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Mark Chapman Bachelor of Science, Civil Engineering, 1991, California State University, Long Beach Registered Civil Engineer for California, 52142, 1994 Registered Civil Engineer for Arizona, 36022 Registered Civil Engineer for Nevada, 014532 Licensed General Building Contractor, B-632445, State of California Email: markc@berthowe.com  |
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MICHAEL HUGHES Stanford University, MBA University of California at Berkeley, MS Civil Engineering Rutgers University, BS Civil Engineering General Contractor’s License (Class B #868620) in California Professional Engineer’s License (Civil #54221) in California Professional Engineer’s License (Civil #15366) in Nevada Real Estate Broker’s License (ID #01828776) in California Email: michaelh@berthowe.com |
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STEPHEN HODGESON B.S., Mechanical Engineering, University of Utah Professional Engineer Texas Professional Engineer California Professional Engineer Colorado Professional Engineer Idaho Professional Engineer Indiana Mechanical Engineer Texas Fire Protection Engineer Texas Email: shodgeson@berthowe.com |
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VITALY FEYGIN M.S. Structural Engineering, Kharkow Academy of Transportation Licensed Professional Engineer, Maryland Licensed Professional Engineer, Florida Licensed Professional Engineer, Pennsylvania Publications: Sea Wall Systems (STRUCTURE Magazine, December 2009) Rational Approach to Design and Analysis of Piers and Marginal Wharves (STRUCTURE Magazine, slated for July 2010) US and International Patents: Diaphragm Sea/Retaining Wall (Patent Pending) Universal Feygin’s Cofferdam System (Patent Pending) Awards: 2008 ACI Grand Prize for Excellence in Concrete Design and Construction for Harrah’s Chester Casino and Racetrack Bridge 2008 ACI Grand Prize Award for Excellence in Concrete Design and Construction for Ritz Carlton Water Front Development, Baltimore, Inner Harbor 2008 Facilities Engineering Award Winner-American Association of Port Authorities Email: vitalyf@berthowe.com |
For additional information regarding the claims experience and capabilities of the forensic engineering group, please click here.
Forensic engineering is the investigation of materials, products, structures or components that fail or do not operate/function as intended, causing personal injury or damage to property. The consequences of failure are dealt with by the law of product liability. The subject is applied most commonly in civil law cases, although may be of use in criminal law cases. Generally the purpose of a forensic engineering investigation is to locate cause or causes of failure with a view to improve performance or life of a component, or to assist a court in determining the facts of an accident. It can also involve investigation of intellectual property claims, especially patents.
Methods used in forensic engineering include reverse engineering, inspection of witness statements, a working knowledge of current standards, as well as examination of the failed component itself. The fracture surface of a failed product can reveal much information on how the item failed and the loading pattern prior to failure. The study of fracture surfaces is known as fractography. Fatigue often produces a characteristic fracture surface for example, enabling diagnosis to be made of the cause of the failure. The key task in many such investigations is to identify the failure mechanism by examining the failed part using physical and chemical techniques. This activity is sometimes called root cause analysis. Corrosion is another common failure mode needing careful analysis to determine the active agents in the environment which initiated the corrosive attack. Accidents caused by fire are especially challenging owing to the frequent loss of critical evidence, although when halted early enough can usually lead to the cause. Fire investigation is a specialist skill where arson is suspected, but is also important in vehicular accident reconstruction where faulty fuel lines, for example, may be the cause of an accident.
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JOHN D. TOLMAN Licensed General Building Contractor, B-410125, State of California Licensed Real Estate Broker — California Doctorate of Law — Western State University Bachelor of Science, Law — Western State University Bachelor of Arts — University of Redlands Member — American Bar Association Member — Building Industry Association Member — American Society of Professional Estimators Member — Construction Specification Institute Member — Association of General Contractors Email: johntolman@berthowe.com  |
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ALAN D. STURM Experienced in residential, commercial and catastrophic property claims with certifications from National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), California Earthquake Authority (CEA), State Farm, Allstate, Tower Hill, Liberty Mutual, St. Paul/Travelers and Licensed Insurance Adjuster in Five States Email: alansturm@berthowe.com |
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DONALD W. MACGREGOR Licensed General Building Contractor, B-900929, State of California Licensed General Contractor, All Structures: Oregon Member, International Conference of Building Officials ICC Certified Building Inspector (IBC), #5028454-B5 ICC Certified Building Inspector (UBC), #5028454-10 Certificate — 11CRC & AGGIH Mold Remediation in Buildings Member, American Society of Professional Estimators (ASPE) Member, Construction Specification Institute Member, International Conference of Building Officials Email: donm@berthowe.com |
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PAUL S. VIAU Licensed General Building Contractor — B, State of California Licensed General Contractor — KB-02, State of Arizona ICC Certified Building Inspector IICRC Certified Water Restoration Technician, Applied Microbial Remediation Technician Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo Member, International Code Council Email: paulviau@berthowe.com |
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GARY RAY Master of Business Administration, Major: Construction Management, Alameda University Licensed General Contractor — B, State of California Licensed General Contractor — Engineering A, State of California International Code Council, Contributing Council Member International Code Council, Certified International Residential Inspector American Society of Safety Engineers, Certified Member, Safety Trained Supervisor 4-Year Apprenticeship Program, Journeyman Carpenter (Union 2203) 4-Year Apprenticeship Program, Journeyman Electrician Email: garyray@berthowe.com |
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BRIAN VANN Licensed Contractor, New Mexico Bachelor of Arts Degree, Architecture, University of California, Berkeley IICRC-Certified Water Restoration Technician, Applied Microbial Remediation Technician Instructor, Santa Fe Community College, Santa Fe, New Mexico Instructor, University of Colorado Center Certified Estimator, Xactimate Email: brianvann@berthowe.com |
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DAVID L. SUGGS Licensed General Building Contractor, B-778968, State of California Certified Waterproofing Applicator Member, American Society of Professional Estimators Member, Construction Specifications Institute Licensed General Building Contractor, State of Nevada ASPE-Certified Professional Estimator Email: davidsuggs@berthowe.com |
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JEFFREY NUCHE B.S. Construction Management General Contractor, Texas General Contractor, Louisiana SWPP Certification (Storm Water Pollutant Prevention Plan) OSHA Safety Certification Email: jeffreyn@berthowe.com |
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JACK J. TAYLOR Licensed General Contractor, State of California Licensed Concrete Contractor, State of California Certificate of Graduation in Construction Cost Estimating from Career Management Institute Carpenter’s Apprenticeship Program - San Bernardino Valley College Member American Society of Professional Estimators Certified Waterproofing Applicator Certificate-IICRC & AGGIH Mold Remediation in Buildings Email: jacktaylor@berthowe.com |
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Gregory C. Cook Licensed General Contractor, California ICBO Residential Building Inspector Certified Mold Remediation Contractor Email: gregcook@berthowe.com |
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CHARLES MILLER Southeastern Community College, West Burlington, Iowa University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa Licensed General Contractor, Colorado (various jurisdictions) Licensed General Contractor, Iowa Licensed General Contractor, Montana Licensed General Contractor, Nebraska Licensed General Contractor, Texas (inactive) Australia Building Services Authority Registered Contractor, Australia (inactive) International Code Council, 2006 Residential Building Contractor, C International Code Council, 2006 Residential Building Inspector Certified Project Manager, Department of Energy Certified Project Manager, American Academy of Project Management Certified International Project Manager, American Academy of Project Management Department of Energy, published technical author International Code Council Society of Manufacturing Engineers American Society of Mechanical Engineers Project Management Institute American Academy of Project Management Home Builders Association of Metro Denver Email: charlesmiller@berthowe.com |
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WILLIAM DUCHARME Bachelor of Science, Biblical Studies and a minor in General Ministry CDT Certified (Certified Document Technician)-Construction Specifications Institute CCA Certified (Construction Contract Administrator) — AHIMA CCS Certified (Construction Contract Specifier) Associate Member of American Institute of Building Designers, AIBD CR, Certified Remodeler, National Association of Remodeling Industry Member of Construction Specification Institute Email: williamd@berthowe.com |
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DONALD DUSTIN M.B.A, Business Administration, State University of New York at Buffalo B.A. Biology, State University of New York at Buffalo Certified Industrial Hygienist Certified Safety Professional American Society of Safety Engineers Certification of Asbestos Inspector, NYSDOL (Inactive) Air and Waste Management Association Email: donaldd@berthowe.com |
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WILLIAM PARKS B.S. Occupational Safety and Health Certified Industrial Hygienist Certificate of Industrial Hygiene Management CHST Certification (Construction Health and Safety Technician) Council on Certification of Health, Environmental and Safety Technologies CHMP Certification (Certified Hazardous Materials Practitioner) Institute of Hazardous Materials Management LSP Certification (Licensed Safety Professional) National Association of Safety Professionals RPIH Certification – Riverside Partners in Homeownership local chapter of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development's (HUD's) National Partners HAZWOPER Certified, OSHA NIMS Certified – National Incident Management System, FEMA Member, Association of Professional Industrial Hygienists Member, American Chemical Society Member, CECON Consultant #1276 Member, National Association of Safety Professionals Member, National Environmental Health Association Member, Institute for Hazardous Material s Management Email: williamp@berthowe.com |
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John Springman Master of Architecture, University of Illinois Licensed Architect, California Licensed Architect, Colorado Licensed Architect, Nevada Licensed Architect, Texas NCARB Certification California Supplemental Examination Commissioner, California State Board of Architects Email: johns@berthowe.com
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Stan Bezue Bachelor of Architecture, Southern University, Baton Rouge, Louisiana Licensed Architect, California Licensed General Building Contractor, B-00846803, State of California Member, American Institute of Architects Email: stanbezue@berthowe.com |
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Matthew J. Nardella Licensed Architect, State of California Registered Residential Designer, State of Nevada Bachelor of Architecture, California State Polytechnic University, Pomona California Supplemental Oral Examination Commissioner, California State Board of Architectural Examiners Organizational Member, American Concrete Institute Email: mattn@berthowe.com |
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JOHN B. A. MANCINI Licensed Architect, California Licensed General Contractor — B, State of California California Supplemental Examination Commissioner, California State Board of Architects Certificate, High Density Urban Planning, Urban Land Institute Guest Speaker, American Society of Consulting Engineers (Forensic Evidence Collection) Email: johnm@berthowe.com |
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DOUGLAS MCCALL B.A. Architecture, University of California at Berkeley ICBO Plan Check Certification-International Code Council Licensed Architect, Idaho (AR-2059) Licensed Architect, Washington (7721) Licensed Architect, California (C-25130) Member-SeaBEC (Seattle Building Enclosure Council) Email: douglasm@berthowe.com |
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BARRETT KAYS Ph.D. Honors Soil Science, North Carolina State University M.L.A. Honors Landscape Architecture, Minor Environmental Planning, North Carolina State University B.S. Honors Agriculture and Biological Science, Oklahoma State University Registered Landscape Architect, Iowa Registered Landscape Architect, North Carolina Registered Landscape Architect, New York Registered Landscape Architect, Virginia Licensed Professional Soil Scientist, North Carolina Licensed Professional Soil Scientist, Virginia Email: barrettk@berthowe.com |
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DOUGLAS F. GORRIE Licensed Architect, California Licensed Architect, Nevada Licensed Architect, Arizona Licensed Architect, Texas NCARB Certified Organizational Member, American Concrete Institute Bachelor of Architecture, University of Oregon Email: dougg@berthowe.com |
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JORGE PORTER Licensed Architect, California Licensed Architect, Mexico Bachelor in Architecture, Escuela Mexicana de Arquitectura, La Salle University, Mexico City, Mexico Email: jorgeporter@berthowe.com |
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JOHN SORCINELLI Licensed Architect, State of California Registered Architect, British Columbia, Canada Registered Architect, United Kingdom Registered Architect with NCARB Member of the American Institute of Architects Member of the Royal Institute of British Architects Vice Chairman Royal Institute of British Architects, Los Angeles Chapter Member of the Architectural Institute of British Columbia Founder and President of the San Dimas Marketplace, Inc. (non-profit) Email: johnsorc@berthowe.com |
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RICHARD NERO University of Arizona, Bachelor of Architecture Frank Lloyd School of Architecture, Scottsdale, AZ & Spring Green, WI Registered Architect, California Registered Architect, Pennsylvania Registered Architect, Arizona Certified Building Inspector, Wisconsin Email: richardn@berthowe.com |
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FREDERICK DICE M.S. Architecture, University of Michigan B.S. Architecture, University of Michigan Licensed Architect, Michigan NCARB Certified Email: frederickd@berthowe.com |
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KEVIN HEIDELBERGER Licensed Roofing Contractor, C39-539648, State of California Licensed Roofing Contractor (C15A), State of Nevada Certified Waterproofing Applicator Instructor — Tile Roof Institute Member, Tile Roof Institute Member, Western States Roofing Contractors Association (WSRCA) Certified Installer — Tile Roof Institute Certified Specifier — Tile Roof Institute Carlisle Waterproofing — Certified Inspector Email: kevinh@berthowe.com |
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BRADLEY W. HUGHES Licensed General Building Contractor, B-00723912, State of California Licensed Roofing Contractor, C39-00723912, State of California Graduate, Control Data Institute, Anaheim, CA Associate of Science Equivalence Diploma computer technology Member, Construction Specifications Institute Tile Roofing Institute Certification Email: bradh@berthowe.com |
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STEVE LYONS Federally Certified Energy Conservation Analyst Certificate, GE Silicones Sealant Seminar Member, Construction Specification Institute Certificate, High Density Urban Planning State of California Active Roofing Contractor License Certified Union Journeyman Carpenter Certified Union Journeyman Mason Email: stevelyons@berthowe.com |