Wood Materials Consultants

Gerald M. Halweg, CTC, CSI, TTA, President/CEO of the TILE INSTITUTE of AMERICA, has earned the recognition of being an internationally acclaimed Master Expert Witness and Consultant. He has over 45 years of experience specializing in Ceramic and Natural Stone Tile.

Background - Tutored by tile masters for decades, Mr. Halweg received his Ceramic Tile Consultant (CTC) degree in 1978. After receiving his degree, he taught and administered the Ceramic Tile Consultant (CTC) program (180-hour course) until 1992. Mr. Halweg worked in testing laboratories, tested materials for the construction trades, and developed test procedures. He administered the Official Quality Control & Testing Agency for the Tile Trade authorized by International Conference of Building Officials (ICBO).

Litigation Support - Mr. Halweg provides expert witness services for cases involving Construction Defects and Tile Installations. His job site inspections, consultations, and research for the tile and legal industries number in excess of 200 projects per year. Mr. Halweg's services are available to both plaintiff and defendant and include site review, written reports, depositions, arbitration, and trial testimony as needed.

Areas of Expertise

Tile Installation Failures Tile Product Investigation Tile Penalization Veneer Tile Systems Marble Slabs Sound-Rated Tile Flooring Systems Tile Industry Codes Natural Stone and Allied Materials Lathe and Plaster Flooring Surfaces (Terrazzo, Pavers, etc.)

Decking and Roof Tiles Pools and Showers Mold & Mildew Testing Construction Safety Standards Slips, Trips, Falls Stairs & Ramps Coefficient of Friction Testing Leak Detection Waterproofing Concrete Slabs, Sub-Floors

Mellor Engineering is a consulting Structural Engineering firm providing a full range of Structural and Seismic Engineering services. Mellor offers design and detailing construction for new and existing residential and commercial building projects. They specialize in projects constructed with wood, concrete, masonry, steel, aluminum, and fiber reinforced polymer.

Principal, Ian C. Mellor, PE, SE, is a licensed Civil and Structural Engineer with over 30 years of experience in the construction industry.

Mr. Mellor has extensive experience in the evaluation and design of wood, steel, masonry, concrete, light gage steel, and fiber reinforced polymer structures. His background includes the seismic and structural evaluations of earthquake-damaged school buildings, modernization, and upgrade project of San Diego Unified School District and Department of Defense facilities, the evaluation and seismic rehabilitation design of historic theatres, and the seismic retrofit of unreinforced masonry buildings. Mr. Mellor was a member of the Haiti post disaster relief effort team that performed damage assessments for more than 200,000 units in and around the Port-au-Prince area.

Professional Licenses:

• California Structural Engineer
• California Professional Civil Engineer
• Nevada Civil and Structural Engineer
• Arizona Professional Civil Engineer
• Hawaii Structural Engineer
• Washington Civil and Structural Engineer
• Oregon Civil and Structural Engineer
• Virginia Professional Engineer
• Louisiana Professional Engineer
• New York Professional Engineer
• Model Law Structural Engineer Designation - National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Land Surveying (NCEES) Licensed in Utah, Colorado, and Texas

Insurance Industry Services: Cause and Origina Claims in both residential and commercial buildings

• Natural Disasters (Earthquakes, Hurricanes, Tornadoes, floods)
• Moisture Intrusion
• Wind damage
• Structural Fire damage / Wildland Fire damage
• Vehicle impacts
• Soils movement
• Foundations
• Swimming pools
• Roof tiles / slate roofs / shingle roofs
• Floor tiles
• Tree Roots
• Sloe Failures/retaining walls
• Expansive soils
• Structural collapse
• Construction vibrations

Structural engineering design and detailing of repairs for damaged buildings (construction drawings).

As structural engineers, we prepare structural calculations and stamp and sign construction drawings.

View Ian Mellor's Expert Witness Profile.

Leonard J. Backer has over 28 years of extensive and successful Furniture Industry experience in all key areas including:

Sourcing Private Label Production Product Development Original Design Marketing Branding Import and Distribution

Vendor Qualification Supplier Relations Contract Negotiations Customer Service Competitive Analysis Sales Agreements Designer Driven Approach

Mr. Backer has executive level perspective in start-up, turnaround and aggressive growth situations with long term industry relations, both domestically and overseas. He specializes in Private Label Manufacturing, Sourcing, and Product Development expertise.

Leonard Backer has provided extensive consulting work on short and long term projects. He has provided consulting work on various topics over the past few years for private equity companies, large branded manufacturers, and independent product designers. Mr. Backer has conducted site visits to 80 overseas and domestic factory operations. Worked closely with independent product designers.

View Leonard Backer's Expert Witness Profile.

David Neagley, AIA, Architect: Over thirty-two years of architectural design and construction administration experience with all building types, including educational, medical, R&D, corporate, commercial, custom residential, multi-family housing, military and industrial projects, totaling over 12.4 million square feet. Emphasizing use of durable, low maintenance materials including stainless, copper, bronze, zinc, cement-fiber, plastics, composites, specialty sealants & industrial paints.

Building Reconstruction Specialist: Reconstruction design, details and specifications focused on solving complex construction problems and developing effective repairs for commercial and institutional buildings. Services include design for waterproofing, flashing, exterior finishes, roofs, decks, windows, and remediation of mold, wood rot, corrosion and structural damage.

Construction Industry Expert: Visual inspection, intrusive testing, defect analysis, repair recommendations and forensic expert services for both plaintiff and defense parties. Specialized knowledge of construction materials, industry standards, code compliance, waterproofing, vapor transmission, exterior finishes, corrosion, condensation, ventilation, mold, wood rot, suspended ceilings, interior partitions, and structural issues.