Mechanical engineering expert witness that has more than 35 years of experience in metallurgy, fracture mechanics, and materials engineering, with over 20 years providing consultation, deposition testimony, and courtroom testimony in engineering-related disputes. Their work focuses on evaluating mechanical failures, material behavior, and structural integrity issues, particularly in cases involving fracture, corrosion, and performance of industrial systems and components.

Their technical work integrates several specialized areas of analysis. A primary focus involves fracture mechanics, fractography, and failure analysis of metals, ceramics, glass, and other brittle materials, including evaluation of crack propagation, fracture surfaces, and material separation mechanisms. Their experience also includes metallurgy and materials science, with emphasis on metals and alloys, corrosion processes, and degradation affecting mechanical performance. In addition, their work incorporates stress analysis and finite element analysis, along with fitness-for-service and remaining life assessments used to determine structural reliability and continued operation of components. These capabilities are applied to mechanical equipment, welded structures, pipelines, and piping systems within oil and gas and energy environments, including assessment of pipeline integrity and weld performance in service conditions.

The expert’s professional background includes current involvement in consulting and engineering business operations, along with prior leadership roles in technology development, engineering consulting, and materials research organizations, as well as academic experience in mechanical engineering. Their work has included participation in the development of the API 579 fitness-for-service standard and continued involvement with the joint API/ASME Fitness-for-Service Committee, reflecting engagement with industry-recognized engineering standards used in evaluating equipment integrity. They have also authored a widely used reference text in fracture mechanics and contributed to peer-reviewed publications and editorial activities in the field. They hold a Doctor of Philosophy in Metallurgy, along with graduate and undergraduate degrees in metallurgical engineering. They are licensed as a Professional Engineer in the State of Colorado and have been recognized as a Fellow of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers.

Their litigation experience includes participation in deposition testimony, trial proceedings, arbitration hearings, mediation support, and preparation of expert reports in matters involving mechanical failure, pipeline integrity, and industrial equipment performance. These matters have included disputes across industrial, energy, and infrastructure settings requiring technical evaluation of materials, welds, and structural components.