Scott Reis
Vollmer of America
Scott Ries is the PCD Division Manager for Vollmer of America, with responsibility for assisting companies with PCD growth and processing activities in North America. Prior to joining Vollmer, Scott was employed by Diamond Innovations, previously known as GE Superabrasives, for over 29 years. He held many technical and managerial roles related to the manufacturing and engineering of PCD materials. He was the global resource for EDM (electrical discharge machining) of these materials and most recently held the position of Quality and Operations Manager where he was responsible for the global production of the PCD and PCBN product lines. He is listed as inventor/co-inventor on seven PCD related patents.
Karen Fender
Sales Manager CRI
Karen has been in the centerless machine tool business for over 15 years working with manufacturers to improve processes and productivity of grinding operations.
CRI remanufactures Cincinnati centerless grinders, retrofitting the machines to improve capability for beyond OEM original design. CRI customizes the machine for optimum production.
George R. Thomas
Department of Commerce
In 2003, George R. Thomas joined the U.S. Commercial Specialist as a Senior Trade Specialist.
George began his international career as a Rotary Exchange Student in Argentina, followed by additional studies in Spain and France. He entered the private sector, as an international banker with predecessor banks of Wachovia were he held positions responsible for trade finance and regional banking in Latin America, Europe, Middle East and Africa. He was posted as a bank representative in Sao Paulo, Brazil.
Mobilization as an Army Officer during Desert Storm interrupted his banking career. During the first Gulf War, he worked as an advisor to the Kuwaiti Government in exile in Washington, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait City, where he assisted in the reopening of the Central Bank of Kuwait and the U.S. Embassy. Returning to the private sector, as a Senior Manager with KPMG Peat Marwick, he managed an overseas project in support of the United Nations Gulf War Claims Compensation Commission. Returning to the US, he was again mobilized for Operation Just Cause, Haiti where he was posted as an advisor in the country’s Central Bank. Returning to the States, he joined QVC, the television-shopping channel in Pennsylvania, where he participated in the launch of new businesses in Germany, Japan and Mexico.
With the U.S. Commercial Service in 2006, he was assigned on temporary duty as Senior Commercial Officer in the U.S. Embassy, Guatemala with responsibility for our services in Guatemala and Honduras.
Mr. Thomas has lived in seven countries outside the U.S., and has international business experience in over 40 countries. He speaks Spanish, French, Portuguese and some German. He holds a MA from the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs at Syracuse University.
After 34 years in the U.S. Army Reserves, Mr. Thomas retired in 2002 with the rank of Colonel. In addition to being a veteran of the Gulf War, he has been mobilized for Army Reserve duty in Germany, Italy, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Panama, Haiti, Chile, Honduras and Paraguay.
George knows how to sharpen tools, but looking to improve his skills.
