Faculty

L. Duane Griffiths
Manager of Educational Services, Professor, Author
616.698.7500, x1250; griffiths@stilesmachinery.com 

With over 35 years experience in the wood industry, Duane is highly regarded in his profession as both an educator and author.  In 1990 Duane established Stiles Education, and through his direction, the education department has been recognized as one of the WMIA's Educators of the Year and also has earned the highly prestigious accreditation by IACET.  He actively assists several trade associations and WoodLINKS USA.  Prior to Stiles Duane served as director of the National Wood Technology center at Pittsburg State University and other Universities and woodworking companies.

Kevin Bonz
Instructor - CNC Machining Centers (Homag BOF, Heian, Heesemann, Bütfering)
616.698.7500, x1289; bonz@stilesmachinery.com

Kevin brings over 22 years of experience in the panel processing industry to the classroom.  His expertise in the area of CNC operation, programming, tooling and troubleshooting make him a well-versed instructor.  Having an extensive background in electronics, technical support and rebuild/retrofit services, Kevin can easily relate to the challenges faced by his students in his CNC router, widebelt sanders and WoodWOP software courses.

Scott Gowell
Instructor - Edgebanding and Electrical Troubleshooting (Homag, Brandt)
616.698.7500, x1513; sgowell@stilesmachinery.com

Scott is the latest addition to the Stiles Education faculty.  He brings with him an extensive military training background along with a passion for woodworking.  His teaching assignments will primarily center on throughfeed edgebanders, electrical troubleshooting and pneumatics courses.

Victor Matthews
National Service Training Supervisor
616.698.7500, x1266; vmatthews@stilesmachinery.com

After joining Stiles in 1993 as a service technician, Victor moved to Stiles Education in 1995 as an instructor, teaching operation and maintenance courses on throughfeed edgebanders, sliding table saws and panel saws.  His area of expertise is European schematics and troubleshooting.  Victor is primarily responsible for the training and development of Stiles Field Service Representatives.

Phil Rasey
Instructor - Weeke Operation, Programming & Maintenance
616.698.7500, x1139; prasey@stilesmachinery.com

Phil joined Stiles as a Field Service Representative in 1998 and joined Stiles Education in 2001.  Phil is our Weeke machining center expert, teaching programming, operation and maintenance courses.  Prior to Stiles, Phil owned and operated a woodworking business for ten years.  Previous experience as an instructor in the U.S. Navy led to a great fit for his two interests: teaching and woodworking.

Judy Cisler
Project Supervisor / Customized Training, Marketing,
Web Content & Executive Briefing Conference,
Grants & Certificate Program
616.698.7500, ext. 1246; jcisler@stilesmachinery.com

Diana Turner
Administrative Coordinator/ Registration
616.698.7500, ext. 1625; dturner@stilesmachinery.com

Steve Baldry
Edge Processing Group Specialist
Expertise: Homag BAZ/BAK machines
Courses: BZ101

Steve Call
Solid Wood Technologies Project Manager
Expertise: Kentwood rip saws
Courses: WD200

Jeff Cherry
National Technical Support Specialist
Expertise: CoDeSys programming and troubleshooting
Courses: TD800

Volkmar Ege
National Technical Support Specialist
Expertise: SIMATIC STEP-7 software 
Courses: TD900

Gary Hurd
Field Service Representative
Expertise: Kentwood moulders and Kentwood grinders
Courses: WD055, WD100

Marty Jones
Product Manager - Veneering
Expertise: Veneering techniques and processes
Courses: VE100

Mike Macon
Expertise: Weeke WoodWOP programming and operation
Courses: MC080, MC081, MC090, MC091

Robert Paulson
Project Team Leader
Expertise: Holzma panel saws
Courses: PS103, PS104

Don Pletcher
National Technical Support Specialist
Expertise: Heian CNC routers and electrical instruction for Weinmann home fabrication systems
Courses: CR503 and customized classes

Brett Silva
Technical Advisor
Expertise: Holzma panel saws
Courses: PS103, PS104, PS504, PS801

Shawn Smith
Technical Support Specialist
Expertise: Holzma panel saws
Courses: PS103, PS104, PS504

Colin Standish
National Technical Support Specialist
Expertise: Kentwood moulders and Kentwood grinders
Courses: WD055, WD100