Mr. Hodgin has approximately 20 years experience as an engineering consultant and is responsible for facility condition inspections, failure analysis, damage assessments, and forensic engineering investigations of all types of structures. Mr. Hodgin’s experience includes failure analysis of a wide variety of building envelopes and roof systems. Mr. Hodgin has also designed, permitted and investigated failures of civil and coastal projects such as residential and commercial developments, marinas, docks, shoreline stabilization and retaining systems, basin and channel dredging. A large part of Mr. Hodgin’s projects have included analysis of deficient construction cases including roofs, exterior walls, windows, doors, structural framing, civil site work and building code review. Mr. Hodgin has performed engineering assessments of hurricane, tornado, hail, wind, ice and fire related damages for a wide variety of commercial and residential structures.
Mr. Hodgin is a member of the National Academy of Forensic Engineers (NAFE). NAFE is a founding (charter) member of the Council of Engineering Specialty Boards (CESB). As a member of NAFE, Hodgin is a Board Certified Diplomat of the CESB.
NAFE is a professional organization formed in 1982 to advance the art and skill of engineers who serve as engineering consultants to members of the legal profession and as expert witnesses in courts of law, arbitration proceedings and administrative adjudication proceedings. NAFE was formed to identify and bring together professional engineers having qualifications and expertise as practicing forensic engineers to further their continuing education and promote high standards of professional ethics and excellence of practice.
To qualify for membership, a candidate must have appropriate engineering education and experience in practice, including actual experience in forensic engineering. In addition, the candidate must provide acceptable detailed references from attorneys, certified general adjusters or NAFE members who are personally familiar with their forensic practice and experience.
Background
Q: Please list your professional accreditations, degrees, licenses, and certificates granted:A: Bachelor of Science – Civil Engineering, NC State University, 1989;
Numerous Building Envelope, Roofing, Structural, Materials and Construction Seminars and Conferences;
Forestry 641: Properties of Wood Products, Clemson University;
Approved Instructor for Continuing Education – SC Department of Insurance and SC Real Estate Commission.
Registered Professional Engineer:
North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, Texas, Virginia, Maryland, Illinois, Indiana, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, and Missouri;
Registered Roof Observer (RRO), Registered Roof Consultant (RRC) and Registered Waterproofing Consultant (RWC), RCI, Inc.;
Construction Documents Technologist (CDT), Construction Specifications Institute;
Certified Third Party EIFS Inspector, Certified Moisture Analyst and Certified Building Envelope Inspector, Exterior Design Institute;
Certified Roof Inspector, HAAG Engineering Company.
Q: Please list your affiliations or memberships in any professional and/or industry organizations:
A: • National Society of Professional Engineers (NSPE)
• National Academy of Forensic Engineers (NAFE)
• American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE)
• International Code Council (ICC)
• National Roofing Contractors Association (NRCA)
• Roof Consultants Institute (RCI)
• Roofing Industry Committee on Weather Issues, Inc. (RICOWI)
• Exterior Design Institute (EDI)
• Waterproofing Contractors Association (WCA)
• APA Engineered Wood Association
• American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM)
Q: Please list any teaching or speaking experience you have had, including subject matter:
A: • “Problems With Code-Compliant Brick Veneer in Residential Construction.” Interface. RCI, September 2008 and presented at 24th International RCI Convention and Trade Show, Dallas, Texas, March 2009.
• “Top 10 Building Code Problems.” RCI, Inc. Carolinas Chapter Meeting, July, 2008.
• “Whom do I hire? – Knowing the types of experts you need to consider when faced with claims of construction defects and codes violations.” presented at More than Nuts & Bolts: How to Construct and Deconstruct Expert Testimony sponsored by Navigant Consulting, Inc., and Thelen Reid Brown Raysman & Steiner LLP, February 2007.
• “EIFS: Practical Solutions For Addressing Damages To Existing Buildings” 2005 Building Envelope Symposium, Roof Consultants Institute.
• “Metal Roof Failures” Roof Consultants Institute Carolinas Chapter Meeting, November 17, 2004.
• “Architects and Contractors: Up Against the Wall” Construction Specification Institute Seminar, June 2004.
• “Why Buildings Leak” Solving Water Intrusion and Mold Issues in SC, Lorman Education Services, March 2004 and Roof Consultants Institute Carolinas Chapter Meeting, September, 2005.
• “Spontaneous Combustion of Roofer’s Mops – A Review,” Interface. Roof Consultants Institute, August 2003.
• “It’s Not EIFS – It’s the Details,” Interface. Roof Consultants Institute, March 2003.
• “Contractor’s Instructions: A Forensic Engineering and Legal Perspective,” presented at 18th International RCI Convention and Trade Show, Tampa, Florida, March 2003.
Presentations and Publications (continued)
• “Comparison of Strength Properties and Failure Characteristics Between Fire Retardant-Treated and Untreated Roof Framing Lumber After Long-Term Exposure: A SC Case Study,” Forest Products Journal. June 2002.
• “Forensic Engineering 101,” presented to Westminster, SC Chamber of Commerce, June 2002.
• “Selecting the Right Finish For Metal Roofing, Part I: Metallic Coatings,” Metal Roofing. August 2001.
• “How Not To Build a Roof” 2001 Spring Conference, Waterproofing Contractors Association, Inc.
• “Sealing Lap Seams of Metal Roof Panels: An Inexpensive Form of Insurance That Should Not Be Ignored,” Metal Roofing. May 2001.
• “Problems with Fire-Retardant Treated (FRT) Wood Extend Below the Roof Deck,” Interface. Roof Consultants Institute, March 2001; presented at 17th International RCI Convention and Trade Show, Galveston, Texas, May 2002.
• “Designing with Metal: Caribbean Roofing 101,” Metal Roofing. February 2001.
• “Why Buildings Leak” Building Envelope Seminar presented by Pro-Tec Finishes, 2000.
• “Steep Roofing” 1999 Fall Conference, NC Licensed Home Inspector Association.
• “Wind Failures - Avoiding a Roof Failure Requires an Understanding of Many Factors Other Than Wind Speed,” Interface. Roof Consultants Institute, June 1999 and Metal Architecture, June 2000.
Q: Have any of your accreditations ever been investigated, suspended or removed? (if yes, explain)
A: No
Q: On how many occasions have you been retained as an expert?
A: Thousands
Q: For what area(s) of expertise have you been retained as an expert?
A: Building Code Requirements, Industry Standards, Fire Retardant-Treated Wood Trusses, Fire Retardant-Treated Plywood Roof Deck, Truss Bracing, Attic Ventilation, Wood Strength Properties, Wood Siding, Flashing, Water Intrusion, Roofing, Window Installation, Fire-Rated Building Assemblies, Plans and Specifications, EIFS
Q: In what percentage of your cases were you retained by the plaintiff?
A: 50%
Q: In what percentage of your cases were you retained by the defendant?
A: 50%
Q: On how many occasions have you had your deposition taken?
A: Between 75 to 100
Q: When was the last time you had your deposition taken?
A: On a regular basis
Q: On how many occasions have you been qualified by a court to give expert testimony?
A: Twice
Q: On how many occasions have you testified as an expert in court or before an arbitrator?
A: 4
Q: For how many years have you worked with the legal industry as an expert?
A: 14 Years
Q: What services do you offer? (E.g.: consulting, testing, reports, site inspections etc.)
A: Consulting, reports, site inspections
Q: What is your hourly rate to consult with an attorney?
A: 195.00
Q: What is your hourly rate to review documents?
A: 195.00
Q: What is your hourly rate to provide deposition testimony?
A: 350.00
Q: What is your hourly rate to provide testimony at trial?
A: 350.00
Q: Please list any fees other than those stated above (E.g.: travel expenses, copy fees, etc.)
A: Current Fee Schedule is available at www.constructionscience.org
