CONSTRUCTION ISSUES EXPERT

Expert Witness No. 958

Massachusetts

AREAS OF EXPERTISE: Construction and development, construction standards and practices, building industry standards, construction safety, construction management, building defects, construction plans and documents, building codes, sanitary code, accessibility design regulations, personal injury, mediation, land use, zoning, real estate development, dispute resolution, expert witness, construction cost estimates, construction scheduling, condominium associations, property management associations, bank loan disbursements, financial institutions, insurance claims, property claims analysis.

Focuses on the resolution of construction and real estate issues by providing expert witness, dispute resolution, and decision-making services.

PRINCIPLE SKILLS

• Research and Planning- identification of needs and goals; problem analysis; document, plan, and building investigation

• Group and Individual Relations- program development; negotiation; conflict resolution; client relations; court testimony.

• Writing and Public Relations- public speaking; report writing; journal and newspaper articles; workshops and panels.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Construction Issues Consulting, Amherst, MA

Owner (1995-present)

Founder of company providing expert witness, project analysis and dispute resolution services for addressing real estate and construction issues.

Clients include: contractors, architects, residential and commercial property owners, condominium and homeowner associations, financial institutions, insurance carriers, housing authorities, and attorneys.

Areas of focus include:

• Expert witness and dispute resolution for on-going and pre-construction litigation. Expert witness work covers: plan and document review; building inspections; reports; assistance in trial preparation, and court testimony.

• Dispute resolution covers mediation and neutral case evaluation.

• State and federal court qualified expert witness

• Project analysis: review of construction documents and plans; development of cost estimates for new construction and renovations covering acquisitions and insurance settlements; review of work in progress for building code, scope of work and construction standards issues; job site safety.

• Assistance in issue resolution and decision making involving developers, community groups and public officials.

• Facilitation for homeowners, businesses and organizations with construction planning and implementation

Town of Amherst, Dept. of Inspection Services,Amherst, MA

Building Inspector (July-October, 2002)

Staff building inspector with responsibilities for reviewing construction plans and documents; reviewing building permit applications and issuing building permits; conducting site inspections; and, interface with builders, developers, engineers, architects, and building owners.

Elements of Structure, Amherst, MA

Owner (1983-2002)

Founder of design and building company engaged in commercial, residential and institutional work covering new construction and remodeling. Responsible for project management, contract negotiations, design, estimating, budgeting, public hearings and permit processes.

Related work has included on-site analysis, with written reports, of residential and commercial properties for homebuyers and commercial investors.

International City Management Association,Washington, DC

Director, Energy Management Programs (June, 1980-September, 1982)

Responsible for programs to assist city and county managers in addressing local government and community energy problems. Programs focused on integrating energy management activities into local government operations, community development efforts, and long range capital and master planning.

Franklin County Energy Program, U.Mass, Amherst and Greenfield, MA

Director, (July, 1977-May, 1980)

Managed first U.S. Department of Energy sponsored project which developed energy transition plan for a local area. Supervised staff and consultants who calculated impacts of historical energy use and cost patterns, identified conservation options and energy production potentials, and estimated possible impacts of implementing various programs. Worked with local officials in integrating energy programs into municipal functions including essential services, community development efforts, and zoning and land use activities.

Massachusetts Public Interest Research Group, Amherst, MA

Staff Director, Environmental Programs (March, 1977-July, 1978)

Conducted research and developed reports dealing with various statewide environmental issues. Wrote and presented testimony to state legislative committees. Participated in radio and television talk shows and press conferences.

OTHER PERTINENT EXPERIENCE

• Federal Emergency Management Agency

Disaster Reservist (April, 1989-August, 1992)

Conducted building damage and loss assessments for a variety of natural disasters around the country.

• Amherst Fire Department, Amherst, MA

Lieutenant, retired (1983-1998)

EDUCATION-TRAINING

Bay Shore High School, Bay Shore, NY- June, 1969.

University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, Department of Urban and Community Planning, School of Design, Architecture and Art- B.A. Community Planning, June, 1974.

Numerous professional seminars, conferences and workshops covering planning, construction and mediation.

Forty hour national mediation training program, The Mediation and Training Collaborative, Greenfield, MA., April, 2000.

PERSONAL

• Birthdate- January, 1951.

• Marital Status- Married, two children.

• Licensed Construction Supervisor, State of Massachusetts, unrestricted classification.

• Registered Home Improvement Contractor, State of Massachusetts.

• Licensed Home Inspector, State of Massachusetts.

• Member- Massachusetts Association of Mediation Programs and Practitioners.

• Member- Technical Advisory Service for Attorneys.

• Member- Expert Resources, Inc.