Dr. Eric Schaffer,
PhD, CUA, CPE, CEO

Job at HFI

• Visionary in software usability
• Developing strategies and tools for institutionalization of usability into large organizations
• Solving the most complex and chaotic user interface problems for HFI customers
• Presenting to seminars and executive groups
• Coaching, inspiring and leading HFI's technical team
• Developing new products, services, and seminars
• Consulting with key and interesting clients (likes this a lot)
• Developing and communicating HFI's corporate mission

Experience

A lot. Over 25 years of work in the field. Two years at AT&T Long Lines. Four years as Resident Visitor at Bell Labs in Whippany. (He still has a bell shaped head if you get the viewing angle right.) Seven years co-owner and chief of the technical staff at Human Performance Associates, Inc. Presently CEO of Human Factors International, Inc. (after ten years as President). Developed our flagship user-interface design courses and taught them over 350 times. Personally involved in the development of over 80 corporate User Interface standards. Worked on dozens of major system development projects, and reviewed and consulted on more projects than we can keep track of.

Education

Ph.D., 1986, Stevens Institute of Technology - Applied Psychology / Human Performance

M.S., 1979, Stevens Institute of Technology - Applied Psychology / Human Performance

B.A., 1976, Clark University - Psychology (Sensation and Perception & Rehabilitation)

H.S., 1972, Walden High (NYC)

Favorite Projects

Projects with challenging human factors issues: Bomb Disposal; Currency Trading; Factory Automation, Customer Service, 911 Call Handling, Voice Over the Net, Telematics, Cross Cultural Design.

Changing corporate culture for usable design: Discover Card, Met Life, Reuters, Royal Bank, Ford Motor.

Areas of Interest and Design Orientation

Prefers work on large mission-critical projects with tight time frames, high stakes, and challenging human factors issues. Loves design of user interface architectures. "Ruthlessly practical" and business oriented approach to the application of ergonomics. Interested in development of seamless system development environments that create more usable applications. Interested in public use and cyberspace.

Hobbies and Special Interests

Transcendental Meditation; Multi-Engine Instrument Rated Pilot, Blues (Vocals, Guitar, and Harp); Ham Radio Operator (KA2THY); Internet Surfing; Weight Lifting, Martial Arts (Shotokan Karate); Motorcycles (Harleys); Toys.

Favorite Food

Anything unusual. Loves Indian and Sushi.

Character

He may have "escaped" to Iowa, but Eric grew up in New York City. He is tough-minded, assertive, and sometimes "a bit intense". He is also one of the best ergonomists and user-interface architects in the world today. He is creative, focused, and tenacious, handling both technical work and political requirements. He withstands a truly grueling schedule, traveling worldwide almost every week.

Character Reference

Here is Eric's favorite (and most humbling) vote of confidence from an HFI employee in India.

Personal Album