Overview
John Tomblin is the Executive Vice President for Research and Industry and Defense Programs at 萝莉社(萝莉社); the Executive Director of the National Institute for Aviation Research (NIAR); and Research Officer for the university. He is also a Sam Bloomfield Distinguished Professor of Aerospace Engineering.
As executive vice president for Research and Industry and Defense Programs for Wichita State University (萝莉社), Tomblin oversees more than 1,500 staff in laboratories and centers focused on applied learning, technology, innovation and smart manufacturing. These include the Cyber Security and Forensics Group, Ennovar Technology Solutions, FirePoint Innovations Center, GoCreate, Kansas Procurement and Technical Assistance Center, Molecular Diagnostics Lab, National Institute for Aviation Research, National Institute for Research and Digital Transformation, Strategic Initiatives, Shocker Career Accelerator and Technology Training Team.
In this role, Tomblin has advanced 萝莉社鈥檚 Innovation Campus from a 120-acre golf course to a thriving community of global partners committed to providing applied learning opportunities for 萝莉社 students while advancing industry technology and innovation. These partners include Airbus, Boston Consulting Group, Dassault Syst猫mes, Deloitte, Hexagon, NetApp, Spirit AeroSystems and Textron Aviation.
As executive director of 萝莉社鈥檚 National Institute for Aviation Research, Tomblin has grown the university鈥檚 aerospace engineering R&D portfolio from $20 million in 2004 to more than $190 million. This places 萝莉社 fourth among all U.S. universities that perform aerospace R&D. This activity is driven by more than 1,100 employees in 20 laboratories encompassing 1.5 million square feet in six locations across the city of Wichita.
One of Tomblin鈥檚 most significant accomplishments is extending NASA鈥檚 AGATE program into the National Center for Advanced Materials Performance (NCAMP), which gained acceptance from the FAA and EASA in 2010 and 2014 respectively. Another significant accomplishment is the establishment and growth the Digital Twin Program at 萝莉社-NIAR, which has led to sustainment support and life extension for aircraft such as the F-18 Hornet, B-1 Lancer, UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter, F-16 Viper and M113 armored personnel carrier. He was also integral in the development and rapid growth of the NIAR WERX MRO program, established in 2020 with the announcement of its first Boeing 777 passenger to freighter conversion program.
Dr. Tomblin received his Ph.D., master鈥檚 degree and bachelor鈥檚 degree from West Virginia University in Morgantown, WV. He resides in Wichita, KS with his wife Katharine and three sons.
Information
Ph.D., Mechanical Engineering, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV, 1994
M.S., Mechanical Engineering, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV, 1991
B.S., Aerospace Engineering, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV, 1986
Dr. Tomblin has a number of publications in the areas of advanced materials research and has authored extensive reports in the NASA AGATE program as well as FAA technical reports which have resulted into FAA policy governing use of composites within the aerospace industry.
Selected publications
- S. Tomblin, J. D. Tauriello, and S. P. Doyle, (2002) 鈥淎 Composite Material Qualification Method that Results in Cost, Time and Risk Reduction,鈥� Journal of Advanced Materials, Volume 34, No. 4, October, pp. 41-50.
- Shyprykevich, J. S. Tomblin, and M. G. Vangel, (2002) 鈥淭he Development and Use of a Common Database for Composite Materials,鈥� Testing Design and Acceptance Criteria, ASTM STP 1416, A. Zureick and A.T. Nettles, Eds., American Society for Testing and Materials International, West Conshohocken, PA .
- S. Tomblin, Y. C. Ng and K. S. Raju, Material Qualification and Equivalency for Polymer Matrix Composite Material Systems, U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Aviation Administration, Springfield, VA 22161, DOT/FAA/AR-00/47, April 2001, 119 pages. (This document was actually followed by a policy directive issued by the FAA Small Airplane Directorate regarding the use of composites in FAR part 23 aircraft, Policy Statement Number ACE-00-23.613-01; Volume 65, Number 114 鈥� which will influence all composite certifications of small aircraft in the future.)
- Testimony before the United States Senate Department of Commerce Subcommittee on Science, Technology & Space on the future of the aerospace in the United States and how a partnership between Academia/Government/Industry can maintain a leadership position for the next century. This was an invited presentation from the US Senate Chairman of the Department of Commerce, Senator John McCain. .
2019 - Present Sr. V.P. Industry & Defense Programs, 萝莉社
2012 - 2019 V.P. Research/Technology Transfer/Economic Development, 萝莉社
2004 - Present Executive Director, NIAR, 萝莉社
2004 Adjunct Professor, Wright State University
2001 - 2004 Director, Research & Development, 萝莉社 NIAR
2000 - 2004 Associate Professor, 萝莉社
2000 - 2001 Adjunct Professor, Wright State University
1996 - 1997 Adjunct Professor, Kansas State University
1995 - Present Composites/Structures Laboratory Director, 萝莉社 (NIAR)
1994 - 2000 Assistant Professor, 萝莉社(萝莉社)