MECANICA SCIENTIFIC SERVICES - Key Persons
Ann Grimes obtained her Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from Arizona State University in 2018 and began work as an accident reconstructionist. She earned her Master's in Mechanical Engineering in 2019. Ms. Grimes has completed more than 300 hours of classroom instruction from Northwestern University Center for Public Safety in Traffic Crash Investigation and Traffic Crash Reconstruction and is a certified Bosch CDR Tool Technician.
Ms. Grimes has also completed training in Virtual Crash simulation software including Pedestrian Impacts, Advanced Analysis 1 and Advanced Analysis 2 course work.
She specializes in the analysis and reconstruction of automotive, bicycle, and pedestrian collisions, including imaging and interpreting data from EDRs. She participates in rapid responses to major transportation collisions in order to collect, document and analyze physical evidence pertaining to the incident.
Job Titles:
- Group Manager, EDR Technologies
Prior to graduation Mr. Higgins was part of a transportation research project involving the development and implementation of a new carpool program at UCSD.
After graduating from UCSD in June of 2014, Mr. Higgins joined the accident reconstruction team at Mecanica Scientific Services Corp beginning his career as a research engineer.
Mr. Higgins specializes in accident reconstruction, vehicle dynamics, vehicle testing, computer simulation, and computer aided design. Research topics include vehicular dynamics, vehicular testing and EDR analysis, as well as analyzing data reduction algorithms.
Job Titles:
- Research Engineer / Crash Reconstructionist
Job Titles:
- Forensic Media Specialist
Job Titles:
- Senior Crash Reconstruction Engineer
Job Titles:
- Investigador En Hechos De Tránsito Terrestre
Job Titles:
- Director of Projects & Systems
Mr. Ramirez has over 30 years of experience in a variety of electrical engineering disciplines during his time working for Hughes Aircraft Co, TRW Space Technologies, Optimal Energy Systems Inc and Northrop Corporation.
Currently, Mr. Ramirez has joined the accident reconstruction team at Mecanica Scientific Services Corp as a senior electrical engineer. Mr. Ramirez's related experience includes but is not limited to the following:
Developed Vehicle Dynamic Simulations with hardware in the loop using VxWorks Real-Time Operating Systems for three different programs
Technical Lead for a "Bed of Nails" system at Hughes Aircraft; Developed Combat Vehicle Electronics software to minimize assembly line errors.
Technical manager for $20M+ Satellite Test Bed leading a team of 9 engineers developing and integrating the required simulation software and hardware.
Extensive Cost and Schedule Management responsibility in various projects.
Managed a technical team handling over 14,000 records of command and telemetry database required to support various Integration and Test Labs
Developed several software tools that improved efficiencies in various engineering processes. These tools have been utilized for several years and are still being used today.
Have experience with schematic troubleshooting, familiar with several test instrumentation, harness designing. Have experience with integration of various hardware interfaces, including 1553B, RS-422 and fire-wire.
Extensive experience in data extraction methods and data analysis
Developed software using Basic, Visual Basic, C, C++ among others.
Current engineering responsibilities includes supporting the troubleshooting of damaged EDR "black box" electrical circuits, support proposals and project management tasks. Mr. Ramirez will utilize his extensive aerospace experience and disciplines to seek out where his expertise can best be utilized to support Mecanica's goals for continuous improvements.
At Mr. Ramirez leisure time, he enjoys reading new evolving technology articles and believes in continuous learning.
Job Titles:
- Mechanical Engineer / Crash Reconstructionist
Job Titles:
- Research Engineer / Crash Reconstructionist
Job Titles:
- Group Manager, Forensic Media
- Group Manager, Forensic Media & Video Analyst Expert
Mr. Cobb brings 15 years of experience to his position as Digital Media Designer. He specializes in computer-aided design to produce three-dimensional simulation and video re-creations, which are used to analyze collisions. He also assists engineers with the inspection and documentation of accident scenes and accident vehicles.
Prior to his education in the field of digital media design, Mr. Cobb served in the United States Navy as an Aviation Electronics Technician. His duties included troubleshooting and repairing the weapons electronics on F-18 Hornet and F-14 Tomcat military fighter aircraft. He earned numerous ribbons and awards while deployed aboard the USS Carl Vinson, Abraham Lincoln, and John B. Stennis.
After his service, Mr. Cobb garnered several more awards for pushing the boundaries of Digital 3D art and animation during his time at California State University, Channel Islands and DeVry University.
When Mr. Cobb is not at work, he spends his leisure time studying the world of technology to stay informed about this ever-changing industry.
Janelle Bettini was an integral member of the Mecanica Scientific Team and worked in our Forensic Media Group as a Forensic Animator.
On March 21, 2020, Janelle gave birth to her first child, sweet baby Adaline Bettini. Three days later, Janelle was readmitted for post-delivery complications to which she later succumbed to on Saturday evening.
Janelle leaves behind her incredible husband, Dominic "Dom" Bettini and baby Adaline Bettini who is a healthy, happy little girl and looks very much like her mother. We pray each and every hour for Dom and baby Adaline as well as both of their families so they can find peace, grace, and healing in these difficult times.
The Mecanica Scientific team has lost an incredible member, an incredible human being, and an incredible Mom. We will never forget her. She lives on in our hearts. We love and miss you terribly Janelle!
Jonathan Balasa obtained his Bachelor's of Science in General Engineering from the University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana. Mr. Balasa joined Collision Engineering Associates, Inc. as an engineer and accident reconstructionist in 2001. Mr. Balasa has worked in the accident reconstruction profession since 1997. He is an ACTAR accredited accident reconstructionist and has provided reconstruction testimony in a number of litigated matters. Mr. Balasa also has been certified as a technician and analyst of airbag data by Collision Safety Institute.
Mr. Balasa has been trained to collect and preserve data from airbag control modules, powertrain control modules, heavy vehicle engine control modules, and other electronic vehicle systems. He has authored publications dealing with topics within the accident reconstruction field, including computer simulation and accident investigation.
Job Titles:
- Forensic Media Specialist
Job Titles:
- Executive Assistant
- Office Manager
Job Titles:
- Member of SAE
- Research Engineer / Crash Reconstructionist
Prior to graduation Ms. Lombardi led a team in designing and manufacturing a thermal rocket booster cover for space launch vehicles, a project sponsored by Orbital ATK. This cover was meant to maintain temperatures, protect from environmental factors, and provide safety to electronics on board.
She also took part in obtaining FAA certification of composite helicopter rotor blades at Van Horn Aviation in Tempe, Arizona. Her duties included vibration analysis, fatigue testing, and organization of flight test data.
Due to her interest in the accident reconstruction field, she spent a summer interning at the Suffolk County Crime Lab in Long Island, New York where she researched and practiced methods of examining evidence from collisions and calculating vehicle speeds.
After graduating from Arizona State University with a degree in Mechanical Engineering, Ms. Lombardi began her career at Mecanica Scientific Services Corp. as a Research Engineer.
She is skilled in the systematic collection and documentation of physical evidence and the use of a laser scanner for 3D analysis. She performs testing with vehicle Event Data Recorders (EDR) and programs computer algorithms to evaluate the data. She specializes in the analysis and reconstruction of automotive, heavy truck/bus, motorcycle, bicycle, and pedestrian collisions, including imaging and interpreting data from EDRs. She participates in rapid responses to major transportation collisions in order to collect, document and analyze physical evidence pertaining to the incident.
Ms. Lombardi is also a member of SAE, Society of Automotive Engineers, and has completed SAE Courses that focus on Accident Analysis and Reconstruction Methods.
Job Titles:
- Investigador En Hechos De Tránsito Terrestre
Job Titles:
- Commercial Transportation Operations Specialist
Job Titles:
- COO / Crash Reconstruction Expert
Mr. John Grindey has 24 years of experience with the California Highway Patrol including seven years as a Motorcycle Officer and 10 years as a full-time member of the Multidisciplinary Accident Investigation Team (MAIT).
Job Titles:
- Group Manager, Crash Reconstruction Expert
Mr. John Isbister joined Mecanica after 32 years with the California Highway Patrol, where his experience included communications, road patrol, and 12 years as a full-time member of the Department's Multidisciplinary Accident Investigation Team (MAIT).
He specializes in transportation collision documentation, analysis and reconstruction, including the access and interpretation of data from Event Data Recorders (EDR) and Heavy Vehicle Event Data Recorders (HVEDR).
Tara Lee obtained her Bachelor's of Science in Business Management from Arizona State University. Ms. Lee joined Mecanica Scientific Services in February of 2022. Prior to that, Ms. Lee spent over 26 years as the office manager for Collision Engineering Associates, Inc. As the Operations Specialist she is responsible for ensuring that the company's Mesa, Arizona office runs efficiently. Ms. Lee manages accounts receivables and provides administrative support to the staff. She performs a range of support functions. She processes invoices, maintains company records, coordinates travel, processes inspection data, and works closely with staff to help maintain a strong company culture.
Job Titles:
- Director of Forensic Services
Wesley Grimes joined the Mecanica team in early 2022. Prior to joining Mecanica he was the owner and president of Collision Engineering Associates, Inc., an Arizona company that served clients throughout the United States for 28 years in the field of accident reconstruction and fast response documentation.