The ArcWear Team
ArcWear’s team of professionals work closely with textile manufacturers, utilities and other companies to ensure the highest level of assurance related to arc flash safety. On September 1, 2020, ArcWear became a part of Kinectrics. ArcWear merged on April 1, 2021 with the much larger US subsidiary Kinectrics AES, Inc. to facilitate services to all subsidiaries. This added ArcWear to the US Kinectrics team of over 170 employees.
Joining Kinectrics fits in with both company’s missions and expands the services for life cycle management to the PPE sector.
We bring key experience and solid credentials to the testing and compliance needs of our clients, valuing excellence above all when it comes to arc flash and other arc rated and flame resistant PPE testing. With extensive experience in engineering, textiles, training, and manufacturing, we have the most qualified team in the arc flash and flame resistant PPE industry to get the most trusted results.
Brian Shiels, B.S. Univ. of SC , M.S. NC State
Service Line Manager
Brian Shiels is Senior PPE Engineer at ArcWear. His professional experience includes development and testing of flame and thermal protective clothing and equipment, as well as quality management. He holds several patents for FR fabrics and PPE. Brian is a long-standing member on a variety of Standards Development Organizations, including ASTM, NFPA, AATCC, and ISO. He currently serves as Vice-Chair for ASTM Committees D13 and F23. Brian currently serves as Director on the ASTM International Board of Directors and is the immediate past Chair of the ASTM Committee on Standards. He has also served a term on the AATCC Executive Committee on Research. Brian holds a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry from the University of South Carolina and a Master of Science in Textile Chemistry from North Carolina State University, with a special focus on protective clothing.
Stacy Klausing, B.S., M.S. University of KY
PPE Project Manager
Stacy Klausing is the PPE Project Manager at ArcWear. Her professional experience includes project management in testing laboratories, testing and evaluating fabric related to PPE, the quality process of continuous improvement, and execution and management of an ISO 17025 accredited quality system. She earned her Master of Science degree from the University of Kentucky in Merchandising, Apparel, and Textiles with a special focus on Textile Science. Stacy is a Six Sigma Green Belt from North Carolina State University.
Hugh Hoagland, B.A., Post Bacc University of Louisville
Senior Consultant
ArcWear Founder Hugh Hoagland, an expert on electrical arc testing and safety, has helped develop arc-rated rainwear and face shields and has numerous patents related to arc flash protection. Hugh has aided in the development of legislation and standards in the U.S. and globally; He serves on ASTM F18, IEC TC78 and the IEEE Electrical Safety Committee as a U.S. based expert on arc flash and electrical safety. Hugh is a highly sought-after speaker on arc flash research and has performed more than 95% of the world’s arc flash testing on PPE. His accident investigation studies and research have been published in IEEE, ASTM, and in the Handbook of Fire Resistant Textiles.
Claude Maurice, B. Sc.
Sr. Consultant
Claude Maurice is a consultant at ArcWear; Claude has over thirty years experience in the testing and qualification of electrical and safety related equipment for the electrical industry. Claude has led a wide range of multi-disciplinary research projects involving electrical equipment performance and safety, and also participates on technical committees for standards development at ASTM and IEC.
Agnes Bolek, B. Sc. Technical University of Lodz
Lead Textile Technician
Agnes Bolek is the Laboratory Technologist at ArcWear. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Textile Engineering and Marketing at the Technical University of Lodz, Poland, with a special focus on Knitting Technology. She brings years of laboratory experience, and while she is new to the PPE evaluation world, she is excited to use her textile knowledge and expertise to provide customers with the reliable data they need to get to market.
Julia Wayne, B.S., M.S. University of Louisville
Technical Writer
Julia Wayne serves as the Technical Writer at ArcWear. Julia received her Bachelor of Arts in History from DePauw University and Master of Arts in Higher Education from the University of Louisville. Prior to joining ArcWear, Julia worked for over nine years in university development and donor relations. As a Technical Writer, Julia assists the entire ArcWear team and facilitates the preparation of testing materials and reports, including communication with customers, fabric preparation, reporting, and writing.
Terri Wettle, B.S.
Laboratory Technologist
Terri Wettle is the Laboratory Technologist at ArcWear. She earned a Bachelor of Science and brings her detail oriented skills to produce reliable data for our customers.
Suzie Dabbain, B.S., M.S. University of Kentucky
Laboratory Assistant
Suzie Dabbain is the Laboratory Assistant at ArcWear. She has earned a joint B.B.A in Marketing and B.S. in Merchandising, Apparel & Textiles as well as a M.S. in Retail & Tourism Management with a focus on Textile Science – all from the University of Kentucky. Suzie is also a Six Sigma Green Belt from North Carolina State University. As a Laboratory Assistant, Suzie is responsible for maintaining compliance with ISO 17025 accreditation by producing reliable and precise data, as well as maintaining accurate records and reporting within the quality system for our small-scale testing. She connects with clients to provide guidance on technical specifications and to execute testing and reporting. Suzie also serves as a technical committee member on ASTM F18 Electrical, ASTM D13 Textiles, and ASTM F23 Personal Protective Equipment.