Engineer in the Automotive Test Group (ATG). Frank’s primary responsibilities at Elite include supervising and overseeing daily automotive testing in the lab and reviewing and sign-off of all ATG test reports. Frank is an iNarte EMC Accredited Test Laboratory Engineer and Certified Electromagneic Compatibility Technician. Frank is on the Electronic Data Management team at Elite. Frank received his engineering degree from DeVry University in Lombard, IL, B.S.E.E.T. (1986). |
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Stanley D. Dolecki, Automotive Test Team LeaderElite since 1988 (23 years) Mr. Dolecki is Elite’s Automotive and Heavy Vehicle Test Team leader. In addition to his technical and leadership responsibilities for the group, he is also responsible for automotive test laboratory recognition required by General Motors, Ford, Chrysler, Fiskar Automotive, and A2LA. Mr. Dolecki works with internal test capability development, test setup and test stand design, works on all automotive correlation and characterization efforts, and reviews and critiques OEM/company internal test specifications. Stan also writes test plans and has authored several company internal EMC testing guidelines and specifications. Mr. Dolecki performs on-site consulting to troubleshoot EMC problems, developing ways to simulate issues seen in the field, designing test suites and writing test plans to help customers achieve their EMC compliance goals. He also works with Elite’s safety group and software development groups. Mr. Dolecki received his engineering degree from DeVry University B.S.E.E.T. (1989). |
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Daniel Crowder, Certification Department Supervisor and FCC/CE Mark Team LeaderElite Since 1989 (22 years) Mr. Crowder is Elite’s Certification Department Supervisor. In addition, he is the FCC/CE Mark Team Leader and Senior EMC Engineer. His specialized area of knowledge includes transmitter certification and testing for US and foreign markets, FCC testing and regulations, CE Marking and international compliance regulations. He is an internal auditor for Elite’s quality assurance team and assists with the administration of Elite’s ISO 17025 quality system and ISO Guide 65 certification systems. He is actively involved in transmitter standards development including ANSI C63.10 and ANSI C63.26. He is a member of the Telecommunication Certification Body Council, IEEE EMC Society and is an iNarte® Certified EMC Engineer. Dan received his B.S.E.E.T. from DeVry University (1989). |
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Neil Hurley, Senior EMC EngineerElite Since 1989 (22 years) Mr. Hurley is part of Elite’s Military and Aerospace group and Head of the IT Department. He is chiefly responsible for technical writing at Elite authoring the majority of all EMC test plans. He is an internal auditor for the quality assurance team and assists with the administration of Elite’s ISO 17025 quality system and ISO Guide 65 certification systems. His specialized area of knowledge includes Military and Aerospace specifications and procedures. He is a member of the IEEE EMC Society and an iNarte® Certified EMC Engineer. Mr. Hurley received his degree from the College of Dupage, A.A.S. – Electronics Technology (1989). |
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Mark Longinotti, Senior EMC EngineerElite Since 1996 (15 years) Mr. Longinotti is an EMC engineer on Elite’s Commercial Test Services and is an integral member of our FCC Certification team. His expertise includes all testing and certifications for FCC and Industry Canada as well as CE and international compliance to the EMC and R&TTE Directive. He is a member of the IEEE EMC Society. Mr. Longinotti received his engineering degree from Tulane University B.S.E.E (1989). |
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Steve Laya, Sales and Marketing ManagerElite Since 1997 (14 years) Mr. Laya is Elite’s Sales and Marketing Manager. In addition to his technical sales and leadership responsibilities he also drives the development of new services for Elite. He is an internal auditor for the QA team and assists with the administration of Elite’s ISO 17025 quality system and ISO Guide 65 certification systems. His specialized area of knowledge includes CE Marking and international compliance regulations, reliability engineering, HALT/HASS, and lithium battery regulations. He is a member of the IEEE EMC Society and the Society of Automotive Engineers. Mr. Laya received his engineering degree from the University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana B.S.M.E (1983). |
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John Schmit, Inside Sales ManagerElite Since 1985 (26 years) Mr. Schmit is Elite’s Inside Sales Manage and is chiefly responsible for application engineering and customer support leading to the preparation of proposal for services. John has a broad background and an engineering understanding of the EMC test standards applied for Elite’s key markets. Mr. Schmit has authored several papers related to international compliance, as well as developed standards and client specific test plans for applications in the marine industry, construction industry, and for truck OEMs. Mr. Schmit received his degree in finance from the University of Illinois at Champaign. (1982). |
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John Lindberg, Environmental Department ManagerElite Since 2003 (8 years) Mr. Lindberg is the manager of Elite’s environmental stress testing department. He brings over 25 years experience in climatic and dynamic testing. In addition to his management responsibilities, he leads the development and implementation of new services and capabilities in the department. One of his key areas of expertise is in mechanical vibration and shock testing, both in the application of the test as well as in the operation, engineering support, and maintenance of the vibration test equipment. Mr. Lindberg also specializes in the design of vibration fixturing using Solidworks CAD tools. He is a member of the Institute of Environmental Science and Technology. John received his engineering degree from DeVry University (1983) and will be recieveing his B.A. in Business from DePaul University. He has also received a Certificate in Business Administration from the University of Illinois at Chicago (1997). |
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Chuck Thompson, Environmental Department Team LeaderElite Since 1996 (15 years) Mr. Thompson is Elite’s Environmental Department Team Leader responsible for supervision of day-to-day operations of Elite’s environmental simulation laboratory. Chuck’s range of knowledge extends broadly across all aspects of testing. He provides guidance, consulting, and technical feedback to clients with regard to test standards and methodology. Mr. Thompson directs the installation and construction of specialized test equipment and lab automation, and is responsible for ensuring the maintenance, calibration, and reliability of test equipment is at peak levels. He is a member of the Institute of Environmental Science and Technology (IEST). He received a Certificate in Business Administration from the University of Illinois at Chicago (2004). |
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Larry Brooks, Environmental Application EngineerElite Since 2006 (5 years) Larry is the chief application engineer for Elite’s environmental stress testing services. He brings over 10 years of experience in climatic, mechanical, electrical, and material testing. In addition to his sales and tech support duties, he develops new environmental test capabilities, supports department process improvements, and is a QA team internal auditor. Larry’s special area of expertise includes electro-mechanical testing and materials testing, both in the application of the test as well as in engineering support. He is a member of the Institute of Environmental Science and Technology and has earned a Certificate in Business Administration from the University of Illinois at Chicago (2008). |
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Adam Rohman, Sr. EMC Engineer and Test Services SchedulerElite since 2000 (11 years) Mr. Rohman is Elite’s single-point contact for all EMC, electrical, environmental stress, and mechanical test scheduling. In his current role, he maintains constant interaction with clients regarding project specifications, development plans, project statuses, timelines, and results. During his tenure with Elite, he has tested and analyzed electronic products in accordance with national and international standards for electro-magnetic compatibility and has directed complex, multi-system reliability programs. Adam is also on Elite’s Knowledge Management team, which is designed to create alignment of employee knowledge by focusing on predetermined industry topics. He holds a B.S.E.E.T from DeVry University and is an iNarte® Certified EMC Engineer. |
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Richard King, EMC EngineerElite Since 1999 (12 years) Rick is an EMC engineer specializing in the Elite’s Commercial Test Services and is an integral member of our FCC Certification team. His expertise includes all testing and certifications for FCC and Industry Canada as well as CE and International Compliance to the EMC and R&TTE Directive. |
| Technical Support Teams | |
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Calibration Department:Elite’s calibration department is responsible for managing the maintenance, calibration, and repair of over 2,500 pieces of test equipment. Calibration Team Members- Tom Klouda, Brelon Weathersby, and Tom Mulloy. Software Automation and IT:Elite has a long history of optimizing its efficiency by applying test automation to its processes. Today, Elite software is primarily written in Visual Basic to run on the Microsoft .NET Framework. Supporting this function are Sebastian Gola and Rich Jesinowski, both software engineers with significant expertise in EMC testing. Elite’s IT infrastructure is managed by Neil Hurly and Rob Fredres. |
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Acounting Department:Elaine Russo is the manager of AP/ AR. She also manages customer financial relations, and supports the overall business in assisting to secure purchase orders and equipment for testing. Elaine received her B.S. in Business and Urban Studies (1982) from Elmhurst College and her M.B.A. in Business from Keller Graduate School of Management (2006). Elaine has also earned a Certificate in Business Administration from the University of Illinois at Chicago. Administrative Services:Elite’s cheerful and friendly administrative staff is responsible for managing Accounts Payable/Receivable and HR, report processing, records management, customer services, and other office front functions. Kathy Barri and Margie Klouda |
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