Kevin L. Brown

P.E., CFEI, CVFI

Senior Project Manager

Biography

Mr. Brown’s interest in engineering began at a young age while accompanying his father, a civil engineer, to construction sites. A formative middle school field trip to a local manufacturing facility further sparked his curiosity about how things work and how they are made.

He holds a bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Missouri-Rolla and a master’s degree in Manufacturing Systems Engineering from Lehigh University. Mr. Brown began his career as a manufacturing engineer in the automotive industry and progressed into engineering management and director roles. His broad experience includes the design and manufacture of automotive, appliance, industrial, and consumer products; the successful launch of multiple manufacturing lines; consulting across various industries; and teaching mechatronics and engineering at a community college.

Mr. Brown provides expert services in root cause analysis of mechanical system failures; origin and cause investigations in structural, equipment, and vehicle fires and explosions; accident reconstruction; and product defect investigations, including subrogation. Based in South Carolina, he serves clients across the Southeast.

Credentials

  • P.E. | Professional Engineer
  • CFEI
  • CVFI

Representative Consulting Assignments

  • Circular Saw | Talladega, Alabama | Determine root cause of malfunction of a circular saw resulting in injury to the user
  • Water Line Repair Fitting | Fort Mill, South Carolina | Determine cause of water damage to school gymnasium resulting from a recent plumbing repair
  • Coal Conveyor | Pikeville, Kentucky | Determine scope of damage and repair cost estimates for collapsed coal conveyor in storage and processing facility
  • Medical Incinerator | Memphis, Tennessee | Conduct origin and cause investigation of fire in hospital medical incinerator facility
  • Foundry Vessel | Ghent, Kentucky | Conduct origin and cause investigation of explosion in steel foundry crucible. Evaluated scope of damage to facility and equipment
  • Biodiesel Plant | Shelbyville, Tennessee | Conduct origin and cause investigation of explosion of an ethanol tank
  • Acrylic Sheet Production | Memphis, Tennessee | Developed scope of damage and repair cost estimates resulting from explosion in furnace
  • Rock Crusher | Nashville, Tennessee | Conduct origin and cause investigation of explosion in a rock crusher
  • Skid Steer Fire | Spartanburg, South Carolina | Conduct origin and cause investigation of fire resulting from diesel emission system delete
  • Tractor Trailer Rollover | Heflin, Alabama | Determine cause of rollover of tractor trailer carrying manufacturing equipment
  • Three Vehicle Crash | Columbia, South Carolina | Reconstruct crash involving three vehicles to determine which vehicle was at fault
  • Foundry Injury | Brewton, Alabama | Expert testimony regarding design and installation of a foundry conveyor system involved in amputation of employee’s fingers
  • Evaluate Sprinkler System | Louisville, Kentucky | Expert testimony on cause of sprinkler head discharge in long term care facility
  • Water Heater | Nashville, Tennessee | Expert testimony on cause of leak in water heater, resulting in water damage to stores in a strip mall
  • Residential Fire | Graniteville, South Carolina | Expert trial testimony on origin and cause of fire

Professional Experience

  • 2025 - Current | Senior Project Manager | YA Group
  • 2022 - 2025 | Consulting Engineer | Engineering Design & Testing Corp
  • 2021 - 2022 | Manufacturing Engineering Manager | Gibson Guitar Custom Shop
  • 2018 - 2022 | Assistant Professor | Motlow State Community College
  • 2012 - 2018 | Consulting Engineer | Engineering Design & Testing Corp
  • 2009 - 2019 | Director of Engineering | Wastequip, LLC
  • 2005 - 2009 | Consulting Engineer | The Access Group, LLC
  • 2003 - 2018 | Owner | 12th Fret Manufacturing Services
  • 2002 - 2003 | Mechanical Engineering Manager | A.O. Smith Water Heater Co.
  • 1997 - 2002 | Engineering Manager | Gibson Guitar Company
  • 1990 - 1997 | Lead Manufacturing Systems Engineer | Delphi Chassis Division, General Motors

Education

  • Lehigh University - Master of Science - Manufacturing Systems Engineering - Bethlehem - Pennsylvania
  • University of Missouri - Bachelor of Science - Mechanical Engineering - Rolla - Missouri

Licenses

  • 40513 - South Carolina - Professional Engineer
  • 054793 - North Carolina - Professional Engineer
  • PE037515 - Georgia - Professional Engineer
  • PE94712 - Florida - Professional Engineer
  • PE33312 - Alabama - Professional Engineer
  • 29037 - Kentucky - Professional Engineer
  • 59418 - Ohio - Professional Engineer
  • 116057 - Tennessee - Professional Engineer
  • 150860 - Texas - Professional Engineer
  • #16-859-13 - National Council of Examiners for Engineers and Surveying Record
  • CFEI#17651-10085 - NAFI Certified Fire and Explosion Investigator
  • CVFI#17651-10085v - NAFI Certified Vehicle Fire Investigator