Provides Opinion & Testimony In:
Electrical Fire Accident Investigation, Fire Investigation, Fire Forensics, Electrical Forensics Engineering, E O Insurance, Fire Causes, Product Failures, Electrical Equipment Damages, Electrical Equipment Losses, Personal Injury Electrical Issues
Expert Witness No. 3138
New York
EDUCATION
Syracuse University – Bachelor of Sciences Degree – Television & Radio Major, 1974
Newhouse School of Communications
FCC Broadcast Electrical Engineering License (U.S. Gov’t Examination & Issue)
Factory Electronic Engineering and Technical Service Training for:
Sony, Pioneer, Panasonic, Advent, Denon, Yamaha, Harmon Kardon, Onkyo, Kenwood, Magnevox, Phillips, Bang & Olufson, Luxman, Koss, Uniden, General Instruments, Luxor, JVC, RCA, NEC, McIntosh, General Electric, Quasar, Marantz, Sansui, others.
New York State Fire Academy and Other Fire Related Courses:
See “Continuing Education” Section Below
RELATED PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE
Electrical Forensics Expert in Fire Sciences:
Acquired FCC Broadcast Electrical Engineering License.
Certified New York State Fire Investigator: Level I
Certified New York State Fire Investigator: Level II
Independent Electrical & Electronics Consultant in the Areas of Fire, Accident & Product Failure Analysis for Insurance Companies, Private Attorneys, District Attorneys, Law Enforcement, Private & Municipal Fire Investigators.
1990 – Present
Electronic Repair Shop
Performed Repairs, Monetary Estimates, Fraud Determination & Failure Analysis on Fire and Smoke Damaged Electronic Equipment for Insurance Companies.
1984 – 1990
Court Qualified as an Electrical & Electronics Expert in New York & Pennsylvania.
Court Qualified as an Electrical & Electronics Expert in United States District Court.
RELATED PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATIONS
New York State Association of Fire Investigators
Syracuse Insurance Claims Association
Onondaga County Fire Investigator Apprentice Program
New York State Fire Academy Faculty-Student Association
RELATED TEACHING EXPERIENCE
New York State Fire Academy: Instructed the following courses:
Investigating Electrical Fires, Cause & Origin.
Fire/Arson Investigation Principles for the Insurance Industry. Electrical Fire Causes, Product Subrogation & Liability.
Instructor for Municipal Fire Investigators: Electrical Fire Investigations
New York City Fire Marshall’s Investigative Unit
City of Syracuse Fire Department
Onondaga County Fire Investigation Team
Oswego County Fire Investigation Team
Speaker/Instructor at many New York State Fire Investigator’s Conventions
Conducted Electrical Workshops/Instruction: NY State Fire Investigator’s Convention
Featured Speaker at Syracuse Insurance Claims Association Seminars
Featured Speaker at Binghamton Insurance Claims Association Seminar
Featured Speaker at Utica Insurance Claims Association Seminar
Trainer for “in-house” Insurance Company Workshops
Instructed Syracuse Fire Department Personnel
Instructed New York City Fire Marshall Trainees
Instructed Oswego County Fire Investigator Personnel
ELECTRONICS & ELECTRICAL TECHNICAL EXPERIENCE
Engineering Department: Benchmark Media Systems Inc. Syracuse, NY. 2006 – 2009
Perform Electronic Service on Customer Equipment
Build Prototype Equipment for Testing, Redesign & Future Production
Provide Direct Technical Assistance to Company’s Head Design Engineer
Use Variety of Test Equipment and Micro-Soldering Through Microscopes
Owner/Operator DOWN TO EARTH ELECTRONICS, INC. Syracuse, NY. 1984 – 1990
Performed and Directed Technical Repair Services to the Following Types of Equipment:
Business Telephone Systems
Battery Backup Systems
Business Music & Paging Systems
Medical Signaling Systems
Commercial & Residential Satellite Systems
Fax & Copy Machines
Commercial & Consumer Video Equipment
Automotive Sound & Security
Commercial & Consumer Sound Equipment
Small Electric Appliances
Marine Electronics (radio & navigation)
Misc. Electronic Equipment
Commercial & Residential Security Systems
Cellular Telephone
Analyzed Smoke and Fire Damaged Electronic Equipment For Insurance Companies for Serviceability, Fraud Detection and Failure Mode.
Technical Supervisor for GORDON ELECTRONICS, INC. Syracuse, NY. 1979 – 1984
Repaired All Electronic Equipment. Audio, Video, Customers Units, Store Stock
Repaired Commercial & Residential Projection Television Equipment
Designed & Supervised the Installation of Custom Electronics Packages
Responsible for Customer Satisfaction Regarding All Aspects of Technical Service
Trained Technical Staff & Sales Staff on Technical Topics.
Maintained Service and Test Equipment
Owner/Partner: THE STEREO REPAIR SHOP, Syracuse, NY. 1975 – 1979
Repaired Two Way Radio Equipment
Repaired Stereo, Public Address and Musical Sound Equipment
Repaired Large & Small Electric Appliances
Repaired Marine Electronics
Repaired Amateur Radio Equipment
Repaired Television Equipment
Equipment Operations for WCNY-TV/FM, Syracuse, NY.1971 – 1976
TV/FM Broadcast Engineering and Production Departments.
Acquired FCC Broadcast Electrical Engineering License (U.S. Gov’t Issue)
Broadcast Engineer, Television & FM Departments
Headed 16mm Cinematography Department (Television Division)
Television Camera, Lighting & Studio Operations – In-House & Remote Locations
Instrumental in Technical Construction of 16 Track Recording Studio (FM Dept)
Television & FM Equipment Maintenance
ADDITIONAL TEACHING EXPERIENCE
Certified New York State "Safe Boating" Instructor for United States Power Squadron through U.S Coast Guard: Adult "Boating Safety & Navigation" & Junior "Safe Boating" Classes
Electronics Instructor for Amateur Radio License Trainees
INTERESTS
Ham Radio Operator, Advanced Class FCC Amateur Radio License Since 1975
Over 40 Years Experience Piloting Large & Small Sailing Vessels
Guitar Player & Vintage Guitar Collector
Civil War & Western Antique Firearms Collector (pre-1898)
SPECIAL AWARDS
Presented the "Civilian Award for Heroism" by the City of Syracuse, March 2000