Overview: This roundtable will focus on the similarities and differences between the high-altitude electromagnetic pulse (HEMP) created by a nuclear detonation in space and intentional electromagnetic interference (IEMI) caused by electromagnetic weapons. Both the threats and protection methods will be reviewed. In addition the roundtable will include a discussion of misconceptions concerning HEMP/IEMI and their impacts on electronic systems.

Panelists:

George H. (Hal) Baker, Ph.D.
George Baker is emeritus professor of applied science at James Madison University. In addition to teaching graduate and undergraduate S&T courses, Baker directed the start-up and served as Technical Director of the university’s Institute for Infrastructure and Information Assurance (IIIA). Much of his career was spent at the Defense Nuclear Agency (DNA) and the Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA) directing a national programs to protect strategic systems against EMP, including developing protection standards and guidelines. He led DNA’s EMP research and development program and served as principal staff for the Congressional EMP Commission. A primary consulting area stems from his experience as Director of DTRA’s Springfield Research Facility, a national center for critical system all-hazards vulnerability assessment which he now applies to projects involving national infrastructure assurance and community resilience. He consults in the areas of critical infrastructure protection, EMP and geomagnetic disturbance (GMD) protection, nuclear and directed energy weapon effects, and risk assessment. He presently serves on the Board of Directors of the Nonprofit Foundation for Resilient Societies, the Board of Advisors for the Congressional Task Force on National and Homeland Security, the JMU Research and Public Service Advisory Board, the North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) GMD Task Force, the EMP Coalition, and Infragard. Baker holds a Ph.D. in engineering physics from the U.S. Air Force Institute of Technology and an M.S. in physics from the University of Virginia.

Michael A. Caruso
Director, Government & Specialty Business Development
ETS-Lindgren
Mr. Caruso is a recognized leader in the RF Shielded Enclosure/Anechoic Chamber Industry with 30-years’ experience in account management, project management, technical applications, business development, marketing and sales planning. He has participated in US and international business opportunities and projects involving, start-ups, product launches, budgeting, proposal preparation and project management. He has a successful track record in assisting customers with technological interpretations, finding and developing strategic partnerships that creates value for customers and end-users. His operational experience in running an EMC Laboratory adds to his depth of knowledge of real-world testing and leadership challenges.

Mr. Caruso chairs ETS-Lindgren’s HEMP/EMP Product Team and has been involved in a sales, design, engineering and project management capacity for hundreds of projects involving high performance RF Shielding, both large and small over the years totaling over $75MM. Among them is the Benefield Anechoic Facility located at Edwards AFB, CA, and the very first ferrite lined 10-Meter Anechoic Chamber in North America for IBM, Austin, TX. Mr. Caruso led the EMC Power Electronics testing program for the Boeing 787-8 while at Ingenium Testing Laboratory.