PhD chemist and expert in explosives, including airbag propellants, with thirty-five years of industrial research and development experience as both a staff scientist and manager/director of R&D activities. The primary focus of industrial assignments has been the design of energetic solid materials such as propellants, pyrotechnics, explosives, and gas generants for missile systems as well as automotive airbag applications. Airbag work includes formulating a phase stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN)-based gas generant and compatible inflators.
Formal Education
- Ph.D. in Chemistry, Duke University
- B.S. in Chemistry, Illinois State University
Career Highlights
- Directed teams focused on U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) needs for unique energetic materials (propellants, explosives, and pyrotechnics) and the devices wherein they function
- Technical contributor on research grant proposals to U.S. Air Force and U.S. Army, as well as for internally funded R&D (IRAD) research
- Managed thirty-five R&D professionals plus support staff conducting several DoD projects and providing analytical support for the production and testing of chemical, mechanical, and ballistic hazards
- While manager of the inflation product engineering group at TRW, was twice awarded the Chairman’s Award for Innovation
- Named inventor on twenty-five issued U.S. patents including several relating to airbags
Expert Qualifications
- Submitted an expert report regarding root cause of Takata airbag inflator fragmentation in support of NHTSA recall activities
- Also in relation to Takata airbag defects, assisted the Australian government with their inflator recall and the U.S. Department of Justice with its fraud investigation
- Retained as a testifying expert witness and submitted an expert report in an airbag-related contract law case in Canada that later settled