Expert No. 51143 – MS / MT / TN
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Expertise Description: Ph.D. - Consulting scientific expert whose forensic work has included cases involving fraud, material suitability, and strength loss allegations in fire retardant treated wood products such as lumber, utility poles, plywood, and Copper Chrome Arsenate (CCA) treated timber. In-depth litigation support extending to field investigations, research, detailed reports, validated opinions, and trial/deposition testimony concerning biocides (pressure/non-pressure), formulation development, treatment processes, wood chemistry, standardized testing, basic science, wood adhesives, code and regulatory issues, building systems, and quality control (SPC, TQM). Over 35 years diversified R&D and plant management with international chemical and wood product organizations, as well as, author of commercially-used preservative patents in existing products and processes technologies along with many publications and presentations. Executive Committee member of the American Wood Preservers' Association and several other standard-setting scientific associations.
Areas of Expertise:
Representative Litigation Experience:
- Personal injury due to defective utility pole.
- Property damage due to fire retardant treatment.
- Property damage due to suitability of selected preservative.
- Building code issues.
- Quality issues for treated products.
Representative Consulting Services and/or Projects:
- Developing preservative and fire-retardant formulations.
- Obtaining building code listings for treatments.
- Quality control monitoring.
Education:
| Degree | Subject | Institution | |
|---|---|---|---|
| PhD | Wood Chemistry | University of Montana | |
| BS | Chemistry | University of Oregon |
Professional Appointment/Association Affiliations:
- President of firm that provides consulting services on wood preservation, fire retardants for wood and standardization procedures.
- American Wood Protection Association
- American Society for Testing and Materials International
- American Chemical Society
- International Code Council
- Forest Products Society
- Society of Wood Science and Technology
- Canadian Wood Preservation Association
- International Group on Wood Preservation
Awards & Honors:
| Award of Merit, American Wood Protection Association |
| Owner of 4 patents. |
Other Career Highlights:
| 80 publications on wood treatment. |
