A licensed Professional Engineer in Electrical Engineering and Certified Fire and Explosion Investigator with over ten years experience conducting forensic engineering investigations. He has conducted consumer product testing and analysis in support of product development, design modification, and recall consideration.
He conducts investigations involving electrical consumer products including appliances, tools, computers, extension cords, and surge protectors; electrically ignited fires; electrical grounding and electrical shock; electrical commercial and industrial equipment including electric motor operated pumps, fans, and HVAC units; electrical power generation and distribution, including switchgear design, installation, and maintenance; code compliance of building and special installation wiring for various sites, including marinas and fairgrounds; and conduct of work on electrical systems, including lockout/tagout procedures and other OSHA requirements.
A highly regarded educator, he taught Electrical Engineering at the U.S. Naval Academy for six years, demonstrating his expertise in teaching subjects ranging from basic circuits to power distribution and system characterization, while also mentoring independent design projects. Students and colleagues alike praised his ability to distill complicated subjects into key points and to explain them in easily understandable terms, a skill appreciated by clients and juries. His investigative approach is methodical and thorough, referencing codes and standards where appropriate, and offering opinions and conclusions based on verifiable evidence.
He has conducted investigations from initial site inspection through code and standards review, evidence and exemplar testing. As a court-qualified expert witness, he has given trial and deposition testimony supporting his findings.
Academic Background
- M.S., Electrical Engineering, Tufts University, 1994
- B.S., Physics, United States Naval Academy, 1992
- Certified Fire and Explosion Investigation Program, National Association of Fire Investigators, 2004
Professional Experience
- Senior Electrical Engineering Consultant, RTI Group, LLC, Stevensville, MD, 2013-present
- Senior Electrical Engineer, Flaherty Engineering Consulting, LLC, 2009-present
- Electrical Engineering Faculty, United States Naval Academy, 2006-2012 Courses/subjects taught: Electrical Circuits, Power Generation and Distribution, Electrical Motors, Power Supply Design, Fiber Optical Communications, Signals and Systems
- Consulting Electrical Engineer, CED Investigative Technologies, Inc., 2006-2012
- Senior Electrical Engineer, CED Investigative Technologies, Inc., 2003-2005
- Optical Engineer/Laser Safety Officer, Lumera, Inc., 2001-2003
- Nuclear Propulsion Plant Engineering Instructor, Trident Training Facility, 1999-2001
- Strategic Missile Officer and Quality Assurance Director, USS Florida (SSBN 728), 1997-1999
- Shift Maintenance Coordinator and Engineering Watch Officer, USS Florida (SSBN 728), 1996-1999
- Naval Nuclear Propulsion and Submarine Training, United States Navy, 1994-1995
Licensing and Registration
- Licensed Professional Engineer, District of Columbia, License No. PE901659
- Certified Fire and Explosion Investigator, National Association of Fire Investigators
- Naval Nuclear Propulsion Engineer
Professional Associations and Activities
- Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE)
- National Fire Protection Association (NFPA)
- National Association of Fire Investigators (NAFI)
Areas of Expertise
- Electrical consumer products including appliances, tools, computers, extension cords, and surge protectors
- Electrically ignited fires
- Electrical grounding and electrical shock
- Electrical commercial and industrial equipment including electric motor operated pumps, fans, and HVAC units
- Electrical power generation and distribution, including switchgear design, installation, and maintenance
- Residential and commercial building wiring
- Electrical control systems
- Conduct of work on electrical systems, including lockout/tagout procedures and other OSHA requirements
Case Experience
- Investigated numerous residential and commercial building fires potentially caused by wiring faults or appliance failures
- Evaluated switchgear design defects which contributed to a severe electrical shock accident
- Numerous evaluations of fire-damaged surge protectors and power taps
- Determined whether specific work practices contributed to electric shock accidents
- Determined the cause of a fire in an electric drag racer
- Evaluated remote operation system for an industrial crane
- Evaluated code compliance of building and special installation wiring for various sites, including marinas and fairgrounds
