Federal Consulting Elevator Escalator Expert Witness

Expert Witness No.1492

California

Education

1988, M.B.A., University Hawaii
1978, B.A., Economics, College in Washington

Continuing Education

Participation on ASME A17 Code Committee – Maintenance Repair and Replacement
Workshops by the National Association of Elevator Safety Authorities
Completion of Annual Q.E.I. test requirements
Factory and Technical Seminars by the leading equipment manufacturers
Technical articles in industry publications
Safety bulletins issued monthly by NAESA which include accident reviews with related code analysis
Review code updates and revisions proposed by committees of ASME
Meetings, workshops, and discussions in professional organizations

Professional Credentials

ASME/NAESA; Qualified Elevator Inspector
City of New York – Licensed Elevator Inspector
State of Texas – Licensed Elevator Inspector

Professional Experience

1998-present company that does; Forensic, Commercial, and Federal Consulting for Elevators and Escalators.  Forensic consulting including document review, site review, technical investigations, analysis, reports, and testimony toward the resolution of litigation involving elevators and escalators, moving walks, dumbwaiters, conveyors, and personnel hoists.
Commercial consulting including maintenance evaluations, modernization and retrofit analysis, acquisition studies, and new building design.

Federal consulting including code required elevator/escalator safety inspections for existing elevators as well as consulting for modernization and new design of Federal office buildings, courthouses, and detention facilities.

1986-1998 elevator company, Regional Manager.  All facets of elevator consulting for new building design, modernization, and maintenance evaluations for existing elevators.  Code consulting for compliance with Federal, State, and local codes.

1978-1986 elevator company, District Manager.  Responsible for construction, maintenance, and repair operations for the State of Hawaii.

Professional Memberships

American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME)
ASME A17 Maintenance Repair and Replacement Code Committee
National Association of Elevator Safety Authorities (NAESA)
International Association of Elevator Engineers (IAEE)
Elevator Escalator Safety Foundation
Northern California Elevator Industry Group

Publications

Available upon request

Seminars

Equity Office Properties
Elevator and escalator maintenance and vertical transportation management seminar for Chief Engineers in Denver.  September 2000

Equity Office Properties
Elevator and escalator maintenance and vertical transportation seminar for Chief Engineers and Building Manager in Seattle.  April 2002

Company Overview

Expert 1492’s company provides forensic, commercial and Federal consulting.  Approximately 20%
of their business is for the resolution of litigation or insurance claims.  Case history is approximately
50% Plaintiff / 50% Defense.  The 80% portion of their work includes Code required Safety
Inspections, maintenance and modernization evaluations, design work, specifications and project
management.

Code Expert

Q.E.I. - 1 designation through the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) and the National Association of Elevator Safety Authorities (NAESA).  Certification is recognized as safety inspection and code authority by the Federal Government.  Extensive experience with Federal safety inspections.  Qualified as inspector for elevator and escalator related building codes, electrical
codes, and accessibility code/law.

Document and Site Reviews

Document and site reviews to determine sequence of events leading to accident or failure.

Failure Analysis

Reviews to determine probable cause of failures and malfunctions.  Analysis to provide recommendations to prevent reoccurrence.

Insurance Claims

Technical assistance to resolve insurance claims related to floods, fire, or other causes.

Maintenance Evaluation

Comprehensive maintenance evaluation reviews to determine adequacy of preventive maintenance, adjustment, and performance of elevators and escalators.

Field Testing

Construction and maintenance tests for code compliance and industry standards.

Modernization and Retrofit

Field reviews to determine code upgrade requirements as well as technological upgrade options.

Design

All aspects of application design including vertical transport circulation studies, lay-out analysis to determine building core sizes, machine room dimensions, pit depths, and overhead requirements.  Interface with structural, electrical, and mechanical engineering disciplines to coordinate elevator related design