nth Solutions Meeting

Who We Are

Everyone encounters situations which make them wonder, why isn’t there a product that will help me solve this problem?  This is what we’re all about.  We look at these ordinary, everyday situations and solve problems by designing products to fit seamlessly into people’s lives; but simply developing a product won’t do…we take it to the nth degree and design it to be extraordinary.

Meet Our Team

Eric Canfield

President and Co-Founder

Eric has over 30 years’ experience in product development and business management. From 1981 through 1987 he worked as an engineer and engineering manager at General Electric, Rumsey Electric, and The Eastern Specialty Company. During that time, he designed and supervised the development of more than 30 commercialized products.

As co-founder and President of Multi-Systems Corporation and then nth Solutions, he is the author of more than two dozen patents and patents pending, including commercialized products and technologies such as Storm Alert, Breaker Finder, Energy Saver, LeakAlertor, and many others. He received the Technology & Product of the Year award from Popular Science for the Storm Alert; and recognition for several other technologies, products, and business accomplishments. Eric studied electrical engineering at Penn State University.

Professional Bio | Personal Bio

Eric Canfield

President by day, Mad Scientist by night

As his mom would describe Eric, “he is much too clever with wires.” Even as a young boy, Eric had a strong adventurous side and was never afraid to try things. He built tree forts, Tesla coils, and every kind of weapon imaginable. At age 5, he turned his dining room into an airport using Lincoln Logs and Tinkertoys, and all before dinner was ready. Wires entered Eric’s life around age 8 when he created his first invention. Hiding beneath a blanket, he strung flashlight bulbs together using a wall transformer as a power source so he could stay up at night reading the encyclopedia and dictionary without getting into trouble.

In his spare time, you will find Eric helping people, and spending time with his 4 daughters and 3 sons. He also enjoys splitting wood, long walks, and fine cuisine, like Vienna Sausage.

Professional Bio | Personal Bio

Susan Springsteen

Managing Partner and Co-Founder

A graduate of Wheaton College, Susan spent nearly 30 years as an investment advisor to individuals and the organizations they influence. Combining her expertise in sales, marketing and wealth management, she built financial advisory practices at four investment firms, most recently Morgan Stanley Smith Barney where she and her team were recognized as “The Best Wealth Management Group on the Main Line” by Main Line Today Magazine. Susan provided daily stock market commentary for KYW NewsRadio for over a decade.

Susan is involved in many other aspects of the Chester County area business community. She was a board member of the Chester County Chamber of Business and Industry, Chester County Futures, and a trustee for Magee Rehabilitation Hospital in Philadelphia. She is currently Vice President of the Chester County Library Trust. She was recognized as the 2010 Female Business Leader of the Year by the Chester County Chamber of Business and Industry.

Professional Bio | Personal Bio

Susan Springsteen

Managing Partner by day, Horse Trainer by night

Sue’s first business-like experience happened when she was just 12 years old. After a little (ok, a lot of) begging, her parents granted her permission to buy a pony that was already loaded on a trailer and destined for a slaughterhouse auction. There was just one stipulation: she had to find a place to keep it for less than $30 a month. When no one was looking, Susan un­loaded the pony from the trailer and locked herself, a phonebook, and the pony in the stable office. By the end of the day, Snowflake was hers.

In her spare time, you can find this award-winning dressage enthusiast training horses and teaching budding equestrians. She hopes to one day open her own riding school and provide equestrian therapy to urban youth.

Professional Bio | Personal Bio

Scott Soma

Director of Engineering & Manufacturing

Scott has over 30 years experience in product design, prototype construction, printed circuit board design and fabrication, numerous assembly processes and their implementation, inventory control, and the supervisory and management of the same for Perimeter Technologies, Lamina Ceramics, Invisible Fence and Mechtronics.

Since 1984, Scott has worked with Eric Canfield, bringing over 30 products to market including the first generation Storm Alert, LeakAlertor, Bolgard, Breaker Finder, the entire product line under Priority Green, and many others. Scott received a degree in Biomedical Instrumentation from Delaware County Community College.

Professional Bio | Personal Bio

Scott Soma

Director of Engineering by day, Family Chef by night

A normal childhood for Scott consisted of rock climbing in the quarry with his brother, and oh, building simple things like rockets, cannons, and explosives in the back yard. As a 70’s high schooler, his long hair and love of music lead him to build his own amplifier (after teaching himself to solder) using a Heath Kit. He has since expanded his knowledge base far beyond amplifiers and is known by his friends in the industry as “jack of all trades, master of all trades.”

You can find Scott riding his bike, playing softball, perfecting his kitchen skills, or working on vintage cars with the help of his furry friend, Auggie.

Professional Bio | Personal Bio

Robert Alston

Research Scientist & Controller

Bob has more than 30 years experience in the field of advanced mathematics and physics. His expertise in Many Body Quantum Mechanics & Quantum Electrodynamics has resulted in the development of a revolutionary new technology in the field of insect mitigation and control, and the issuance of three patents with several patents pending. Bob’s expertise in computational chemistry uses modern electronic structure methods and is applied to molecular spectroscopy. His mathematical modeling of complex molecules aids product development by identifying the transmis­sivity of materials, the biological effects of electromagnetic radiation at different frequencies, and steers innovative technologies using the modeling and analysis of mid and far infrared spectral region.

On the academic side, he performed advanced data analysis for research projects by the University of Pennsylvania and its graduate students. He compliments his scientific background with corporate finance. From 1982 to 1997, he served as Controller and CFO of Alston’s Management Inc, one of the largest Hallmark retailers in the US at that time. As Controller of nth Solutions, Bob provides corporate accounting and reporting, trea­sury, and tax management for the firm. Bob earned a BA in Business Administration, with Distinction, from Ohio Northern University in Ada, Ohio.

Professional Bio | Personal Bio

Robert Alston

Research Scientist & Controller by day, Dance King by night

Born with a book in his hands, Bob grew up reading science fiction novels, and his love of literature only grew from there. Text books took over during his college years while he studied finance, but he still took breaks for some light topics such as math, physics, and philosophy. Flash-forward to present day, Bob has the most impressive bookshelves that practically take over his entire office.

On the weekends, Bob puts down his books to follow his favorite bands and bust a few moves. He also enjoys catching an occasional sci-fi movie with his kids.

Professional Bio | Personal Bio

Susan Thompson

Office Manager

Prior to Sue coming onboard to nth Solutions in 2008, she was the Office Manager with a local electrical contractor for 16 years. There, she scheduled jobs, ordered materials and provided all the administrative and bookkeeping support needed to operate a successful business.

At nth Solutions, Sue utilizes her administrative and organizational skills to keep everything running without a glitch, ensuring everyone has everything needed to complete their jobs. Sue also oversees accounts payable/receivable, shipping, and retail/wholesale product order fulfillment.

Professional Bio | Personal Bio

Susan Thompson

Office Manager by day, Internet Surfer by night

Sue spent her childhood surrounded by animals, learning family values, realizing the importance of hard work, and always having a passion for exploration. Even at an early age, Sue can remember always being inquisitive. She was constantly asking “how” and “why” of her surroundings. Sue felt a great sense of pride when she would figure out how something worked. Today, Sue enjoys the convenience of YouTube, Google, and tutorials right at her fingertips to soak up even more information.

When Sue’s not satisfying her craving for knowledge, you can find her getting lost in gardening, and spending time with her family and adorable grandchildren.

Professional Bio | Personal Bio

Ernie Howard

Marketing & Logistics Manager

Ernie has been involved in management for more than 30 years including working at a leading national restaurant and managing several different districts at H&R Block. He also worked for over 15 years in the financial services industry completing his career as the Registered Principal of an Office of Supervisory Jurisdiction in Southeast Pennsylvania. He earned a BA in History at Ship­pensburg University, where he graduated with honors.

Ernie’s background in management paired with an innate skill set in analysis and research makes him a natural lead for operating the Marketing Department and overseeing all research and logistical functions of the company.

Professional Bio | Personal Bio

Ernie Howard

Marketing & Logistics Manager by day, Super Dad by night

Ernie’s favorite past-times include the calming hobbies of reading and woodworking. His favorite woodworking project of all time is the bookshelf he made for his wife Lisa shortly after they met. His other passion for reading began as a young child, where he started off with science fiction classics from Verne, Bradbury and Asimov. As he got older, he added other gripping works, such as the IRS tax code and encyclopedias.

Ernie is a self-proclaimed 80’s movie buff. He enjoys reading the Bible in his spare time, or kicking back with a good Tom Clancy or other military thriller. In the summers, you can catch Ernie at the pool or the beach soaking up some rays with his wife and two teenage daughters.

Professional Bio | Personal Bio

Our History

nth Solutions was founded in 2006 by Susan Springsteen and Eric Canfield.  We are a vertically integrated product development & manufactur­­ing company whose design team holds more than 50 commercialized patents.  The company’s mission—Save Money, Save Lives, and Preserve Natural Resources—has resulted in the creation and distribution of unique products for homes and businesses, all of which are made in the USA.  In addition, the company engages in joint ventures to vertically develop and expand intellectual property and products for commercial­ization, distribution, and sales.