Biography

Professional

I have served the automotive industry since 1968 in a variety of positions ranging from college instructor, lecturer, and alternative fuels vehicle conversion and product development, to vehicle maintenance and fleet management.  I currently lecture on alternative fuels and deeply involved with several interesting projects relating to the use of propane and natural gas in internal combustion engines, advanced technology fuel management systems, fuel composition, and fuel cells.

During the 1980's, I taught advanced automotive courses where as part of my presentation of advanced fuel systems, I was introduced to alternative fuels and incorporated the concept of non-traditional fuels into my classes.  That venture led me to the full time occupation of alternative fuel product development, research, systems engineer, training, and consulting.

Certifications

• Doctor of Motors certification, Dana University
• ASE Master Automobile Technician certifications (since 1974)
• ASE Master Heavy Duty Truck Technician 1987-1993, (retired)
• ASE Alternative Fuel (AF-1), 1992-current;
• ASE Advanced Engine Performance (L-1), 1994-current;

Certification from the Texas Railroad Commission in:

• LPG Category "L", LPG Engine Fuel carburetion, employee and management categories;
• Category "I", LPG DOT and ASME cylinder service;
• Category "E", LPG Master management certification;
• Category "III", CNG carburetion and management;
• Gas Check, NPGA;
• Qualified instructor as recognized by many Alternative Fuels industry equipment manufacturers;

Research

I have also conducted research in many areas involving gaseous fuels, including:

• turbocharging
• supercharging
• lean burn
• power recovery at high lambda ratios (l > 1)
• large engine development
• piston crown design for flame burn enhancement

Under private contract, I have conducted research and proof-of-concept developmental work with spark ignited (SI) converted diesel engines.  Engines involved in this diesel to spark ignition project were:

• Cummins 5.9-B CNG and LPG engines;
• Cummins 8.3-C LPG engine;
• Navistar DTA 360 and 466 CNG and LPG engine;
• Mercedes OM-366 LPG engine;
• Hercules GTA 5.6 CNG;
• Isuzu 4g LPG and CNG engines;

. . .which were fully operating platforms.

Additional projects include dual fuel "fumigation" studies and developed a proof of concept operational platform using Propane and Natural Gas as diesel substitute fuels.  These engines operated on the "PIP" (Pilot Ignition Propane) and "PING" (Pilot Ignition Natural Gas) principals.

Engines involved in this project were:

• Cummins "B" series 5.9;
• Cummins "C" series 8.3;
• Cummins L-10;
• Cummins N-14;
• Detroit Diesel 8.2 and 8.2T;
• Caterpillar 3208;
• Caterpillar 3406;
• Navistar DTA 360;
• Navistar DTA 466;
• Isuzu 4g;

I frequently lecture to mechanical engineering classes about gaseous fuel engine development, and have served as the technical advisor to the United States DOE sponsored Collegiate Vehicle Competition 1992 & 1993 Natural Gas Vehicle Challenges, and the 1996 & 1997 Propane Vehicle Challenges.  I provided safety and rules interpretation, engineering advice, "over the hurdle" guidance, and served as a judge, to participating engineering colleges during design, construction, inspection, and completion stages of their vehicles.

I actively support the mechanical engineering faculty and students at:

The University of Texas at Austin;
Texas A&M University in College Station, Texas;
University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP);
Texas Tech University in Lubbock, Texas;

I maintain a professional relationship with the Propane Education and Research Council (PERC), the National Propane Gas Association (NPGA) and the Texas Propane Gas Association, TPGA).  I am a frequent participant at the National Clean Cities Coalition.

I have accumulated thousands of hours of alternative fuel experience, coupled with more than 35 years in the automotive repair industry.  I relate to many facets of the  transportation repair and service industry, and apply my research and diagnostic expertise to alternative fuels.

I am familiar with and have used most automotive diagnostic and repair equipment made since 1960.

I am also familiar with the installation, diagnostics, and repair of most types of alternative fuel carburetion equipment, both foreign and domestic and have a working knowledge of European gaseous fuel injection products.:

I am a member of SAE, iATN, NATEF-ASE and have participated in career steering programs nationally.

I have served the automotive technical and service industry since 1968, as a technician, shop foreman, service manager, then as a college instructor, national director of training for a private company, senior research engineer for gaseous fuels and heavy duty spark ignited engine combustion development, and many other related projects.  I later became the Chief Automotive Instructor for the Railroad Commission of Texas, responsible for the lead on all alternative fuel motor-fuel training in the State of Texas.

My recent involvement with modern training methods have led me to internet and multimedia training using a wide variety of formats, from internet web based training, CD-ROM distributed training, interactive training media, and CBT, (computer based training).

In the mid 1980's, I was recruited by the radio broadcasting industry, and spent more than six years as a resident automotive expert on four radio stations in the Austin, Texas area, and as a host on a nationally syndicated program.

I am intimately involved with national educational councils, automotive technician certification programs, trade and professional organizations, and serve as a guest lecturer, panel and discussion member, and career guidance mentor to many graduate students from colleges and universities in the US and Canada.

Work History

Education

Personal

Hobbies

Contact Information