Paul was born and raised in Michigan and attended Michigan Technological University. Paul’s career in the industry has spanned 50 years. He began work as a shift supervisor at the White Pine Copper Mine, then went on to work at the Michigan Tech Student Mine. The majority of Paul’s career was spent at the Homestake Gold Mine in South Dakota where he worked as a miner, a blaster, and eventually as an engineer. When Homestake closed in 2001, Paul began working on the manufacturing side of the explosives industry. He started with SEC Explosives, moved on to Orica Explosives, and retired from The Austin Powder Company in 2022. Currently Paul is the International Sales Director at Stemlock Inc., as well as an underground blast consultant. Paul resides in the Black Hills of South Dakota with his wife Leann. 

Dan was born and raised in South Dakota and attended Michigan Technological University. Dan began working in the mining industry while in college with the Buckley Powder Company. After graduation Dan worked in the Frac Sand mining industry with Unimin Corporation and Sargent Sand Company up until 2017, when he too moved over to the manufacturing side of the explosives industry joining The Austin Powder Company. Dan currently works as a Product Manager for a variety of Austin Powder products including Cast Boosters, Packaged Products and Non-Electric Initiation Systems. Dan resides in Iowa with his wife Katie and two sons Walter and George.

What led you both to pursue a career in explosives engineering?

P - While working at the White Pine Copper mine an opportunity came up to become a driller / blaster. It paid more and looked interesting, so I jumped at the chance.

D – Being around my dad growing up I was exposed to the industry at an early age. I come from a long lineage of miners so a career in the mining and explosives industry was a natural fit.

What aspects of explosives engineering are you both most passionate about?

P – I have always been interested in the development of new methods of blasting and breaking rock safer and more efficiently. I love the history that our industry is built upon and am an avid collector of explosives antiques and memorabilia. Throughout my career I have tried to help educate younger blasters and prepare the next generation as they move into our industry.

D – I am very interested in the history behind a lot of the different products in our industry. I love collecting books on explosive components, formulations and history and have an ever-growing library. I have enjoyed getting to understand how explosive products are used by blasters and what we as manufacturers can do to make those products safer and easier to use. In the last couple of years, I have started working with the International Association of Bomb Technicians and Investigators (IABTI) to help educate members of the association on the commercial side of the explosives industry. I have found this to be very rewarding.

How has being members of ISEE benefited your professional development individually and as a team?

P & D – I think we can both agree that the ISEE has provided both of us with great opportunities for networking. Local chapter meetings, training seminars and sessions, as well as the national meetings were great places to expand our knowledge bases as well as meet other people throughout the industry. Attending meetings and being involved with ISEE has also been a great place to expand our resource pool for answering questions. For the most part, members of the ISEE are willing to help solve one another’s problems that arise throughout our various projects. There is always someone out there who knows the answer.

Can you share a memorable ISEE experience that stands for the both of you?

D – This past year I was able to be present at the 2023 ISEE Meeting in San Antonio and witness my dad being presented with the Distinguished Service Award. Getting to see him receive industry recognition for his hard work along with some of his valued peers such as Steve Harris and Seth Burns who also received awards was very memorable. I am thankful that my company allowed me to be there and that my mom was also able to attend this event. It’s a great feeling to know that we work in an industry with a professional organization like the ISEE that takes the time to recognize the members who have worked to build into what it is today.

What’s one piece of advice you would give to individuals considering a career in explosives, especially those who are part of a family legacy like yours?

P – Always continue learning and be willing to learn no matter what point you are at in your career. Even today, with 50 years in the experience, I am still learning things. There are so many more resources available now than ever before. Keep looking for opportunities to expand what you know. The explosives industry can be extremely rewarding depending on the level of work that you put into it.

D – Never be afraid to ask questions. Sometimes its ok to not be the smartest person in the room. We have many people in our industry who have worked for a lot of years and have tons of information, experience and stories to share. Don’t be afraid to reach out to these co-workers and peers and to learn from their advice and experiences. One other piece of advice is to collect business cards at meetings and conferences. Reach back out with a phone call or an email to the people that you meet and let them know that you appreciate their time spent speaking with you. Developing personal relationships can be key to getting problems solved down the road that you may encounter on the job site or when working on a project.