Engineering, Inc.
Engineering, Inc. |
2855 Hwy 317, Suite 760-412
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Tom Zgraggen received his undergraduate degree in Civil Engineering (structural emphasis with several computer applications classes) from the University of Missouri-Rolla in 1975, and a Master of Business Administration (with emphasis in finance and marketing) degree from the University of Missouri-St. Louis in 1981.
While obtaining his undergraduate degree, Mr. Zgraggen worked as a co-op engineer for Butler Manufacturing Company in Kansas City, Missouri. Mr. Zgraggen was assigned to the Landmark Building Product Development group. Upon graduation from Rolla, Mr. Zgraggen accepted a position with Fluor Engineers & Constructors, Inc. of Houston, Texas. During his two and one-half year employment, Mr. Zgraggen worked on a task force on various contracts, completing structural analysis and design for heavy concrete and steel structures. Out of sixty employees in the structural engineering department Mr. Zgraggen was selected for specialized computer applications software training and implementation.
Mr. Zgraggen joined Hydro-Air Engineering, Inc. of St. Louis, Missouri in 1977. During his four year tenure, Mr. Zgraggen received five position level promotions finally achieving the position of Chief Structural Engineer. As department head, Mr. Zgraggen supervised 19 engineers and technicians and was responsible for all phases of engineering design, special engineering projects and computer time-sharing. He served as a liaison to the computer programming department in directing programming efforts.
In 1981, Mr. Zgraggen accepted a position with On-Line Data, Inc. of Dallas, Texas as the General Manager of On-Line Engineering, a division of On-Line Data. In this capacity, Mr. Zgraggen was responsible for initiating and implementing a design service in tandem with existing proprietary computer software. During this employment, Mr. Zgraggen was author and editor of Engineering Design Manual (© On-Line Data, Inc.) and author of Treatise On Construction Under Sub-Arctic Conditions. He served as a liaison with the computer department and assisted in prioritizing computer software development.
Mr. Zgraggen became Director of Technical Services for Integrated Computer Graphics of Atlanta, Georgia in 1985. In this position, Mr. Zgraggen was responsible for all aspects of customer care, software products upgrades, software product specifications, training, client implementation and technical support.
In September of 1987, Mr. Zgraggen founded Aries Engineering, Inc. of Lilburn, Georgia. As principal of this firm, Mr. Zgraggen continues to provide hands-on analysis and design of engineered wood products and wood frame construction. Mr. Zgraggen specializes in evaluations and forensic investigations in cases that deal with product liability, product defects and insurance claim. He has served as a contractual truss QC inspector for the Truss Plate Institute (TPI) and he serves on TPI's PC-500 subcommittee "Design Specifications for Temporary Bracing of Metal Plate Connected Wood Trusses." He also serves on the ANSI/TPI Technical Advisory Committee for various TPI publications, including BSR/TPI 1-2000 "National Design Standard for Metal Plate Connected Wood Truss Construction" (ANSI/TPI 1), HIB-9X Subcommittee to TAC "Handling Installing and Bracing Metal Plate Connected Wood Trusses" and BSR/TPI/WTCA 4-2000, "Standard Responsibilities in the Design Process Involving Metal Plate Connected Wood Trusses" (WTCA 1).
During his tenure in the engineered wood products and wood frame construction areas, Mr. Zgraggen has been directly responsible for the design of more than one hundred thousand different wood components and for the remediation of more than ten thousand different damaged wood components. He has sealed over fifty thousand drawings, documents and specifications, ranging from simple component design and remediation for deficient construction, to design of complete structures. He has given numerous presentations to both technical and non-technical audiences. These presentations range from basic training for computer software to engineering design and construction considerations. During this same tenure he has visited over one hundred and forty plants that manufacture engineered lumber products, wood truss and building components and modular homes. Mr. Zgraggen has had the pleasure of providing services to more than nine hundred different clients in these areas of expertise.
During the mid-1980s, Mr. Zgraggen was professionally registered to practice engineering in forty-nine states. Currently, Mr. Zgraggen is registered as either a professional engineer or as a structural engineer in twenty-six states (AL, AZ, AR, CA, CO, FL, GA, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, ME, MD, MA, MN, MS, MO, NV, NY, OH, PA, TX, VT, VA and WV). Mr. Zgraggen is a member of American Society of Civil Engineers, American Institute of Timber Construction, American Forest & Paper Association, American Plywood Association, Georgia Association of Home Inspectors, Georgia Component Manufacturer's Association, National Frame Builders Association, Southern Building Code Congress International, Truss Plate Institute and the Wood Truss Council of America.
Mr. Zgraggen has served as a consultant or as an expert in numerous cases, providing comprehensive and detailed investigative and forensic reports. Some of these cases have involved client exposure to litigation from personal injury and product liability claims. Other situations have required an assessment of the respective construction and its conformance to building codes and engineering discipline or to standards of care and industry practice.
Mr. Zgraggen served as an expert witness for the plaintiff in Royston v. Sheriff, a case in Superior Court in Franklin County, Georgia. The suit alleged construction defects and costs of remediation were sought. Mr. Zgraggen testified in the November 1988 trial.
Mr. Zgraggen served as an expert witness for the defendant in LeRoy Morris v. Load Star, Inc., in Magistrate Court in Franklin County, Georgia. The suit alleged construction defects. Mr. Zgraggen showed that defective installation and bracing techniques were the ultimate cause of collapse at the April 1990 trial.
Mr. Zgraggen served as an expert for the defendant in H. Spence Barber and Carol T. Barber v. Clarence Shope et al., in Superior Court in Newton County, Georgia (88-270E). The suit alleged construction defects. Mr. Zgraggen gave deposition testimony in June 1990 and the case settled prior to trial.
Mr. Zgraggen served as an expert for the defendant in Gunn Brothers' Truss, Inc. v. Robert S. Ussery, in State Court in Gwinnett County, Georgia (92-C-0750-3). The suit alleged construction defects. Mr. Zgraggen gave deposition testimony in October 1992 and the case settled prior to trial.
Mr. Zgraggen served as an expert for a defendant's counter claim in Reiswig v. Springer Construction, et al., in Superior Court of the State of California, County of Alameda-Valley Division. (V-002348-7). The suit alleged construction defects with resultant personal injury. The case settled in 1993 prior to trial.
Mr. Zgraggen served as an expert for a defendant's counter claim in Arthur F. Wilkerson III and Stella B. Wilkerson v. Joe Johnson individually and dba as Johnson Construction Company, et al., in Circuit Court of Montgomery County, Alabama. (CV-90-1621-TH). The suit alleged construction defects. The case settled in 1993 prior to trial.
Mr. Zgraggen served as an expert for the defendant in State of Connecticut v. Robert C. McGriff, et al., in Superior Court of JD of Hartford/New Britain, Connecticut (CV-88-0349847-S). The suit alleged construction defects in the use of FRT treatment in the construction of a minimum security state prison. The case settled prior to trial.
Mr. Zgraggen served as an expert for the plaintiff in Daniel Meadows Partnership, et al. v. Bailey-Corley and Associates, Inc., et al., in Circuit Court of Jefferson County, Alabama (CV-92-3081). The suit alleged multiple construction defects. The case settled prior to trial. The case reopened when several of the original defendants, standing in the place of the original plaintiff, as part of the settlement agreement, subrogated against the other defendants. Mr. Zgraggen gave deposition testimony in January 1996 and testified at trial in January 1997.
Mr. Zgraggen served as an expert for the plaintiff in MiTek Holdings, Inc. and MiTek Industries, Inc. v. Arce Engineering Company, Inc., in US District Court, Southern District of Florida, Miami Division (91-2629-CIV-Moore). The suit alleged copyright infringement of certain computer software for the wood truss industry. Mr. Zgraggen gave deposition testimony in November 1993 and trial testimony in December 1993.
Mr. Zgraggen served as an expert for the plaintiff in MiTek Holdings, Inc. and MiTek Industries, Inc. v. Merlyn Industries, Inc., and Robbins Engineering, Inc., in US District Court, Southern District of Florida, Miami Division (91-2629-CIV-Davis). The suit alleged copyright infringement of certain computer software for the wood truss industry. Mr. Zgraggen gave deposition testimony in April 1994. The case settled prior to trial.
Mr. Zgraggen served as an expert for the plaintiff in David Cash and Belinda Cash v. Dale Gross, Individually and Dale Gross Construction Company and Royal Lakes Associates, a Georgia Limited Partnership, in the State Court of Hall County, Georgia (CIV-93-SV-258D). The suit alleged multiple construction defects of a residence. The defendant filed for bankruptcy prior to trial.
Mr. Zgraggen served as an expert for the plaintiff in Paul Mize and Wanda Mize v. Hudgins Properties, Inc. and City of Auburn, in the Superior Court of Barrow County, Georgia (CIV-94-CV-896-A). The suit alleged multiple construction defects of a residence. Mr. Zgraggen testified at the May 1996 trial.
Mr. Zgraggen served as an expert for the plaintiff in Billy H. Peacock and Jane P. Peacock v. William Campbell, in the Superior Court of Rabun County, Georgia (CIV-94-CV-342-S). The suit alleged multiple construction defects of a residence.
Mr. Zgraggen served as an expert for the plaintiff in Jeff Parrack and Cindy Parrack v. Carpenter Insulation Company, in the State Court of Rockdale County, Georgia (CIV-95-SV-1001). The suit alleged multiple construction defects of a residence. Mr. Zgraggen gave deposition testimony in September 1995. The case settled prior to trial.
Mr. Zgraggen served as an expert for the plaintiff in McCarthy Park Condominium Association, Inc. v. William T. McCarthy, Jr., et al, in the Superior Court of Dekalb County, Georgia (CIV-94-12537-1). The suit alleged multiple construction defects in the condominium buildings. Mr. Zgraggen gave deposition testimony on two occasions in October 1995. The case settled prior to trial.
Mr. Zgraggen served as an expert for the plaintiff in Don Harrill and wife, Millicent Harrill v. Silverman Company, in the General Court of Justice, Superior Court Division of Rutherford County, North Carolina (94-CvS-0862). The suit alleged improper design of steel trusses installed in a commercial building. The case settled prior to trial.
Mr. Zgraggen served as an expert for the plaintiff in Robert L. and Ann J. Scott v. Kenneth L. Freeman d/b/a Quality Craftsman, in the Superior Court of Hall County, Georgia (CIV-95-CV-8C). The suit alleged improper installation of a folding stair in a residence. The case settled prior to trial.
Mr. Zgraggen served as an expert for the claimant in the matter of arbitration between Keewatin Berg claimant and Southern Landmarks, Inc, T. Nicol Lux, the Vogt Group, Lloyd Vogt, respondents in the matter before the American Arbitration Association, Panama City, Florida (33 110 43 95). The suit alleged multiple construction defects in a residence. Mr. Zgraggen gave deposition testimony in January 1996 and testified at the arbitration in February 1996 and again in April 1996.
Mr. Zgraggen served as an expert for the claimant in the matter of arbitration between Patrick & Laurie Stamsen, claimant and Danny Grindle Construction, respondent in the matter before Construction Arbitration Associates, Ltd., Gainesville, Georgia (93-2312). The claim alleged multiple construction defects in a residence. Mr. Zgraggen gave testimony at the arbitration in November 1995.
Mr. Zgraggen served as an expert for the defendant in Ruel R. McKinney d/b/a Kingdom Agri-Builders v. Colleen E. Brown in the Superior Court of Upson County, Georgia (CIV-95-V-711). The suit involves payment for construction of chicken houses that are improperly built. Mr. Zgraggen gave deposition testimony in October 1996 and testified at the November 1996 trial.
Mr. Zgraggen served as an expert for the plaintiff in Mark L. and Cynthia Cassandra v. John W. Heard in the Superior Court of Gwinnett County, Georgia (CIV-95-A-5891-2). The suit alleged multiple construction defects in a residence. Mr. Zgraggen gave deposition testimony in October 1996. The case settled prior to trial.
Mr. Zgraggen served as an expert for the plaintiff in William L. Holden and Erin T. Holden v. Highland Homes, Inc. and James Emerick in the Superior Court of Fulton County, Georgia (CIV-E53389). The suit alleged multiple construction defects in a residence. The case settled prior to trial.
Mr. Zgraggen served as an expert for the plaintiff in Keewatin Berg v. The Vogt Group, a professional corporation, and Lloyd Vogt, individually v. Carrie Raeburn in the U.S. District Court in and for the Northern District of Florida (CIVIL ACTION 95-50330-RH). The suit alleged multiple construction defects in a residence and lack of conformance to construction documents. The case settled prior to trial.
Mr. Zgraggen served as an expert for the claimant in the matter of arbitration between Brookwood Place Condominium Association, Inc., et al, claimants and National Home Insurance Company, respondent in the matter before the American Arbitration Association, Atlanta, Georgia (18 141 00043 97L). The claim alleged structural defects due to various construction and EIFS application defects. Mr. Zgraggen gave testimony at the arbitration in June 1997.
Mr. Zgraggen served as an expert for the plaintiff in Michael and Susan G. Hudson v. Chandler, Inc. and Reuben Chandler in the Superior Court of Gwinnett County, State of Georgia (96A066104). The suit alleged multiple construction defects in a residence. The case settled prior to trial.
Mr. Zgraggen served as an expert for the defendant in Robert Norman et ux v. Shoffner Industries, Inc. et al, in the Chancery Court for Knox County, Tennessee (NO. 132626-1). The suit alleged defects in construction of residential trusses. The case settled prior to trial.
Mr. Zgraggen served as an expert for the defendant in Nellie Thomas v. Jim Walter Homes, Inc. et al, in the US District Court, Northern District of Georgia, Atlanta Division (NO. 1:97-CV-0797 WBH). The suit alleged defects in construction of a residence. Mr. Zgraggen gave deposition testimony in November 1997. The case settled prior to trial.
Mr. Zgraggen served as an expert for the defendant in James Raymond Powers et ux v. Masters Truss of Knoxville, Inc. et al, in the Circuit Court for Knox County, Tennessee (NO. 1-253-97). The suit alleged defects in construction of residential trusses. Mr. Zgraggen gave deposition testimony in August 1998 and testified at the November 1998 trial.
Mr. Zgraggen served as an expert for the claimant in the matter of arbitration between Gary & Jordann Scruggs, claimants and Nolan Builder, Inc., respondent in the matter before the American Arbitration Association, Atlanta, Georgia (30 E 115 00310 97). The claim alleged defects in construction of a residence. Mr. Zgraggen gave testimony at the arbitration in February 1998.
Mr. Zgraggen served as an expert for the plaintiff in Charles N. Williamson et ux v. Harvey Smith, Inc. et al, in the Superior Court of Fulton County, State of Georgia (Civil Action No. E-37280). The suit alleged multiple construction defects in a residence. Mr. Zgraggen testified at the February 1999 trial.
Mr. Zgraggen served as an expert for the defendant in Northern Insurance Company of New York v. Gentrac, Inc., in the US District Court, Northern District of Alabama, Northeastern Division (CV-97-RRA-1161-NE). The suit alleged defects in construction of trusses in apartment buildings. The case settled prior to trial.
Mr. Zgraggen served as an expert for the plaintiff in Robert Norman et ux v. Tindell's, Inc. et al, in the Chancery Court for Knox County, Tennessee (NO. 132626-1). The suit alleges defects in construction of residential trusses. Mr. Zgraggen gave deposition testimony in August 1998 and testified at the November 1999 trial.
Mr. Zgraggen served as an expert for the respondents in Georgia Glenn et al v. Jim Walter Homes, Inc. et al, in the Contractual Arbitration before the Honorable Joe C. Freeman, Resolution Resources Corporation. The suit alleged defects in construction of multiple residences. The case settled during arbitration.
Mr. Zgraggen served as an expert for the plaintiff in Betty Dyer v. Norcross Investment Co., et al, in the Superior Court of DeKalb County, State of Georgia (CA 97-4554-8). The suit alleges defects in construction of a residence. Mr. Zgraggen testified at the July 1999 trial.
Mr. Zgraggen served as an expert for the defendant in Randy Colwell and Cathy Colwell v. Jim Walter Homes, Inc. et al, in the Circuit Court of Russell County, AL (Civil Action No. CV-97-277). The suit alleged defects in construction of a residence. Mr. Zgraggen gave deposition testimony in May 1999. The case settled prior to trial.
Mr. Zgraggen served as an expert for the defendant in Clyde Tyson Cromer v.
Larry E. Stone Construction Co., Inc., in the Court of Common Pleas for the
State of South Carolina, Anderson County (Case No. 97-CP-04-560). The suit
alleged multiple construction defects in an industrial building. Mr. Zgraggen
testified at the May 1999 trial.
Mr. Zgraggen served as an expert for the defendant in Arthur Kendrick and
Ozella Kendrick v. Jim Walter Homes, Inc. et al, in the Circuit Court of
Bullock County, AL (Civil Action No. CV-97-178). The suit alleged defects
in construction of a residence. Mr. Zgraggen gave deposition testimony in
March 1999 and testified at the May 1999 trial.
Mr. Zgraggen serves as an expert for the defendant in Chesterfield-Marlboro Technical College et al v. Beazer East, Inc., et al, in the Court of Common Pleas for the State of South Carolina, Chesterfield County (Case No. 97-CP-13-335). The suit alleges construction defects and FRT degradation in buildings at the college. The case is pending.
Mr. Zgraggen serves as an expert for the defendant in Donald L. Rogers and Penny Rogers v. Jim Walter Homes, Inc., in the US District Court, Middle District of Georgia, Macon Division (Civil Action No. 5:98-CV-220[WDO]). The suit alleges defects in construction of a residence. The case is pending.
Mr. Zgraggen served as an expert for the defendant in Sam G. Derosa et ux v. Magnus Homes, LLC, in the State Court of Fayette County, Georgia (Civil Action No. 98-SV-330). The suit alleges defects in construction of a residence. Mr. Zgraggen gave deposition testimony in August 1999 and testified at the August 1999 trial.
Mr. Zgraggen served as an expert for the claimant in the matter of arbitration between Platinum Builders, Inc., claimant and Paul & Phyllis Yang, respondent in the matter before the American Arbitration Association, Tucker, Georgia (30 110 00940 99). The claim alleged multiple construction defects in a residence. Mr. Zgraggen gave testimony at the arbitration in December 1999.
Mr. Zgraggen served as an expert for the defendant in Michael Duncan v. Jim Walter Homes, Inc., in the US District Court, Southern District of Ohio, Eastern Division (Case No. C2-99-277). The suit alleges defects in construction of a residence. The case settled prior to trial.
Mr. Zgraggen serves as an expert for the defendant in Dorothy J. Mundy v. Jim Walter Homes, Inc., et al, in the Circuit Court of Monroe County, Mississippi (Cause No. 96-282RM). The suit alleges defects in construction of a residence. The case is pending.
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