Wood Materials Expert Witnesses

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

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.

Litigation Support - Mr. Mellor is skilled in Forensic Engineering for Construction Defect litigation claims, insurance claims cause and origin evaluations, and seismic evaluation and rehabilitation of existing buildings. He is available nationally and globally to evaluate damage to structures from natural disasters and from man-made causes and in providing repair drawings. Mr. Mellor's services include deposition and trial testimony as needed.

Areas of Expertise:

Natural Disaster Earthquakes Hurricanes Flood Damage Evaluation Flood Repair Estimates Structural Damages Evaluation

Structural Repair Estimates Moisture Intrusion Fire Damage Evaluation Fire Repair Estimates Structural Collapse Foundations / Soils

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

Deposition Experience:

• AAA v A-1 Budget Roofing – December, 2014 – 2 hours
• Solorio v Bisi – January 2017 – 5 hours

View Ian Mellor's Consulting Profile.

Robert A. (Bob) McNeese is a Professional Conveyor S.M.E. Subject Matter Expert with close to 40 years of conveyor system experience in most every aspect of conveying systems. Mr. McNeese offers his services to the conveying industry to enhance operations, maintenance, and overall safety performance as well as providing 3rd party factually based non- partial overviews and opinions to legal counsel as an expert witness for the purpose of fair litigation.

Consulting - Bob McNeese has worked to improve efficiency and safety with companies such as Chevron, Southern Company, International paper, DuPont, and various shipping bulk terminals. He offers his unique services to alert customers to the ever changing OSHA, MSHA, ASME, regulations surrounding industrial conveying equipment. Several delivery methods are available to insure the new information and changes are introduced to the jobsite at the core of the workforce (site safety audits, safety topics, banners, labels, safety seminars)

Litigation Support - Mr. McNeese is an expert in all industrial areas of Conveyors and Bulk Handling Systems. He provides expert witness services to attorneys representing both plaintiff and defendant. Mr. McNeese provides expertise on issues concerning industrial conveyor system accidents and safety concerns as a result of manufacturing, installation, operation, or maintenance.

Specific Areas of Expertise:

Refineries Port Facilities Storage Transfer Facilities Power Plants Mines Chemical Plants Grain Elevators Fertilizer Plants Paper Mills Food Processing Coal Handling Cement Pet Coke

Wood Chips Iron Ore Lignite Steel Aluminum Salt Plastics Grain Fertilizer Aggregate Tire Shredding Waste Various Dry Chemicals

Leonard J. Backer has over 28 years of extensive and successful Seating, Tables and Furniture Industry experience in all key areas. Mr. Backer has been directly involved in the design and development of 250+ seating and table collections. He specializes in Private Label Manufacturing, Sourcing, and Product Development expertise.

Mr. Backer provides aggressive Expert Witness and Litigation Support services to attorneys, insurers and businesses for Plaintiff or Defense. He performs site inspections, detailed product reviews and incident analyses. He has worked with law firms and insurance companies to develop and coordinate strategies for various types of legal actions and lawsuits. Very strong hospitality background.

Mr. Backer has extensive experience with hotel, restaurant, cruise ship, retail store and senior living incidents. Personal Injury and Product Liability Cases. He provides detailed analyses, written opinions, and expert witness reports for clients throughout the U.S. Strong proven deposition and court testimony.

Areas of Expertise:

Furniture Based Disputes, Claims, or Legal Actions Chair Failures Seating Product Liability Personal Injury Purchasing Disputes Seating Product Design / Performance Issues Design Knockoffs

Sales Rep. Commission Disputes Designer Royalties Exclusive Distribution Agreements Product Evaluation Warranty Issues Product Launch Failures Private Label Development Agreements Evaluation of Management Performance

View Leonard Backer's Consulting Profile.

Daniel Mahr, PE, is a specialist in the Engineering and Design of Dry Bulk Material Handling Systems. He is an expert in the supply, handling, blending, and processing of a wide range of bulk materials ranging from alumina to wood chips.

Mr. Mahr is experienced in ports and terminals, the power, transportation, mining, steel, and process industries. He has managed large or technically demanding projects handling bauxite, coal, biomass, minerals, and other bulk commodities. As president, Mr. Mahr is responsible for all corporate activities of Energy Associates. On construction assignments, he has served as a technical representative and monitored technical/contract compliance.

Mr. Mahr’s project assignments are located throughout the United States and have taken him to Argentina, Bahamas, Canada, Colombia, Germany, Ghana, Guatemala, Hong Kong, Japan, Korea, India, Indonesia, Italy, Malaysia, Philippines, Spain, Taiwan, Thailand, United Kingdom, and Venezuela. He is a member of ASME, NSPE, and SME. He is the past chair of ASME's Fuels and Combustion Technology Division and was the chair of the Fuel Storage, Handling, and Transportation Technical Committee for several years.

Litigation Support - Daniel Mahr provides technical services in instances for breach of contract, dispute resolution, equipment failure, and litigation investigation. His expertise is available to counsel representing both Plaintiff and Defendant.

Areas of Expertise:

Bulk Material Handling Unloading / Loading Stacking Reclaiming Crusher Weighing Belts / Conveyors Ports / Terminals

Frac Sand Fires / Explosions OSHA Codes and Standards Fluidized Bed Combustion Blending Bulk Solids Handling Transportation Biomass Products & Technology Power Engineering

View Daniel Mahr's Consulting 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.

Bobby L. Lanford, PhD is a Forest Operations Consultant with over 35 years of experience. Dr. Lanford is currently an Adjunct Professor at both Auburn and Clemson Universities. Dr. Lanford provides litigation support services on court cases involving Forestry Accidents, Product Liability, and Contractual Disputes. He has been retained for his expert witness services approximately 25 times. Dr. Lanford offers his expertise to attorneys for both Plaintiff and Defense. Selected Cases Include:

• Contract Disputes
• Forest Harvesting and Thinning Practices
• Wood Handling Facilities Safety Standards and Procedures
• Chainsaw Felling Personal Injury
• Truck Off Loading Standards and Procedures
• Timber Inventory and Mensuration
• Logging Machines' Productivity and Performance
• Potential Production and Profits of Logging Operations and Wood Products Facilities

View Dr. Lanford's Consulting Profile.