Month: January 2024

Expert Spotlight: Tim Marshall, PE – Principal Engineer II

Haag 100 Year Anniversary - A century of forensic innovation

Tim Marshall, PE - A Legend in Weather, Meteorology and Engineering

In the dynamic world of weather, meteorology, and engineering, one name stands out as a true legend—Tim Marshall. With a career spanning over four decades, Tim has become a powerhouse in the field, earning a reputation for his exceptional expertise in roofing systems, building envelope systems, wind/hail damage evaluations, storm surveys, and much more. Currently serving as a Principal Engineer at Haag, Tim’s dedication and passion have made a lasting impact on the industry.

Tim’s journey began with a childhood fascination for studying building damage, paving the way for a remarkable career in engineering and consulting. His primary areas of focus include everything from hurricane and tornado evaluations to construction defect assessments and meteorological investigations. As a testament to his influence, Tim is currently the subchairman on the ASCE Wind Speed Estimation on Tornadoes Committee – the EF Scale, contributing to the industry’s standards in assessing tornado damage.

One of Tim’s standout qualities is his innovative approach to problem-solving. When faced with challenging projects, like the LTV Tower project in 1984, where he had to confront his fear of heights, Tim’s ingenuity came to the fore. Working on a scaffold clamped to a parapet wall several hundred feet above the ground, he and his team devised a solution using wedge anchors to secure the brick veneer to the concrete wall—a testament to his problem-solving prowess.

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Remaining at the forefront of industry trends is crucial, and Tim accomplishes this through active participation in professional organizations and volunteering. His hands-on involvement in the industry is instrumental in shaping standards for assessing tornado damage, directly impacting his work at Haag.

Tim’s commitment to advancing meteorological understanding is evident in his recent participation at the American Meteorological Society (AMS) Annual Conference in Baltimore, MD. There, he presented groundbreaking findings on updating the Enhanced Fujita Scale to more accurately rate degrees of tornado damage. Additionally, his expertise extends to the realm of academia, as he contributed a chapter to a book published by Oxford University Press, focusing on the meticulous assessment of wind damage to residences. A member of the AMS for an impressive 50 years, Tim’s active engagement in such prestigious conferences and academic pursuits underscores his dedication to the continual enhancement of meteorological knowledge and its practical applications.

Throughout his illustrious career, Tim takes pride in accomplishments that extend beyond personal victories. After his 40+ year career, his most valued achievement is bringing in other engineers to Haag, such as Richard Herzog, Carlos Lopez, Christine Alfano, and Zach Wienhoff. Tim’s leadership and mentorship have created a legacy, with kudos extended to his mentors John Stewart, Stoney Kirkpatrick, and Dick Madison—the original three who hired him.

Outside the world of engineering and consulting, Tim finds rejuvenation in storm chasing, volunteering in government-sponsored projects like VORTEX, TWIRL, and ROTATE, and serving on the National Weather Service Quick Response Team. Tim has published more than 100 articles on storms and assessing storm damage and has appeared on dozens of television programs including Discovery, Learning, History Channel, NOVA, and The Oprah Winfrey Show. 

In the ever-evolving field of weather and engineering, Tim Marshall continues to be an inspiration—a visionary who seamlessly integrates expertise, innovation, and leadership, leaving an indelible mark on the industry. We are privileged to have Tim as an invaluable asset to our team for 40 years and as a driving force in advancing the frontiers of weather-related engineering solutions.

Haag Expert Engineer

Propane Leak from Fill Gauge: Forest River, Inc. is recalling certain 2024 Coachmen Nova Class B motorhomes.

NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V034000

Manufacturer Forest River, Inc.

Components EQUIPMENT

Potential Number of Units Affected 24

Summary

Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain 2024 Coachmen Nova Class B motorhomes. The liquid level remote fill gauge on the propane tank may leak when in the “Open” position.

Remedy

Dealers will replace the bleed valve on the propane tank, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed March 4, 2024. Owners may contact Forest River Customer Service at 1-574-825-6225. Forest River’s number for this recall is 225-1696.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.nhtsa.gov.

Front-Drive Unit May Leak Oil and Cause Fire: General Motors, LLC is recalling certain 2022 BrightDrop EV600 vehicles.

NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V014000

Manufacturer General Motors, LLC

Components POWER TRAIN

Potential Number of Units Affected 66

Summary

General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2022 BrightDrop EV600 vehicles. The front-drive unit may leak oil and cause an engine compartment fire.

Remedy

GM will replace the vehicles, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed February 15, 2024. Owners may contact GM customer service at 1-888-988-7267. BrightDrop owners may contact customer service number 888-987-4377. GM’s number for this recall is N232466420.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.nhtsa.gov.

Exposed Wiring May Cause Fire: Mickey Truck Bodies, Inc. is recalling certain 2020-2023 Isuzu NRR vehicles.

NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V004000

Manufacturer Mickey Truck Bodies, Inc.

Components ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Potential Number of Units Affected 37

Summary

Mickey Truck Bodies, Inc. is recalling certain 2020-2023 Isuzu NRR vehicles. The 12-Volt wire harness on the truck refrigeration unit (TRU) may be exposed and missing heat shrink, which can cause electrical arcing.

Remedy

Dealers will inspect and secure/insulate exposed wires of the TRU, add a connector, and remove a fuse, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed in January 2024. Owners may contact Mickey Truck Bodies customer service at 1-336-882-6806.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.nhtsa.gov.

Lithium-Ion Battery Cells Can Fail While Charging: Cake 0 Emission USA Inc (Cake) is recalling certain 2018-2023 Kalk&, Kalk Ink&, and Kalk :work motorcycles

NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V904000

Manufacturer Cake 0 Emission USA Inc

Components ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Potential Number of Units Affected 264

Summary

Cake 0 Emission USA Inc (Cake) is recalling certain 2018-2023 Kalk&, Kalk Ink&, and Kalk :work motorcycles. The lithium-ion battery cells can fail while charging.

Remedy

Cake will replace the battery pack, free of charge. As an interim action, owners will be instructed to check their battery serial number and if necessary, follow interim charging instructions until the remedy battery is available. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk are expected to be mailed January 12, 2024. A second notice will be sent once the remedy becomes available, anticipated March 2024. Owners may contact Cake customer service at service@ridecake.com.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.nhtsa.gov.

Celebrating a Century of Forensic Engineering

Haag 100 Year Anniversary - A century of forensic innovation

setting the standard for 100 years: a legacy of forensic innovation

As we kick off 2024, we are thrilled to share a momentous milestone – our 100th year anniversary! For a century, Haag Global has stood at the forefront of innovation, setting the standard as the oldest forensic engineering and consulting firm in the United States. We are proud to be a trusted leader in the field, providing cutting-edge solutions and critical insights to clients from various industries.

President and CEO, Justin Kestner, remarks, As we proudly celebrate 100 years of Haag, we honor the legacy of those who have contributed to our success – our dedicated team, loyal clients, and valued industry partners. Thank you for being a part of our journey. Our commitment to quality and integrity and our team-oriented culture have been the driving forces behind our longevity. Looking ahead, we are excited about the future and advancing the highest standards in forensics and failure and damage consulting.”

Haag 100 Year Anniversary Logo

Haag Global: shaping the future of forensics

Since our founding in 1924, Haag has been a pioneer in the field, shaping the landscape of forensic engineering and consulting. From humble beginnings in Dallas, Texas to a nationwide presence, including Puerto Rico, and now internationally including Canada, our history has been marked by resilience, adaptability and dedication to providing scientific and precise solutions for our clients.

At the heart of our success is a team of passionate professionals who have tirelessly worked to bring understanding and resolve to complex engineering and technical challenges. Our legacy encompasses a diverse range of services, each contributing to our standing as an industry leader ­in forensic engineering, forensic architecture, forensic meteorology, construction consulting, fire origin and cause, forensic research and testing, education courses and training and technology solutions.

A century of Employee-Owned Excellence

Paramount to Haag Global’s success is our commitment to employee ownership – a cornerstone of our company culture. We take pride in fostering a workplace where integrity, quality, service, and our employee growth, recognition and ownership are not just values but a way of life. As an employee-owned firm, every member of our team is invested in delivering top-notch services and delivering on Haag’s mission. 

Haag's mission: Delivering execellence with Integrity

Our mission is clear – deliver independent and industry-leading consulting services with integrity and time-tested expertise. It’s not just a statement; it’s a promise. As we move into the next century of continuing Haag’s mission, our commitment to quality, integrity, and innovation remains stronger than ever. We are poised to embrace new challenges, adapt to evolving industries, and provide cutting-edge solutions that will shape the future of forensic engineering and consulting.

Our dedication to excellence and innovation will drive us forward, ensuring that Haag Global remains a trusted partner to our clients for the next 100 years. For a deeper look into the rich history of Haag, check out our company timeline. Throughout 2024, we will continue to share insights into the events that have shaped our company and how we plan to build on that foundation moving forward.