John Hesselberth is a retired chemical engineer who first had a 30-year career in industrial research. His pottery experience goes back about 25 years when he learned to throw after having built a kickwheel for his wife, Judy. Pottery remained a hobby until he retired from industry in 1996 and he has been building his pottery skills full time since then. He is a juried member of the Pennsylvania Guild of Craftsmen and he has authored articles for both Clay Times and Ceramics Monthly.