Education



Virginia Tech

  • Wood Adhesion Course, July 2018


IICRC 2013-2014

  • FCT Certification, Dec 2013
  • WFMT Instructor, 2014
  • WLFI Certification 2011
  • Train the Trainer, Aug 2013
  • ISSI Certification, June 2013
  • Ardex Certification, June 2013


National Wood Flooring Association 2004-2018

  • Certified Wood Floor Installer, Mar 2010 License #441210
  • Certified Wood Floor Sand and Finish, Mar 2010 License #521710
  • Certified Wood Floor Commercial Inspector, Nov 2009 License #701709CCI
  • Certified Wood Floor Residential Inspector, May 2004 License #CP1250204
  • Train the Trainer, Dec 2013
  • National Wood Floor Association Educational Symposium, 2018
  • National Wood Floor Association Educational Symposium, 2017
  • National Wood Floor Association Educational Symposium, 2016
  • National Wood Floor Association Educational Symposium, 2015
  • National Wood Floor Association Educational Symposium, 2014
  • National Wood Floor Association Educational Symposium, 2013
  • National Wood Floor Association Educational Symposium, 2012
  • National Wood Floor Association Educational Symposium, 2011
  • National Wood Floor Association Educational Symposium, 2010
  • National Wood Floor Association Educational Symposium, 2009
  • National Wood Floor Association Educational Symposium, 2008

​National Wood Flooring Technical School Seminars, 2001

  • Wood Sales
  • Professional Sanding and Finishing
  • Installation, The Next Step
  • Finishing, The Next Step

National Wood Flooring Association Training Seminar, 1995

  • Advanced Custom Unfinished

Alexander Ramsey High School, 1972

NWFC is nationally recognized as an expert witness firm throughout the United States and Canada. Our leading expert is ranked one of the top 3 Certified Professionals in the National Wood Flooring Association, the wood floor industry’s governing organization.  

The testifying expert’s role is to help make sense of technical or complex scientific matters and explain how these complexities fit into the case at hand.  NWFC services include mediation, arbitration, and litigation consulting and testimony for wood flooring design, flooring construction specifications, insurance, and installation compliance claims. The NWFC team of experts are highly experienced in all facets of wood flooring applications and work closely with attorneys, litigants, and courts to help resolve all types of wood flooring litigation disputes.  As a consultant, we can assist the litigation team in developing its strategy by providing professional input on the core issues of the case that may not be apparent early in the litigation process. This may include assistance with identifying the proper wood flooring manufacturing material, installation procedures, sanding/finishing procedures, warranty coverage, forensic evidence gathering, quantification of damages, and preparation for depositions and discovery.

NWFC has extensive experience and expertise in performing wood floor evaluations and inspections including forensics, diagnostics, and investigations related to design, installation and construction defects. Our team brings over 91 combined years in the industry.  This experience provides us with the technical insights required to identify the real causes and effects of wood floor failures properly. Knowing where to look can also be critical. The professionals at NWFC can help ensure that your construction claim covers all wood flooring defects—not just the obvious ones.

As expert witnesses, NWFC’s certified professional not only brings the depth of experience and qualifications needed – we also bring a great deal of focus and professionalism to the task at hand. As a testifying expert witness, we understand client needs and objectives and are prepared to help clients navigate the complexities of the flooring/construction litigation process.


Contact Michelle @ 763-413-7897 or michelle@nwfc.net to discuss how to retain NWFC as an Expert Witness.


Click to download to complete Curriculum Vitae here.



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Related Experience



NWFA Certified Professionals (NWFACP):

  • Inspector Committee 2011
  • Board of Directors 2011 – 2016
  • NWFACP BOD Chairman 2014-2016
  • Marketing Committee Chairman 2012 – 2014

NWFA Task Forces:

  • Revise technical Radiant Heat Publication 2018
  • Revise technical installation and sanding manuals 2006 – 2007; 2009-2012
  • Revise of the technical Ornamental wood floor manuals 2007/2008
  • Moderator for Hardwood Floor Magazine Forum 2011- present

IICRC:

  • Technical Advisory Committee Chairperson 2011 - present
  • Wood/Laminate Floor Certified Inspector 2011-present
  • Train the Trainer Certification 2013
  • Wood/Laminate Flooring Inspector Trainer – 2014 - present
  • Wood Floor Maintenance Technician (WFMT) approved instructor – 2014 – present
  • S220 Hard Surface Inspectors ANSI Standard Committee – 2015 – present


 3M Research and Development Galen Fitzel St. Paul, MN


  • Assist in job site product testing and provide feedback regarding 3M’s development of new products. Provided testing, and performance feedback to technical department to assist in their development and design of sandpaper products for the wood flooring industry.


 TASA Expert Witness Program

Member of TASA (Technical Advisory Service for Attorneys) as an expert witness in cases where there is litigation or mediation of wood flooring related lawsuits.

Domotec China Market


  • Attended Domotec Symposium in Shanghai, China March 2011
  • Met manufacturers and developed relationships with China manufacturers March 2011


Delmhorst Instruments


  • Technical Advisor for Research & Development


National Wood Flooring Association Awards


  • NWFA Vanguard Award 2011
  • NWFA Ambassador Award 2013

Expert Witness