Reasonable Needs of Children in High Income Cases Expert Witness

Education

1980, B. S. Electrical Engineering Course Work: Electronics and Power Distribution, Florida Atlantic University
A University of Florida School, Boca Raton, Florida

Experience

1997 to Present, Engineering Firm
Extensive experience assisting attorneys and insurance adjusters regarding automotive, residential and industrial electrical product designs and failures.  Performed the failure analysis of electrical and electromechanical components, which had lead to fires, equipment and property damage, electrocutions and personal injury. Applications include; Automotive, RV, fork truck,electrical, electronic product designs and failures, as well as residential and industrial electrical systems.
Broad technical experience that includes examination and documentation of more than 30 accidents and fires throughout the United States. Have provided testimony in this area of expertise and routinely performs litigation consulting. Specialized expertise in the areas of electrical and electromechanical failure analysis, mathematical modeling of systems, and electrical evidence collection, product testing and analysis procedures.

Sampling of Subjects Investigated
Automotive, industrial, commercial, and residential products including, electronic engine and motor controls, circuit breakers, distribution panels, power sub-stations and ground fault protection devices, AC and DC electric motors, batteries and battery chargers, automotive starters and alternators, tools and appliances, fluorescent lighting ballasts, switches and relays, and sensor designs and applications.

2001 – 2002, Division Engineering Manager, EFP Corporation
Responsible for all of the engineering planning and procedures, process controls, manufacturing equipment definition and purchasing of electric services and equipment, gas, water and steam for a 200,000 sq. foot polystyrene manufacturing facility. Responsible for the capital equipment budget of over 5 million dollars per annum.  Installed 10 new Siemens System Controllers on existing manufacturing equipment, increasing both productivity and efficiency by decreasing cycle times and scrap rates. Assigned as Program Manager for implementing 3 new automotive products into manufacturing improving process efficiency and quality. Assigned as Cost Improvement Manager for the division managing 10 to 15 projects identified significant cost improvements reducing spending by over $100,000. Assigned as a Lead Auditor for ISO 9000 Quality System compliance. Planned and implemented ISO 14000 Environmental Controls

1994 – 1998, General Manger, Electric Vehicle Systems and Division Director of Engineering and Quality, Prestolite Electric Inc.
Responsible for the development and implementation of all technical policies and procedures for automotive DC motors, automotive electronic controls, electronic battery charger products, and electromechanical switches. Product development responsibilities include complete project definition and schedules with multi-million dollar budget responsibility for all key strategic development programs. Provided technical leadership to corporate councel concerning all litigation. Direct reporting of 2 product engineering managers and a staff of 18 product development engineers. Extensive travel and customer interface with all automotive and material handling equipment customers. Experience representing the company in all areas, new product design, marketing, sales and pricing, quality issues, operations procedures, schedules and shipments. Assigned as Corporate Program General Manager for Electric Vehicle Systems, responsible for all sales, operations and engineering activities involved with DC motors, electronic controls and industrial battery chargers.
Developed product strategy and produced 3 new motors to penetrate the Automotive and Heavy Truck cranking motor business and provided a full application range of products. Orchestrated the development of the first strategic industrial pump motor family in over 8 years. Increased market share from 5% to 30% in 24 months. Products provided latest technology and 25% gross margin improvement. Planned and executed the introduction of ISO and QS 9000 procedures.

1992 – 1994, Manager, Product Development and Standard, ABB Power T&D Company, Inc. ADD Cities
Full product development responsibilities to meet Corporate strategic directions for power distribution equipment that included 480-36kVAC Switchgear, Circuit breakers and related products. Provided technical leadership to Corporate Counsel concerning all litigation.  Direct reporting of 26 Managers and Engineers. Developed and controlled 11 million dollar department and developmental budget.
Successfully lead a Multi-discipline engineering team to introduce a World Class Medium Voltage Switchgear and Circuit Breaker product line utilizing state of the art electronic communication and control system and Arc Resistant technology.

1989 – 1992, Division Engineering and Quality Manager Siemens Energy and Automation, Inc.
Responsible for design of all high volume (+40 million units / year) residential and industrial circuit breaker and ground fault protection products and manufacturing engineering as well as quality assurance for US and Mexican manufacturing facilities. Provided technical leadership to Corporate Counsel concerning all division litigation. Direct reporting of Engineering, Quality, Drafting and UL Test Lab personnel. Full responsibility for all design and product support engineering requirements for electronic and thermal-magnetic circuit breaker products ranging from 10 amps through 2000 amps. Served as Technical Expert representing SEA in all litigation. Led the introduction to the Malcom Baldridge Award program

1980 – 1989, Engineering Manager and Design Engineer Airpax Corp.
Complete design responsibility for all high volume automotive and aerospace speed sensing, lighting and DC motor products. Direct reporting of all development engineering staff. Extensive automotive customer interface and negotiations.

Career Summary

Professional Technical Manager with over twenty five years progressive and increasingly responsible positions in a Manufacturing and Consulting environment addressing Product Failures, Product Development, R & D Engineering, Operations, Marketing, Quality Assurance and Forensic Engineering. Demonstrated ability to successfully analyze, define, manage and implement complex business and technical objectives. Strong problem solving, planning, organization and technical management skills.  experienced expert liaison and facilitator.

Professional Associations

Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers  (IEEE)
Society of Automotive Engineers, Cranking Motor Committee  (SAE)
Small Motors Manufacturing Association  (SMMA)
Industrial Truck Association, Battery and Charger Committee  (ITA)
American Society for Quality (ASQ)
Automotive Parts Rebuilders Association  (APRA)
Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA)

Presentations

Available upon request