Glass Failure Analysis and Combustion Engineering Expert Witness

Expert Witness No. 2285

Missouri

Education

B.S. Ceramic Engineering, University of Missouri-Rolla, 1991

Professional Associations

American Ceramic Society, Member, 1986- Present

Research Staff Consultant, University of Missouri-Rolla, Dept. of Ceramic Engineering,
1996 – 2002

Employment

2008 – Present, Owns a Thermal Process Consulting Company,  Owner/President

Provide contract research and development services for glass and ceramic products and processing methods in North America and abroad.  Design combustion systems and high temperature production technologies.  Design and supervise construction of glass furnaces and manufacturing facilities.  Provide forensic engineering and expert witness services. 

2000 – 2007, Glass Strand, Inc., Engineering Consultant, Manager, International Projects

Supervise the design and construction, operations and management of continuous filament fiberglass manufacturing plants worldwide. Supervise international work force consisting of consultants, engineers, managers and professional staff. Implement safety, and ergonomic policies and supervise creation of safety training programs. Provide leadership for long term growth strategies and set technical goals using lean manufacturing to increase quality and production efficiency. Launch IT projects utilizing“PLC to enterprise level” integration to allow real time management of information for manufacturing, business management, inventory and sales and marketing management. Launch new product lines, research and develop new products, and manage on-site construction activities. Supervise legal matters, negotiate contracts, and work with legal counsel on all matters of intellectual property and business agreements. Design, manufacture, and provide field service for combustion systems and burner hardware. Currently supervising construction of complete turn-key fiberglass manufacturing plants in Bahrain and Belarus.

2003 – 2006, A Private Forensic Company ,  Forensic Engineer/Expert Witness

Provide technical investigations, analysis, reports, affidavits and testimony towards the
resolution of litigation involving: Failure of Materials, Fractology Examinations, Industrial Process Engineering, Industrial Furnaces, Combustion Equipment.

1996 – 2002, Engineering Consultant, Research Staff Consultant , University of Missouri-Rolla,
Department of Ceramic Engineering.

Design, construct, and operate pilot scale glass furnace for the Center for Glass Research furnace corrosion testing project in coordination with U.S. DOE.

Support construction projects with major U.S. and foreign glass companies, raw material manufacturers, combustion technology providers, and industrial gas producers. Provide manufacturing improvements, and developed new reflective safety products. Design and build industrial combustion systems and burners. Provide furnace design consulting and construction management services.

1997 – 1999, Flex-O-Lite, Inc., Plant Engineer

Supervise a staff of five managers and 91 direct reports in a specialty glass manufacturing facility. Responsible for capital projects, safety, production, maintenance, research and development, and customer service. Manage major capital project to install environmental abatement equipment.

1995 – 1997, MO-SCI Corporation, Project Engineer

Supervise production and manage research projects for a high-technology glass company specializing in products for defense, electronics, bio- medical, and nuclear applications. Develop materials for nuclear waste vitrification at Savannah River Nuclear facility for the U.S. Department of Energy. Design production processes to manufacture glass products for human bone implants and prostheses. Develop specialized glass composition for radar-decoy “chaff” for the U.S. Navy. Work with federal law enforcement to develop explosive “taggants.” Manage expansion project to
increase production capacity by over 300% in less than one year.

1994 – 1995, PPG Industries, Production Engineer

Supervise bulk material handling, and batching operations for a float glass facility producing over 1000 tons per day of flat glass for automotive end use. Supervise special projects to improve furnace operations and forming processes.

1992 – 1994, Combustion Tec, Inc. Research and Development Engineer, Field Service Engineer

Supervise R&D and design of new combustion systems for glass manufacturing. Work with major U.S. and many overseas glass companies to implement combustion technologies to reduce emissions and improve quality of products. Design new burners and aided development of new systems still in use today worldwide. Design liquid and gas flow control systems, supervise their manufacturing, and install and start up capital equipment in the field. Work on heat exchangers and
furnaces for glass, ceramic, and non-ferrous metals production.

1991 – 1992, AFG Industries, Inc.          Technical Development Engineer

Responsible for project management for large-scale plant improvements and maintenance
projects. Supervise repair and installation of new equipment for glass processing.
Create waste management strategies to reduce environmental impact and reduce waste
disposal costs. Design oxygen/natural gas combustion system to boost production and
prolong furnace life.

Publications

Available upon Request