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Mr. Simpson founded Gradelta Engineering in 2020 with the intent to help clients better understand the combination of geotechnical and structural engineering that he has worked with for the past 20 years. He earned his B.S.C.E. and M.S.C.E. degrees from Georgia Institute of Technology. He currently provides engineering services to contractors and fellow engineers for earth structure pricing, along with the plans and calculations needed for construction. He frequently consults with clients regarding the optimal structure type and location on the construction site to minimize risk and maximize useable space. He also works in the education sector providing not just seminars such as this one, but also acting as a subject matter expert creating study guide and test prep content for the NCEES Professional Civil Engineer exam. Mr. Simpson has also worked with lawyers and insurance companies during forensic investigation and lawsuits surrounding retaining walls and slope failures. His hope is that through the instructional services that he currently provides, slopes will remain stable and retaining wall failure will be eliminated.

Mr. Simpson founded Gradelta Engineering in 2020 with the intent to help clients better understand the combination of geotechnical and structural engineering that he has worked with for the past 20 years. He earned his B.S.C.E. and M.S.C.E. degrees from Georgia Institute of Technology. He currently provides engineering services to contractors and fellow engineers for earth structure pricing, along with the plans and calculations needed for construction. He frequently consults with clients regarding the optimal structure type and location on the construction site to minimize risk and maximize useable space. He also works in the education sector providing not just seminars such as this one, but also acting as a subject matter expert creating study guide and test prep content for the NCEES Professional Civil Engineer exam. Mr. Simpson has also worked with lawyers and insurance companies during forensic investigation and lawsuits surrounding retaining walls and slope failures. His hope is that through the instructional services that he currently provides, slopes will remain stable and retaining wall failure will be eliminated.

Mr. Harmanos is a professional engineer with extensive experience in subsurface exploration, soil testing, infiltration testing, geosynthetics, and seismic and advanced analysis. His expertise includes commercial, industrial and institutional foundation design; retaining wall and steep slope design; sinkhole remediation; landfill design; site work; forensic engineering; LEED consulting; and construction quality control/assurance (CQA/QC). Mr. Harmanos is a graduate of Drexel University where he received both his BS and MS degrees in Civil Engineering (Geosynthetics and Geotechnical). Hillis-Carnes performs geotechnical engineering consulting and laboratory testing services. Its construction services include evaluation of bearing materials, inspection of pile driving, slope inclinometer installation and monitoring, and retaining wall construction observation.

Mr. Harmanos is a professional engineer with extensive experience in subsurface exploration, soil testing, infiltration testing, geosynthetics, and seismic and advanced analysis. His expertise includes commercial, industrial and institutional foundation design; retaining wall and steep slope design; sinkhole remediation; landfill design; site work; forensic engineering; LEED consulting; and construction quality control/assurance (CQA/QC). Mr. Harmanos is a graduate of Drexel University where he received both his BS and MS degrees in Civil Engineering (Geosynthetics and Geotechnical). Hillis-Carnes performs geotechnical engineering consulting and laboratory testing services. Its construction services include evaluation of bearing materials, inspection of pile driving, slope inclinometer installation and monitoring, and retaining wall construction observation.

Mr. Ray Meyer brings an extensive background of over 50 years in the field of Geotechnical Engineering, Construction Materials Engineering and Testing, and Forensic Investigations. His work is centered on challenges related to expansive and soft soils, soil-structure interactions, and the testing of construction materials for large, complex projects in the public and private sectors.

In his role as an Adjunct Professor in the College of Engineering at the University of Houston, Mr. Meyer instructs courses on Construction Materials Testing, and Soils Mechanics and Foundation Engineering. This teaching role has refined his ability to demystify complex engineering concepts for individuals with little to no technical background, making him adept at conveying ideas to non-engineers and those with non-engineering backgrounds.

Mr. Meyer’s career spans a wide range of civil engineering projects, where he has applied his geotechnical expertise to design and analyze structures such as bridges, waterfront structures, deep foundations (e.g., piles, auger cast piers), slabs, pavements, runways, channels, levees, and drainage systems. His work includes critical aspects of industrial paving, airport runways, side slope stability, groundwater drainage, and complex construction scenarios like cofferdams and wet wells and earth retaining structures.

Additionally, Mr. Meyer is highly experienced in geotechnical forensic investigations, which involve analyzing structure issues such as foundation failures, pavement distress, slope stability, bulkhead and pier performance, and site moisture problems. His forensic expertise also addresses issues stemming from soil movement due to environmental factors like drought and rainfall, underground utility failures, and interactions between foundations and site vegetation.

Throughout his career, Mr. Meyer has served as a subject matter expert in disputes regarding foundation and pavement performance, making him a valuable resource for understanding and resolving complex geotechnical issues in civil engineering projects.

Mr. Ray Meyer brings an extensive background of over 50 years in the field of Geotechnical Engineering, Construction Materials Engineering and Testing, and Forensic Investigations. His work is centered on challenges related to expansive and soft soils, soil-structure interactions, and the testing of construction materials for large, complex projects in the public and private sectors.

In his role as an Adjunct Professor in the College of Engineering at the University of Houston, Mr. Meyer instructs courses on Construction Materials Testing, and Soils Mechanics and Foundation Engineering. This teaching role has refined his ability to demystify complex engineering concepts for individuals with little to no technical background, making him adept at conveying ideas to non-engineers and those with non-engineering backgrounds.

Mr. Meyer’s career spans a wide range of civil engineering projects, where he has applied his geotechnical expertise to design and analyze structures such as bridges, waterfront structures, deep foundations (e.g., piles, auger cast piers), slabs, pavements, runways, channels, levees, and drainage systems. His work includes critical aspects of industrial paving, airport runways, side slope stability, groundwater drainage, and complex construction scenarios like cofferdams and wet wells and earth retaining structures.

Additionally, Mr. Meyer is highly experienced in geotechnical forensic investigations, which involve analyzing structure issues such as foundation failures, pavement distress, slope stability, bulkhead and pier performance, and site moisture problems. His forensic expertise also addresses issues stemming from soil movement due to environmental factors like drought and rainfall, underground utility failures, and interactions between foundations and site vegetation.

Throughout his career, Mr. Meyer has served as a subject matter expert in disputes regarding foundation and pavement performance, making him a valuable resource for understanding and resolving complex geotechnical issues in civil engineering projects.

Mr. Harmanos is a professional engineer with extensive experience in subsurface exploration, soil testing, infiltration testing, geosynthetics, and seismic and advanced analysis. His expertise includes commercial, industrial and institutional foundation design; retaining wall and steep slope design; sinkhole remediation; landfill design; site work; forensic engineering; LEED consulting; and construction quality control/assurance (CQA/QC). Mr. Harmanos is a graduate of Drexel University where he received both his BS and MS degrees in Civil Engineering (Geosynthetics and Geotechnical). Hillis-Carnes performs geotechnical engineering consulting and laboratory testing services. Its construction services include evaluation of bearing materials, inspection of pile driving, slope inclinometer installation and monitoring, and retaining wall construction observation.

Mr. Harmanos is a professional engineer with extensive experience in subsurface exploration, soil testing, infiltration testing, geosynthetics, and seismic and advanced analysis. His expertise includes commercial, industrial and institutional foundation design; retaining wall and steep slope design; sinkhole remediation; landfill design; site work; forensic engineering; LEED consulting; and construction quality control/assurance (CQA/QC). Mr. Harmanos is a graduate of Drexel University where he received both his BS and MS degrees in Civil Engineering (Geosynthetics and Geotechnical). Hillis-Carnes performs geotechnical engineering consulting and laboratory testing services. Its construction services include evaluation of bearing materials, inspection of pile driving, slope inclinometer installation and monitoring, and retaining wall construction observation.

Mr. Davis was an Eagle Scout and received a 4-year scholarship for academic excellence in 1980. Since that time, he earned two degrees in Civil Engineering from the University of Alabama and a Masters of Science in Systems Management from the University of Southern California. As a lifetime student, he has been continually enrolled in school since he was in kindergarten. During his illustrious military career from 1984 to 2017, Mr. Davis received over 32 medals and awards for exceptional service. His quality control systems and solar design control systems are still used in the Air Force today. Mr. Davis served with distinction, rising through the ranks with his exemplary performance, steadfast commitment to duty, and dedication to the Civil Air Patrol. Upon retiring from the Air Force, he embarked on a new mission—to harness the power of renewable energy to create a sustainable future for generations to come. Drawn to the Colorado CPACE program as a funding mechanism for projects, Mr. Davis discovered the vast potential when projects can easily be financed in an affordable way. Drawing upon his extensive experience in project management and his passion for innovation, he delved into the burgeoning field of solar energy. Since 2019, He has been the VP of Solar for Level Engineering in Colorado and has acted as the project manager for over 400 projects including charity projects in 3rd world countries, residential and Colorado CPACE projects. More than 98% of those projects have 5 Star reviews by many satisfied customers. In addition to his groundbreaking work in solar energy, Mr. Davis has played a pivotal role in advancing the field of Commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy (CPACE). As a driving force behind numerous CPACE initiatives, he has facilitated access to financing for renewable energy projects, paving the way for widespread adoption and environmental stewardship. He is the author of 12 books and over 20 publications. In the year 2000, Mr. Davis took a year off work and ran across the country to raise money for a charity and ran from Vancouver, Canada, to Houston, Texas. He is married to Mellani Day who is the Dean of Colorado Christian University and has one daughter, Libbie. Mr. Davis story is not merely one of personal achievement but a testament to the boundless potential of the human spirit.

Ms. Holdridge, LEED Fellow, EIT, Associate AIA is the Sustainability Director at Lake|Flato Architects. Leveraging her background in mechanical engineering, she directs all Lake|Flato teams in establishing sustainability goals. Ms. Holdridge devises strategies and systems to realize those goals under programs such as LEED, the 2030 Challenge, and the Living Building Challenge. She works closely with teams to evaluate passive systems and performs energy modeling throughout the design process. Ms. Holdridge received a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering from The University of Texas at Austin and a Master of Business Administration degree from The University of Texas at San Antonio.

Ms. Holdridge, LEED Fellow, EIT, Associate AIA is the Sustainability Director at Lake|Flato Architects. Leveraging her background in mechanical engineering, she directs all Lake|Flato teams in establishing sustainability goals. Ms. Holdridge devises strategies and systems to realize those goals under programs such as LEED, the 2030 Challenge, and the Living Building Challenge. She works closely with teams to evaluate passive systems and performs energy modeling throughout the design process. Ms. Holdridge received a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering from The University of Texas at Austin and a Master of Business Administration degree from The University of Texas at San Antonio.

As a North American Board-Certified Energy Practitioner (NABCEP) certified solar PV installer, Mr. Larvos believes that compliance with industry and safety standards such as OSHA and the National Electric Code (NEC) are critical to the continued sustained growth of the solar industry. He and his company, Solar Systems of Indiana, (www.solarsystemsofindiana.com) have been designing and installing renewable energy systems across the Midwest since 2006. In addition to installing solar energy systems, Solar Systems of Indiana, Inc. Mr. Larvos  has worked to educate and inspire individuals looking to gain knowledge in the renewable energy field. He is a Renewable Energy Instructor MREA, Custer, WI. Mr. Jarvis is certified in: NABCEP Solar Photovoltaic (PV) Installer; IREC PV Installation Professional Master Trainer.

Mr. Gilbert brings over 28 years of experience in the renewable energy industry and holds a B.S. degree in Mechanical Engineering. He is president of Azimuth Solar where he provides solar energy consulting, training and inspection services within the solar energy and real estate industries. From 2013 to 2016 he served as director of operations and maintenance (O&M) for Vigilant Energy Management, overseeing a portfolio of over 100 commercial PV systems. In 2000 Mr. Gilbert co-founded Chesapeake Solar, a leading mid-Atlantic solar energy company. In 2008 his company was listed on Inc. Magazine’s 500 fastest-growing small companies, and later that same year the company was acquired by groSolar, one of the nation’s leading solar energy companies at the time. He served on the board of directors for the local chapter of the Solar Energy Industries Association (MDV-SEIA) and was chair of the Potomac Region Solar Energy Association (PRSEA) for four years starting in 1998. Mr. Gilbert has been certified by the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) for both thermal and photovoltaic systems. 

Ms. Holdridge, LEED Fellow, EIT, Associate AIA is the Sustainability Director at Lake|Flato Architects. Leveraging her background in mechanical engineering, she directs all Lake|Flato teams in establishing sustainability goals. Ms. Holdridge devises strategies and systems to realize those goals under programs such as LEED, the 2030 Challenge, and the Living Building Challenge. She works closely with teams to evaluate passive systems and performs energy modeling throughout the design process. Ms. Holdridge received a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering from The University of Texas at Austin and a Master of Business Administration degree from The University of Texas at San Antonio.

Mr. Kurdi has been serving the electrical industry for over 30 years as an engineer, electrician and trainer. Mr. Kurdi has engineered (designed, specified and analyzed) government buildings (police stations, sheriff’s offices, fire stations, city halls, court houses, libraries, and jails), housing buildings (affordable, senior, assistant, memory care, adaptable use and student), hospitals, data centers, sport arenas, commercial office buildings, water/wastewater treatment plants and electric utility distribution and substations. Mr. Kurdi’s experience as an electrician includes estimating, laying out, wiring, installing and maintaining electrical systems for residential and commercial buildings. He has served as an engineer on construction projects in numerous locations in Texas, including San Antonio, Arlington, Bryan and Manor. He has developed and taught thousands of seminar hours over the years at Dunwoody College of Technology, Minnesota Electrical Association, IEEE and others. The seminars include NEC Code, electrician’s exam, MV system, electrical wiring, apprenticeship, estimation, electrical design, Revit MEP, and project management. Mr. Kurdi holds a BS degree in Electrical Engineering and a master’s degree in Adult Education. He is a registered electrical engineer (PE) in 37 states, including Minnesota and Texas. He holds a Class A master electrician license from the State of Minnesota. Currently, Mr. Kurdi is a senior electrical engineer and department head at BKV Group (A&E Firm with offices in Chicago, Dallas, DC & Minneapolis). Mr. Kurdi served as NCEL Board Member (Jan 2021 – present), IAEI MN Chapter president (Jan 2018 – Jan 2023), chair of IEEE Twin Cities PES/IAS (Aug 2019 – Jan 2023), Minnesota State Board of Electricity member (Jan 2018 – Jan 2020).

Dr. Oliver hails from Memphis, TN. He received his bachelor’s degree in Economics from the University of Memphis in 2008, and his PhD in Economics from the University of Wyoming in 2013. His primary fields of expertise are energy economics, environmental and natural resource economics, and industrial organization and regulation. Dr. Oliver’s research interests focus primarily on the regulation of energy resources and energy infrastructure. Much of his past work has dealt with natural gas markets and interstate pipelines. More recently, his research has focused on the market effects of rapid deployment of renewable energy technologies (e.g., wind and solar photovoltaics). Additionally, he has published (and ongoing) research on other topics such as the links between energy resource development, environment, and economic growth, and the economics of climate change. Since joining Georgia Tech in 2013, Dr. Oliver has taught various courses in energy and environmental economics, microeconomics, and macroeconomics.

Mr. Westbrook designed his own solar home in north Texas in 1996, which won the Energy Value Housing Award for Innovative Design. It still ranks as one of the most efficient homes in Texas. While serving as Sustainable Development Manager at Texas Instruments International Facilities, Mr. Westbrook was the LEED AP for the 1.1 million square foot Texas Instruments factory, which was the first LEED Gold semiconductor factory in the world. He led the effort to improve the energy and water efficiency of TI’s 20 million square feet of existing global facilities. They were able to double the company energy and water efficiency in less than 10 years. In 2012, Mr. Westbrook was named a Senior Fellow for the US State Department’s Energy and Climate Partnership of the Americas program. He visited Honduras, Bolivia, Columbia, and Peru where he worked with governments, universities, and industry on efficiency and renewable energy. Mr. Westbrook received his B.S. degree in Mechanical Engineering from Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, in 1982.

 Mr. Cole is an experienced trial lawyer who represents businesses and individuals before the Massachusetts Superior Court, the Massachusetts Appeals Court, the U.S. District Court, numerous private mediators, and arbitrators. He has extensive experience with construction litigation, representing general contractors, solar developers, scaffolding manufacturers, subcontractors, building owners, and property managers in payment disputes, delay claims, lease disputes, jobsite-defect cases, premises liability, product liability, and insurance coverage disputes. In 2023, Mr. Cole was named to Boston Magazine’s Top Lawyers List (Construction) and has been recognized in The Best Lawyers in America® (Commercial Litigation, Construction Litigation, and Personal Injury – Defendants) since 2020. He has been named to the Massachusetts Super Lawyers® list (Business Litigation) every year since 2013 and been twice recognized by BTI Consulting Group, Inc. as a Client Service All-Star (2022-2023). Mr. Cole currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Massachusetts Defense Lawyers Association, where he is chair of the Construction Law Committee. He is also chair of the International Association of Defense Counsel’s (IADC) Construction Law and Litigation Committee and is serving a three-year term on the IADC’s Membership Committee.

Mr. Fine represents and counsels clients in the construction industry, including owners and developers, general contractors and construction managers, specialty trade contractors, suppliers and manufacturers. He represents clients in adverse proceedings such as litigation and arbitration, and he consults regarding risk management, contract preparation and negotiation, and general business advice. Mr. Fine is the chair of his firm’s Construction Law Group and the past president of the Home Builders and Remodelers Association of Central Massachusetts. He holds several leadership positions in local, regional, and national construction trade and bar organizations. Mr. Fine was named a Massachusetts “Super Lawyer” by Boston Magazine every year since 2017.

Mr. Martin’s practice focuses on the construction industry, particularly in the areas of contract negotiation, procurement, project performance and claims, arbitration and litigation. He has conducted more than 100 construction-related trials. Mr. Martin is a Fellow of the American College of Construction Lawyers and has been an active member of the Associated General Contractors of America (AGC) and AGC of Massachusetts for 20 years. He has served as a lecturer on construction law at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and at Northeastern University.

Mr. McNamara’s practice areas include construction law, employment law, suretyship, trial practice and insurance defense. The Martindale-Hubbell National Law Directory has awarded Mr. McNamara an AV Rating, the highest rating for legal ability and professional ethics. He has also been named a New England Super Lawyer by Law & Politics and Boston Magazine. This designation is limited to the top five percent of attorneys in New England. Mr. McNamara has been selected for Top Lawyers as published in the Boston Globe.

Mr, Sohai litigates business and construction disputes. He brings a broad perspective to representation of businesses including general contractors, subcontractors, owners, and financial services companies in contract disputes and dispute avoidance. Mr, Sohai works on matters concerning public and private construction, condominiums, high-end residential construction, home improvement projects, consumer disputes, unfair trade practices, accounting disputes, payment disputes, and performance disputes.

Mr. Frondorf owns and operates Cincinnati-based DG Frondorf and Associates LLC, a construction cost estimating consulting firm. He is a member of Consulting Estimator’s Round Table (CERT), AACE, and the American Society of Professional Estimators (ASPE). He has 25 years of service as a construction estimator, and has presented several seminars on estimating practices and ethical bidding topics to trade associations and at industry events. Mr. Frondorf is also a past instructor of construction estimating at the University of Cincinnati and has guest lectured there and at Cincinnati State Technical and Community College. He has also written several articles on estimating related topics in Estimating Today and Design Cost Data magazines.

Mr. Hauser has extensive experience with the full spectrum of legal tasks associated with a construction project, from negotiating the contract to participating in dispute resolution proceedings, preparing and prosecuting fee and delay claims, and litigating disputes. He has represented a wide variety of clients in the construction area, including suppliers, subcontractors, general contractors, owners, design professionals, and sureties. In addition, he is a member of the American Arbitration Association Panel of Construction Arbitrators and Mediators. An attorney since 1998, as well as a licensed builder in the state of Michigan, Mr. Hauser earned his undergraduate degree from Aquinas College and his J.D. degree from the University of Detroit School of Law. He is licensed to practice law in all state and federal courts in Michigan, as well as in the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit and the United States Court of Federal Claims in Washington, D.C., Mr. Hauser is a member of Michigan Bar Association (Business Law Section), the American Bar Association (Construction Industry Forum), Rochester Bar Association and the Construction Association of Michigan (CAM). He is a frequent lecturer concerning legal issues pertaining to contractors, design professionals and suppliers.

Mr. McAlpine has specialized in construction law and litigation for over 35 years. He is the founding principal of McAlpine P.C., a 10-lawyer construction and complex litigation law firm headquartered in Auburn Hills, Michigan. Mr. McAlpine regularity represents owners, general contractors, specialty subcontractors, sureties and design professionals in connection with large and complex commercial projects throughout the country. He has served on the adjunct law faculty of the Wayne State School of Law teaching contracts and construction law and is a frequent lecturer for a wide variety of industry associations, including the Associated General Contractors of America and the American Bar Association.

Mr. Banks is the principal attorney at Banks & Associates, PLLC, a Houston-based law firm focused on meeting the needs of government and construction contractors throughout Texas. He is a trusted advisor for licensed professionals, CEOs and managers in construction firms, and government contractors. Mr. Banks was licensed as a CPA in 2003 and has more than 20 years of experience as a lead accountant and CFO for successful government contractors. He earned his B.B.A. degree with a double major in Accounting and Finance from the Bauer College of Business at the University of Houston, and secured his J.D. degree from South Texas College of Law. Mr. Banks is a member of the State Bar of Texas, the Association of Corporate Counsel and the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA). Mr. Banks is a member of the Construction Law Section of the State Bar of Texas.

Ms. Crowson is originally from Columbia and Camden, South Carolina. She graduated magna cum laude from the College of Charleston in 1997 and from Vanderbilt University School of Law in 2000. After law school, Ms. Crowson served as a law clerk to the Honorable Kaye G. Hearn, former Chief Judge of the S.C. Court of Appeals and former Justice of the S.C. Supreme Court. She is licensed to practice law in South Carolina and Florida, and her prior work experiences also include Howser, Newman & Besley Law Firm, Pennington Law Firm, and Rogers, Lewis, Jackson & Mann Law Firm, all in Columbia, SC and as Assistant State Attorney, Fourth Judicial Circuit, Florida. Ms. Crowson is a founding partner of Crowson Walker, LLC, which launched in August 2024. She maintains both a litigation and transactional practice, focusing on condemnation / eminent domain, telecommunications, easement and right-of-way disputes and acquisition (including fiber, utilities, access), lease negotiations, and commercial contract negotiations. In condemnations, easement, and right-of-way disputes, Ms. Crowson primarily represents utility companies seeking to acquire and/or enforce utility easements. In telecommunications matters, she represents wireless carriers, fiber providers, tower companies, utility companies, and business entities, related to telecom towers, colocations, antenna leasing, DAS/IBRD systems, pole attachments, 5G, service agreements, and small cell node networks. Ms. Crowson actively assists clients in negotiating master lease agreements (MLAs) and individual site leases (SLAs) for the deployment of wireless infrastructure and technology across the U.S., as well as the continued evolution of that infrastructure and technology.

Prior to his service at TVA, Mr. Savage was in private survey practice for 10 years specializing in dispute resolution and expert witness services. He has surveyed several disputed state boundaries to resolve jurisdictional conflicts. Mr. Savage is an adjunct professor at Cleveland State Community College where he teaches courses in boundary law, geodesy, GIS, and surveying fundamentals. He has researched and retraced the historical surveys of Henry David Thoreau and has published several articles on the subject. Mr. Savage teaches exam review and continuing education seminars at various state and local conferences across the country.

Mr. Shissias established the Shissias Law Firm, LLC, where he practices environmental and regulatory law. After graduating from the University Of South Carolina School Of Law and being admitted to practice in 1996, he went to work as a staff attorney at the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control. Over the next six years he represented DHEC’s Solid Waste Section, Bureau of Air Quality, Bureau of Water, Laboratory Certification, and DHEC’s Environmental Health Division. He regularly litigated contested cases involving permitting and enforcement matters involving air quality, solid waste, hazardous waste, stormwater, laboratory certifications, and 401 Water Quality Certifications. Mr. Shissias also advised DHEC’s Office of Criminal Investigations and was appointed as a Special Assistant Attorney General to prosecute environmental crimes. He was awarded the 2014 Robert D. Spencer Award for outstanding volunteer advocacy by Protection and Advocacy for People with Disabilities, Inc. Mr. Shissias has been named as one of the 2020 Legal Elite by Columbia Business Monthly in the Environmental Law category.

Dr. Rubin is an emeritus professor in the Biological and Agricultural Engineering Department at North Carolina State University. He has published in scientific journals and popular press on issues related to wastewater and biosolids treatment, solid waste management, stormwater management and ISO 14000 environmental management systems addressing the animal industry. Dr. Rubin was a visiting scientist at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in Washington D.C. from 1999 through 2005. He was active in development of guidelines for wastewater and biosolids management at USEPA. Dr. Rubin is currently president of A.R. Rubin and Associates, a consulting firm dedicated to evaluation and assessment of sustainable resource management and recovery solutions.

Mr. Breen’s main areas of practice include personal injury, accidents, workers’ compensation, wrongful death and nursing home abuse. He has been named to the Super Lawyers Rising Stars list since 2020, has been named to the Best Lawyers Ones to Watch list for Workers’ Compensation and Personal Injury, and is a Platinum Client Champion from Martindale-Hubbell. Mr. Breen graduated from The Citadel, The Military College of South Carolina, with a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology. While at The Citadel, he was on the Dean’s List, a member of the Beta Beta Beta Biology Honors Society, a Bond Volunteer, a Member of the Honor Committee, and an officer on the 4th Battalion Staff. Mr. Breen is also a Life Member of The Citadel’s Theta Commission of Kappa Alpha Order and a member of The Loyal Order. After The Citadel, he attended the Charleston School of Law. While in Law School, he was President of the Phi Delta Phi Legal Honor Society, a Senator in the Student Bar Association, an Editor for the Maritime Law Review, Faculty Research Assistant for Professor William G. Merkel, a Pupil of the James L. Petigru Inn of Court, and the Associate Justice for External Competitions for the Charleston School of Law’s Moot Court Board. After Mr. Breen graduated from Law School, he passed the South Carolina Bar with a score that ranked in the top 1% of scores nationally and enabled him to practice in over 37 States and Territories. In addition to South Carolina, he is also admitted to the United States Court of Appeals for the 4th Circuit, United States District Court for the District of South Carolina, the United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of South Carolina, and North Carolina.

Mr. Dodds joined Yarborough Applegate in 2021 to focus his practice on representing plaintiffs who have been injured by the negligence of others. His prior experience as a defense attorney has provided him with valuable insight in dealing with insurance companies who are actively fighting against his injured clients, and his clients can depend on him to solve problems and manage their cases throughout the complexities of the legal system. Since joining Yarborough, he has helped his clients recover millions of dollars to compensate them for their injuries and damages. Mr. Dodds has been recognized and selected by his peers in South Carlina as a “Rising Star” in the Super Lawyers publication for Plaintiff’s civil litigation. He also reently co-authored Dealing with Objections to Written Discovery: The Modern Approach to Discovery Objections in South Carolina and Federal Courts. Mr. Dodds received his undergraduate degree from Tufts University, where he was a member of the varsity football team. After college, he attended the Charleston School of Law, where he graduated summa cum laude, was an active member of the Charleston Law Review and Trial Advocacy Board, and served as a Teaching Fellow in the Legal Research, Analysis, and Writing Department. Following law school, he  clerked for the Honorable Edgar W. Dickson of the First Judicial Circuit. During his clerkship, he gained invaluable legal research and writing skills and was able to provide a hands-on contribution to the judicial decision-making process.

Brian Mickelsen is a dynamic trial lawyer whose practice includes high-stakes catastrophic injury, wrongful death, and bad faith litigation. He has been recognized by Best Lawyers in America as “Ones to Watch” and has been featured in national and local media outlets across the country, including the New York Times, Reuters, ABC, Seattle Times, Atlanta Journal-Constitution, and the Post and Courier. Prior to forming Mickelsen Dalton LLC, he practiced in Atlanta, GA at a personal injury firm during which time he obtained multi-million dollar verdicts and settlements for his clients. Brian Mickelsen is experienced in handling all types of South Carolina personal injury cases including premises liability, negligent security, product liability, sexual assault, government liability, traumatic brain injury, car and trucking accidents, motorcycle accidents, and wrongful death cases. He has litigated in 12 different states, from coast to coast, and has published and presented at numerous CLE seminars on topics ranging from voir dire, spoliation of evidence, admissibility of social media, and negligent security litigation. Since founding Mickelsen Dalton LLC, Mr. Mickelsen has obtained over $20 million in verdicts and settlements, taken on the largest privately-owned nursing company in the country, and exposed the hospitality industry for knowingly participating in the sex trafficking of women. He is licensed in South Carolina, Georgia, and Washington State. Mr. Mickelsen earned his B.A. degree from Bringham Young University and his J.D. degree from the University of South Carolina School of Law.

Mr. Nichols’s practice focuses on serious injuries suffered due to motor vehicle wrecks, unsafe premises, and hospital bedsores in both Georgia and South Carolina. Prior to opening his firm, he was a Violent Crimes and Appellate Attorney in Augusta, Georgia. Additionally, he is a Major in the United States Army Reserves where he serves as a Judge Advocate General. Mr. Nichols currently serves as an Adjunct Professor for his alma mater, the University of Georgia School of Law. His courses focus on Trial Advocacy and Plaintiff’s Practice. After graduating from law school, Mr. Nichols served as a law clerk for the Honorable Robert N. Jenkins and Alex Kinlaw, III in Greenville, South Carolina. It was there that he also served as a Trial Advocacy Instructor for Furman University.

Mr. Slavin is a litigator and trial attorney in Charleston, South Carolina. He has recovered millions of dollars for the children he’s represented and is passionate about helping his clients and other lawyers save and grow their money. Mr. Slavin earned his J.D. degree from Penn State Dickinson School of Law. He is admitted to practice in South Carolina and Pennsylvania and practices across the state of South Carolina, including federal court.

Mr. Threet’s main areas of practice include auto & car accidents, premise liability, and wrongful death. He previously served as Managing Partner with Hobbs Threet, Attorneys at Law. He also served as an Assistant Municipal Judge for the Town of Fort Mill. Mr. Threet earned his undergraduate degree from the University of South Carolina and his J.D. degree from Charleston School of Law.