Steve Pietropaolo, MS, P.E., CFEI, DFE, Chief Executive Officer
Steven Pietropaolo has a Bachelor of Engineering Degree in Electrical Engineering and a Master of Science Degree in Mechanical Engineering from Manhattan College. He has participated in hundreds of hours of postgraduate professional development training in various engineering and construction disciplines as well as topics including material failure analysis, fire investigation, fire protection systems, explosions, construction defects, and product liability. He is a Certified Fire and Explosion Investigator, a Certified Fire Investigator Instructor. He is a Board-Certified Diplomate in Forensic Engineering by the National Academy of Forensic Engineers (NAFE) where he also serves as President Elect on the Academy board, the Fire Investigation Committee, Educational Committee Chair, Admission Committee Chair, and he is an Associate Editor of the Academy’s Technical Journal.
Steve is a Licensed Professional Engineer (P.E.) in the State of New York, and eleven other States. Steve has over 35 years of hands-on engineering experience including electrical, mechanical, materials, safety, human factors, fire protection, construction, and utilities. He has been retained on numerous multimillion-dollar property damage cases as well as fatal accidents and fires/explosions including those that resulted in injury. Steve is a nationally known expert in the field of forensic engineering and is a highly experienced expert witness that has testified on cases in the New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, and Federal courts.
Steve has handled a wide array of construction cases, including construction defect, accidents/injuries, disputes, delays, standard of care, product failure and contractor performance. He has knowledge of codes and standards used in construction and industrial settings, including building codes and safety codes. He is an expert in investigating and opining on New York State Labor Law cases (§200, §240(1) and §241(6)) involving falls, electrical shock, and other construction/industrial related accidents, including evaluation and analysis of the New York State “Industrial Code Rule 23”. He has provided safety engineering consulting, and expert services to manufacturers, construction companies and retailers.
Steve is well-versed in material failure analysis of various products, involving electro/mechanical systems and parts, HVAC/Plumbing products, construction products, electrical appliances and other retail products. He also operates a full-service ISO 17025 accredited materials and chemical testing laboratory with the latest equipment for scientific testing of products, materials and systems.
Steve has a strong background in fire science and investigation, including fire scene analysis, explosion analysis, electrical fire analysis, fire protection engineering and origin and cause investigations of various products.
Karen Pietropaolo, MBA, President, LGI Forensic Engineering, P.C., and LGI Forensic Laboratories, Inc.
Karen Pietropaolo, MBA, has a Master’s Degree in Business Administration from the Hagan School of Business at Iona College, and a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Economics from the State University of New York at Oneonta.
She has over 30 years of business experience, focusing mainly on financial services and banking. She is President of LGI Forensic Engineering, an instrumental member of the management team and tasked with executing plans for the overall growth and success of the company. She is skilled in Business Planning, Marketing Strategy, Client Awareness, Operations Management, and Advertising.
She is also President of LGI Forensic Laboratories, Inc., a full-service, state-of-the art, ANAB Accredited forensic testing facility.
At LGI, Mrs. Pietropaolo focuses on all aspects of marketing for the firm, client relations, process improvement, project management, company strategy, finance, and budgeting.
Zoey Guzman, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of LGI Forensic Engineering, P.C., (LGI)
Ms. Guzman is a key member of the management team and is tasked with implementing policies and procedures in order to ensure ultimate efficiency. She is the leader of the administrative staff and works tirelessly to achieve efficiencies of scale. Her extensive experience and expertise have allowed her to implement innovative strategies and optimize our operational processes. She is credited with the extremely positive and team focused culture that overreaches to all departments in the home office. Her ability to lead and inspire her team fosters collaboration, accountability and continuous learning. Ms. Guzman’s tenure at LGI spans over two decades.
Patrick J. Vincent, SCLA, Director – Business Development & Marketing
Patrick J. Vincent, SCLA is the firm’s Director, Business Development and Marketing.
Mr. Vincent has a wealth of experience working as a marketing manager, ultimately obtaining the role of Director of Business Development at a nationwide forensic engineering firm. He is highly experienced in business development management with a diverse background in the insurance, legal and construction industries. He is extremely skilled in creating strong client relationships and leveraging those relationships to drive new business and revenue. Along with his new business and marketing skills he is part of the leadership team, driving the direction and success of the firm into the new decade.
Lance Wilson, Ph.D., CFEI, Director – Forensic Science & Technology
Lance Wilson, Ph.D., has a Ph.D., in Chemistry from North Carolina State University and a BS in Chemical Engineering from New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology. Dr. Wilson is an experienced scientist versed in advanced materials and intricate problem solving. He has a wealth of metallurgical experience and is proficient with the following instruments: Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (EDS), microhardness testers, optical microscopes, Keyence 3-D Digital Microscopy, and the like. He is well versed in failure analysis and problem solving; from small molecule synthesis to engineering macro materials and their properties.