EDUCATION & EVENTS

FEATURED EXPERTS

Nature vs. Structure: Earthquakes

March 24, 2021

Barry Speer joined Donan in 2014 and currently serves as the Regional Engineering Manager for the firm’s Pacific Coast region. He has 15 years of engineering experience and has completed more than 400 forensic investigations. Mr. Speer has worked in structural design of buildings, building construction, building materials manufacturing, machine design, and forensic engineering. His project capabilities include earthquake damage, flood damage, landslide damage, retaining wall failures, vehicle impact damage, tree impact damage, roof inspections, water intrusion, and wind damage to structures.

Mr. Speer is a licensed professional engineer in Arizona, California, Colorado, Montana, New Mexico, Oregon, and Texas. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Architectural Engineering from California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo.

FEATURED EXPERTS

Origin Stories: Vehicle Fires

April 7, 2021

Jim Ross is a lead fire investigator based out of the firm’s Indianapolis, Indiana, office. Mr. Ross has 15 years of experience and has performed over 1,100 fire investigations. His project capabilities include structural fire investigations, vehicle fire investigations, agricultural fire investigations, and vehicle mechanical inspections. Mr. Ross is a certified fire investigator through the International Association of Arson Investigators and a private investigator in Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Michigan, and Wisconsin.

FEATURED EXPERTS

Nature vs. Structure: Tornado Damage to Residential Structures

April 21, 2021

Marvin Aikens joined Donan in 2008 and currently serves as a forensic engineer and principal consultant based in Mobile, Alabama. He began his engineering career in 1991 and has worked in civil, forensic, and structural engineering. Mr. Aikens has previous experience serving as a structural engineer and project manager. His areas of expertise include concrete construction/design, construction defects, flood/catastrophe response, maritime-design, construction and maintenance, roof specialist, and storm and wastewater.

Marvin is a licensed professional engineer in Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas and a certified fire and explosion investigator. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of South Alabama in Civil Engineering.

FEATURED EXPERTS

Nature vs. Structure: Lightning Damage to Residential Structures

May 5, 2021

Guy Fuschetto joined Donan in 2017 and currently serves as a forensic engineer based out of Tampa, Florida. He began his engineering career in 2000 and has worked in electrical and forensic engineering. Mr. Fuschetto has previous experience serving as a senior electrical engineer and an electrical designer. His areas of expertise include commercial and residential electrical investigations, electric shock/electrocution, electrical failure/defect, electrical fire causation, licensed electrical contractor, and watercraft electrical systems.

Gaetano is a licensed professional engineer in 39 states, a certified fire and explosion investigator, and a certified vehicle fire investigator. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Manhattan College in Electrical Engineering.

FEATURED EXPERTS

Origin Stories: Marine Fire Investigations

May 19, 2021

James Sielehr joined Donan in 2016 as a lead fire investigator based out of the firm’s Los Angeles, California, office. He has 20 years of experience in fire and explosion investigations. Mr. Sielehr has worked in the federal government, state government, and private sector. His areas of expertise are origin and cause fire investigations and interviews. Mr. Sielehr’s additional project capabilities include improvised incendiary devices and industrial fire investigation.

Mr. Sielehr is a certified fire investigator through the International Association of Arson Investigators and a private investigator in Arizona, California, Nevada, Oregon, and Wisconsin.

FEATURED EXPERTS

Nature vs. Structure: Wind and Water 

June 2, 2021

John Miller joined Donan in 2009 and currently serves as a forensic engineer and principal consultant based out of the firm’s headquarters in Louisville, Kentucky. He has 32 years of engineering experience and has completed approximately 1,900 forensic investigations. Mr. Miller has worked in the following industries: bridge design and inspection, bridge and highway structure inspection, highway design and home construction and remodeling. His area of expertise is structural damage from impact, wind, and flood. Mr. Miller’s project capabilities also include a wide range of civil and structural investigations including hail damage, foundation damage, and the causes of water intrusion.

Mr. Miller is a licensed professional engineer in Alabama, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, New Jersey, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Texas. He earned his bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Kentucky.

FEATURED EXPERTS

Product Failure Trends: Fractography

June 16, 2021

Adrian France joined Donan in 2009 and currently serves as a senior forensic engineer based out of the firm’s Component Testing Laboratory in Simpsonville, Kentucky. He began his engineering career in 1997 and has worked in the forensic and mechanical engineering industries. Mr. France’s areas of expertise are expansion tanks, garbage disposals, plastic fittings, plumbing failures, pumps, supply lines, and toilet components, among others.

He is a licensed professional engineer in Kentucky and a Master Plumber. He holds a Master of Engineering and Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Louisville in Mechanical Engineering.