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Peter Gehring, Instructor
Peter Gehring graduated from Bucknell University with a BA in Fine
Art (major-Painting). He is an experienced CAD instructor and architectural
and engineering designer. As a New Jersey certified Drafting Instructor
he helped students become proficient in AutoCAD release 13 through 2000,
as well as Autodesk Architectural Desktop and 3D Studio Viz. Previously
he worked ten years with Perks-Reutter Associates, an architecture and
engineering consulting firm.
Here he gained valuable “front line experience” as a NICET
certified bridge and construction inspector, surveyor, CAD designer and
project manager. Since 2001 Peter has been employed with Synergis Technologies
as an Application Engineer achieving the Autodesk Architectural Desktop
Certified Expert status. Recently he has taken on responsibilities as
Director of Building & Infrastructure Solutions. In this capacity
he is responsible leading a team of Design Applications Engineers, as
well as educating, supporting and helping clients implement the solutions
offered by Synergis. Peter’s strengths include a passion for learning
new technologies and sharing this knowledge with others, an empathetic
concern for clients’ problems and the ability to communicate solutions
to them, a solid background in art, architecture and engineering, and
the ability to transform an idea into reality.
Trained and Certified in:
- Architectural Desktop 3.3
- Building Services Mechanical
- Building Services Electrical
- 3d Studio Viz (Viz 4)
- Land Development 3 (included Civil, Survey)
- Map 5
- Autodesk 2002
- LT2002
- Volo View
- NJ Certified Asphalt Paving Inspector
- NICET (National Institute for Certification of Engineering Technicians)
- -Level II Bridge Inspector
- -Level II Highway Construction Inspector
- Cisco Networking Academy Certified Instructor
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Jim Swain, Instructor
Jim has been with Synergis since 1997, and has over 20 years of CAD
experience. Prior to joining Synergis he worked in the consumer electronics
and automotive industries as a design engineer, a test engineer, and
as a CAD administrator. He has also taught design classes at the college
level. Jim’s broad knowledge base helps him to understand customers'
problems and offer appropriate solutions. Jim earned BS and MS degrees
in Mechanical Engineering from Lehigh University. Jim is also a certified
Inventor Expert, having been in the first group of people to take and
pass the Autodesk Inventor Certified Expert Exam at Autodesk University
in 2003. He has also presented classes at Autodesk University.
Trained and Certified In:
- Inventor 5
- Mechanical Desktop 6
- AutoCAD 2002
- Mechanical 6
- Mechanical Desktop 3,4 and 5
- AutoCAD 14, 2002 and 2000i
- Mechanical 2000 and 2000i
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Joe Ranieri, Instructor
Joe has a Master's Degree in Mechanical Engineering from Penn State
University and a Master's of Computer Science from Villanova University,
with a Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering from City College in New York.
Joe joined the instructional team at Synergis teaching AutoCAD Essentials
and AutoCAD Mechanical Desktop classes.As an industry consultant for
over twenty years, Joe has applied CAD and CAE principles to problems
in design engineering and product development.
With a broad base of experience in the industry, Joe has taught college
level mathematics and finite element analysis.Joe has participated in
engineering software development teams at Boeing Helicopter and General
Electric.His easy manner and problem solving approach to teaching makes
him a much sought after instructor.
Trained and Certified in:
- Mechanical Desktop
- AutoCAD Mechanical
- AutoCAD
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Tim Varner
Tim Varner has been the Academic Solutions Representative in Western
Pennsylvania since 1986, joining the Synergis team in January of 1997.
After graduating from California University of Pennsylvania, he taught
drafting for several years in the Montgomery County (MD) Public Schools.
He left education to take a position as Regional Manager for Training
and Technical Support with the Interactive Graphics Division of Bausch
and Lomb in Pittsburgh.
This combination of teaching and industry experience has proven invaluable
in his current position, giving him a unique perspective on the needs
of industry and the needs of educators. Tim’s Goal: “To provide
teachers with the tools and training necessary to meet the technology
challenges of the twenty-first century to ensure that educators can provide
their students with the opportunities that will help them succeed.”
Trained and Certified in:
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Ken Hilke
Ken has been teaching at the Butler County Area Vocational Technical
School for the past 23 years. He is a graduate of Indiana University of
Pennsylvania in Vocational Education. He has 19 years experience teaching
AutoCAD, starting with version 1.9. He also spent considerable time teaching
adults for CAD and machinists for state apprenticeship programs. He consulted
for various businesses in the area. Before coming to education he worked
in the industry for Rockwell International, and Alcoa Aluminium.
Trained and Certified in:
- Inventor
- Architectural Desktop
- AutoCAD
- Revit
- VizMasterCam
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Monica Martinscek
Monica received an Associate's Degree from Pittsburgh Technical Institute.
For the past four years she has been teaching at the Beaver County Area
Vocational Technical School. She teaches Autodesk Revit.
Trained and Certified in:
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David Hitt
Originally trained as a landscape architect, David began learning 3D modeling and animation on his own in the early 1990's and applied those skills within the context of architectural visualization. After a series of freelance stints, he took his first full-time job in the field in 1997, working for a 3D company that specialized in visualization and scene modeling for multimedia clients. Because of his early visualization background, David has developed a particular skill in creating highly detailed and textured environments.
In 2001, David launched his own 3D company, Splat Productions. Drawing on an established background in design visualization, Splat has continued to produce projects for design and construction professionals, but has also extended its professional reach to include 3D animation and motion graphics work for clients in broadcast and on the web.
In addition to running Splat, David also teaches 3D and compositing part-time at the Art Institute of Philadelphia, and has trained for a number of Authorized Discreet Training Centers on the East Coast. He is also a past program director of the Philadelphia chapter of the 3ds max Users' Group.
Trained and Certified in:
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Ken James
Ken has a Vocational I and II PA Teaching Certificate along with a Certificate
of Competence, Architectural drafting, NOCTI. He has been the Drafting
Design Instructor at the Berks Career & Technology Center in Oley,
PA for the past 12 years where he is responsible for post-secondary instruction.
Ken also teaches various computer-related software programs to adult
learners. From 1993 to 1996 he served as the Technology Coordinator for
network administration for the school. Ken is also an adjunct instructor
at Penn State Harrisburg Campus and Harrisburg Community College Lancaster
Campus.
Trained and Certified in:
- Inventor
- AutoCAD
- Revit
- 3dsMax
- Viz
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Jim Law
Jim has an Associate’s Degree in Architectural Design and has
been training and supporting Autodesk applications for over 12 years.
He started on release 9 and is efficient through the current release.
Jim has had experience in the mechanical drafting industry with many
early products, such as Autodesk’s Designer, and was formally trained
in Amburg, Germany on Genius. After working for Synergis for 8 years,
Jim went into the field to gather real life experience in the architectural
industry. In those 4 years he helped design a 360,000 square foot high
school using Autodesk Architectural Desktop and was instrumental in
developing CAD Standards for one of the Philadelphia area’s best
mechanical and electrical consulting firms.
Jim adds fun to the training environment. He emphasizes interaction
with the students to help the learning process and to bring out questions
and comments. “The best way to learn is to relax and have some
fun” is Jim’s philosophy!
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