Expert Details
Accident Reconstruction, Aviation, Aviation Accident, Federal Aviation Administration, Aviation Safety, Automatic Pilot, Aviation Fuel Management Expert
ID: 735744
Texas, USA
Education
| Year | Degree | Subject | Institution |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year: 1983 | Degree: MS | Subject: Public Administration | Institution: Troy State University |
| Year: 1975 | Degree: BS | Subject: Aeronautical Studies | Institution: Embry Riddle Aeronautical University |
| Year: 1982 | Degree: Aviation Safety Officer Certificate/Accreditation | Subject: United States Naval Aviation Safety Officer | Institution: United States Naval Post Graduate School |
| Year: 1977 | Degree: Designated Naval Aviator | Subject: Naval Aviation Pilot Strike Jet Program | Institution: United States Naval Aviation Training Command |
Work History
| Years | Employer | Title | Department |
|---|---|---|---|
| Years: 2006 to 2019 | Employer: Texas Department of Transportation | Title: Deputy Director of Aviation | Department: Aviation |
Responsibilities:Flight/Aircraft Maintenance Department Director/Supervisory Pilot (General Aviation):Since 2006, I have concurrently served as the Deputy Director of Aviation, Chief Pilot, and Flight Services Section Director for the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT). In this capacity and under my direction, I am directly responsible for the safe, efficient and effective operation of the largest state operated aircraft maintenance facility in the United States. The Texas Department of Transportation Flight Services Section maintains and operates flight operations in support of official state business. As the designated change agent for the State of Texas and the Texas Department of Transportation, I assembled a team of aviation professionals which transformed the state’s Flight and Aircraft Maintenance Departments from an annual $950,000 deficit into a consistent profit center. The current operation has become the nation’s “model manager” for state operated fleets in terms of both efficiencies and operational readiness. In addition to becoming consistently fiscally solvent (on revenues in excess of $9 million annually), the state’s flight and aircraft maintenance operations have achieved an envious and unparalleled aviation safety record In 2019, I successfully authored and implemented an Aircraft Fleet Replacement Plan for the State of Texas and its entire respective aircraft fleet. The adoption of this plan by the state government, resolved substantial safety, economic and operational issues which stemmed from a pre-existing and aggressive “aging” aircraft fleet problem. In the Fleet Replacement Plan, a defined set of operational and economic metrics were developed which resulted in the selection of a “rationalized” aircraft fleet to include type, model and size of the fleet. Once this plan was adopted, I provided subject matter expertise during procurement negotiations. Subsequent to completion of the aircraft acquisition, I developed and am directly responsible for fleet integration, pilot and maintenance training and the implementation of formal cost model protocols. This “fleet” acquisition is an historical first, both in concept and scope for state government. Deputy Director of Aviation, Texas Department of Transportation, (TxDOT) Chief Pilot, TxDOT Director of Flight Services, TxDOT TxDOT UAS Research Program Manager Senior Member Aviation Accident Mishap Board Senior Member Aviation Safety Committee Senior Evaluator Pilot Senior Instructor Pilot |
|||
| Years | Employer | Title | Department |
| Years: 1991 to Present | Employer: Undisclosed | Title: Owner, Aviation Consultant/Aviation Accident Investigator/Expert Witness | Department: |
Responsibilities:Aviation Expert:For the past twenty-seven years, I have owned and operated, offering consulting, accident investigation and expert witness services to aviation, legal and insurance entities. In these capacities, I have represented numerous high-profile clients including American Airlines, United Airlines, and Pratt & Whitney of Canada. My expert witness testimony has been offered in Federal Court as a subject matter expert in pilot performance and flight operations. My opinions and expertise in aviation related matters have been featured by appearances in international and nationally syndicated news outlets to include The Discovery Channel, NATGEO, Wharton Business Radio and the Smithsonian Channel. I possess over thirty-seven years as a formally trained (United States Naval Post-Graduate School, Aviation Safety Officer Curriculum) Aviation Accident Investigator. In this capacity, I have investigated hundreds of aviation accidents or incidents. I am also a trained International Standard for Business Aircraft Operations (IS-BAO) Fixed-Wing Operations/Maintenance Auditor. |
|||
| Years | Employer | Title | Department |
| Years: 1986 to 2006 | Employer: USAirways | Title: Captain/Instructor Pilot/First Officer | Department: Flight Operations |
Responsibilities:USAIRWAYS-A319/320/321 Captain, Fokker-100(Retired) Captain, MD80, DC-9, Boeing 727 First Officer Airbus 319/320/321 Instructor Pilot Airbus 319/320/321 Flight Standards Committee Airbus 319/320/321 Flight Operations Quality Assurance (FOQA), Committee Chairman |
|||
| Years | Employer | Title | Department |
| Years: 1975 to 2004 | Employer: United States Marine Corps | Title: Colonel/Naval Aviator/Aviation Safety Officer/Weapons and Tactics Instructor | Department: Aviation |
Responsibilities:United States Marine Corps (USMC) Colonel and Naval Aviator:I completed a nearly thirty-year career in the United States Marine Corps. As a Weapons and Tactics Instructor, I planned, staffed or evaluated hundreds of military aviation operational exercises. As the Senior Evaluator for the Fourth Marine Aircraft Wing (MAW), I was directly responsible for evaluating unit combat readiness, pilot/aircrew performance, and the effectiveness of training for all tactical aviation elements within the Air Wing. Most notedly, I was honored to have been selected and serve as the Senior Marine, Aviation Safety Officer and KC-130 Demonstration Pilot for the Blue Angels. During my military career I served in the capacity of: • United States Marine Corps Senior Air Wing Combat Readiness Evaluator • United States Marine Corps Senior Air Wing KC-130 NATOPS Evaluator/Instructor • United States Marine Corps Senior Air Wing KC-130 Instrument Evaluator/Instructor • Selected and designated as the first United States Marine Corps KC-130 Weapons and Tactics Evaluator/Instructor • United States Marine Corps Marine Air Group/Squadron NATOPS Evaluator/Instructor • United States Marine Corps Marine Air Group/Squadron Instrument Evaluator/Instructor • United States Marine Corps Marine Air Group/Squadron Director of Standardization and Safety • United States Marine Corps Air Group/Squadron Aviation Safety Officer • United States Marine Corps Air Group/Squadron Aircrew Training Officer • United States Marine Corps Air Group/Squadron Aircraft Mishap Board (Senior Member) • United States Marine Corps Air Group/Squadron Aviator Human Factors Board (Senior Member) • United States Marine Corps Air Group/Squadron Instrument Flight Board (Senior Member) • United States Marine Corps Air Group/Squadron Flight Standardization Board (Senior Member) • United States Marine Corps Squadron Executive Officer • United States Marine Corps Squadron Operations Officer • KC-130F, R, T and T-30 Aircraft Commander Colonel USMCR Designated Naval Aviator United States Naval Academy Liaison Officer Inspector General (Senior Inspecting Officer) Marine Corps Combat Readiness System (MCCRES), 4th Marine Aircraft Wing |
|||
Government Experience
| Years | Agency | Role | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Years: 2006 to Present | Agency: Texas Department of Transportation | Role: Deputy Director of Avaition | Description: Flight/Aircraft Maintenance Department Director/Supervisory Pilot (General Aviation): Since 2006, I have concurrently served as the Deputy Director of Aviation, Chief Pilot, and Flight Services Section Director. In this capacity and under my direction, I am directly responsible for the safe, efficient and effective operation of the largest state operated aircraft maintenance facility in the United States. The Flight Services Section maintains and operates flight operations in support of official state business. As the designated change agent, I assembled a team of aviation professionals which transformed the state’s Flight and Aircraft Maintenance Departments from an annual $950,000 deficit into a consistent profit center. The current operation has become the nation’s “model manager” for state operated fleets in terms of both efficiencies and operational readiness. In addition to becoming consistently fiscally solvent (on revenues in excess of $9 million annually), the state’s flight and aircraft maintenance operations have achieved an envious and unparalleled aviation safety record In 2019, I successfully authored and implemented an Aircraft Fleet Replacement Plan and its entire respective aircraft fleet. The adoption of this plan by the state government, resolved substantial safety, economic and operational issues which stemmed from a pre-existing and aggressive “aging” aircraft fleet problem. In the Fleet Replacement Plan, a defined set of operational and economic metrics were developed which resulted in the selection of a “rationalized” aircraft fleet to include type, model and size of the fleet. Once this plan was adopted, I provided subject matter expertise during procurement negotiations. Subsequent to completion of the aircraft acquisition, I developed and am directly responsible for fleet integration, pilot and maintenance training and the implementation of formal cost model protocols. This “fleet” acquisition is an historical first, both in concept and scope for state government. |
| Years: 1975 to 2004 | Agency: United States Marine Corps | Role: Colonel/Naval Aviator | Description: United States Marine Corps (USMC) Colonel and Naval Aviator: I completed a nearly thirty-year career in the United States Marine Corps. As a Weapons and Tactics Instructor, I planned, staffed or evaluated hundreds of military aviation operational exercises. As the Senior Evaluator for the Fourth Marine Aircraft Wing (MAW), I was directly responsible for evaluating unit combat readiness, pilot/aircrew performance, and the effectiveness of training for all tactical aviation elements within the Air Wing. Most notedly, I was honored to have been selected and serve as the Senior Marine, Aviation Safety Officer and KC-130 Demonstration Pilot for the Blue Angels. |
International Experience
| Years | Country / Region | Summary |
|---|---|---|
| Years: 1975 to 2004 | Country / Region: World-wide | Summary: Naval Aviator |
Career Accomplishments
| Associations / Societies |
|---|
| • International Society of Air Safety Investigators (ISASI) • Human Factors and Ergonomics Society (HFES) • National Business Aircraft Association (NBAA) • International Business Aircraft Operations (IS-BAO) • International Business Aviation Council (IBAC) • Partnership for Corporate Aviation Training (PCAT) • National Air Transportation Association (NATA) • Airline Pilots Association (ALPA) • Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) • Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) |
| Licenses / Certifications |
|---|
| 1983: Airline Transport Pilot: (Airbus 319/320/321, Fokker-100, L-382, EMB-500) 1972: Commercial, Multi-Engine, Instrument: (ASMELI) 1974: Certified Flight Instructor: (MELCFII), Remote Pilot |
| Professional Appointments |
|---|
| Selected as a KC-130 Demonstration Pilot for the United States Naval Flight Demonstration Squadron-The Blue Angels. Chief Pilot for the State of Texas-All elected Officials |
| Awards / Recognition |
|---|
| Numerous Marine Corps awards to include an Air Medal Over 29,000 flight hours accident free flown in over 80 models of aircraft |
| Publications and Patents Summary |
|---|
| 1) November 2017: UAS User’s Guide and Flight Operations Manual (Initial Operational Beta Test). Co-Authored A source document regarding UAS(s) flight operations for the State of Texas and TxDOT. 2) May 2015: Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT), Flight Operations Manual, (ISBAO Compliant Version). A source document regarding flight operations for the State of Texas and TxDOT aircraft fleet. 3) January 2012: Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT), Flight Operations Manual, (Revision 7). A source document regarding flight operations for the State of Texas and TxDOT aircraft fleet. 4) July 2010: Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT), Flight Operations Manual, (Revision 2). A source document regarding flight operations for the State of Texas and TxDOT aircraft fleet. 5) May 2009: Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT), Flight Operations Manual, (Revision 1). A source document regarding flight operations for the TxDOT aircraft fleet. 6) November 2006: Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT), Flight Operations Manual. A source document regarding flight operations for the TxDOT aircraft fleet. 7) September 2003: Concept of Operations/Joint Forces Exercise (JFX). Developed for Skylink Systems, Inc. A conceptual plan for a Joint Forces Exercise (JFX), involving various governmental agencies and the integration of the SKYGUARDIAN system. 8) August 2003: OPLAN JFX. Developed for Skylink Systems, Inc. An operational plan which coordinates intra-governmental agencies for SKYGUARDIAN system evaluation. 9) May 2003: Airport Security Perimeter and Moving Target Integration (MTI) radar system. The TELEPHONICS Corporation submitted for Congressional review. An analysis of the effectiveness and practicality of aircraft survivability equipment against the Man-Held Portable Air Defense (MANPAD) threat. 10) September 1999: Airbus 319/320/321 Planning and Performance Guide. Planning and performance text guide for the US Airways Airbus Training Department. 11) 1996: Low Altitude Tactics Procedures, KC-130. Developed for the 4th Marine Aircraft Wing. A procedural low-level tactics manual for the KC-130. All crew positions. 12) 1995: Department of Aviation Safety and Standardization SOP. Developed for VMGR-234 flight operations. A flight safety and standardization manual. 13) 1994: KC-130T-30 differences flight manual. Developed for VMGR-234/452. Aircraft reference manual for new fleet type introduction. 14) 1993: KC-130 Tactics. United States Marine Corps Gazette. Tactical Doctrine for Marine Corps KC-130 Employment. |
Additional Experience
| Expert Witness Experience |
|---|
| Over 28 years as an expert witness Deposed over 25 times State/Federal Courts Investigated over 300 Accidents |
| Training / Seminars |
|---|
| Human Factors in Accident Investigation (HFAI) Southern California Safety Institute Long Beach, CA, February 2015 IS-BAO Auditing Workshop (Certification), IBAC/PCAT San Antonio, TX, June 2014 IS-BAO Fundamentals Workshop, IBAC/PCAT San Antonio, TX, June 2014 Safety Management Systems (SMS), ATC Vantage LLC Dallas, TX, May 2009 US Airways Instructor Pilot Syllabus, A319/320/321) Charlotte Training Center Charlotte, NC, December 2002 US Airways Instructor Pilot Syllabus, A319/320/321) Charlotte Training Center Charlotte, NC, March-May 1999 US Airways Basic Check Airmen Training, Pittsburgh Training Center Pittsburgh, PA, May 1999 Naval Aviation Safety Commanders Course, United States Naval Post-Graduate School Monterey, CA, February 1995 Naval Aviation Safety Officer School, United States Naval Post-Graduate School Monterey, CA, January 1982-March 1982 |
| Other Relevant Experience |
|---|
| Aviation Accident Investigator: I possess over thirty-seven years as a formally trained (United States Naval Post-Graduate School, Aviation Safety Officer Curriculum) Aviation Accident Investigator. In this capacity, I have investigated hundreds of aviation accidents or incidents. I am also a trained International Standard for Business Aircraft Operations (IS-BAO) Fixed-Wing Operations/Maintenance Auditor. |
Language Skills
| Language | Proficiency |
|---|---|
| English | Very Proficient |