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 multi-disciplinary 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
EDUCATION
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
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
EXPERIENCE, Continued
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
1986 - 1994
1983 – 1986 1980 - 1983
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 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
REGISTRATIONS
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)
CONTINUING EDUCATION
December 31, 2015
Arc Flash Hazard Analysis #1, Red Vector, 1 hour
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
CONTINUING EDUCATION, Continued
April 5, 2013
Asbestos O&M Worker 8-hour Refresher Course, Gebco Associates, Ft. Worth, Texas 8 hours (tested)
December 2012
Electrical Protection Grounding, Red Vector, 2 hours (tested)
December 2012
NEC Requirements for Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters, Red Vector, 1 hour (tested)
December 2012
Arc Flash Hazard Analysis, Red Vector, 1 hour (tested)
December 2012
Electrical Characteristics of Transformers, Red Vector, 1 hour (tested)
December 2012
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
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
