Our expert of the month holds a BS and an MS in Civil Engineering.   He is a licensed Civil Engineer and holds a California State Certified Water Treatment Plant Operator (Gr. IV) license.  

His professional experience includes domestic and international design reviews, engineering studies (tracer study, SWTR compliance, sludge dewatering, hazmat and trash compacting, storm water compliance), design and engineering of water/wastewater treatment facilities (reclaimed water, sludge composting, trash compactor, hazmat/hazwaste facility), pricing structure analysis and preparation, RFP preparation and presentations, budget preparation/analysis, engineering analysis (computer flow simulations using mainframe, water distribution/wastewater collection master planning), pilot plant design operation and analysis (asbestos removal, color reduction, oxidation, polymer optimization) and personnel evaluations.

Mr. Peranteau specializes in vehicle fire cause and origin, tire failure analysis, and vehicle component failures (brakes, suspensions, steering, etc.).   He previously worked in the aerospace industry, where he evaluated fatigue, mechanical and maintenance induced failures of aircraft structures, systems and components as an in-service support engineer for naval aircraft.

As an autocross/road racing driver and high performance driving instructor, he has owned, prepared and raced several different cars on numerous low and high speed circuits in the western US.   He has instructed high performance driving techniques for commercial and club schools, and has had extensive practical experience with tire wear and failure.   He has earned a BS in Aeronautics and an MBA.   
 

Mr. Whiting is a member of the National Association of Accident Reconstructionists with more than thirty years experience in the field beginning with the California Highway Patrol where he was an investigator on a Multi-disciplinary Accident Investigation Team.   His training includes Aircraft Crash Investigation at the University of Southern California, Traffic Accident Reconstruction II at Northwestern University, Advanced Accident Reconstruction at the California Highway Patrol Academy, and Tire and Wheel Forensics, University of Northern Florida. 

Pax Starksen, who is also our vice president of engineering is a registered mechanical engineer and has more than forty years engineering experience.   He has extensive forensic investigative and testimony experience.   His fields of expertise include pedestrian hazards, manufacturing techniques, and product safety issues.   His pedestrian hazard forensic experience includes slip and falls, trip and falls, automatic doors and gates, balcony and railing falls, ladder falls and failures, stairwell falls, bathtub falls, and garage door accidents as well as the appropriate building and safety code compliance issues.