Current Board As of September 2012
John Werner - President
John was born in Buffalo, NY and graduated from Rochester Institute of Technology and Monroe Community College. John worked for a number of years in New York for various companies serving as Technical Specialist, Optical Designer and Special Effects Consultant. He made a move across the US to work for Walt Disney Imagineering, in Glendale, CA as their Special Effects Designer, and later as a Special Effects Designer for their Theme Parks, including Disneyland, Walt Disney World and EPCOT Center. John worked four years for Wet Labs, Inc., Sun Valley, CA as a Technical Director and two years with Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, CA as a Pyrotechnic Specialist. John returned to the East Coast to serve as Plant Manager/Production Supervisor for Patriotic Fireworks, Elkton, MD. John has worked for the last eleven years as a consultant to a major Chinese manufacturer and exporter. During this time he has developed many new ideas, concepts, names and manufacturing techniques for consumer and display fireworks. John travels up to four times a year to China and Hong Kong to work with their mainland China factories. John attends all the major USA Conventions and travels to many foreign countries to attend symposiums and competitions throughout the year. John has been instrumental in designing several new devices now in common use in the display industry, such as the plastic electric match connector and the concept of the Modular Cake. He is always trying to increase his knowledge of fireworks and of the Industry in general. John’s hobbies and interests include designing, building and selling large decorative kites and their accessories; designing and building furniture, collecting wind-up toys, unusual whistles and wooden tops. He is a member of the Pyrotechnic Guild International, on the Board of the National Council on Fireworks Safety and an NFA member for many years. John is also trained in the martial art of Aikido and is a practicing amateur magician.
Bob Blake - Vice President 
Elected in 1996, Bob Blake brings a wealth of experience in the consumer fireworks business to the Board. He is the President of North-East Fireworks in Tioga, PA. Bob is an outspoken advocate of consumer liberties and rights.
Nancy Blogin - Secretary
Nancy Blogin assumed the office of secretary in 1998. Nancy and her husband John have been involved in the fireworks business for many years. Nancy has managed their retail location for over 20 years. Nancy retired from Mercantile Stores, Inc. after 22 years as an Accounting Supervisor. She is well organized and brings insight into problems the consumer fireworks industry experiences. Nancy is a people person and has greeted the guests at the Expo registration desk ever since the Expo’s began. She is also a member of the following associations: PGI, WPA and the Kansas Pyrotechnic Association. Nancy has been on the Board of the National Council for Fireworks Safety for several years and has served as President of the NCFS since 2010. Nancy’s hobbies include gourmet cooking, entertaining and travel.
Robert T. Kellner - Treasurer
KELLNER’S FIREWORKS INC.
• President and CEO since 1985.
NATIONAL FIREWORKS ASSOCIATION
• Charter Member since 1993.
• Class C Competition Exhibitor
AMERICAN PYROTECHNICS ASSOCIATION
• Member since 1985.
• Director, 1999-2008
• Transportation Committee Member and former Chairman
AMERICAN FIREWORKS STANDARDS LABORATORY
• Member
• Display Fireworks International Standards Committee Member
• NFA representative
CAPT. ERICK FOSTER MEMORIAL FIREWORKS COMMITTEE
• Organizer, raised $47,000 for the Wounded Warrior Project in one evening.
CRACKERJACKS FIREWORKS CLUB
• Member since 1985.
EXPERT WITNESS IN FEDERAL COURT
• U.S. vs Greg Shelton, 1997 (for the defense)
• U.S. vs Joseph Monteforte, 2002 (for the defense)
INTERNATIONAL FIREWORKS ASSOCIATION
• Member
INTERNATIONAL SYMPOSIUM ON FIREWORKS
• Exhibitor
LIUYANG (CHINA) FIREWORKS FESTIVAL
• Invited Judge, 2007
NATIONAL COUNCIL ON FIREWORKS SAFETY
• Charter Member
PENNSYLVANIA PYROTECHNICS ASSOCIATION
• Charter Member since 1990.
• President, 1990-1999
• Treasurer, 1999-Present
PROFESSIONAL FIREWORKS SHIPPERS ASSOCIATION
• Charter Member
PYROTECNIC ARTISTS CLUB
• Charter Member since 1992
PYROTECHNICS GUILD INTERNATIONAL
• Certified Instructor
• Convention Host, 1986.
• Display Exhibitor
• Member since 1985.
• Vending Chairman (Former)
PYROTECNICIANS INTERNATIONAL
• Member Since 1987
• Convention Host
Mike Romono- Director
Mike is a self employed electrical contractor and has been for 30 years. He has wired up stores and warehouses for Northeast Fireworks; Fireworks Productions; and Kellner’s Fireworks. Mike began shooting fireworks at the age of 13. He has shot shows for Zambelli, Legion, Fireworks Productions and Grucci Fireworks to name a few. Mike has helped the past 2 years to shoot the New Years Eve Show for Grucci in Las Vegas. Mike has his N.Y. S. “Own and Possess” license and BATF high explosives license. He is a member of NFA, PGI, WPA, PPA. Mike owns along with John Sagaria 2 type IV and 1 type II magazines on his property. He has been active for the last 10 years helping to set up and shoot the fireworks at Kellner’s Fireworks demo each spring. Mike is a member of the National Fireworks Association’s safety committee and has served in this capacity for many years.
Howard Fry - Director
Howard and his wife Kathy along with son Seth are residents of Elton, PA. Howard has been an NFA member for over 10 years, and has been involved in 1.4g fireworks for over 30 years. Howard is a retired U.S. Postal Service employee. He worked as a contracted trucking company with more than 40 vehicles and over 30 employees for a period of more than 30 years. Howard works with several local fireworks companies during their demo nights and displays. Howard is one of the “NFA Safety Core Committee Members,” and has worked on the Safety Team during nearly every Expo. He serves as President of the Pennsylvania Pyrotechnic Artists, Inc. and has served in this capacity for 9 years, having been a member for over 14 years. He holds a BATF type 54 license and has served as a Safety Shooter Instructor for the PGI. Howard enjoys working with both 1.4g and 1.3g displays, always keeping a close eye on safety. His mother was injured by the misuse of fireworks when she was quite young and so enforced the safe use of fireworks throughout his life.
President Emeritus - Cam Starr
Cam Starr felt that America needed an organization to stand up for fireworks consumers and enthusiasts. The organization would keep dues small and focus on regulatory issues to protect the rights of fireworks advocates everywhere. True to his original vision, one can join the NFA for as little as $30. Cam Starr is also a member of PI, PGI, WPA.