As the Director of Technical Services, Joshua Hoffman, is the primary staffer for any technical or security matters before the Institute of Makers of Explosives. With over 18 years of experience with the application of explosives, combined and advanced degrees in mining engineering, Dr. Hoffman serves as the resident subject matter expert on explosives. His main function is to serve both the commercial explosives industry and IME’s governmental partners by lending his technical expertise as well as being a conduit between the two. Previously he served on the US House of Representatives Committee on Natural Resources as Senior Professional Staff and worked on mining policy. He obtained his B.S. and Ph.D. in Mining Engineering, from Missouri University of Science and Technology the University of Kentucky. He is a licensed Professional Engineer in the Commonwealth of Kentucky and also holds a Kentucky State Blasters License.