Gregory J. Barnett, MSME, ASE Technical Consultant Automotive, Heavy Truck, RV, Construction Equipment 3065 Hayes Ave. Costa Mesa, Ca. 92626 (714) 444-3224 (714) 444-3064 fax Expertise in the following technologies: Gasoline engines Airbag safety systems HVAC systems Diesel engines Automotive body systems Suspension & alignment Automatic transmissions Automotive paint systems Industrial hydraulics Manual transmissions Tires Production and Failure Differential/transfer case Hydraulic brake systems Fuel injection Dealer operations Air brake systems Frame repair Multiple battery systems Electrical systems Traction control systems Handicapped controls Electronic systems Automotive hydraulic systems General shop equipment OEM security systems Silicon controlled rectifier systems Automotive computers Aftermarket security systems California Motor Vehicle Code Safety standards Antilock brake systems Automobile Industry Standards Electric vehicles Types of investigations: Mechanical inspections Body & paint inspections Frame inspections Vehicle fire cause and origin Vehicle theft analysis Engine failure analysis Body shop/service department fraud Accident reconstruction (mechanical) Subrogation issue analysis Lemon law inspection Parts identification Witness marks Industry codes and standards Oil/fuel/fluid analysis Design defect analysis Damage appraisal Special construction appraisal Product failure analysis Low speed impact analysis Staged collision analysis Vehicle dealer standards Professional Experience: Field Engineer, Barnett Automotive Engineering, Costa Mesa, Ca. 1995/present Subrogation specialist. Conduct mechanical, tire, and body inspections on automobiles, heavy trucks, RV, general construction equipment, and marine applications to determine cause and origin of failure and any subrogation issues present. Perform theft loss analysis and vehicle fire cause and origin. Conduct design function and destructive testing to determine component failure and defect liability. Conduct Body Shop and Service Dept. fraud investigations. Perform low speed impact accident reconstruction utilizing vehicle crush and witness marks. Perform staged collision analysis. Provide metallurgical failure, oil and fuel analysis reports for casualty cause determination. Assist attorneys, insurance carriers and manufacturers with cases located from Canada to Mexico and western seven states. Performed industry standards and practices investigations. Assisted with Lemon Law and dealer practices investigations. Client list includes for clients including Farmers Insurance Group, State Farm Insurance Group, 21 st Century Insurance Company, Liberty Mutual Insurance Group, 1
Golden Eagle Insurance Company and others. Engineer/Instructor of Automotive Technology, Land Rover of North America, Mission Viejo, Ca. 1998/2000 Instructor in Automotive Technology and Product Refinement Engineer. Conducted classroom and field training on various proprietary systems for Engineers, Technicians, Product Support Representatives, and Port of Entry Personnel. Worked in field testing and product refinement. Classroom topics include Automotive Electronics, Advanced Electronics, Computerized Serial Communication, Engine Design & Overhaul, Fuel Injection Systems, HVAC Systems, Suspension and Alignment, Frame Structure, Safety Systems, Basic Automotive Repair, Anti-lock and Brake Force Distribution Systems, Supplemental Restraint Systems, Introduction to Land Rover Products, and New Product Training. Body Shop Manager/Service Manager, Los Angeles Freightliner, Ontario, Ca. 1994/1996 Directed Body and Service Department operations. Appraised damage and prepared total wreck estimates for heavy, medium, and special construction vehicles. Worked with New Truck Dept. to construct, modify, and perform final assembly on special construction orders. Designed and fabricated custom controls for hydraulic, electrical, and pneumatic systems on special construction vehicles. Co-chairman of Safety Committee. Established and administered various safety programs programs and policies. Coordinated warranty and recall campaigns. Worked with SCAQMD to procure special permits for use of isocyanate-based coatings. Overhauled shop equipment as needed. Established and administered proper repair procedures and quality control programs. Worked with Freightliner Corporation and other manufacturers to coordinate employee training programs. Service Manager/Shop Foreman, Browning Oldsmobile/Cerritos Ford, Cerritos, Ca. 1993/1994 Conducted and supervised all phases of automotive repair for Megadealer. Administered warranty claims and recall campaigns. Supervised technician and service advisor staff. Responsible for maintaining sales and marketing programs. Chairman of Safety Committee. Worked with committee to establish proper shop & facility safety programs. Purchased operating supplies. Coordinated with automobile manufacturers for employee training programs. Assisted Ford and GM investigations of product defect and lemon law complaints. Instructor of Automotive Technology, Cerritos College, Norwalk, Ca. 1993/1994 Conducted automotive classes in automotive repair including brake, suspension, alignment, frame repair, and component overhaul. Classes included conducting hands-on lab work for students in all phases of suspension/frame repair, and alignment methods. Created and produced curriculum in display, text and video presentation formats. Administered shop safety programs. Manager/Senior Technician/Owner, Auto & Diesel Masters, Costa Mesa, Ca. 1983/1993 Responsible for all phases of repair on all makes of cars, trucks, and general construction equipment. Operated mobile repair trucks to service local trucking and construction companies' equipment. Es- 2
tablished and administered PM and operator safety programs for clients. Conducted Body Shop operations. Designed and fabricated custom controls for hydraulic, electric, and pneumatic systems. Senior Technician/Plant Engineer /Fleet Administrator, State of California Office of Food Management, Fullerton, Ca. 1980/1983 Conducted operations and repair of diesel truck fleet for state school lunch program. Answerable for distribution of food to qualified recipient programs for southern half of California. Designed and constructed warehouse layout and equipment stations. Repaired various facility equipment including HVAC systems, various warehouse hydraulic equipment, material handling equipment, and office equipment. Responsible for repairs of large forklift fleet including propane and electric lift trucks. Prepared equipment specification bid packages for equipment procurement. Prepared and implemented purchasing budgets and fleet preventative maintenance programs. Designed and implemented Class 5-8 truck safety programs and warehouse equipment safety programs. Worked on Safety Committee to establish safety programs and administer handicapped protocols. Installed and repaired special handicap equipment as needed. Designed and installed charging station facility capable of charging 25 electric forklifts or transport vehicles simultaneously. Certifications and Licenses National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence: Certified Master Automobile Technician Engine Repair Automatic Transmission/Transaxle Manual Drive Train and Axles Suspension and Steering Brakes Electrical/Electronic Systems Heating and Air Conditioning Engine Performance Certified Master Medium/Heavy Truck Technician Gasoline Engines Diesel Engines Drive Train Air/Hydraulic Brakes Suspension and Steering Electrical/Electronic Systems Certified Master Collision Repair and Refinish Technician Nonstructural Damage Analysis and Repair Structural Damage Analysis and Repair Painting and Refinishing Mechanical and Electrical Components Certified Master Engine Machinist Gasoline Cylinder Head Specialist Diesel Cylinder Head Specialist Gasoline Engine Block Specialist 3
Diesel Engine Block Specialist Damage Analysis and Assembly Specialist Certified Technician in Silicon Controlled Rectifier Equipment and Electric Vehicles Graduated from General Electric University, Industrial Controls Division, (6 mo. program) State of California Licenses Private Investigator License Number PI 23906 Automotive Repair Dealer (BAR License) Number AH223238 Smog Check Mechanic Inspector License Brake Adjuster Lamp Adjuster Education Instructor Certification, Land Rover University, Mission Viejo, Ca. 1998 Instructor Accreditation, Cerritos College, Norwalk, Ca. 1993 Plant Engineer Certification, General Electric University, Charlottesville, Va. 1982 Bachelor of Science, Business Administration, California State University at Long Beach, Long Beach, Ca. 1978 Master of Science, Engineering Management, California Coast University, Santa Ana, CA, 2003 Continuing Education The Tire as a Vehicle Component, Society of Automotive Engineers, June 2002 (8 hrs). Tire and Wheel Safety Issues, Society of Automotive Engineers, June 2002 (8 hrs). Speed Determination from Crush Analysis, University of Riverside, August 2002 (40 hrs). Vehicle Fire Cause and Origin, California Conference of Arson Investigators, January 2002 (20 hrs.). Basic Fire and Arson Investigation, California Conference of Arson Investigators, July 2001 (22 hrs) Fraud Investigation, So. Cal. Fraud Investigators Association, June 2001 (8 hrs). Principles of Investigating Low-Speed Impacts, University of Riverside, March 2001 (40 hrs). Accident Reconstruction: State of the Art Technical Topics, Society of Automotive Engineers, December 1999, (16 hrs) Introduction to Land Rover Products, Land Rover University (LRU), April 1998 (40 hrs) Engine Design and Overhaul, LRU, April 1998 (24 hrs) Engine Management Systems, LRU, April 1998 (24 hrs) Electrical Principles, Design, and Troubleshooting, Beginning Level, LRU May 1998 (24 hrs) Electrical and Electronic Principles and Troubleshooting, Advanced Level, May 1998 (24 hrs) Automatic Transmission Design, Diagnosis, and Service, LRU, May 1998 (24 hrs) Manual Transmission Design and Overhaul, LRU, June 1998 (24 hrs) Transfer Case Design and Overhaul, LRU, June 1998 (24 hrs) Chassis and Suspension Systems Design and Overhaul, LRU, July 1998 (24 hrs) Axles, Swivels, and Differentials Design and Overhaul, LRU, July 1998 (24 hrs) Testbook Diagnosis Systems, LRU, August 1998 (24 hrs) Airbag and Safety Systems, LRU, August 1998 (24 hrs) Antilock Brake and Traction Control Systems and, LRU, September 1998 (24 hrs.) 4
Continuing Education cont: Heating, Ventilation, Climate Control, and AC Systems, LRU, September 1998 (24 hrs) Production and Operations Management, California Coast University (CCU), (45 hrs) Engineering Systems, CCU, (45 hrs.) Engineering Planning and Control, CCU, (45 hrs.) Technological Forecasting, CCU, 45 hrs. Computer Technology for Managers, CCU, 45 hrs. Engineering and Financial Management, CCU, 45 hrs. Organizational Behavior, CCU, 45 hrs Engineering Management Science, CCU, 45 hrs. Quantitative Methods, CCU, 45 hrs. The Research Process, CCU, 45 hrs. Master s Thesis Research Topic: Automotive Fire: An Engineering Approach. Seminars Presented, Articles and Book Published Automotive Fire Analysis An Engineering Approach, published by Lawyers & Judges Publishing, Tucson, AZ., 2004 Cross Examination of the Expert Engineer, The Subrogator, National Association of Subrogation Professionals, Spring/Summer 2004. Automobile Fire Investigation: Who s the Right Expert?, The Gavel, Orange County Trial Lawyers Association, Volume 6, Number 2, 2003. Survival Kit for Auto Cases, The Gavel, Orange County Trial Lawyers Association, Volume 1, Number 2, 2000. The Expert Engineer: Exploring the Myth, The Gavel, Orange County Trial Lawyers Association, Volume 1, Number 2, 1998. On The ABS Controversy: The Jury Is Still Out, The Sidebar, Law Offices of Robert Brennan, Volume 1, Issue 5, 1998. Body Shop Fraud, Seminar presented to Western States Auto Theft Investigators Association, May 2005, Long Beach, CA. Body Shop Fraud, Seminar presented to International Association of Special Investigator and California Department of Insurance, April 2005, San Diego, CA. Body Shop Fraud. Seminar presented to Southern California Fraud Investigator Association during annual 3-day training, November 2004. Auto Theft and Vehicle Security Systems, Presented to Liberty Mutual Insurance Group, Northern California Special Investigations Unit and Liberty Pacific Northwest Auto Damage Unit, January 2004. Auto Theft and Vehicle Arson, Presented to Liberty Mutual Insurance Group, September 1998. 5
Seminars Presented and Articles Published Cont: Auto Theft and Security Systems, Presented to State Farm Insurance Group, February 1999. Vehicle Suspension and Alignment Systems, Presented to Farmers Insurance Group, June 1999. Automotive Fraud: Red Flags and Detection, Presented to Liberty Mutual Insurance Group, September 1999. How to Steal a Car: Auto Theft 101, Southern County Fraud Investigators Association, August 2001. + Vehicle Fire Cause and Origin Investigation, California Conference of Arson Investigators, January 2002. Low Speed Impact Analysis, Southern California Fraud Investigators Association, March 2002. Vehicle Fire Cause and Origin Investigation, National Association of Subrogation Professionals, May 2002. Automotive Theft, Liberty Mutual Insurance Group, September 2002. Low Speed Impact Analysis and Crash Data Retrieval Systems, Liberty Mutual Insurance Group September 2002. Professional Affiliations Society of Automotive Engineers SAE National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence ASE Southern California Fraud Investigators Association--SCFIA California Conference of Arson Investigators--CCAI National Automotive Hall of Fame, inducted 1997, Dearborn, Michigan Orange County Adjusters Society--ORCAD Listed in A.M. Best, Inc., Directory of Approved Experts National Association of Subrogation Professionals NASP National Fire Protection Association NFPA 6