Fire and Explosion Origin and Cause: Forensic Investigation and Expert Witness (1320)
Expertise
Fire and explosion-origin and cause analysis.
Fire and combustion science and computer modeling.
Forensic investigation of fires and identification of circumstances and negligence.
Engineering, operations and maintenance in industrial processes and facilities.
Risk management programs.
Root cause analysis and capabilities and adequacies of safety programs.
Nuclear accident investigation and recovery.
Validation specialist for pharmaceutical compounding facility.
Product liability related to electrical and electromechanical equipment and processes.
Experience
Professional Summary
Performed accident investigation activities and assisted legal staffs in preparing for court cases including providing sworn testimony regarding issues of fire and explosion origin and cause, equipment performance, manufacturing processes, and management negligence in personal injury cases.
Over thirty five years' experience in maintenance, engineering and operations at industrial facilities in the nuclear, pharmaceutical, petrochemical, manufacturing, and biotech industries. Assisted numerous organizations in these industries in improving operations through oversight and risk management program applications.
Developed and implemented root cause analysis capabilities and safety program designs for systems, equipment, and processes.
Developed specialized test methods for assessing equipment performance for new installations as well as modifications to existing installations. These included complete operational, maintainability, and safety analyses before placing equipment in service.
Performed SPC and advanced statistical analysis to validate and improve manufacturing processes. Validation specialist for potent compounding facility design, installation, and commissioning activities.
Provided some of the key analytical input for state and federal government agencies during the TMI-2 nuclear accident investigation and recovery. As one of the key, on-site supervisors during the recovery phase of this major accident event, he developed and implemented specialized test methods that were crucial in determining stability of the nuclear reactor system.
Independent Consultant 2003 – Present
Provide engineering, management systems, and fire, arson, and explosion investigation services.
Specialties include investigations in electrical engineering, industrial engineering, electrical equipment failure analysis, management negligence issues, and fire, arson, and explosion events.
Past experience investigating nuclear accidents and safety policies.
Raven Services Corporation Manassa, Virgina 2003 - Present
Direct a staff of 55 technical and administrative personnel in operations, maintenance, and engineering assignments for the Bureau of Engraving and Printing at their Western Currency Facility in Fort Worth, Texas.
Managed contract for operations, maintenance, engineering, and facility improvement project management including contract administration and bargaining unit negotiations.
Forensic Analysis & Engineering Corporation, Raleigh, North Carolina, 2001 – 2003
Principal Engineer in charge of corporate office. Responsible for the quality and technical accuracy of all work performed by Forensic Analysis & Engineering Corporation nationwide.
Worked as consulting engineer providing fire and explosion investigation, design engineering, product failure investigation, product testing, and operational safety consultation.
Forensic specialties included investigations in industrial safety, design defect analysis, regulatory compliance, equipment failure analysis, process control failures, Total Quality Management issues, and fire, arson, and explosion events.
NVT Technologies Incorporated, Project Manager – National Institute for Environmental Health Sciences, 2000 – 2001
Directed a staff of 23 technical personnel in the operation and maintenance of the National Institute for Environmental Health Sciences 350 acre, eight building facility.
Execute a five million dollar contract for technical services including contract administration and negotiating cost responsibility with the government client and vendors for various deficiencies.
Directed waste disposal operations and implemented the Government safety program in the operations and maintenance areas.
Phoenix Imperative, Inc., Senior Consultant, 1999 – 2000
Develop and execute IQ, OQ, PQ, and Validation protocols for systems, equipment, and processes.
Prepare final validation reports for bulk API processes, solid dosage processes, gelatin encapsulation, HVAC systems, and potent compounding facility systems and equipment.
Develop and apply statistical and related analytical methods for process understanding, retrospective validation support, root cause analysis, and process improvement.
Instrument Society of America, Manager, Training Services, 1998 – 1999
Directed a staff of specialists in training hardware management, training operations at the ISA Institute and at client facilities, and leadership development training for the ISA membership at the section and division levels.
Provided strategic direction for the evolution of the training program especially in the areas of industrial computing, industrial safety, and environmental hazards related to boiler emissions.
Bristol-Myers Products, Manager, Production Services, 1993 – 1998
Directed a staff of operations and maintenance personnel in the development and implementation of manufacturing support programs including records management/document control, inventory management and traceability, process improvement, and technical training and certification.
Managed all technical operations related to the maintenance and engineering function in the manufacturing department including OSHA, FDA, NFPA, ANSI, and EPA requirements and SPC/TQM applications.
Specially trained in application of cGMP, validation and solid dosage processing at the Institute for Applied Pharmaceutical Sciences.
Independent Consultant, 1990 – 1993
Project Engineering/Management assignments included equipment performance analysis using condition monitoring and diagnostic methods, life cycle analysis, and preparation of strategic action plans at the corporate and operating facility levels.
Evaluated operations and maintenance functions against industrial safety standards and prescribed levels of effectiveness and efficiency.
Advanced Technology Engineering Systems, Chief Engineer, 1984 – 1990
Directed a staff of degreed engineers and technical graphic designers and instructional technologists in industrial facility operations, maintenance, and engineering.
Designed and implemented programs that included OSHA, ANSI, and NRC requirements for nuclear plant facilities.
Operating Director for the Electric Power Research Institute’s International Equipment Monitoring and Diagnostic Center.
Electrical Power Research Institute, Nuclear Power Operations, Project/Senior Program Manager, 1980 – 1984
Conducted detailed maintenance and operations bench marking and oversight activities at plant facilities. Developed upgrade programs in facility maintenance and engineering in compliance with standards and regulatory requirements.
Provided a safety oversight function to improve personnel and equipment performance through implementation of nuclear industry best practices relative to operations, maintenance, and safety programs.
General Electric Company/Babcock Wilcox Co., Senior Construction Engineer/Engineering Supervisor, 1972 – 1980
Successfully completed a variety of project engineering assignments at industrial facilities in systems installation, start-up, and testing in compliance with industrial and professional society code requirements.
Responsibilities included electrical, mechanical, and instrumentation systems and material evaluation for fire resistance, shelf life, fluid compatibility and stress corrosion cracking.
Key on-site supervisor for Babcock & Wilcox for the TMI-2 nuclear accident investigation and recovery.
United States Navy, Electrician's Mate, First Class, 1966 – 1972
Qualified to operate and maintain naval nuclear propulsion systems. Qualified in nuclear submarines. Qualified naval nuclear power instructor.
Certifications
PE, 6 states
In the past Certified Plant Engineer (CPE), now certified as a maintenance and reliability professional.
Certified Fire and Explosion Investigator-National Association of Fire Investigators
Certified Vehicle Fire Investigator-National Association of Fire Investigators
Certified DDI Facilitator-Dimensions Development International
Certified Training in Hazardous Waste Operations, Gebco Associates
Certified Maintenance and Reliability Professional - Society for Maintenance and Reliability Professionals
Basic and Advanced Electrician Qualification
Basic Firefighting
Honors & Publications
Industry Advisory Group, Three Mile Island Nuclear Accident Recovery, 1979
IEEE Committee Representative, Electric Power Research Institute,
Session Chairman, Power Plant Reliability, Availability, and Maintainability-IEEE Power Generation Committee, 1981
Session Chairman, Time Series Analysis Applications-IEEE Power Generation Committee, 1982
ISA, Training Manager-Instrumentation, Measurement, and Control Systems- Manufacturing Execution Systems Exhibition Training, 1998-99
National Association of Fire Investigators, Member, Current
National Fire Protection Association, Member, Current
Education
Ph.D. Business Administration and Management, Columbia Pacific University
MS Applied Science, State University of New York
BS Electrical Engineering, Union College