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The Loucks Group team has a membership of, and association with experienced technical
consultants with distinct areas of expertise. According to your needs, we will suggest members based on the skills and experience
most appropriate to each project. This allows us to provide you with project-specific solutions to your technical
challenges. The diversity of our members’ experience gives you the benefit of a broad range of perspectives and
enables our team to develop accurate answers and innovative solutions. Some key curricula vitae are available
below, just click on the members name.
Richard B. Loucks, Ph.D., P.E. (Mechanical Engineer) President and founder of the Loucks Group, Dr. Loucks has been a practicing engineer since 1986. Prior to his forming Loucks Group LLC, Dr. Loucks conducted internationally sponsored research on the deployment and effects of weapons of mass destruction, provided design and supervised fabrication of blast resistant facilities and mechanisms, served as a construction project manager for a general contractor, received military training as a Reserve Naval officer. In 1998, he took a position as Director of Mechanical and Materials Engineering for a nationally recognized forensic engineering consulting firm. Dr. Loucks has been involved with several matters
involving explosions, fires, product failures, vehicle accidents, materials issues, patent infringement,
criminal defense, marine craft accidents, construction equipment, industrial systems, workplace safety, consumer
product safety, and other failure analysis and contractual dispute issues. Dr. Loucks is a registered Professional Engineer in the state of Maryland, and has provided expert testimony in
a court of law.
C. Mel Adams, Sc.D., P.E. (Metallurgist, Chemical Engineer) Metallurgist and Chemical Engineer specializing in refining, chemical processes and manufacturing technology, combustion, explosions and high intensity heat sources (flames, arcs and electron and laser beams); welding, casting and shaping of metals; and fracture, fatigue, and corrosion of engineering materials. Dr. Adams has extensive testifying and litigation support experience.
Sue P. Greco (Laboratory Instrumentation) Experienced chemist in analytical polymer chemistry. Chemical spectroscopy, including emission, infrared, ultraviolet-visible, x-ray, mass thermal analysis including DSC, TGA, TMA, dilute solution and melt viscosity of polymers, moisture and volatiles determinations. Molecular weights by GPC (size exclusion) and through correlation of viscosities. Microscopy including photomicrography, particle size and shape, Polymer engineering in extrusion processes (melt, solution). Flammability and physical testing of parts, fibers, and fabrics. Correlation of data to solve industrial/manufacturing problems, upgrade processes, develop new products/processes. Colorant chemistry and analysis including both dyes and pigments. Polymer stabilization correlations and analyses in relation to product lifetime failures special properties. Industrial effluent water analysis and data correlation in relation to conformance to standards. Computerization of correlations of Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) with materials in-house and evaluation of materials for suitability to processes and personnel. Methods development for above activities. Ms. Greco has provided expert testimony in a court of law.
Civil Engineer specializing in structural and engineering mechanics. He has over 30 years of practical experience in design, construction, manufacturing, and consulting. Dr. Malone’s experience includes failure analysis of bridges, buildings, building systems, and components. He has special expertise in computer analysis of complex structures and additional expertise in the application of dynamics and engineering principles to analyze and reconstruct vehicular accidents, especially complex, multi-vehicle and multi-impact collisions and those involving highway or railroad intersection design, construction, and signing. Dr. Malone is a registered Professional Engineer in the state of Washington, and has provided expert testimony in
a court of law.
Kenneth R. McLauchlan, P.E.(Mechanical Engineer) Mechanical systems and equipment failure investigations on Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning Systems (Residential, Commercial and Institutional); analyses of fire causation and smoke flow in buildings, gas and fuel oil equipment and systems, building automation systems, plumbing and process piping systems analysis, vacuum piping and central vacuum systems, medical gas systems, compressed air systems and air compressors. Analysis of shielded facilities (RFI, Tempest, HEMP). Diesel engine generators and support systems (fuel, lube oil, start air). Hydraulic power systems, industrial gas, oil, dual fuel fired equipment (dryers, furnaces, boilers, etc.). Analysis of high reliability, precision controlled EDP facilities, including "clean" and raised access floor environments. Cost estimating and value engineering. Specification writing and interpretation. Mechanical power transmission (gear drives, belt drives, etc.) Water and wastewater treatment plant equipment and processes. PCB incident investigations. Automatic control systems (Pneumatic, electric, electronic, direct digital). Construction industry practices and standards. Pumps and associated system controls; piping, valves and fittings. Building code interpretation. Steam power plant systems and hospital mechanical systems. Asbestos abatement design review. Mr. McLauchlan has provided expert testimony in a court of law.
Robert J. Sopka, Ph.D. (Physics, Meteorology) Experienced physicist specializing in mechanics and meteorology. As a former professor of physics with over thirty year’s experience, Dr. Sopka has a thorough knowledge of, and experience with, Newtonian mechanics and classical physics as applied to analysis of motion, collisions, impact, energy transfer, force, and load. Experienced in vehicle accident reconstruction techniques and application of physical principles to vehicle collision analysis. As a practicing Meteorologist, possesses extensive experience in the analysis and presentation of meteorological data and weather case histories, as well as forecasting. Particularly skilled at the presentation and communication of technical information to non-technical audiences. Over fifteen years experience in the television broadcast industry. Dr. Sopka has provided expert testimony in a court of law.
William P. "Ted" Thorwarth, P.E. (Electrical Engineer) An FAA certified aircraft mechanic, Mr. Thorwath brings experience as an electrical engineer to investigate electrical related failures, as well as his aircraft flight, airframe and air systems repair experience in investigating aircraft mishaps and related failures. He is also experienced in investigating issues involving gas fired industrial and construction heating devices, electro-mechanical medical devices, aircraft maintenance and system analysis, electrical shock, non-ionizing radiation accidents, large electrically powered utility pumping systems, malfunctions of systems and equipment in marine craft, electrical issues in commercial freezer facilities, alarm and monitoring of critical systems, consumer product investigations, batteries and electrolytes, electrical and mechanical devices involved with fire investigations, aircraft damage assessment View Resumé (PDF format) Associations Elizabeth Hopkins, C.P.A. (Financial Services) As a Certified Professional Accountant, Ms. Hopkins can provide forensic accounting services, damages evaluation, business interruption, tax advice, and provide consulting on the tax and financial effects of enhancements to industrial processes, improving products, and conducting research and development, and act as a stand-in Chief Financial Officer of an emerging business. www.thehopkinsgroup.com Stan Pulz, CSP., P.E. (Safety and Human Factors Engineer) Registered Professional Engineer (safety), Certified Safety Professional, and Master's Level Psychologist specializing in technical aspects of applied human factors engineering and safety. For over 25 years, both as a corporate safety director and private consultant, Mr. Pulz has provided a variety of organizations, including private industry, governmental organizations, and the legal and insurance community, with technical assistance on safety and human factors engineering issues. www.spainco.com |
