FES

Principal Profiles

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Gregory D. Williams, Ph.D., P.E., S.E.

Email: gwilliams@facilityengserv.com

Dr. Williams is the President and Founder of Facility Engineering Services. He has extensive experience in the structural, functional, and life safety design of agri-industrial (food, agricultural, and bioprocess) process facilities including USDA and FDA inspected facilities. He has extensive experience in the design and analysis of concrete and steel bulk storage and their associated material handling systems. He is an accomplished engineer, integrating structural engineering, architectural engineering and agricultural process engineering. As part of his practice, Dr. Williams has integrated his knowledge of food & agricultural process engineering with facility layout and design. He has an advanced level technical competency in the design procedures for all major materials of construction and has developed novel and complex solutions for facility construction using these materials. He has extensive experience using the design-build project delivery method. Dr. Williams has taught construction methods and building codes at the University of Wisconsin.

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PEI Professional Engineer of the Year Award

Dr. Williams is the recipient of the ASABE 2915 PEI Professional Engineer of the Year Award.  This award honors a licensed engineer who has made outstanding contributions to the agricultural engineering profession, the public welfare, and/or humankind.

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Henry Giese Structures and Environment Award

Dr. Williams is the recipient of the 2015 ASABE Henry Giese Structures and Environment Award.  This award is given “For distinguished service in advancing the knowledge and science of agricultural structures and environment”. Honorees are chosen based on their advancement of teaching, research, design, and basic knowledge of agricultural structures and environment including livestock and poultry buildings, plant growth structures, crop and other storage processing structures, and rural human housing. The award was established in 1988 by the family of Henry Giese to honor his lifelong accomplishment in farm building design, research, and teaching.

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NASSER KARIMZADEH, P.E.
Email: nkarimzadeh@facilityengserv.com

Nasser Karimzadeh has over 4 decades of distinguished experience in engineering, construction, and management particularly within the food and beverage industry. Holding key roles in companies such as Tyson Foods, ConAgra Foods, and Pepsi, Nasser has showcased expertise in various domains including industrial refrigeration systems, HVAC design, process engineering, and regulatory compliance. His educational background includes an MBA from Gonzaga University, an MS in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Wisconsin, and a BS in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Washington. With this education, Nasser has gone on to work on major projects, from managing Tyson Foods’ global facilities as the VP of Engineering, directing the expansion of Spoetzl Brewery’s central ammonia system, Designing and managing construction of E & J’s 2,000 T.R. central ammonia refrigeration system, and retrofitting Pinnacle Foods’ existing ammonia system to install new condensers. Nasser has recived numerous accolades during his career among his notable recognition's he has been honored for his expertise as a premier industrial ammonia refrigeration system designer. his influence also extends beyond his work on projects, as demonstrated by his role as a board member for the International Institute of Ammonia Refrigeration (IIAR). His commitment to excellence has earned him recognition as a certified process hazard Analysis (PHA), and has also played a pivotal role in shaping process safety management (PSM) guidelines

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Michael D. Thede, P.E.

Email: mthede@facilityengserv.com

Michael has 50 years of structural engineering experience in the industrial sector. A graduate of Michigan Technological University his prime practice areas includes food processing, poultry, fertilizer, and automotive with clients such as Tyson Foods, Tropicana, Proctor & Gamble, Bimbo Bakery, Pepsi, Scotts Miracle Gro, Honda Motor and Ford Motor Company. Specific structural design expertise includes:
- Assessment of industrial structures to handle existing and or new loading conditions.
- Retrofit and redesign of existing industrial facilities.
- Structural design of new industrial facilities including production facilities, wastewater
- treatment, loading/unloading and administrative uses.
- Fall protection for workers at unprotected openings and improved maintenance access         via platforms, stairs, and ladders.
- Repair and upgrade of steel and concrete members affected by corrosion.
- Structural support of refrigeration/process equipment and piping
- Structural support of pallets during transportation.
- Structural support for lifting events; monorail, tank lifts.
- Proficient in Revit, ReCap Pro, and Visual Analysis structural engineering software.
Michael has a US patent pending for structural design improvements at orange grove farms and is winner of the 2019 Pepsico Academy of Sciences Award for Science and Technology. “Advanced Citrus Production Practice to Recover Yields and Secure Supply”. He has taught construction methods and engineering at Columbus State University and State College of Florida.

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Michael F. Brugger, Ph.D., P.E.

Email: mbrugger@facilityengserv.com

Dr. Brugger brings over 35 years of educational, planning and design experience of a wide variety of facilities. As a State Extension Specialist in the structures and environment area, he has been involved in the planning and designs of many livestock facilities and manure handling systems, fruit and vegetable storages, grain storages and greenhouses. He has also taught a senior structural design and facility-planning course for 10 years. For 13 years, he was Assistant to the Director – Facilities Administration for the Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center and was responsible for over 1.7 million square feet of buildings. He oversaw the long-range strategic plan development, scope of work development, design team selection, design review, construction inspection and startup trouble shooting for a variety of projects. Dr. Brugger has consulted on and has been an expert witness on many cases related to structural issues, construction contracts, and air and water quality issues. He has done complete design for many types of buildings. He has also been involved in the development and revision of design handbooks and standards.

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Kurt A. Rosentrater, Ph.D.

Email: krosentrater@facilityengserv.com

Dr. Kurt Rosentrater is an expert in Value-Added Product Development, Alternative Recycling and Reprocessing Strategies for Food and Organic Waste Streams, Modeling and Simulation of Food and Organic Processing Systems, Economic Modeling, Physical and Chemical Characterization Methods, and Plant Layout, Material Handling, Unit Operations, and Process Design. He has developed advanced computer models to simulate process and economic factors to aid the food industry in pursuing value-added recycling/reprocessing alternatives. He is formerly an assistant professor at Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, IL, in the Department of Engineering and Industrial Technology, where he taught in the areas of research methods, manufacturing systems, engineering mechanics, and design. In industry, he is responsible for process and equipment design as well as plant and site layout for large-scale agri-industrial facilities, including grain, feed, flour, pet food and biodiesel manufacturing plants.