McDowell Owens
forensic engineers provide worldwide services involving the analysis of equipment, structural, component and electrical failures and human interactions. Through our sophisticated testing methodologies and integrated approach, we can determine why and how the incident occurred and whether mitigating factors or human error played a part. We can typically respond to an incident within 24 hours.McDowell Owens team of engineering experts:
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Jean L. McDowell, B.Sc., IEng, MIFireE, C.F.E.I.
Principal and Consulting Scientist
Click for More Information- President of McDowell Owens and Director of the firm's fire research and testing center, Jean L. McDowell holds a degree in Fire Sciences from the University of Maryland, as well as degrees in History (B.A.) and Criminology (A.S.). His primary areas of consultation are fire and explosion analysis, propane and natural gas related incidents, fire code reviews, computer modeling and fuel gas application reviews. Active on various ASTM committees, Mr. McDowell is a frequent speaker on fire, fire safety and risk management and is a guest lecturer at the University of Ulster FIREsert Center in Belfast, Northern Ireland. He serves on the LP Gas Advisory Committee of the Texas Railroad Commission and is a fellow of the American Academy of Forensic Sciences.
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Derek T. Nolen, M.S., P.E., C.F.E.I.
Mechanical Engineer/ Engineering Manager
Click for More Information- Derek Nolen holds a Masters of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering (University of Houston) and is a Certified Fire & Explosion Investigator. He is a licensed professional engineer in the states of Texas, Alabama, Kentucky, Maryland, Virginia and North Carolina and has more than 23 years experience in failure analysis. His primary areas of consultation are mechanical system and component failure analysis, gas system analysis and testing, including carbon monoxide losses, explosion and fire analysis and vehicle/equipment failures.
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Eric M. Benstock, P.E., I.Eng., C.F.E.I.
Director of Operations/Mechanical Engineer
Click for More Information- Eric Benstock holds a Bachelors of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Houston and in Business Administration from Framingham State College in Massachusetts. He is a Certified Fire & Explosion Investigator and a licensed professional engineer in the states of Texas, Arkansas, Pennsylvania, New Mexico, Louisiana and Mississippi. He has over 15 years of experience in operations management, client relations and employee organization. In addition to his responsibilities with corporate operations, he is regularly involved with mechanical system and equipment failure analysis, gas system analysis, testing and explosion and fire analysis.
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Nestor J. Camara, B.Sc., C.F.I., I.A.A.I.
Fire Scientist / Certified Fire Investigator
Click for More Information- Nestor Camara holds a Bachelors of Science degree in Fire Sciences from the University of Maryland. He is a Certified Fire Investigator with the I.A.A.I. and the state of Texas and an arson investigator with the Cy-Fair VFD. Mr. Camara has acquired over 20 years of extensive experience and training in gas system analysis and testing, explosion and fire analysis inclusive of LPG and other flammable gases and liquids. Mr. Camara's primary areas of consultation include: fire cause and origin investigation, gas system analysis and testing and residential appliance failure analysis. Mr. Camara is also responsible for the operation of the firm’s fire research and testing center, where he has been extensively involved in the design and instrumentation of fire and engineering testing.
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Richard M. Bonyata, P.E.
Electrical Engineer
Click for More Information- Richard M. “Rick” Bonyata holds a Bachelors of Science degree in Electrical Engineering from Florida State University and is a licensed professional engineer in the state of Texas. He has over 19 years of experience in gas engine and electric motor driven reciprocating compressors, gas turbine and high speed electric driven centrifugal gas compressors, pump and compressor power and control systems, plant power and instrumentation system evaluations, as well as maintenance activities for oxygen compression systems, synthetic gas regeneration systems and plant power distribution systems. For the past 11 years, Rick has been responsible for equipment failure analysis and repair activities for large synchronous and induction motors, plant power systems (480VAC - 69KV), generators (2500 - 22000 hp) and low and medium voltage power distribution systems (480-138KV). This includes detailed on-site failure and root cause analysis, repair scope and specification development, acceptance testing validation and equipment re-commissioning. His primary areas of consultation involve the analysis of industrial, commercial and residential power systems and electrical equipment failure analysis associated with personal injury and/or property loss due to fire, explosions, electric shock and/or loss of business revenues.
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Ronald D. Simmons, P.E., C.F.E.I.
Electrical Engineer
Click for More Information- Ronald D. Simmons is a licensed professional electrical engineer with more than 25 years experience in the design, development, manufacture, deployment, maintenance and failure analysis of complex electrical and electronic systems. His designs have included both large scale electro-mechanical systems and complex, very high speed, state-of-the-art electronic systems. For several years, Mr. Simmons operated laboratories for Intel Corporation where he performed design debug and failure analysis of the newest microprocessor products. In addition, Mr. Simmons has owned and operated businesses in agriculture (wine production), trucking, residential property development and construction. In these businesses, Mr. Simmons gained considerable hands-on experience with residential electrical systems, as well as heavy equipment for both agriculture and construction. His primary areas of consultation include residential construction, residential electrical systems, vehicles and heavy equipment, as well as complex electrical and electronic systems.
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Shelby A. Meadows, Jr., P.E.
Civil Engineer
Click for More Information- Shelby Meadows holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering from Texas A&M University and is a registered professional engineer in the state of Texas. He has over 28 years of civil/structural experience. His expertise in foundations and structures encompasses stress analysis and support system design for industrial, residential and civil applications. These include commercial buildings, sanitation systems, manufacturing and petrochemical plants, pulp and paper mills, oil and gas drilling and production facilities, co-generation facilities and compressor stations and platforms. Graduate work in the field of ocean engineering, complements his experience in a variety of project environments including Zone 4 seismic, the North Sea, Gulf of Mexico, Indian Ocean, the Arctic Circle and Alaska. Mr. Meadows lectures on structural design and foundations for various professional standards organizations.
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Kevin M. Tajkowski, M.S.
Physicist
Click for More Information- Kevin Tajkowski holds Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degrees in Physics from Ball State University in Indiana. His background includes quantitative research and data analysis, as well as extensive experience in results presentation. Additionally, Mr. Tajkowski has authored multiple versions of a computer program to allow for the study of one and two-dimensional electron transmission via the transfer matrix technique. His primary areas of consultation include accident reconstruction and fire and gas leak modeling using the Fire Dynamics Simulator (FDS) program from NIST (National Institute of Standards and Technology). Mr. Tajkowski also plays an active role at the firm's fire research and testing center, where he has been involved in the instrumentation, data retrieval and compilation of fire and engineering testing. He has completed the Collision Reconstruction course from Texas A&M University Engineering Extension Service and is experienced in the use of the Crash Data Retrieval System by Vetronix.
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John Cunag, ACTAR
Accident Reconstructionist
Click for More Information- John Cunag is an ACTAR (Accreditation Commission for Traffic Accident Reconstruction) certified accident reconstructionist. He has over fourteen years of hands-on experience in accident investigation with the Nevada Highway Patrol and Washington State Highway Patrol. In addition he has over 1000 hours of continuing education specific to his field of expertise. His primary areas of consultation involve accident investigation, analysis and reconstruction of all types of accidents including single and multi-vehicle to commercial trucking and construction zone related incidents; safety aspects of roadways and traffic control.
When you need the expertise of forensic engineers, contact McDowell Owens at
(281) 358-2876 or complete our contact form.
