Donald D. Button P.E., CFEI Senior Electrical Forensic Consulting Engineer (P.E.) Certified Fire and Explosion Investigator (CFEI) Electrical Equipment and Wiring Damage Analysis Electrical Equipment Product Liability Analysis Electrical Failure Analysis Electrocution and Electric Shock Accidents Fire Origin and Cause Analysis Summary Broadly experienced in Forensic Electrical Engineering, with extensive experience in all phases of forensic investigations from initial site investigations to comprehensive written reports, depositions and trial testimony. Core specialty in fire origin and cause analysis per NFPA 921 Guidelines. Advanced technical experience in electrical damage analysis, product liability analysis, electrical failure analysis and electrocution accidents. Further experience in large multidisciplinary forensic investigation casework and evidence handling and control per ASTM standards. Published paper author with extensive continuing education in electrical fire analysis and electrical codes. Licensed Professional Engineer in 24 states with 35 years of engineering experience. NCEES Council Record Holder and qualified as a Model Law Engineer. (MLE designation indicates that the candidate has a minimum of four years of acceptable engineering work experience, and has graduated from an EAC/ABET-accredited engineering program).
EDUCATION Page 2 of 7 1980 Bachelor of Science, Electrical Engineering, Cum Laude, University of Delaware EXPERIENCE October 2013 The Warren Group, Inc., Columbia, South Carolina, Senior Consulting Engineer Perform as Lead Engineer on Forensic Electrical Engineering case work, including site investigations, laboratory examinations, client communication, and concisely written reports Determine the root cause of electrical fires and failures, and render opinions regarding the likely responsible party(s) for the loss Specialize in multi-party losses involving several parties with shared responsibility for the loss Analyze electrical equipment, electrical devices, electrical wiring, electrical connections, and other related electrical hardware Handle physical evidence per ASTM standards 2012-2013 Unified Investigations and Sciences, Inc., Arlington, Texas, Forensic Electrical Engineer Electrical failures and failure analysis Electrical fires Electrical product liability cases Electric shock accidents Lightning strike losses Water damaged electrical equipment repairability analysis Other related Forensic Electrical Engineering areas 2006-2012 Nelson Architectural Engineers, Inc., Plano, Texas, Technical Director Directed and/or performed all Forensic Electrical Engineering and Fire Investigation project work for the firm. This included site investigations, laboratory examinations, client communication, and concisely written reports. Served as "Subject Matter Expert" in all areas of Forensic Electrical Engineering and Fire Investigation for the firm Delivered deposition and trial testimony as needed Participated in company-wide marketing efforts to develop prospective and existing clients Contributed electrical engineering expertise to large multi-disciplinary forensic engineering projects
EXPERIENCE, Continued Page 3 of 7 2003-2006 Forensic And Scientific Testing, Inc., Norcross, Georgia, Director of Forensic Electrical Engineering Established a complete Forensic Electrical Engineering Department in what was formerly a Forensic Fire Debris Analysis Laboratory Performed Forensic Engineering analysis and testing on a wide variety of electrical devices, appliances, and installed wiring in commercial and residential structures to determine if the fire was of electrical cause, including site examinations and laboratory evaluations Performed all business development functions to expand the company s business into the Forensic Electrical Engineering field, including establishing relationships with Origin and Cause professionals, insurance Special Investigative Units, personnel, and subrogation attorneys 1994 2003 EMS Wireless, Norcross, Georgia - A manufacturer of a complete line of base station antennas, as well as RF repeater and fiber optic DAS (Distributed Antenna Systems) for in-building and outdoor Cellular and PCS coverage solutions. Product Manager, EkoMini Indoor Repeater Product, 2003 Staff Applications Engineer, EMS Wireless Repeater Products, 2001-2003 Manager of Business Development, EMS Wireless Broadband Products, September, 2000-2001 Technical Support Manager, EMS Wireless Antenna Products, 1997 2000 Senior Antenna Design Engineer, EMS Wireless Antenna Products, 1994 1997 1986-1994 1983 1986 1980-1983 Gabriel Electronics, Inc., Microwave Antenna Design Manager, Scarborough, Maine Senior Antenna Engineer, Sanders Associates, Inc., Nashua, New Hampshire Antenna Electrical Engineer, Raytheon Company, Wayland, Massachusetts PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATIONS AND AFFILIATIONS National Society for Professional Engineers (NSPE) (Licensed Member, 2003) Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE) (Senior Member, 1975) National Association of Fire Investigators (NAFI) (Member, 2007) National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) (Member, 2003) Eta Kappa Nu Electrical Engineering Honors Society (HKN) (Life Member, 1979) Order of the Engineer, 2005 Who s Who in America, 2006 Edition
REGISTRATIONS Page 4 of 7 Professional Engineer in Alabama (#27315) Professional Engineer in Arizona (#44566) Professional Engineer in California (#82879) Professional Engineer in Colorado (#41598) Professional Engineer in Florida (#65336) Professional Engineer in Georgia (#030381) Professional Engineer in Illinois (#062.060105) Professional Engineer in Indiana (#10708583) Professional Engineer in Louisiana (#32606) Professional Engineer in Michigan (#6201054527) Professional Engineer in Minnesota (#46033) Professional Engineer in Mississippi (#17369) Professional Engineer in Missouri (#2008000052) Professional Engineer in Nevada (#20776) Professional Engineer in North Carolina (#041953) Professional Engineer in Ohio (#72488) Professional Engineer in Oklahoma (#22283) Professional Engineer in South Carolina (#24582) Professional Engineer in Tennessee (#110325) Professional Engineer in Texas (#397059) Professional Engineer in Virginia (#402047180) Professional Engineer in Wisconsin (#39001-006) Certified Fire & Explosion Investigator (#11815-5714) National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (#27430)
CONTINUING EDUCATION December 31, 2015 Arc Flash Hazard Analysis #1, Red Vector, 1 hour Page 5 of 7 December 31, 2015 2015 NFPA 70E Significant Changes, Red Vector, 1 hour December 31, 2015 Ethical Decision Making for Engineers #2, Red Vector, 1 hour November 8-11, 2015 National Association of Subrogation Professionals, 2015 Annual Conference, Reno, Nevada Why NFPA 1033 is the Next Big Thing in Fire Litigation Who Else Owns This Workers Compensation Loss? Looking Deeper When the Facts First Appear to be Bad Internet Profiling and Intelligence Gathering The Investigation of Electrical Overloads Manufactured Fireplaces & Chimney Fires: Expectations for Fire Investigations and Guidance for Subrogation Success Marine Fire Investigations How to Avoid Tripping Over Slip and Fall Claims Absence of a Specific Defect Makes the Manufacturer Stronger But Not Invincible Product Liability, Investigating and Litigating Ventilation Fan Fire Claims November 9-12, 2014 National Association of Subrogation Professionals, 2014 Annual Conference, Orlando, Florida September 22-24, 2014 International Symposium on Fire Investigation Science & Technology, ISFI 2014, University of Maryland, Hyattsville, Maryland December 30, 2013 Ethical Decision Making for Engineers #1 (B), Red Vector, 2 hours December 28, 2013 Marketing Your Consulting Services Part 1, Red Vector, 4 hours December 28, 2013 How to Handle Customer Conflict, Red Vector, 1 hour December 18, 2013 The 2014 NEC Pay-Per-View Seminar, presented by National Fire Protection Association (NFPA)
CONTINUING EDUCATION, Continued Page 6 of 7 April 5, 2013 Asbestos O&M Worker 8-hour Refresher Course, Gebco Associates, Ft. Worth, Texas 8 hours (tested) Electrical Protection Grounding, Red Vector, 2 hours (tested) NEC Requirements for Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters, Red Vector, 1 hour (tested) Arc Flash Hazard Analysis, Red Vector, 1 hour (tested) Electrical Characteristics of Transformers, Red Vector, 1 hour (tested) 2011 National Electrical Code Changes to Articles 90-110 and 200-280, Red Vector, 3 hours (tested) May 1, 2012 Asbestos O&M Worker, Gebco Associates, Ft. Worth, Texas, 16 hours, (tested) February 3-4, 2011 Interscience Communications Limited, Principles of Electrical Fires and Explosions, San Francisco, California January 31 February 2, 2011 Interscience Communications Limited, Fire and Materials Conference, San Francisco, California March 1-3, 2010 National Lightning Safety Institute, Lightning Protection for Engineers, Layton, Utah March 16, 2008 National Association of Fire Investigators, Computer Fire Modeling Seminar, Denver, Colorado May 12-13, 2008 National Fire Protection Association NFPA 70B (Equipment Maintenance) Seminar, Dallas, Texas November 2, 2007 National Fire Protection Association, NFPA 70 (Hazardous Locations) Seminar, Dallas, Texas September 26-28, 2006 National Fire Protection Association, NFPA 70 (National Electrical Code) Seminar, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
CONTINUING EDUCATION, Continued Page 7 of 7 September 25, 2006 National Fire Protection Association, NFPA 70E (Electrical Safety in the Workplace) Seminar, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma July 10 12, 2005 National Academy of Forensic Engineers Annual Meeting, Chicago, Illinois COURSES, SEMINARS AND LECTURES PRESENTED March 2013 How Residential Appliances Fail, presented at Texas Farm Bureau Adjuster s meeting March 2013 What Lightning Can and Can t Do, presented at Texas Farm Bureau Adjuster s meeting, 2008 Principles of Electrical Fire Analysis, presented at Property Loss Research Bureau (PLRB) 2007 Principles of Fire Investigations presented at National Association of Subrogation Professionals yearly conference 2005 Electrical Fire Investigations, presented at Georgia Fire Investigators Association (GFIA) yearly conference PUBLICATIONS Evidence Collection, Preservation, and Chain of Custody, National Association of Subrogation Professionals Subrogation Magazine, 2009