Howard Doctor, aspiring Boulevardier.In 1962, he received 'The Young Scientists Approach to Magnetism' as a prize for academic progress, and it was this slim, innocuous book that started him on this long, long road. In his formative years, he participated in pirate radio, then became a skilled concert sound engineer, eventually teaching the techniques and technology at Grant McEwan College, in Alberta. Howard has spent many years designing and refining transducers for professional, hi-fi and automotive applications. As a founder of AVI, he created a family of exceptional drivers which exploited advanced composites and low-distortion magnetics. His designs can be identified by their outstanding performance and remarkable market acceptance. Since 1988, Howard has provided guidance to dozens of manufacturers on advanced materials, a task that has required auditing 390 different manufacturing operations, worldwide. These audits have provided a wealth of information on their strengths and limitations, and created a database of 4,600 sources, encompassing every facet of product design, development, production and quality control. Howard's skill-set includes elements of industrial design, materials science, structural, mechanical, magnetic, electrical, thermal and acoustic engineering. He is highly respected in the industry as the author of 170 published articles, as well as for textbooks on loudspeaker adhesives, and on voice coils. He still treasures the little book that started it all.Specialties: 37 years experience in design, development, manufacturing, and QC, of transducers and systems. Experienced liaison between clients and manufacturers, involving extensive international travel. Encyclopedic knowledge of prior art and current developments. Extensive lab-test, validation,and evaluation skills, including translating measured data into cost effective product improvements. Superb communication skills, and a constructive, cooperative personality.