PROFESSIONAL ANALYSIS AND CONSULTING - Key Persons


John A. O'Neill

Job Titles:
  • Aviation Science
Mr. O'Neill brings over thirty five years of experience with BP Amoco during which he assumed increasing levels of responsibility for BP's aviation activities worldwide. His experience ranges from fixed wing corporate jets to helicopters serving off shore platforms. He consults in all areas of aviation maintenance, operations, and safety. He provided aviation oversight for BP's aviation vendors, conducted operator reviews, and participated in accident investigations. He continues to serve on various industry committees. Mr. O'Neill is a licensed Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Airframe and Power Plant mechanic, with an Inspection Authorization (A&P/IA), holds an FAA Airman Certification for Remote Pilots for Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems, and is a licensed private pilot.

Michael G. Koehler

Job Titles:
  • Chemistry
Dr. Koehler performs investigations and failure analysis from a chemistry and materials science perspective. His experience crosses a broad range of chemicals and materials including polymers and plastics, coatings, fuels, catalyst, metals, refrigerants, filtration media, membranes and pharmaceuticals. Dr. Koehler's technical expertise involves the complete cradle-to-grave life cycle of products including the design, manufacturing, transportation, application, toxicity (toxic tort), failure analysis and disposal. His application experiences include, but are not limited to, materials failure, pharmaceuticals, air quality, fuels, adhesive, paints and coatings, and environmental catalyst. Dr. Koehler has extensive experience in Six Sigma Quality including as a Master Trainer for Black Belt and Green Belt scientists and engineers, Design for Six Sigma, Design for the Environment, Design for Manufacturing programs, and Lean Six Sigma. Expertise Aerospace Materials and processes Polymers and plastics Medicinal chemistry Coatings Air quality Filtration Environmental catalytic systems Fuels Toxic Tort Education Ph.D., Medicinal Chemistry, University of Illinois Medical Center, Chicago, IL 1987 B.S., Chemistry, Mathematics & Computer Sciences, Loyola University, Chicago, IL, 1982 Professional Affiliations American Chemical Society (ACS) - Chair-Elect Chicago Section Chemistry and the Law Division Society for Plastics Engineers (SPE) Society of Manufacturing Engineers (SME) SAE International (SAE) American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)

Roch J. Shipley

Job Titles:
  • Materials Engineering
Dr. Shipley performs engineering investigations and failure analysis from a materials engineering perspective. His evaluations involve design, manufacturing, materials, and operational factors. He specializes in complex issues involving multiple disciplines and/or accident reconstruction. He has experience with both ferrous and non-ferrous alloys, including aluminum, titanium, and nickel-base superalloys. Dr. Shipley is licensed by examination as a Professional Engineer and has testified in both State and Federal Courts. Expertise Failure Analysis / Metallurgical and Materials Engineering

Timothy M. Hicks

Job Titles:
  • Mechanical Engineering
Mr. Hicks performs investigations and failure analysis from a mechanical engineering perspective. His projects have involved accident investigation and reconstruction, product liability, intellectual property, design analysis, manufacturing, fire cause and origin, testing, and project management. His vehicle experience includes commercial vehicles, automobiles, RVs, buses, railroad, agricultural, and construction equipment. He has had non-vehicle related projects involving medical, athletic, and wheelchair accessibility equipment, forklifts, automated entry doors, elevators, wind energy systems, lawn equipment, bicycles, plumbing, consumer products, firearm accidents, and other mechanical systems. Additionally, he has investigated product packaging failures, aerosol dispenser failures involving impact, projectile and temperature/pressure studies, mechanical design, and systems modeling. Mr. Hicks also leads our firearm and firearm safety device certification testing. Expertise Industrial Equipment Accident Investigation Design Assessment