ChatNAPT with A.I. Chatterbots Chuck & Howie

Season 2 of ChatNAPT brought together some of the brightest minds in metrology, calibration, quality, and accreditation to share real-world lessons on leadership, workforce development, innovation, and technical excellence. From CEOs and laboratory owners to NASA experts and quality leaders, our guests discussed the challenges facing today's laboratories and the strategies helping organizations st...

What does it take to grow a family business into one of the most recognized names in weighing and measurement? In this episode of ChatNAPT, Chuck and Howie sit down with, Bobby Feigler President and CEO of Michelli Weighing & Measurement. Bobby shares the story behind Michelli’s growth from a small New Orleans business founded in 1947 to a company serving customers across the country. The conv...

What can you learn from managing metrology in a nuclear environment and how can it make your lab run better? In this episode of ChatNAPT, Chuck and Howie sit down with Heath Moore, Senior Manager of Calibration Services at the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA). With nearly three decades of experience, Heath shares what it takes to lead calibration operations where downtime is not an option and ever...

What does a 40-year career in metrology really look like and how do you build one that lasts? In this episode of ChatNAPT , Chuck and Howie sit down with Danae Powell, General Manager of Precision Measurement at Carlton Industrial Solutions and a longtime leader in the metrology community. From her early days in the Marine Corps to leading teams and building labs, Danae shares the real story behin...

What will it take to close the growing skills gap in metrology and who’s leading the charge? In this episode of ChatNAPT, Chuck and Howie sit down with Ken Racen, Director of Operations at Applied Technical Services and founder of the Metrology Institute, to discuss workforce development, education, and the future of the industry. Ken shares his vision for building a centralized hub for metrology...

What does it take to lead metrology at a global manufacturer and where can those skills take you beyond the lab? In this episode of ChatNAPT, Chuck and Howie sit down with Steve Stahley of Cummins, Inc., Director of Measurement Excellence, recipient of the 2025 Wildhack Award, and brewery owner, to talk leadership, technical excellence, and career growth.  Steve shares insight on accreditation, un...

In this episode, Chuck and Howie welcome Troy Thomas, President of Essco Calibration Laboratory, back to the show, but this time Troy takes the lead and turns the tables on the hosts. Instead of being interviewed, he brings the questions many labs have about proficiency testing and what really happens behind the scenes. Chuck and Howie share their perspective on how artifacts are characterized, ho...

Chuck and Howie hit pause midseason to return to the open, unscripted conversations that launched ChatNAPT. Starting with recent headlines, they dig into responsibility, ethics, and the real-world impact of metrology work—especially how small oversights and complacency can snowball into bigger issues. They also discuss leadership, mentorship, accreditation, and staying engaged for long-term profes...

In this episode, Chuck and Howie sit down with Stephen Doty to reflect on a career that spans Navy calibration work, pressure and vacuum metrology, accreditation program leadership, and quality management at NASA. Stephen shares what brought him out of retirement and into the metrology lab at Marshall Space Flight Center, and how that environment encourages collaboration, shared best practices, an...

In this episode, Chuck and Howie welcome Tom Lilly, CEO of Global Cents, to talk about a topic that impacts every accredited lab: document control. Tom shares how regulated organizations manage SOPs, approvals, records retention, and audit readiness and why “if it’s not documented, it didn’t happen” still drives quality. The conversation also covers leadership, lessons from military service, and h...

In this episode, Chuck and Howie sit down with Patrick Jester, Founder of Blackthorn Consulting Group, to explore his unconventional path through aviation, military service, metrology, law, and leadership. Patrick shares how mentorship, discipline, and a commitment to excellence shaped his career—from Black Hawk helicopters to ISO/IEC 17025 assessments and consulting. The conversation dives into l...

In this episode, Chuck and Howie talk with Jon Sanders, President of Additel Corporation, to uncover how technical curiosity, mentorship, and a people-first mindset shaped his path from Hart Scientific and Fluke to leading a rapidly growing metrology company. Jon shares his perspective on simplifying measurement workflows, using automation and AI in meaningful ways, developing talent from within,...

In this episode, Chuck and Howie talk with Henry Zumbrun, President and fourth-generation leader of Morehouse Instrument Company, to uncover practical insights you can use to strengthen your own measurement programs—from modernizing processes and applying clear decision rules to reducing risk and improving training. Henry shares how curiosity, mentorship, and hands-on problem-solving can accelerat...

In this episode, Chuck and Howie sit down with Michael Walsh, former owner of Essco Calibration Laboratory, to trace his journey from a small family business to one of the nation’s most respected calibration labs—now part of Transcat. Michael shares how his father’s work on the Apollo missions inspired Essco’s beginnings, how teamwork and trust fueled its growth, and why investing in young talent...

Chuck and Howie continue Season 2 with a deep dive into the evolution of calibration management software with Rhett Price, CEO of IndySoft. From humble beginnings in a small calibration lab to leading one of the industry’s fastest growing software companies, Rhett shares how innovation, teamwork, and customer focus have driven IndySoft’s success. They explore how digital transformation, cloud tech...

Chuck and Howie kick off Season 2 with a candid, behind-the-scenes look at how metrology is shifting in today’s world, from industry consolidation and evolving technician training to the never-ending debate around measurement uncertainty. They mix sharp insights with humor and real-world stories, challenging listeners to think about where the field is headed and what it really means to keep precis...

After 14 episodes of metrology insights, industry banter, and real talk, ChatNAPT closes out Season 1 with a heartfelt and entertaining finale. Chuck and Howie look back on conversations with 11 standout guests, share behind-the-scenes stories, and hint at what’s ahead in Season 2, from C-suite spotlights to metrology-musician jam sessions. They also dive into integrity, risk, and why “buyer bewar...

Episode 13 of ChatNAPT with A.I. Chatterbots Chuck & Howie features a sit-down with longtime metrology figure Ted Green, a self-taught electronics enthusiast whose fascination with schematics and gadgets in high school launched a career that’s taken him from military tech school to leading one of the Navy’s premier calibration labs. Now serving as the Technical Manager at the Navy Cal Lab in S...

Episode 12 of ChatNAPT with A.I. Chatterbots Chuck & Howie dives into a hot-button issue shaking up the calibration world: ethics and integrity. Joined by industry veteran Jeremy Sims, founder of NexusCal and longtime metrology professional, they explore where things go wrong, from pencil-whipped calibrations to inconsistent standards enforcement. Jeremy shares insights from decades of auditin...

Episode 11 of ChatNAPT with A.I. Chatterbots Chuck & Howie features Ryan Egbert, President and founder of Sine Calibration and Sine Certified, talking about the critical need for hands-on training in the metrology field. From military roots to civilian solutions, Ryan shares how his program is helping bridge the gap, especially for transitioning veterans. 

Episode 10 of ChatNAPT with A.I. Chatterbots Chuck & Howie features metrology veteran Dilip Shah, President at E=mc3 Solutions. With over 45 years of experience, Dilip shares how his fascination with measurements began at the age of seven and evolved into a career marked by industry-shaping contributions. The trio discusses Dilip’s impact on standards, training, and certifications, his philoso...

Episode 9 of ChatNAPT with A.I. Chatterbots Chuck & Howie features Troy Thomas, President of Essco, about his unexpected journey into the metrology world—from answering a newspaper ad to leading a successful calibration company. They discuss the changing landscape of talent in the field, the importance of curiosity over credentials, and what makes someone truly excel in metrology. The conversa...

Episode 8 of ChatNAPT with A.I. Chatterbots Chuck & Howie features metrology legend Christopher Grachanen, whose decades-long career spans the U.S. Air Force, NASA, Compaq, and National Instruments. A pioneer in the field, Chris developed the original free Uncertainty Calculator and other widely used tools that transformed calibration labs around the world. He shares stories of innovation, lea...

Episode 7 of ChatNAPT with A.I. Chatterbots Chuck & Howie features Peter Unger, co-founder of IQEIS and former President & CEO of A2LA. With decades of experience from NIST to building A2LA, Peter shares how the organization got its start, the role of General Motors, and why proficiency testing is essential to lab accreditation. Chuck and Howie reflect on their early days with Peter, discu...

In this sixth episode of ChatNAPT with A.I. Chatterbots Chuck & Howie, we’re looking back at the people, places, and moments that made the first half of our podcast journey so memorable. From trade show floors filled with familiar faces to behind-the-scenes laughs about bourbon preferences and three-wheeled scooters, this episode captures the heart of the metrology community. You’ll hear highl...