Composites Technology Faculty

John Hammel | Director

John Hammel brings over a decade of expertise in mechanical engineering and manufacturing innovation to IYRS School of Technology & Trades. A Newport native, he most recently served as a Senior Composite Customer Application Development Engineer at ExxonMobil, where he advanced Proxxima resin systems globally. He now leads IYRS’s composites program.

At TPI Composites, he advanced automotive electrification through the use of structural composites, while at Inert Corporation, he successfully reduced costs in air purification systems. John excels in process optimization and team leadership. His background includes multimillion-dollar projects at Saint-Gobain and precision manufacturing at Tiffany & Co., with strengths in finite element analysis (FEA), root cause analysis, and regulatory compliance.

John holds a Master of Science and Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from Northeastern University (summa cum laude, Alfred Ferretti Award recipient), and is a member of ASME, ACS, ASCE, and the Order of the Engineer. He will leverage his industry network and technical skills to enhance IYRS’s curriculum with advanced technologies, supporting Rhode Island’s composites industry growth.

John and his wife Emma now live in Swansea, MA with their daughter Rosalie (8) and three cats—Haruko, Misty, and Oreo. He is a graduate of Moses Brown School.

 Jason Feld | Managing Instructor

Jason Feld began working in boat yards as a teenager and has over 30 years of experience in the marine industry. His expertise spans various aspects of boat construction and maintenance.

Jason started working as a sailmaker, building and repairing sails for a wide range of cruising vessels, including historical yachts like Shamrock and Endeavour, J Class boats.

Throughout Jason’s career, he has had the privilege of being involved in many prestigious projects such as the completion of America's Cup Class boats, Whitbread/Volvo round-the-world boats, IOR and IMS racing yachts, Sleds, Trans Pac 50s, and even Rowing Shells. In addition to sail making, Jason worked as a lead builder for over 15 years at a hi-tech custom boat-building company, specializing in the construction of grand prix race boats and advanced composite cruising boats. During this time, he played a crucial role in bringing these high-performance boats to life, utilizing advanced composite materials and techniques.

Jason’s passion for the marine industry and dedication to craftsmanship have allowed him to hone his skills and stay at the forefront of boat construction and repair. Jason takes pride in delivering top-notch quality work and ensuring that each project is completed to the highest standard. Jason has come to IYRS to teach the new generation of composite manufacturers to build the skills and desire to fulfill an exciting career in the composites industry.