EDT ENGINEERS - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Equal Conveyance and Compensatory Storage
Job Titles:
- Engineer
- Consulting Engineer / Engineering
- Why Are My Windows Foggy
Mr. Whitley is a licensed engineer in the following states: Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Michigan, Mississippi, North Carolina, and Tennessee.
Job Titles:
- Engineer
- Consulting Engineer / Engineering
Mr. Spies grew up spending most weekends in the garage with his father. After earning his Bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Missouri, he joined a compressor manufacturer where he designed centrifugal compressors and heat exchangers for automotive and industrial applications. He also has additional experience in the design, testing and analysis of planetary gear drives, as well as design of hydraulic, pneumatic and electrical systems, and powertrains for off-highway equipment. Now with ED&T, Mr. Spies provides consulting services in the areas of vehicle systems analysis, mechanical system and component failure analysis, and industrial/commercial equipment failure analysis. When not on the job, he enjoys fabricating and working on his drag and dirt track racing cars, as well as assisting others with improving their racing programs.
Mr. Spies is a licensed engineer in the following states: Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Minnesota, Michigan, Missouri, Nebraska, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Texas, US Virgin Islands, and Wisconsin.
Job Titles:
- Engineer
- Consulting Engineer / Engineering
Mr. Tarbell provides structural evaluation and damage assessment of commercial and residential buildings and structures.
He earned his bachelor's degree in civil engineering from Iowa State University and his Master of Civil Engineering from the University of Kansas. Prior to joining the firm in 2020, Mr. Tarbell designed industrial structures such as coal-fired power plant foundations and steel ductwork, oil refinery steel platforms and foundations, and high-voltage transmission lines. He also has experience performing structural analysis of existing buildings for the addition of solar arrays to the building roof. When not on the job, he enjoys home renovation projects, sports, and spending time with his family.
Job Titles:
- Consulting Engineer / Engineering
Dr. Zahl is a graduate of the University of California at Santa Barbara (UCSB), where he conducted research on the mechanical behavior of advanced materials. His work at UCSB introduced him to some of the world leaders in material science, which led to an invitation to continue his research as a guest scientist at the Max Planck Institute in Stuttgart, Germany. After returning to California from Germany, Dr. Zahl worked on the development of high powered lasers, primarily for use in automotive welding applications. He also provided consulting services in the areas of accident reconstruction and failure analysis. In 2000, Dr. Zahl joined ED&T, where he and his colleagues have continued to learn by sharing and discussing their varying experiences. Prior to entering the field of engineering, Dr. Zahl would take on work as opportunities presented themselves. As a result, he has experience ranging from the printing business and electronics assembly to the wine industry and many of the construction trades. In his spare time you are likely to find him at the ocean boating, surfing, diving, or just enjoying the beach.
Job Titles:
- District Engineering Manager and Consulting Engineer / Engineering
- Registered Engineer in California
Mr. Mullis provides consulting in the areas of design and performance of electrical power distribution, transmission, and generation, including fire origin and cause analysis, scope of damage, and repair/replacement economic and technical feasibility analysis. His areas of expertise also include electrical system and equipment performance during fault and unbalanced conditions, as well as analysis of electrical contact accidents, arc flash events, and direct stoke lightning.
His educational background includes a Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering, a Master's degree with a focus on power, and a Graduate Certificate in Renewable Electrical Energy Systems, all from North Carolina State University. He also has a degree in business administration from Appalachian State University. Mr. Mullis began his career with an A/E firm designing power distribution and controls for small water and wastewater utilities. He has provided design and consulting services to water; waste water; gas distribution; and electric distribution, transmission, and generating utilities. He has worked with municipal, state, federal, investor-owned, and privately-owned utilities. His work in power generation has ranged from a 13 MW diesel emergency standby plant to a pump storage plant with 800 MW of installed capacity.
On a personal note, Mr. Mullis served as an assistant high school wrestling coach for nine years and was a recipient of Aflac's National Assistant Coach of the Year Award in 2001. His high point in coaching was when he coached his son at the 1999 high school nationals. He and his wife of 38 years enjoy watching movies and spending time with their grandsons, Maddox and Bauer, and their rescue dog - a six pound shih tzu.
Mr. Mullis is a registered engineer in California, Connecticut, Georgia, Kentucky, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, West Virginia, and Wyoming.
Job Titles:
- Engineer
- Consulting Engineer / Engineering
Mr. Walton is a chemical engineer who joined the firm in 2002. He provides consulting services in the areas of equipment failure analysis, the origin and cause of fires, scope of damage assessments, repair/replacement cost estimates, industrial hazard analysis, and safety reviews. Mr. Walton put himself through college by operating an alkylation unit at an oil refinery, an isopropyl alcohol unit at a chemical facility, and a hydrotreating catalyst manufacturing unit at a catalyst plant. After graduating with a bachelor's degree in chemical engineering from the University of California at Davis, he provided engineering support for refinery operations at a major oil company. Prior to joining ED&T, Greg worked as the lead process engineer for engineering companies that designed, built, and started up oil refineries and chemical facilities.
Job Titles:
- Mechanical Engineer
- Consulting Engineer / Engineering
- Professional Engineer
Mr. Groves is a mechanical engineer providing root cause analysis, scope of damage, and value of loss consultation for industrial, commercial, and residential incidents involving equipment, machinery, and systems. Prior to joining EDT, Mr. Groves spent over 15 years in the nuclear and commercial power generation industries, with a focus on the mechanical/structural design and manufacturing of pressure vessels and piping including shell-and-tube heat exchangers, steam surface condensers, and air-cooled condensers. He also led mechanical efforts in the research and development, design, analysis, and licensing of a next-generation nuclear reactor and containment structure for a modularized nuclear power plant. Mr. Groves' prior experience involved the design of high-speed packaging equipment for the food and beverage industry, as well as the design and manufacturing of high-precision components for explosive ordnance products.
Raised in rural Colorado, Mr. Groves started gaining hands-on experience at 14 years old on his uncle's ranch while operating, maintaining, and repairing equipment such as tractors and livestock handling systems. As his mechanical aptitude grew, so did his desire to learn more about the engineering behind mechanical equipment and systems, inspiring him to pursue a Bachelor of Science in Engineering Technology from Temple University in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Through education and experience, Mr. Groves has become a trusted mechanical engineer with a broad technical background in design, analysis, manufacturing, ASME Code compliance, and R&D.
Mr. Groves is a licensed professional engineer in the following states: Connecticut, Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Texas, Virginia, and West Virginia.
Job Titles:
- Consulting Engineer / Engineering
- Professional Engineer in the States of Connecticut
Mr. Huard provides consultations in the area of structures and the built environment. Consultations include cause of damage, scope of damage, and value of loss.
Hailing from Massachusetts, Mr. Huard earned his bachelor's degree in civil engineering at Worcester Polytechnic Institute. Before graduating, Mr. Huard worked as a carpenter's helper for a custom home builder, gaining hands on experience with stick framed platform construction, post and beam framing, metal plate connected wood trusses, and structurally insulated panels.
After graduation, Mr. Huard worked in power generation, designing structural steel, power piping, and pipe supports. Most notably, he was the lead piping engineer for the Ashalim Plot B Concentrated Solar Boiler in Israel. Following his years in power generation, Mr. Huard worked as a sprinkler designer for local Connecticut fire protection contractors. Mr. Huard had the opportunity to volunteer his time to install a residential sprinkler system for habitat for humanity. The house was a rebuild following a fatal fire, and Mr. Huard gained hands-on experience with the installation of CPVC residential sprinkler systems to supplement his design experience. After his time in fire protection, Mr. Huard made the leap from designer to consultant, providing consultation in project scheduling to general contractors. His clients primarily performed heavy civil construction for the Department of Transportation of various states.
Since joining EDT in 2020, Mr. Huard's practice has expanded to include wind and hail damage assessment, water intrusion investigation, fire damage assessment, construction defects, and code compliance.
When not on the job, he enjoys spending time with his family and volunteering with youth sports. As a hobby, Mr. Huard has competed in 24 Hours of LeMons budget endurance races at New Hampshire Motor Speedway and Thompson Speedway Motorsports Park, and currently enjoys karting at his local track in Wallingford.
Mr. Huard is a licensed professional engineer in the states of Connecticut, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and Vermont.
Job Titles:
- Consulting Engineer / Engineering
Mr. Pitzer provides structural evaluation and damage assessment of commercial, industrial and residential buildings and structures.
He is a Civil Engineering graduate of Texas A&M University. Prior to joining the firm in 2015, Mr. Pitzer designed commercial and industrial structures such as multi-story buildings, concrete tilt wall warehouses and pre-engineered metal buildings.
He also has experience with inspection, assessment and repair of concrete foundations, steel buildings, structural framing and roofing systems.
Mr. Pitzer has engineered structural projects for federal and state governments, including Air Force bases, Army bases, Texas Department of Transportation and NASA.
When not on the job, he enjoys running, biking, outdoor activities, sports, working on his home and yard and spending time with his family.
Job Titles:
- Consulting Engineer / Engineering
- Professional Engineer in the State of Arizona
Mr. Ridings provides consultation services in the areas of infrastructure utilities, machinery and equipment investigations, scope of damage and value of loss estimates, business interruption timeline schedules, construction monitoring and timeline scheduling, project management, fire causation, and water damage investigations. Prior to joining ED&T, Mr. Ridings worked in the gas and electric utility industry where he was involved in a variety of engineering, operations and management assignments. His experience includes design and cost estimating, project management, financial management and forecasting, leading teams and workgroups, investigating incidents and equipment malfunctions, engineering and operation of distribution and transmissions facilities, diagnosing system operations and processes, and asset records management. Mr. Ridings is active in Toastmaster. When not on the golf course or working on home improvement projects, you will find him traveling with family and friends in his free time.
Mr. Ridings is a licensed professional engineer in the state of Arizona, California, and Nevada.
Job Titles:
- District Engineering Manager and Consulting Engineer / Engineering
- Engineer in Alabama
Mr. Mulder grew up in Lansing, Michigan and graduated from the University of Tennessee in 1995. Mr. Mulder started his career working in structural and land development engineering and eventually settled in residential/commercial construction project management. Mr. Mulder finds that his past experience (including everything from dirt to roof) to be useful in evaluations of residential, commercial and industrial structures.
When not at work, he and his wife are often transporting their two daughters from one activity to another.
Mr. Mulder is a licensed engineer in Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Michigan, Mississippi, Tennessee, and is a licensed residential builder.
Job Titles:
- Associate Chief Engineer, Forensic and Consulting Engineer / Engineering
- Engineer in Alabama
Mr. Minden is a mechanical engineering graduate of Kansas State University. He provides consulting services in the areas of design and performance of machinery and machine components, pressure vessels, fracture analysis, metallurgy, fire protection sprinkler systems, materials and component testing, and infrared thermography. Prior to joining ED&T in 2002, Mr. Minden worked as a project engineer designing and constructing heavy-wall custom-built pressure vessels and piping for NASA and the petrochemical and power generation industries. When not on the job, he enjoys woodworking and tinkering in his workshop. He and his family make their home in rural Paola, Kansas.
Mr. Minden is a licensed engineer in Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, West Virginia, Wisconsin and Wyoming.
Job Titles:
- Consulting Engineer / Engineering
Mr. Brown is a mechanical consulting engineer in Central Alabama, providing service to the Southeast and Gulf Region. He earned his bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Texas at Austin. Mr. Brown provides consultation related to mechanical systems and machinery, mechanical design, failure analysis, damage assessment, interpretation of codes and standards, HVAC systems, plumbing, and evaluation of fire and explosion origin and cause.
Prior to joining EDT Mr. Brown was a lead design engineer, based in Houston, Texas, designing products for subsea oil and gas production. A significant amount of his experience from Houston relates to pressure vessel design, mechanical tooling and testing to meet industry code. In addition to investigative services, Mr. Brown also has experience working with a range of manufacturing processes. These include machining, welding, coatings, various NDE examination techniques, forging and heat treating. Failure Modes and Effects Analysis is another area where Mr. Brown also has significant experience and is well versed in how to apply these techniques on a variety of scales.
Mr. Brown spends most of his free time seeking adventure with his wife and young children. He enjoys traveling, shooting sports, archery, hunting, fishing, backpacking, home brewing, and barbeque. He and his wife are currently working to build their own small homestead in the Birmingham area.
Job Titles:
- Engineer
- District Engineering Manager and Consulting Engineer / Engineering
Mr. Pontillo provides structural evaluation and damage assessment of commercial and residential buildings and structures.
He is a civil engineering graduate of the University of Central Florida. Prior to joining the firm in 2011, Mr. Pontillo designed commercial and industrial structures such as office buildings, government facilities, water and wastewater treatment plants, and bridge and highway structures. He also has experience with inspection and repair projects for highway and industrial structures. Mr. Pontillo worked on multiple assignments at the Kennedy Space Center launch pads, including demolition of the rotating and fixed service structures used for the space shuttle program. When not on the job, he enjoys hiking, fishing, sports, and spending time with his family.
Mr. Pontillo is a licensed engineer in the following states: Arkansas, Colorado, Florida, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Texas and Wisconsin.
Job Titles:
- Consulting Engineer / Engineering
- Engineer in Florida
Mr. Smith is a civil/structural consulting engineer in Charlotte, North Carolina, providing service to the Southeast. He earned his bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering from North Carolina State University with a focus in Structural Analysis. Mr. Smith provides consultation related to civil/structural damage for commercial and residential structures, including steel building damage, storm damage assessment, concrete roof deck evaluation, steel roof systems, foundation cracking, long-term deterioration, and construction defects.
Prior to joining EDT, Mr. Smith was a Telecommunication Project Engineer based in Pennsylvania and served multiple regions along the East Coast. In addition to consulting services, Mr. Smith performed repair design of structural systems, including wood, concrete, steel, and masonry elements. Mr. Smith also oversaw destructive investigations and performed non-destructive investigations on existing rooftop support structures including systems composed of steel, wood, and concrete. Mr. Smith has performed structural analysis for wood, steel, and masonry structures to determine adequacy under as-is conditions, performed analysis of previously modified built-up members, as well as designed and analyzed structural modification systems to reinforce existing structures. Mr. Smith is a licensed remote pilot of small unmanned drones with experience of drone use for commercial purposes.
When not on the job, Mr. Smith enjoys hiking, camping, canoeing, and exercising. Mr. Smith enjoys short day hikes as well as long extended camping trips up in the lakes of Maine and the Quantico Boundary waters that border Minnesota and Canada. While in college Mr. Smith became involved with the ASCE student chapter which included the design and construction of a concrete canoe to be raced among other schools.
Mr. Smith is a licensed engineer in Florida, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia.
Job Titles:
- Engineer
- Consulting Engineer / Engineering
Mr. Ellsworth is a mechanical engineering graduate of The University of Missouri-Columbia.
Mr. Ellsworth's background includes designing and testing wheel chair lifts, aerial work platforms, food packaging machinery, component tooling, and automation equipment. Since joining ED&T in 2006, he has provided consulting services in the investigation and analysis of mechanical fractures/failures of materials and components, mechanical systems, and equipment specification.
When not on the job, Mr. Ellsworth enjoys spending time with his family, watching hockey, designing and building remote controlled airplanes, and competing in Tae Kwon Do/Sun Do as a black belt.
Mr. Ellsworth is a licensed engineer in the following states: Arkansas, California, Colorado, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Ohio, Oklahoma and South Dakota.
Job Titles:
- Engineer
- Consulting Engineer / Engineering
- Consulting Engineer With Our Birmingham Office
Since graduating from North Carolina State University in 1980, Mr. Edwards has provided consultation in the analysis and selection of materials, analysis of fractures, metallurgical analysis, materials processing, and evaluation of industrial processes toward resolution of industrial failures and accidents.
In 1983, his career was interrupted when he joined the U.S. Navy Nuclear Power Program as a commissioned officer onboard a fleet ballistic submarine. He eventually returned to his consulting career and helped establish ED&T's Birmingham office. Mr. Edwards also set up the laboratory which supports the consulting and testing activities in the Birmingham District Office. Following the terrorist activities of 9/11, he returned to active duty for one month to assist with the mortuary affairs of U.S. Navy victims. He retired from the U.S. Navy reserves in 2003.
When not working, Mr. Edwards is active in the choir at his church and supports his son's high school band activities by cooking at the Friday night football games. He actively works with Birmingham's Habitat for Humanity.
Mr. Edwards is a licensed engineer in the discipline of metallurgical engineering in Alabama, Florida, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas and New York. He is licensed in civil engineering (by exam) in the state of Alabama.
Richard T. Edwards, P.E. is a consulting engineer with our Birmingham Office. has provided consultation in the analysis and selection of materials, analysis of fractures, metallurgical analysis, materials processing, and evaluation of industrial processes toward resolution of industrial failures and accidents. You may contact Richard for your forensic engineering needs at redwards@edtengineers.com or (205)838-1040.
Job Titles:
- Engineer
- Consulting Engineer / Engineering
Mr. Cramer is an electrical engineering graduate of the University of Missouri-Rolla.
Mr. Cramer provides specialized consultation in the areas of electrical, control instrumentation, and telephone/data systems and equipment. These matters typically involve scope of damage evaluations and restoration cost resolution, laboratory and field testing of electrical systems power quality and infrared analysis, and fire origin and root cause investigations. Prior to joining the firm in 2002, Mr. Cramer worked as a project manager for three different electrical contractors. The electrical construction projects managed by Mr. Cramer included elementary schools, wastewater treatment plants, steel mill blast furnace relines, sport complexes, a federal prison, and utility modernization of a brewery.
Mr. Cramer enjoys outdoor activities. He and his family make their home in rural Belton, Missouri.
Mr. Cramer is a licensed engineer in the following states: Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Connecticut, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin and Wyoming.