Meet Our Team
Michael P. Schmitt, Ph.D.
CEO, Senior Research Scientist
Michael Schmitt is co-founder and CEO of HAMR Industries, leading a team that operates at the intersection of advanced materials and manufacturing for components functioning in harsh and extreme environments. Dr. Schmitt completed his Ph.D. in materials science and engineering at Penn State’s Applied Research Laboratory focusing on development of wear resistant, high-temperature capable, thermal barrier coatings to protect next-generation gas turbine engines. During this time, Michael received a Graduate Student Researcher Program fellowship from NASA Glenn Research Center, where he worked with the team to advance a novel plasma spray physical vapor deposition technology. Mike’s early work culminated in multiple patents, numerous publications, and ignited a passion for developing new and novel processes while operating at the frontier of materials and manufacturing. Today, he focuses this passion on pushing the boundaries of advanced materials and manufacturing, where he is recognized as a forefront voice in cold spray additive manufacturing (CSAM), with HAMR having supplied the first free-form CSAM component flown on a hypersonic vehicle, as well as the first CSAM parts submitted for qualification to the Navy.
This drive extends to all AM modalities, where Michael advocates for a method-agnostic R&D and manufacturing approach. Rather than specialize in a specific manufacturing technology and attempting to adapt that to all problems, his approach was to build an interdisciplinary team focus on a challenge – components operating in harsh environments – and work backwards to establish the appropriate materials and manufacturing combinations needed to solve the challenges. This approach has been successful for the company, growing from a basement startup to a fully bootstrapped multi-million dollar contract manufacturer and R&D service provider.
Jeremy Schreiber
CTO/CDO, Senior Research Scientist
Dr. Jeremy M. Schreiber is Chief Technology Officer and Chief Development Officer of HAMR Industries. Under his technical leadership, HAMR Industries has achieved groundbreaking milestones in cold spray additive manufacturing, including producing the first cold spray additively manufactured part to fly on a hypersonic missile and fabricating the world's largest cold spray additively manufactured external pressure vessels.
As a recognized expert in cold spray technology, additive manufacturing, and advanced materials processing, Dr. Schreiber serves as Principal Investigator on multiple government-funded research programs. He has successfully co-led HAMR Industries in securing and executing over $10M in SBIR & other contract funding, establishing the company as a leader in advanced manufacturing innovation for defense and aerospace applications.
Dr. Schreiber earned his Ph.D., M.S., and B.S. degrees from The Pennsylvania State University in Engineering Science and Mechanics and Materials Science and Engineering. His doctoral research focused on finite element implementation of advanced plasticity models and energy-based bonding parameters for cold spray processes, conducted as a member of the U.S. Army Cold Spray Modeling Team.
In addition to his role at HAMR Industries, Dr. Schreiber serves as Deputy Division Head of Advanced Manufacturing and Materials Engineering at Penn State Applied Research Laboratory and Associate Research Professor of Engineering Science and Mechanics. He has authored numerous peer-reviewed publications and technical presentations, holds an active TOP SECRET/SCI security clearance, and is a Penn State Institute for CyberScience Faculty Affiliate.
Dr. Schreiber is committed to advancing the next generation of engineers and has mentored numerous undergraduate and graduate students throughout his career.
Lee Brletich
Senior Operations and Defense Applications Manager
Lee Brletich is the Senior Operations and Defense Applications Manager at HAMR Industries. He oversees day-to-day operations, logistics, security, and provides program management. He is responsible for synchronizing diverse government and commercial projects while directly guiding HAMR’s infrastructure expansion, capital equipment acquisition, and inventory accountability. Mr. Brletich also spearheads HAMR’s quality management system, which achieved AS9100 compliance in 2026.
Prior to joining the HAMR team, Mr. Brletich spent over 20 years in the Air Force and Joint Special Operations communities. During this time, he held a variety of leadership and command positions at the team, squadron, wing, and joint task force levels. His last assignment prior to retiring from the Air Force was as the Chief of Operations for a Special Operations Wing in which he oversaw operations and training for more than 2000 personnel. He holds a bachelor’s degree from the U.S. Air Force Academy and a master’s degree from Air Command and Staff College. At HAMR, he leverages this extensive background and experience to connect emerging Advanced Manufacturing technologies to meet the real-world operational needs of the warfighter and industry.
Jake Keiper
Lead Research Engineer
Jake serves as a Lead Research Engineer in Applied Physics and Modeling at HAMR Industries, where he applies a multi-disciplinary approach to solving complex materials challenges. He joined the team as an intern in 2019 and transitioned to a full-time role in 2020 after earning his M.S. in Engineering at the Nanoscale from Penn State University. Jake has been key in bridging the gap between theory and execution, overseeing complex projects in computational electromagnetics, thermomechanical modeling, and robotic programming, as well as assisting in the operation AM systems, including Cold Spray, DED, and LMJ. He uses advanced modeling to inform experiments, minimize manufacturing waste, and uncover unconventional solutions to material challenges. He has successfully secured, managed, and executed SBIR/STTR programs, which cover topics ranging from nanostructured optical limiters and ceramic Direct Ink Write (DIW) technologies. Driven by a commitment to the war fighter and our country, he focuses his expertise on delivering high-performance material solutions that meet evolving needs and protect and enable those in the field.
Dylan Treaster
Additive Manufacturing Engineer
Dylan Treaster is the Additive Manufacturing Engineer at HAMR Industries, where he leads the development of advanced material and process libraries, process qualification efforts, and next-generation manufacturing strategies across a broad range of additive manufacturing technologies for aerospace and defense applications. He holds an M.S. in Materials Science and Engineering from Carnegie Mellon University and a B.S. in Applied Materials Engineering from Penn State DuBois, along with minors in Business and Entrepreneurship, providing a strong technical and business-oriented foundation for manufacturing and technology development. His academic work focused on both traditional press-and-sinter metallurgy and advanced manufacturing processes. Expertise in metal AM was developed through a senior thesis through the Center for Innovative Materials Processing through Direct Digital Deposition (CIMP-3D) on DED repair technologies, as well as work with the Manufacturing Futures Institute at Carnegie Mellon.
His expertise spans a wide range of additive manufacturing modalities, including Cold Spray Additive Manufacturing (CSAM), Laser Powder Bed Fusion (LPBF), Electron Beam Powder Bed Fusion (EB-PBF), laser wire and powder Directed Energy Deposition (DED), ceramic Direct Ink Writing (DIW), and polymer-based processes such as FDM, SLS, DLP, and SLA. Dylan has extensive experience in characterization of additively manufactured materials, design for additive manufacturing (DfAM), large-scale component fabrication, as well as alloy and process qualification, and repair strategies for high-performance systems. In addition to additive manufacturing, he supports machining, heat treatment development, and integrated post-processing workflows to bridge the gap between material innovation and deployable hardware. His interdisciplinary approach combines materials science, manufacturing engineering, and product design to accelerate the transition of emerging manufacturing technologies from research and development into real-world aerospace and defense applications while strengthening U.S. manufacturing capabilities.
Carson Miller
Additive Manufacturing Technician
Carson Miller is an Additive Manufacturing Technician at HAMR Industries. Carson operates multiple 3D printing platforms and shop equipment, performs metallography to assist in material and process development, and assists in maintaining the high quality and rapid response for which HAMR is recognized. Prior to joining the team at HAMR, Carson gained experience in multiple stages of product development and manufacturing through design, marketing, and production. He received a Bachelor’s degree of Industrial Design from Thomas Jefferson University East Falls. Over his 9 years in the workforce, he has worked with a variety of additive platforms for applications in prototyping and production. His two most notable experiences include model making and Industrial Design at Lasko Products in West Chester, Pa; and most recently he worked as a 3d Printing Production Team Lead at Matthews International Bronze here in Pittsburgh.
His skillset with computer aided design programs, slicing software, and shop equipment mixed with his desire to problem solve are helping the team at HAMR to continue pushing the boundaries of what is possible through additive manufacturing and providing unique real-world solutions. Carson enjoys getting to work with the novel the technology, equipment, and materials that HAMR and Neighborhood 91 have to offer.
Vincent Holmes
Additive Manufacturing Technician
Vincent Holmes is an Additive Manufacturing Technician at HAMR Industries, where he supports advanced production operations through precision fabrication, process optimization, and hands-on technical expertise. He works closely with additive manufacturing systems to ensure efficient, high-quality output while maintaining strict attention to detail and production standards.
Vincent brings over a decade of experience supporting Department of Defense operations, along with a strong background in CNC machining, mechanical systems, and manufacturing workflows. He has a proven ability to identify inefficiencies and implement practical solutions that improve performance and reduce costs across both traditional and advanced manufacturing environments.
He holds a Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity from Robert Morris University, giving him a unique systems-oriented mindset that enhances his troubleshooting, analytical thinking, and technical problem-solving abilities. Vincent is recognized for his reliability, adaptability, and commitment to continuous improvement, making him a valuable contributor to both day-to-day operations and long-term process advancement at HAMR Industries.