Schedule - Pennsylvania Drilling and Blasting Conference

2027 Schedule

The 2027 schedule will be posted here as soon as it is available. The 2025 schedule is shown below for reference.

Thursday, November 13, 2025

General Sessions

Time	Session
7:00–7:05 a.m.	Welcome and Conference Logistics
7:05–8:00 a.m.	PA State Police: Explosives and Roadside Enforcement, Michael Brooks and Paul Burns Session chair: Dave Harrison
8:00–8:30 a.m.	Trends in PA Blasting and Why Where Matters, Chris Catalano Session chair: Dave Harrison
8:30–9:00 a.m.	Blasting in NYC 5 Boroughs, Frank Lucca Session chair: Dave Harrison
9:00–10:00 a.m.	Crazy Horse Memorial, Jeff Hermanson Session chair: Dave Harrison
10:00–10:30 a.m.	Break — Presidents Hall
10:30–11:15 a.m.	Dealing with Blasting Complaints (Legal Aspect), Ralph Burnham Session chair: Matt Tomlin
11:15 a.m.–noon	How to Mitigate and Remediate Misfire Situations in the Surface Mining and Quarrying Environments with the Help of Digital Tools, Elijah Williams Session chair: Matt Tomlin
Noon–1:00 p.m.	Lunch — Presidents Hall and Senate Suites
1:00–1:45 p.m.	Blasting Near Water Wells – Wading Through Murky Waters, Benny Staudt Session chair: Aaron Christ
1:45–2:30 p.m.	Distributed Fiberoptic Sensing for Drilling and Blasting Monitoring, Shimin Liu Session chair: Aaron Christ
2:30–3:00 p.m.	Electronic Detonator Misfires, Evan Thibaud Session chair: Aaron Christ
3:00–3:30 p.m.	Break — Presidents Hall
3:30–4:15 p.m.	Short Bench Blasting Safety and Design Considerations, Kurt Oakes Session chair: Jeff Skovira
4:15–5:00 p.m.	Blaster Technology – What You Have, What You Need, and What You Want in Your Truck, Brian Sandhaus Session chair: Jeff Skovira
5:00–6:00 p.m.	Reception — Presidents Hall

Drilling Breakout Sessions

Time	Session
7:00–7:05 a.m.	Welcome and Conference Logistics
7:05–8:00 a.m.	PA State Police: Explosives and Roadside Enforcement, Michael Brooks and Paul Burns Session chair: Dave Harrison
8:00–8:30 a.m.	Trends in PA Blasting and Why Where Matters, Chris Catalano Session chair: Dave Harrison
8:30–9:00 a.m.	Blasting in NYC 5 Boroughs, Frank Lucca Session chair: Dave Harrison
9:00–10:00 a.m.	Crazy Horse Memorial, Jeff Hermanson Session chair: Dave Harrison
10:00–10:30 a.m.	Break — Presidents Hall
10:30–11:15 a.m.	Dealing with Blasting Complaints (Legal Aspect), Ralph Burnham Session chair: Matt Tomlin
11:15 a.m.–noon	How to Mitigate and Remediate Misfire Situations in the Surface Mining and Quarrying Environments with the Help of Digital Tools, Elijah Williams Session chair: Matt Tomlin
Noon–1:00 p.m.	Lunch — Presidents Hall and Senate Suites
1:00–1:45 p.m.	Blasting Near Water Wells – Wading Through Murky Waters, Benny Staudt Session chair: Aaron Christ
1:45–2:30 p.m.	Distributed Fiberoptic Sensing for Drilling and Blasting Monitoring, Shimin Liu Session chair: Aaron Christ
2:30–3:00 p.m.	Electronic Detonator Misfires, Evan Thibaud Session chair: Aaron Christ
3:00–3:30 p.m.	Break — Presidents Hall
3:30–4:15 p.m.	Short Bench Blasting Safety and Design Considerations, Kurt Oakes Session chair: Jeff Skovira
4:15–5:00 p.m.	Blaster Technology – What You Have, What You Need, and What You Want in Your Truck, Brian Sandhaus Session chair: Jeff Skovira
5:00–6:00 p.m.	Reception — Presidents Hall

Time	Event
10:30–11:15 a.m.	Drilling Down to Fatality Prevention, George Caylor Session chair: Scott Mueller
11:15 a.m.–noon	Common Costly Drill Maintenance Operation Pitfalls, Joey Accardo Session chair: Scott Mueller

Underground Breakout Sessions

Time	Session
7:00–7:05 a.m.	Welcome and Conference Logistics
7:05–8:00 a.m.	PA State Police: Explosives and Roadside Enforcement, Michael Brooks and Paul Burns Session chair: Dave Harrison
8:00–8:30 a.m.	Trends in PA Blasting and Why Where Matters, Chris Catalano Session chair: Dave Harrison
8:30–9:00 a.m.	Blasting in NYC 5 Boroughs, Frank Lucca Session chair: Dave Harrison
9:00–10:00 a.m.	Crazy Horse Memorial, Jeff Hermanson Session chair: Dave Harrison
10:00–10:30 a.m.	Break — Presidents Hall
10:30–11:15 a.m.	Dealing with Blasting Complaints (Legal Aspect), Ralph Burnham Session chair: Matt Tomlin
11:15 a.m.–noon	How to Mitigate and Remediate Misfire Situations in the Surface Mining and Quarrying Environments with the Help of Digital Tools, Elijah Williams Session chair: Matt Tomlin
Noon–1:00 p.m.	Lunch — Presidents Hall and Senate Suites
1:00–1:45 p.m.	Blasting Near Water Wells – Wading Through Murky Waters, Benny Staudt Session chair: Aaron Christ
1:45–2:30 p.m.	Distributed Fiberoptic Sensing for Drilling and Blasting Monitoring, Shimin Liu Session chair: Aaron Christ
2:30–3:00 p.m.	Electronic Detonator Misfires, Evan Thibaud Session chair: Aaron Christ
3:00–3:30 p.m.	Break — Presidents Hall
3:30–4:15 p.m.	Short Bench Blasting Safety and Design Considerations, Kurt Oakes Session chair: Jeff Skovira
4:15–5:00 p.m.	Blaster Technology – What You Have, What You Need, and What You Want in Your Truck, Brian Sandhaus Session chair: Jeff Skovira
5:00–6:00 p.m.	Reception — Presidents Hall

Time	Event
10:30–11:15 a.m.	V-Cut Design and Drilling Accuracy in UG Aggregate Operations, Mark Acree Session chairs: Tom Hairhoger, Dale Marker
11:15 a.m.–noon	Suboptimal Drilling and Blasting, James Winfield Session chairs: Tom Hairhoger, Dale Marker
Noon–1:00 p.m.	Lunch — Presidents Hall and Senate Suites
1:00–1:45 p.m.	Underground Blasting in Ohio: Methods, Vibrations, and Complaints, Mike Mann Session chairs: Tom Hairhoger, Dale Marker
1:45–2:30 p.m.	Do’s and Don’ts of Underground Explosives, Brian Sandhaus Session chairs: Tom Hairhoger, Dale Marker
2:30–3:00 p.m.	Uphole Emulsion Loading Technique, Tom Leach Session chairs: Tom Hairhoger, Dale Marker
3:00–3:30 p.m.	Break
3:30–4:15 p.m.	Underground Limestone Blast Optimization, Bob McClure Session chairs: Tom Hairhoger, Dale Marker

New York State Blaster Training Breakout Session

Time	Session
7:00–7:05 a.m.	Welcome and Conference Logistics
7:05–8:00 a.m.	PA State Police: Explosives and Roadside Enforcement, Michael Brooks and Paul Burns Session chair: Dave Harrison
8:00–8:30 a.m.	Trends in PA Blasting and Why Where Matters, Chris Catalano Session chair: Dave Harrison
8:30–9:00 a.m.	Blasting in NYC 5 Boroughs, Frank Lucca Session chair: Dave Harrison
9:00–10:00 a.m.	Crazy Horse Memorial, Jeff Hermanson Session chair: Dave Harrison
10:00–10:30 a.m.	Break — Presidents Hall
10:30–11:15 a.m.	Dealing with Blasting Complaints (Legal Aspect), Ralph Burnham Session chair: Matt Tomlin
11:15 a.m.–noon	How to Mitigate and Remediate Misfire Situations in the Surface Mining and Quarrying Environments with the Help of Digital Tools, Elijah Williams Session chair: Matt Tomlin
Noon–1:00 p.m.	Lunch — Presidents Hall and Senate Suites
1:00–1:45 p.m.	Blasting Near Water Wells – Wading Through Murky Waters, Benny Staudt Session chair: Aaron Christ
1:45–2:30 p.m.	Distributed Fiberoptic Sensing for Drilling and Blasting Monitoring, Shimin Liu Session chair: Aaron Christ
2:30–3:00 p.m.	Electronic Detonator Misfires, Evan Thibaud Session chair: Aaron Christ
3:00–3:30 p.m.	Break — Presidents Hall
3:30–4:15 p.m.	Short Bench Blasting Safety and Design Considerations, Kurt Oakes Session chair: Jeff Skovira
4:15–5:00 p.m.	Blaster Technology – What You Have, What You Need, and What You Want in Your Truck, Brian Sandhaus Session chair: Jeff Skovira
5:00–6:00 p.m.	Reception — Presidents Hall

Time	Event
1:00–2:00 p.m.	New York State Blaster Training by All Explosives Consulting Speakers: Joseph Meyers and Bill Youngs Session chair: Kirk Whitaker

Friday, November 14, 2025

General Sessions

Time	Session
7:00–7:05 a.m.	Welcome and Conference Logistics
7:05–8:00 a.m.	PA State Police: Explosives and Roadside Enforcement, Michael Brooks and Paul Burns Session chair: Dave Harrison
8:00–8:30 a.m.	Trends in PA Blasting and Why Where Matters, Chris Catalano Session chair: Dave Harrison
8:30–9:00 a.m.	Blasting in NYC 5 Boroughs, Frank Lucca Session chair: Dave Harrison
9:00–10:00 a.m.	Crazy Horse Memorial, Jeff Hermanson Session chair: Dave Harrison
10:00–10:30 a.m.	Break — Presidents Hall
10:30–11:15 a.m.	Dealing with Blasting Complaints (Legal Aspect), Ralph Burnham Session chair: Matt Tomlin
11:15 a.m.–noon	How to Mitigate and Remediate Misfire Situations in the Surface Mining and Quarrying Environments with the Help of Digital Tools, Elijah Williams Session chair: Matt Tomlin
Noon–1:00 p.m.	Lunch — Presidents Hall and Senate Suites
1:00–1:45 p.m.	Blasting Near Water Wells – Wading Through Murky Waters, Benny Staudt Session chair: Aaron Christ
1:45–2:30 p.m.	Distributed Fiberoptic Sensing for Drilling and Blasting Monitoring, Shimin Liu Session chair: Aaron Christ
2:30–3:00 p.m.	Electronic Detonator Misfires, Evan Thibaud Session chair: Aaron Christ
3:00–3:30 p.m.	Break — Presidents Hall
3:30–4:15 p.m.	Short Bench Blasting Safety and Design Considerations, Kurt Oakes Session chair: Jeff Skovira
4:15–5:00 p.m.	Blaster Technology – What You Have, What You Need, and What You Want in Your Truck, Brian Sandhaus Session chair: Jeff Skovira
5:00–6:00 p.m.	Reception — Presidents Hall

Time	Event
7:30–8:30 a.m.	Common Blast Design Mistakes and How to Fix Them, Frank Chiappetta Session chair: Jerry Brumbaugh
8:30–9:15 a.m.	CRH Managing Blasting Risk Through Process, Technology, and Performance Management, Steven Carter Session chair: Jerry Brumbaugh
9:15–10:00 a.m.	Pore Pressure Measurements in a Sand Embankment During an Underwater Booster Detonation, Jonathan Ferdinand Session chair: Jerry Brumbaugh
10:00–10:30 a.m.	Break — Presidents Hall
10:30–11:15 a.m.	PA Act 287, As Amended for the Excavator, Erika Dominick Session chair: Ron Ruby
11:15 a.m.–noon	IME Testing Perforators, Josh Hoffman Session chair: Ron Ruby
Noon–12:30 p.m.	Closing Session — Deans Hall

Seismograph Operators Certificate Program (separate registration required)

Time	Session
7:00–7:05 a.m.	Welcome and Conference Logistics
7:05–8:00 a.m.	PA State Police: Explosives and Roadside Enforcement, Michael Brooks and Paul Burns Session chair: Dave Harrison
8:00–8:30 a.m.	Trends in PA Blasting and Why Where Matters, Chris Catalano Session chair: Dave Harrison
8:30–9:00 a.m.	Blasting in NYC 5 Boroughs, Frank Lucca Session chair: Dave Harrison
9:00–10:00 a.m.	Crazy Horse Memorial, Jeff Hermanson Session chair: Dave Harrison
10:00–10:30 a.m.	Break — Presidents Hall
10:30–11:15 a.m.	Dealing with Blasting Complaints (Legal Aspect), Ralph Burnham Session chair: Matt Tomlin
11:15 a.m.–noon	How to Mitigate and Remediate Misfire Situations in the Surface Mining and Quarrying Environments with the Help of Digital Tools, Elijah Williams Session chair: Matt Tomlin
Noon–1:00 p.m.	Lunch — Presidents Hall and Senate Suites
1:00–1:45 p.m.	Blasting Near Water Wells – Wading Through Murky Waters, Benny Staudt Session chair: Aaron Christ
1:45–2:30 p.m.	Distributed Fiberoptic Sensing for Drilling and Blasting Monitoring, Shimin Liu Session chair: Aaron Christ
2:30–3:00 p.m.	Electronic Detonator Misfires, Evan Thibaud Session chair: Aaron Christ
3:00–3:30 p.m.	Break — Presidents Hall
3:30–4:15 p.m.	Short Bench Blasting Safety and Design Considerations, Kurt Oakes Session chair: Jeff Skovira
4:15–5:00 p.m.	Blaster Technology – What You Have, What You Need, and What You Want in Your Truck, Brian Sandhaus Session chair: Jeff Skovira
5:00–6:00 p.m.	Reception — Presidents Hall

Time	Event
7:30–10:00 a.m.	Seismograph Certification Training Workshop, Cathy Aimone-Martin and Doug Rudenko Session chair: Kristin Klemish
10:00–10:30 a.m.	Break — Presidents Hall
10:30–11:00 a.m.	Seismograph Certification Training Workshop – continued
11:00–11:30 a.m.	Testing

While reasonable efforts will be made to adhere to the advertised package, Penn State Conferences reserves the right to substitute speakers and/or seminar content.