ABOUT
Our Team
Dr. Frank M. Lenz
Dr. Frank Lenz received his Doctorate from Duquesne University in Pittsburgh in 1999. Always interested in the physical sciences, Dr. Lenz has spent years researching nuclear waste disposal as a citizen scientist. He received a grant from the U.S. Department of Commerce in 2013 to conduct concrete research through Michigan State University’s Bioeconomy Institute in Holland, MI. During his research there, he develop a UHPC formula that reached 9 tons psi. Before the completion of his research at the MSU Bio Economy Institute, he was offered a job by Jon Erickson, Director of Field Operations at Soils & Structures material testing company in their testing laboratory, where he conducted UHPC formula testing, but declined the offer to continue work on his research. Jon Erickson has been an active supporter of Dr. Lenz’s research, and a member of the Advisory Committee for North Star International Enterprises, Inc. for several years. After returning to Marquette, Dr. Lenz connected with Innovate Marquette SmartZone. Innovate Marquette SmartZone provided Dr. Lenz with a student research assistant with a relevant background, and additional financial support for his ongoing research.
Nick Herriff
Nick Herriff graduated from Northern Michigan University in 2023 with a Bachelor's degree in Environmental Science. He came to work with Dr. Lenz through NMU’s incubator program, Invent@NMU, earlier in 2023. After graduation, Nick was hired by Innovate Marquette SmartZone, the incubator that oversees Invent@NMU, to continue supporting Dr. Lenz. Since working with Dr. Lenz he has become familiarized with all aspects of UHP production and research. Nick Herriff has been recently transferred to additional assignments at the incubator lab with Invent@NMU, and continues to offer his help and assistance to Dr. Lenz, particularly in his efforts to formulate and test his various UHPC concrete formulas.
The Advisory Committee
Harland Couillard
Researcher at U.P. Concrete Pipe Co
Sam Elder
Business and finance, insurance & real estate
Fritz Erickson
Past President at Northern Michigan University,
professor of psychology, many publications
Jon Erickson
Director of Field Operations, Soils & Structures
materials and concrete testing company
Rob Foster
President and owner, oil company in Texas
John Hager
Retired high-level IBM management and sales, published author
Erica Huss
Business and leadership, past Warden at Marquette State Prison
Jim Hwang
Past Director, Department of Materials Testing,
Michigan Technological University, many international publications
Mike Keller
Business & leadership, nephew and probable successor to Dr. Lenz at NSIE
Perry Lawrence
President and owner, oil company in Texas
Bill McKenney
State-wide director of engineering, and
construction leadership
Jim Myers
President and owner, taxes and finance company, former IRS agent
Joe Thiel
Business and leadership, Director of SmartZone, central U.P.
John Trudeau
Finance and leadership
OUR STORY
After several years of private study and research into the national problem of radioactive nuclear waste disposal, Dr. Lenz received financial donations totaling about $60,000-$70,000 from people who knew of his work and supported his efforts. With their help and encouragement, he was able to incorporate a 501-c(3) research organization and hire a research assistant/grant writer who secured a research grant from the US Dept. of Commerce via Michigan State University. He moved to Holland, Michigan for just over a year, working on his research, focusing on developing a strong, safe container for hazardous radioactive waste. He developed a formula for ultrahigh performance concrete (UHPC) with a compressive strength of nine tons psi. Jon Ericson, Director of Field Operations for Soils & Structures in Muskegon (Norton Shores), Michigan, was so impressed with his work that he offered him a job in their materials testing laboratory. Dr. Lenz returned home to Marquette, Michigan, to pursue working on his project.
Later he made contact with Mr. Joe Thiel, CEO of Innovate Marquette SmartZone, Marquette’s idea incubator, where he received substantial assistance and advice. Innovate Marquette admired his progress so much that they later hired a part-time research assistant to help him. After that assistant transferred to a different job in Wyoming, Innovate Marquette hired a recent graduate of Northern Michigan University with a degree in Environmental Sciences to continue helping him in his research work. Together they have continued to make good progress.
Currently, Dr. Lenz is focused on further research into developing newer formulas for creating UHPC containers, taking advantage of new research that incorporates the financial, environmental, and physical advantages of using otherwise industrial waste by-products in their formulas. In the meantime, they continue their efforts to pursue grant support from the US Dept. of Energy, the National Science Foundation, National Laboratories, and other possible sources.
