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Expert in Heavy Commercial Truck Engineering, Litigation Support, Regulations and Standards
Available for your Consulting and Expert Witness Needs
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Summary of Expertise:
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Listed with other top experts in: |
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HEAVY COMMERCIAL VEHICLE PRODUCT LIABILITY LITIGATION SUPPORT. Expert was employed for 3+ years (2007 - 2010) as a consultant (Managing Engineer) for an international consultancy, for 10+ years (1997 - 2007) by Ford Motor Company (Ford) as a Design Analysis Engineer, and for 24+ years (1972 - 1996) by Ford in its Heavy Truck Engineering Office in various product engineering positions, acquiring over 37 years of heavy commercial vehicle engineering experience. From 1997 to 2010, his heavy commercial vehicle product liability litigation support work included cases involving all of the engineering topics described in the section below, plus the following heavy commercial vehicle topics: wheel retention; back up warning systems; rear impact guards; frontal crashworthiness; air suspension driver seats; air and hydraulic brake systems; drivelines; clutches; powertrain performance and application; and multiple-stage vehicle manufacturing roles, responsibilities, regulatory requirements, practical basis, and benefits. This work included document research; vehicle inspections; damage and failure analysis; discovery support; tests and demonstrations; technical advice to counsel; affidavits; expert reports and declarations; pre-trial testimony including corporate (30(b)(6) and PMK) depositions, expert depositions, evidentiary hearings, mediation, and arbitration; trial exhibit preparation, and trial testimony. HEAVY COMMERCIAL VEHICLE PRODUCT ENGINEERING. Expert was employed for 24½ years (1972 - 1996) by Ford in the Heavy Truck Engineering Office where he acquired expertise in heavy commercial vehicle (GVWR Class 6 - 8) design engineering; development engineering; product validation testing (performance evaluation, durability, and regulatory certification); failure analysis and resolution; assembly process; maintenance requirements; field performance; and safety of various chassis and power train components, assemblies, systems, and vehicle attributes including fuel tanks, chassis fuel systems, cab ingress/egress systems, back-of-cab access systems, frame assemblies, tow hooks, battery support systems, suspension systems, steering systems, rear axle assemblies, wheel equipment (wheels, hubs, drums, bearings, and seals), all attaching fasteners for assigned components, ride & handling, and noise control. He held various positions including Product Engineering Designer, Product Design Engineer, Product Development Engineer, Product Development Engineering Supervisor, and Product Design Engineering Supervisor. HEAVY COMMERCIAL VEHICLE REGULATORY AND INDUSTRY STANDARDS. Expert is familiar with regulatory requirements applicable to heavy commercial vehicles including Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards, Canadian Motor Vehicle Safety Standards, Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration Vehicle Regulations, EPA Exterior Noise Regulations, OSHA Workplace Noise Regulations, and Canadian Interior Noise Regulations. Expert is familiar with industry standards applicable to heavy commercial vehicles including SAE Recommended Practices, SAE Standards, SAE Material Specifications, TMC Recommended Practices, Ford Engineering Specifications, and Ford Material Specifications. HEAVY COMMERCIAL VEHICLE FAILURE ANALYSIS. Expert acquired this expertise from university and work-related training and 37+ years of experience in product engineering and product liability litigation. Failures occurring in both product validation testing and in service must be understood to be properly resolved, making failure analysis a fundamental element of product engineering. In product liability litigation, a crucial question is typically whether the damage observed resulted from the accident or indicates a failure that led to the accident.
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Show Secondary and Basic Areas of Expertise | Localities:
Expert may consult nationally and internationally, and is also local to the following cities: Tampa, Florida;
Saint Petersburg, Florida;
Orlando, Florida;
Clearwater, Florida;
Cape Coral, Florida;
Lakeland, Florida;
Largo, Florida;
and Sarasota, Florida.
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Degree |
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Subject |
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Institution |
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Honors |
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1972
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MS
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Mechanical Engineering
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Purdue University
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1969
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BS
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Mechanical Engineering
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Purdue University
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With Distinction
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| Years |
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Employer |
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Department |
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Title |
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Responsibilities |
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2007 to 2010
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Exponent, Inc.
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Vehicle Practice Area
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Managing Engineer
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He provided engineering consulting services to the clients of this international consulting firm, usually to law firms, to support defense of product liability litigation filed against their clients, usually alleging heavy commercial vehicle product design or manufacturing defects.
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1997 to 2007
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Ford Motor Company
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Design Analysis Office
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Design Analysis Engineer
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He provided in-house engineering consulting services to Ford Motor Company (Ford) Office of the General Counsel, to support defense of product liability litigation filed against Ford, usually related to Ford heavy truck products, usually alleging design or manufacturing defects.
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1987 to 1996
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Ford Motor Company
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Heavy Truck Chassis Design Dept.
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Supervisor, Frame and Fuel Section
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He supervised design engineering for assigned heavy truck vehicle systems for all Ford medium and heavy truck models (GVWR Class 6 - 8) including fuel tanks, chassis fuel systems, frame assemblies, tow hooks, battery support systems, cab access steps, back-of-cab access steps and deck plates, chassis side fairings supports, chassis splash shields, and attaching fasteners for all assigned items.
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1985 to 1987
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Ford Motor Company
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Heavy Truck Development Department
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Supervisor, HT Vehicle Evaluation Section
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He supervised development of heavy truck ride and handling improvement proposals; systematic evaluation of Ford and competitive heavy truck vehicles; pass-by and interior noise development and certification testing; resolution of customer concerns with ride, handling, and NVH; creation of CAE capability for heavy truck ride and handling development; and management of the test fleet and the department budget.
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1984 to 1985
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Ford Motor Company
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Heavy Truck Development Department
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Product Development Engineer
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He developed design proposals to improve heavy truck ride and handling including hydroelastic and air cab mounts; frame stiffness revisions, and taper leaf front and rear springs. He supervised wind tunnel testing to support an engine emissions program, and created a formal driveability test procedure.
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1972 to 1984
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Ford Motor Company
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HT Design Departments, HT Advanced Engineering Department, HT Drafting Department
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Product Design Engineer and Product Engineering Designer
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He held engineering positions responsible for design and development of heavy truck powertrain and chassis components, assemblies, and systems including support of NASTRAN modeling of ride and vibration; layouts of tandem rear suspension and axle systems; design, build, and evaluation of "Twin I-Beam F-600" prototype; design and validation of gasoline engine family FEAD's and packaging in all medium duty models; design of rear axle assemblies, wheels, hubs, drums, bearings, and seals; and HT Chassis Design Department launch representative for 1980 Medium F-Series (RAM) Program.
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1969 to 1972
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Midwest Applied Science Corporation
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Project Engineer
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He handled various design projects including cleaning systems for food handling equipment, an automated saw blade tip brazing system, a prototype high-pressure dishwasher, and industrial noise control proposals.
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1969 to 1969
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General Motors Corporation
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Pontiac Motor Division
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Project Engineer
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He worked in a noise and vibrations laboratory supporting product engineering with experimental investigations including brake structures testing; cooling fan strain measurements; interior noise improvement proposals; and the design, build and use of a system to evaluate performance of a proposed SOHC V8 valve train design.
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Associations/Societies
He has been a member of the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) for over 34 years and was a member of its Buckendale Lecture Committee, Powertrain and Drivetrain Committee, and Motor Vehicle Fire Investigation Task Force.
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Licenses/Certifications
He is licensed as a Professional Engineer (P.E.) by the State of Michigan.
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Awards/Recognition
He is a member of Tau Beta Pi engineering scholastic honorary fraternity. He received Purdue University President's Academic Award For 1969.
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| Selected Consulting Examples: |
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Public disclosure of litigation expert work product without affected counsel's permission is inappropriate. Examples may be made available upon request, pending permission of counsel. In handling hundreds of cases, expert has performed all of the following tasks: vehicle inspections; evidence collection; damage analysis; failure analysis; product research including design, manufacturing process, specifications, available options, production volumes, recall history, warranty and field concerns history, competitive products, regulatory requirements and compliance; incidence of similar events; explanation of technical aspects to counsel; review of opposing discovery responses including interrogatories, admissions, produced documents and materials; review and summarize witness statements, deposition transcripts, affidavits, expert reports; assist counsel with discovery responses including interrogatories, requests for admissions, requests for production; draft and submit affidavits; formulate expert opinions; draft and submit expert declarations and expert reports; propose, design, and direct creation of physical exhibits for trial; provide corporate and expert deposition testimony; propose list of exhibits for trial; propose and create documentary exhibits for trial; propose, design, and direct fabrication of physical exhibits for trial; testify at trial. His four-year testimony record is available upon request.
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As a consultant of an international consultancy, he recommended modifications to a completed motorhome-based mobile mammography van to reduce its rear axle loading to ensure compliance with legal load limits when carrying its maximum intended load.
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Click the green button above to contact
Expert for a free initial screening call regarding your expert consulting needs.
Expert is available for consulting to corporate, legal and government clients.
Remember, your initial screening call to speak with
Expert is free.
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Expert Witness Experience Summary:
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He handled heavy truck litigation matters as a corporate and expert witness regarding product design and manufacturing integrity for 13 years. He testified over 60 times in 14 states and 1 Canadian province, including expert trial testimony in state courts (California, Louisiana, New Jersey, New York, Texas, Province of Alberta) and United States District Court (Arizona). The accuracy and credibility of his expert opinions are enhanced by his heavy truck product engineering experience, and his testimony has proven to be effective.
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Click the green button above to contact
Expert for a free initial screening call regarding expert testimony,
litigation consulting and support, forensic services, or any related expert witness services.
A few litigation needs include product liability, personal injury, economic loss, intellectual property
(patent, trademark, trade secret, copyright), and insurance matters. Remember, your initial screening
call to speak with
Expert is free.
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| International Experience: |
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Summary |
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2000 to 2000
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Red Deer, Alberta, Canada
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He represented Ford Motor Company as a corporate and expert witness at a criminal trial in Red Deer, Alberta. He investigated and testified regarding a Ford truck brake system defect alleged by the defendant to have caused a fatal collision. No defect was found, defendant was found guilty of careless driving by the court.
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1985 to 1985
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Sao Paulo, Brazil
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He participated in engineering sign-off of Ford Cargo medium duty truck models produced at Ford's Iperanga Assembly Plant in Sao Paulo, Brazil for sale in North America, including final drive evaluations and review of initial production vehicles.
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1980 to 1984
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Oakville, Ontario, Canada
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He conducted periodic reviews of warranty returned rear axle assembly components with rear axle supplier representatives to execute terms of warranty cost sharing agreements.
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He stays well informed on industry trends and challenges through industry periodicals and newsletters, with emphasis on product design and manufacturing topics.
Click the green button above to contact
Expert for a free initial screening call regarding your marketing research, industry research, and company
research needs. For research needs involving multiple experts or secondary research,
a Research Director can be assigned to coordinate the work into a custom report for you as a potentially quicker
and more cost effective alternative to doing this work yourself or hiring a boutique consultancy.
Remember, your initial screening call to speak with
Expert is free.
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| Additional Skills and Services: |
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Training/Seminars
He created a "Webinar" training seminar on "Roles and Responsibilities of Commercial Truck Multiple-Stage Manufacturing" and presented it to his colleagues at the international consultancy at which he was most recently employed. He supported many team building, training, and product introduction events at Ford Motor Company with presentations thoughout his 35+ year Ford career.
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Supplier and Vendor Location and Selection His 24+ years in heavy truck product development included working closely with dozens of suppliers of heavy truck components and assemblies to ensure compliance with Ford requirements, achievement of program goals, and resolution of product concerns. He worked closely with Ford Purchasing colleagues providing product engineering support for their selection of production suppliers.
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Education
