John Kinnear is an SH&A Senior Associate specializing in process & system technology, and facility certification in accordance with ANSI/ESD S20.20. John is well known globally for his technical contributions to national and international ESD standards since 1990, and for innovations in facility certification program development. John is a Senior Engineer in the Classical Test department of IBM in Poughkeepsie, NY, where he has been the ESD Site Coordinator for the Poughkeepsie site since 1989. He is the past chairman of the IBM Inter-divisional Technical Liaison Committee for ESD Protection and is an important member of his company’s committee to develop and implement the ESD Corporate program for IBM.

A respected member of the ESD Association since 1990, John has served in several Standards Development Committees as well as association management positions. Based on his long-term contributions to ESD Standards development and in-depth technical qualifications, John is the appointed Technical Adviser to the United States National Committee/IEC Technical Committee 101, where he personally represents the United States to the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC). In this important position he assisted in the evolution of international ESD standards and supports international adoption of ANSI/ESD S20.20.

As Vice Chair of the ESDA’s Facility Certification (ANSI/ESD S20.20) development program, John played major roles in the program’s development and industry launch. In particular, John coordinated the initial development of Lead Assessor training, ISO Registrar Certification and witness audits. Through his efforts ESD Program Certification is provided to electronics manufacturing facilities through these 3rd party ISO9000 registrars. John has trained approximately half of the global ESDA Certified ISO9000 Lead Assessors.

 John has made many contributions to the growth of the ESD Association. He has served in every ESD Association officer’s position, including Vice President, Senior Vice President and President. He is the past Chairman of the EOS/ESD Symposium Technical Program Committee and is presently General Chairman of the 2004 EOS/ESD Symposium.