Forensic engineering Expert — Michael DeHarde, PE

Mr. DeHarde is a graduate of the University of New Orleans with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Engineering Sciences, Mechanical Engineering Option. He has education, training, and experience in mechanical and electrical engineering, heating, ventilation and air conditioning, plumbing, residential and industrial design and construction, failure analysis, elevators, escalators, structure, damage assessment, metal roofing, and building envelope and machine shop operations. His vehicle background includes fleet maintenance, management, repair, and refurbishment of diesel, gasoline, and electric powered vehicles including automotive, heavy equipment, light rail, buses, trucks, trailer, lift trucks, and wheelchair lifts. Mr. DeHarde has also designed and manufactured high voltage electrical equipment and designed injection molded plastic parts and metal stamping for medical devices.

Mr. DeHarde's accomplishments include two national campaigns in which vehicle manufacturers General Motors Corporation and Grumman Flexble Corporation used Mr. DeHarde's designs and recommendations to improve their products, increase safety, and prevent failures. Mr. DeHarde's recommendations have also been accepted by the Air Diffusion Council, the flexible duct manufacturer's association to prevent condensation and mold formation and he has worked with a flexible duct manufacturer to help write their flex duct installation procedure. In addition, Mr. DeHarde has three patents for medical devices.

Mr. DeHarde's specific forensic engineering experience includes years of failure analysis, accident investigations, and mold formation causes. He has given presentations on lightning and weather damage to HVAC and other equipment and moisture source investigations. He has testified in state and municipal courts in Louisiana and Mississippi as an expert witness in forensic engineering, vehicle mechanics, mechanical engineering, accident reconstruction, vehicle design, vehicle failures, and hail damage to vehicles.