James Ferrick

Served as the Senior Advisor Engineer for a team of 10 non-destructive test engineers and scientists, developing and qualifying ultrasonic imaging systems and procedures to improve the quality, accuracy, and efficiency of inspection programs needed to ensure our submarines and surface ships can safley remaining on station, maximizing Operationa Availability. for a wide range of high pressure hot water, steam and cold water Program valve test programs to assess valve design and performance under varying condition at full flow capacity (up to 700 gpm water at 650°F and 70,000 lbm/hr saturated steam).

• Successfully tested the flow capacity of over 100 different intersecting and right angle channel design control valve flow elements. Designed the high pressure flow element test fixture and as well as an instrumented test loop that could be operated in parallel with other Program valve test operations, keeping test costs to a minimum. Test data provided valve design engineers with data required to better refine their design models for the manufacture of a complete flow element that met the required Cv specifications.
• Developed and executed numerous test programs to confirm the acceptable use of current Program relief valve (steam and hot water) and globe type valve designs in new plant applications.
• Served as Chief Engineer for the operation and maintenance of the plant used for performing these various Program valve tests. Actively led or performed countless plant upgrades and improvements that streamlined plant operations, leading to increased valve test productivity, reduced valve test costs, and more streamlined plant operations.

Oversaw and managed the transformation of a remotely located, minimally staffed high pressure (up to 3200 psig) and temperature (up to 700°) steam and water full flow valve test facility.

• Upon initial assignment, worked hand in hand with corporate office and state/federal regulatory personnel over a five year period to correct and successfully close out existing plant and facility deficiencies: a) Improperly disposed hazardous and mercury waste materials. b) Facility ASME pressure vessels not properly registered or certificated for operation in accordance with state regulatory requirements. c) Cleanup of an unknown PCB oil spill in accordance with EPA TSCA requirements.
• Worked with numerous corporate office departments during performance of a Task Team audit that examined facility compliance with EPA, OSHA, ASME, NFPA, and Program Quality Control and Plant Operation requirements. Ensured corrective actions for each deficiency were developed and implemented. Championed the development of facility manuals to capture all related requirements in procedures for use by all site personnel. Ensured all site personnel were properly trained on procedure requirements, including periodic followup training as required.
• As Resident Manager and Facility Security Officer, championed and oversaw facility upgrades to ensure each employee was provided with their own cubicle work space equipped with a computer that provided them access to home office and other program site secure websites in accordance with DOE cybersecurity requirements.

U.S. Coast Guard Reserve (Jan 1992 - Jul 2002)

• Served as Executive Officer and Reserve Command Advisor at two different CG Marine Safety Offices. Ensured all reservists (a minimum of 60 at each unit) were properly integrated into the active duty command, allowing the command to make the best use of reservists for meeting mission requirements and providing reservists with meaningful work opportunities.

U.S. Coast Guard Active Dury (May 1980-Dec 1992)

• Reviewed, evaluated, and made recommendations on structural strength, intact and damage stability, structural fire protection, and overall design safety of over fifty marine vessels.
• Coordinated the configuration management of all mechanical systems of a 60 plus NOAA ocean weather buoy fleet. Designed and implemented numerous mechanical system modifications resulting in improved buoy serviceability, increased time on station, and reduction in rework costs.
• Served as Electrical Assistant, Damage Control Assistant, and Assistant Engineer Officer on two different CG cutters. The first cutter was WWII vintage. Was a Plankowner on the second cutter which was the newest CG cutter at its time of commissioning.

Served as cognizant engineer for various Program valve designs and performed numerous evaluations, analyses, and tests to resolve various design related and in-service valve performance issues.

• Optimized the geometry of globe valve mainseat and disc hardsurfacing weld preparation designs to minimize thermal shock stresses and thereby prolong hardsurfacing in-service life. Developed and monitored all aspects of a 2600 cycle test program to validate the hardsurfacing analyses, including specimen and test loop design.
• Performed numerous analyses of Program components to determine the acceptability of either defects detected during manufacture or out of specification operation while in service.