Degrees: Stanford Ph.D. in Engineering Mechanics (Mechanical Engineering).

Specialties: Reconstruction of vehicular accidents; mechanical failure analysis; tire failure analysis; analysis of vehicle collisions and vehicle response to operator input; dynamics, impact and vibration; computer analyses of solids, fluids, and one-of-a-kind engineering mechanics problems; applied physics.

Qualifications:

Fifteen years of litigation experience.

Registered professional mechanical engineer in California.

List of 23 technical publications available.

Fluent speaker of Spanish.

Have worked for Failure Analysis, Exxon Production Research, the Uniroyal Tire Research Center, and Lockhead Missiles and Space.

Have taught engineering at Santa Clara University.

---

New Jersey Office: PMB 4066 55 Madison Avenue - Ste 400 Morristown, NJ 07960 T: (973) 401-0010 F: (973) 401-0056

New Hampshire Office: Analytic Engineering 105 Juniper Ridge Road Gilford, NH 03249 T: (603) 293-4477 F: (603) 293-4142

Analytic Engineering combines Professional Engineering with Effective Communication. We offer Technical Analysis and Services in the Engineering field and provide experienced Expert Testimony to communicate the conclusions reached.

Engineering Services:

Mechanical Engineering Safety Engineering Vehicular Accident Reconstruction Failure Analysis Computer Animation

Premises Liability Patent Claim Analysis Product Design & Liabilty Product & Equipment Design Engineering Services

Steven R. Thomas, PE, the Principal Engineer at Analytic Engineering, earned his Bachelor of Science - Engineering (Mechanical and Electrical) at Widener University, Chester, PA in 1979 and a Master of Science in Engineering Science (Safety Engineering and Human Factors) at The New Jersey Institute of Technology in 1997.

Professional Experience: Steven R. Thomas, P.E. has worked for such organizations as General Motors, Thomas & Betts, General Cable and Breed Automotive Corporation. He has worked in the engineering fields of Research and Development, Product Design, Machine Design, Manufacturing, Industrial, Tooling, Safety, Facility Design, Failure Analysis and Accident Reconstruction. Since 1991 Mr. Thomas has worked as an Engineering Consultant in the Forensic field and has testified in numerous jurisdictions.

Murat Okcuoglu has over 30 years of active involvement in Vehicle Design Analysis, Testing and Evaluation of Drivetrains, Suspension Systems, Brake Systems, Chassis Control Systems including Electronic Stability Control Systems, Vehicle Handling and Vehicle Stability. He specializes in Automotive Accident Analysis and Reconstruction for Catastrophic Injury Crashes and Rollovers.

Mr. Okcuoglu's automotive career includes engineering, designing and testing components for automotive manufacturers, OEMs, and Tier1 suppliers, integrating vehicles and vehicle systems, test track and road testing of dynamic vehicle behavior, validation of components and systems for OEMs and Tier1 suppliers, designing and preparing racecars, driving racecars. He has invented and developed advanced all-wheel drive systems. These systems are currently being used by leading SUV and car manufacturers.

B.E.C. Consulting, LLC was established in 1982. Since that time, we have provided top-level consulting engineering services and accident reconstruction to our clients; law firms, insurance companies, state and local agencies, manufacturing companies, and clients who are seeking product design analysis and other engineering related services.

Our engineers represent a broad range of engineering disciplines which enables us to work on a variety of cases using the team approach. The teams at B.E.C are comprised of Engineers, Technical Specialists, Graphics Specialists as well as Research and Administrative Personnel, so that each case is given personal attention and is handled efficiently and effectively. We are located in Tallahassee, Florida, but are active in AL, GA, MS, TN and SC. We have worked in almost every state in the United States, including Alaska.

Areas of Expertise:

All Areas of Accident Reconstruction

Failure Analysis

Product Design

Product Development

Product Delivery

Material Handling System

Computer Animation, Electronic Graphics and Video Reenactment

Every aspect of our firm is designed to serve our clients needs; conference rooms for mediations and depositions, a research and testing lab, secured evidence storage, facilities for expert inspections, and easy access to airport and hotel facilities for our out-of-town clients. We are truly a full service engineering firm.

Because of this team approach and a commitment to customer service, B.E.C. has attained regional and national recognition as a leader in forensic engineering services and new product development. This excellent example and tireless dedication to serving our client’s needs has resulted in a devoted client base and reputation second to none.

Dr. Charles Benedict, P.E. founded Benedict Engineering Company in 1982. He has over 35 years experience in the fields of product and machine design and analysis, vehicular accident reconstruction of all types, and product and system failure analysis. He has designed, developed, manufactured, and tested more than sixty different products and machine systems. Dr. Benedict is well respected in the fields of forensic engineering, product and machine system design and analysis and patenting.

Expertise:

Biomechanics Occupant Kinematics Vehicle Restraint Systems Vehicle Controlability Material Handling Patent Infringement

Automobile Accidents Pedestrian Accidents General Engineering Product Design Fire and Explosion Analysis Tractor / Trailer Accidents Electrical Issues

Dr. Jim Dobbs, P.E. is a principle in the organization and has been practicing forensic engineering for the past 12 years. He was a design/development engineer at General Electric for a decade prior to coming to BEC Consulting. He has extensive experience in product development and design and hold several patents. He is nationally known for metallurgical failure analysis and accident reconstruction. He has particular experience and knowledge with motorcycles and tractor-trailer accidents.

Expertise:

Metallurgy Medical Devices Railroad Accidents Seat Belts and Airbags Seatback Analysis Automobile Accidents

Pedestrian Accidents General Engineering Product Design Slip / Trip / Fall Tractor / Trailer Accidents

Dr. Brian Pfeifer, P.E. is also a principle with BEC Consulting, and has been practicing forensic engineering for over 15 years. He holds several patents on roadside safety devices and studied roadside safety at the University of Nebraska. He has considerable knowledge about maintenance of traffic plans and traffic engineering. He is equally knowledgeable about accident reconstruction, especially involving tractor-trailer accidents.

Expertise:

Roadside Hazards Vehicle Controllability Occupant Kinematics Roadway Design Guardrails and Bridges Biomedical Engineering

Automobile Accidents Pedestrian Accidents Tractor / Trailer Accidents Slip / Trip / Fall Product Design General Engineering

Dr. Ying Lu

Expertise:

Biomedical Analysis Occupant Kinematics Injury Causation Low Speed Accidents Recreational Injury Sports Injury General Engineering

Accident Reconstruction Pedestrian Accidents Bicycle Accidents Slip / Trip / Fall Product Design Ergonomics Human and Environment Interaction

Mrs. Traci Campbell, P.E.

Expertise:

Industrial Accidents Safety Analysis Product Design / Failure Analysis Slip / Trip / Fall Guarding / Warnings Workplace Safety Bicycles

OSHA Regulations Pedestrian Accidents Automobile Accidents Tractor / Trailer Accidents Fire and Explosion Theme Parks Airbag and Black Box General Engineering

Mr. Chris Yates, P.E.

Expertise:

Black Box Analysis Motorcycle / Bicycle Mechanical Design Product Guarding Design Fire and Explosion Seat Belt Analysis

Automobile Accidents Pedestrian Accidents General Engineering Product Design Tractor / Trailer Accidents Slip / Trip / Fall

Bison is a multi-disciplined engineering firm specializing in failure analysis, forensic engineering and fire sciences with a team of P.E.'s who have performed thousands of forensic assignments including in excess of 1,000 fuel gas investigations.

Legal professionals turn to Bison to scientifically conduct investigations to determine the cause of destructive events. Forensic Engineers provide expert testimony and consultation. Investigations include explosions, fires, carbon monoxide incidents, electrical fires and failures, structural failures, mechanical failures, accident reconstruction, specialized testing, and courtroom presentations:

Fuel Gas Incidents: Fire and Explosion Causation; Propane Explosions, Natural Gas Explosion, Gas Delivery Systems; Carbon Monoxide Testing and Evaluation, Production and Migration Investigations; Plant & Pipeline, Piping Evaluation; Operational Analysis; Appliance Evaluation; Code Compliance; Soil Gas Migration; Vapor Dispersion

Fire Investigation and Explosion Analysis: Cause and Origin, Scene Documentation; Collection of Evidence; Certified Fire Investigator

Electrical Engineering: Electrically Related Fires, Electrical Service and Wiring Failures, Production Facility Service and Controls for Chemical, Petroleum, and Distribution Facilities, Electrical Contacts, Electrocutions; Lightning Strikes

Mechanical Engineering: Equipment Design and Operation; High-Pressure Oilfield Equipment; Pump Design and Operation; HVAC Systems; High and Low-Pressure Seals; Plastic Part Design and Manufacture, Industrial Equipment

Accident Reconstruction: Accident Sequence Reconstruction; Speed, Time and Distance Calculations; Crush Damage; Braking; Steering and Mechanical Analysis, including Tires; Electrical System / Electronic Failures; Mechanical and Fuel Systems; Airbag and Seatbelt Fatalities/Injuries; Staged Vehicle Impact

Failure Analysis: Industrial Equipment, Vehicle Impacts, Airbags and Seat Belts; Elevator Failures; Helmet and other Protective Equipment Failures; Infant Crib Design Inadequacies; Carbon Monoxide Investigations, Crane Failures, etc.

Metallurgical Engineering: Metal Fatigue of Gas Compressor Components; Electrical Contact Evaluations; Cracking of Structural Plastics; Chemical Analysis; Corrosion & Stress Evaluation and Analysis; SEM Analysis; Electron/Optical Microscopy; X-ray Examination

Bison's clients argue their cases with confidence, secure in the knowledge that their claims are based on unbiased, scientific data.

Bloomberg Consulting, Inc. is a Forensic Engineering firm specializing in all aspects of Accident Reconstruction related to Commercial Vehicle, Heavy Truck, Automobile, Motorcycle, Pedestrian and Construction / Industrial Equipment accidents. All of our Experts are Licensed Engineers with impeccable credentials and extensive specialized training to handle all facets of any investigation from documentation through analysis, reporting and testimony. Bloomberg’s comprehensive services include:

• Accident Reconstruction – our Experts utilize the latest cutting-edge technology, precise standards and methodology and our extensive experience and ongoing training to insure accurate and supportable conclusions.

• Biomechanical / Injury Analysis – our staff Biomechanics Expert is a rare combination of a Licensed Physician and PhD level Engineer. This allows him to evaluate the complex engineering and injury aspects associated with the human dynamics related to a collision sequence or when analyzing seat belt usage.

• EDR “Black Box” Data Retrieval and Analysis – we maintain the equipment, software and expertise to download and analyze the data from any available heavy truck, tractor-trailer or passenger vehicle. This allows us to access information including vehicle and impact speeds, braking and throttle specifics and seat belt utilization, all of which are vital to completing a thorough assessment of accident and injury causation and possible driver avoidance possibilities.

• 3D Animations and Simulations – unlike most forensic firms who outsource to graphic artists, our animations are developed by engineers who thoroughly understand the intricacies of accident reconstruction, vehicle dynamics and crash sequencing.

• Heavy Truck / Tractor-Trailer Inspections – our Engineers can expertly examine and evaluate any effects the braking, steering and mechanical systems of a commercial vehicle might have played in a collision event.

Bloomberg Consulting also maintains experts in the areas of:

• Safety and DOT Compliance

• Vehicle and Machinery Fire Origin and Causation Investigations

• Seatbelt and Headlamp Usage Analysis

• Visibility, Roadway and Traffic Light Sequencing Analysis

• Slip and Fall Investigations

• Construction Site Forensics and OSHA Compliance

• Building Structural Damage Analysis (Differential Settling and Wi

David F. Merrion is the retired Executive Vice President for Engineering, Detroit Diesel Corporation, now a subsidary of Daimler AG. He is both an Expert Witness and Expert Consultant on Diesel Engines, Diesel Emissions, and Diesel Engine Components such as fuel injection systems, turbochargers, and diesel after-treatment systems.

Mr. Merrion is also an expert in alternate fuels, hybrid vehicles and diesel engine applications such as trucks, buses, marine, gen sets, mining, construction etc.

Mr. Merrion has a MSME from MIT, is an SAE Fellow, received the ASME Honda Medal, and has been on four National Academy of Science Committees.

Gary E. Kilpatrick and Associates, PA is a Forensics Engineering Firm dedicated to the application of the art, science and methodology of engineering and the scientific method to answer questions of fact in the jurisprudence system pertaining to personal injury and wrongful death. We provide technical competency, forensic evidence collection from the field and from documents, oral and written communications, objective, ethical and professional responsibility.

We are familiar with the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, Federal Rules of Evidence and Daubert and have given sworn expert testimony under oath during judicial proceedings. We are retained by law firms, public defenders and insurance companies on plaintiff, defense, criminal and claimant cases and work nation wide.

Areas of Expertise:

• Traffic Accident Reconstruction
• Vehicle Crash Data Report Retrieval and Interpretation
• Off-Road ATV Accident Reconstruction
• Motorcycle Accident Reconstruction
• Vehicle Inspections
• Industrial Accident Reconstruction
• OSHA Safety 29CFR1910
• OSHA 29CFR1926
• OSHA 29CFR1928
• Product Liability Investigations

---

---

---

---

---

Dr. George Govatos has provided Engineering Analysis for attorneys, both plaintiff and defense, and Engineering Design / Analysis for public and private clients for over 27 years. He also lectures in the fields of Accident Reconstruction and Collision Analysis, Highway Safety, the mechanics of whiplash, structural collapse, and engineering aspects of product liability.

Dr. Govatos uses the quantitative methods of mathematics and physics to provide investigative and analytical services to private individuals, attorneys, insurance companies, corporations and governmental agencies to determine causative factors. He is a Registered Professional Engineer in Delaware, Maryland, and Pennsylvania, and has personally investigated over 1700 cases. Through his education, training and experience, Dr. Govatos has been accepted as an expert in Federal and State Superior level trial courts.

Forensic Work:

Vehicular Accident Reconstruction

Product Defects

Structural Failures

Building Code Analysis

Drainage and Flooding

Construction Claims

Road Design

Traffic Analysis Structural Design

Design of Sanitary, Storm Water Pipelines, Pumping Stations

Hydraulic Network Distribution Analysis

Building Inspections

Environmental Studies

---

---

Shaun Pergande, PE - Mechanical Engineering / Transportation

Mr. Pergande focuses on engineering activities that involve mechanical equipment, structures, systems, vehicles and machines. He specializes in accident investigation and reconstruction, failure analysis, testing, computer-aided simulation and analysis of machine design, usage and safety. He has performed product safety evaluations and failure investigations for a broad range of mechanical equipment including power tools, manufacturing processing equipment, material handling equipment, construction equipment and on-road and off-road vehicles. He has investigated workplace accidents that occurred on manufacturing and warehouse floors, on warehouse docks, on construction sites and in the field.

Mr. Pergande has extensive experience investigating and reconstructing on-road vehicle accidents including those involving passenger vehicles, heavy trucks, buses, motorcycles, pedestrians and bicycles. He performs accident site investigations, vehicle and component level inspections and evaluations, "black box" data interpretation, and utilizes state-of-the-art computer modeling and simulation methods in the analysis.

Mr. Pergande has M.S. and B.S. degrees in mechanical engineering from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, and is a licensed mechanical engineer in the state of Illinois. View Curriculum Vitae.

Michael Rogers, PE - Mechanical / Transportation

Mr. Rogers is Senior Vice President overseeing the Mechanical/Transportation Group at ITC Experts, Inc. He is responsible for engineering activities involving various types of vehicles and transportation related equipment as well as activities involving machine design and mechanical systems evaluations. He specializes in accident reconstruction and analysis of vehicles and equipment utilized in either on-highway or off-highway applications including material handling and construction equipment. He has specialized knowledge, training and experience in analyzing traffic accidents involving automotive, heavy truck, motorcycle and pedestrian collisions. He has also analyzed various mechanical systems in various types of vehicles including steering, braking and suspension components as well as restraint systems and vehicle structures as well as interpretation of vehicle “black box” data. He is a trained and certified forklift operator with considerable experience in testing, evaluating and analyzing designs of various types of lift trucks and other material handling equipment. His experience includes working with vehicles involved with aircraft ground support, railroad and construction and has conducted numerous vehicle fire investigations. He is a licensed professional engineer in Illinois and Michigan, holds NAFI certification in vehicle fire investigation and has extensive training in heavy vehicle brake systems and accident reconstruction techniques.View Curriculum Vitae.

James Salmon, PhD, PE - Mechanical / Transportation

Dr. Salmon specializes in the investigation and analysis of consumer, military and industrial products and systems in the transportation, industrial and manufacturing environments. He specializes in the investigation of the performance of consumer products, or accidents involving products, vehicles, industrial and military equipment. Dr. Salmon investigates concerns relating to the mechanical design of parts, assemblies or systems, evaluating the real world performance of products. Dr. Salmon has consulted and assisted companies with the design, analysis and test of their products and systems. He specializes in the analysis of product trade secrets and has over 10 years of experience in product reverse engineering and the evaluation of reverse engineering activities. Prior to joining ITC Experts, Dr. Salmon spent 23 years in industry as an engineering leader in research, product design, and manufacturing environments. He has designed, tested and analyzed products and systems in the naval ship, military aircraft, and automobile industries. View Curriculum Vitae.