Chiho H. Lai

Controller

Mr. Lai joined McHale & Associates, Inc. in 2010 and is Controller at McHale. As the Controller, he manages the accounting, finance, IT and administrative groups and provides operational leadership across the company as well as project support for various clients.

Mr. Lai first joined McHale as a Project Accountant focusing on job cost accounting and ensuring efficient and high-value deliverables for a wide portfolio of global clients. In his current role as Controller, he uses that same client-focused perspective to create internal processes, system enhancements, and staff development solutions that benefit both McHale and our customers. As Controller, Mr. Lai oversees all of the operational functions of accounting and finance, including compliance, cash management, financial forecasting, and client, banking, and vendor relationships.

Mr. Lai’s professional background includes an emphasis on internal controls, database, and ERP implementation and configuration, custom report development, job cost accounting, sales and use tax multi-state compliance, and organizational management. Prior to joining McHale, Mr. Lai worked as a full-charge accountant in the nonprofit sector.

Mr. Lai has a Bachelor’s from Western Washington University and a Master’s of Business Administration from the University of North Alabama.

Maureen J. Volz

Vice President of Finance

Ms. Volz joined McHale & Associates, Inc. in 2002 and is Vice President of Finance and Administration at McHale. In this position, Ms. Volz is responsible for the overall financial strategy and direction at McHale, as well as human resources. Within finance, she guides the controller, accounting, payroll, tax, and internal audit functions to pursue the company’s aggressive growth strategy and meet its clients’ and owners’ expectations.

With over 30 years of accounting and management experience, Ms. Volz has extensive experience in global, federal, and state registration and taxation, strategic accounting, budgeting & modeling, tax, risk management, and insurance, as well as HR and Administrative core corporate development. Her emphasis is a collaboration with the executive team and across the company to ensure quality and accuracy in all aspects of company financial information to ensure high levels of internal controls.

Her prior background and experience in the development of strategic new edge accounting internet multi-state revenue recognition and administrative policies for Spectrum Wireless, Inc., a global wireless company and Links. Time internet booking company startup. During this period, she was part of a selective core client resource team at KPMG to provide insight and contribute to developing accounting standards for internet revenue recognition guidelines.

Having attended the University of Washington, Seattle, WA majoring in Accounting, Ms. Volz also completed the University of Washington Business School Executive Management Program in 2001. 

 Ms. Volz has been a board member of the American Society of Women Accountants since 2008, serving as president of the Bellevue Chapter from 2010-2011.

Karsten M. Kopperstad

Performance Engineer

Mr. Karsten Mikal Kopperstad received his Bachelors of Science degree in mechanical engineering at the University of Stavanger in Stavanger, Norway. During his time at University of Stavanger, Karsten partook in a student organized research and development organization where he, along with a team of multidisciplinary engineering students. Here the organization designed and manufactured a remotely operated underwater vehicle wherein

Karsten lead the efforts of the design and manufacture of the thruster system for the vehicle. Upon completion of his BSc, Karsten attended the FAMU-FSU College of Engineering where he pursued a Master’s of Science degree in mechanical. Here, under the guidance of Dr. Koroush Shoele and Dr. Rajan Kumar, Karsten worked as a graduate research assistant at the Florida Center for advanced Areo Propulsion facility located in Tallahassee, Florida. Here his topics of research included experimental and computational fluid mechanics fluid structure interaction, and renewable energy. During his pursuit for his master’s, Karsten is conducted research of the aerodynamic properties found in the wake regime behind a floating wind turbine and has published works within the field.

Currently Karsten works for McHale & Associates, Inc. where he is applying his extensive thermo- and fluid dynamic educational and research background into power plant performance testing.

Brody Q. Weber, P.E.

Principal Performance Engineer

Mr. Weber is an expert in performance testing and the thermal design and optimization of power plants with over sixteen (16) years of experience. As a Principal Engineer, he is responsible for the design and conduct of performance tests at fossil and renewable power plants, as well as consulting services related to the thermal design and optimization of power plants.

Mr. Weber has been responsible for working closely with clients, including extended travel to client’s over-seas offices, to develop techno-economic optimization and selection analyses related to a variety of power and petrochemical applications. Included in Mr. Weber’s competencies are thermal performance of fossil and renewable projects, performance testing, EPC performance guarantees, performance optimization, heat balance developments, system design specifications, purchase specifications, bid evaluations for major equipment, and project design support.

Mr. Weber graduated from the Georgia Institute of Technology with a Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering and is a Licensed Professional Engineer in the state of Missouri and in the State of California. He is a member of ASME PTC 6 and is fluent in English, Spanish, and conversational in French.

Melissa Hardy

Administrative Technical Writer

Ms. Hardy is an Administrative Technical Writer with McHale’s Environmental Services with over twelve (12) years’ experience in the environmental testing industry. As part of McHale’s Environmental Services team, Ms. Hardy compiles the field data and prepares the test reports, providing an initial thorough review and ensuring compliance with local, state, and federal compliance and safety regulations. 

Prior to joining McHale, Ms. Hardy was a Quality Assurance Manager, where she managed and oversaw quality assurance for all client data and reporting. Her ability to problem-solve and attention to detail has enabled her growth in the industry, giving her the opportunity to demonstrate her knowledge and dedication to a positive client experience.

Jesse K. Easterling, P.E., QSTI

Environmental Services Technical Supervisor

Mr. Easterling is a technical supervisor with McHale’s Environmental Services with over 17 years of experience in stack testing, environmental permitting, engineering consulting, and quantitative laboratory and field analysis. Mr. Easterling brings a broad understanding of environmental engineering and application to the industry and society in general, as well as practical experience in delivering high-quality, high-performance emissions testing programs to McHale’s Knoxville, TN-based field services group.

Prior to joining McHale, Mr. Easterling was a project manager for AECOM (formerly URS) and later Civil and Environmental Consultant (CEC) where he managed emissions and other testing projects and developed practices and operating systems for developing technologies in FTIR, mercury analysis, and other manual test methods as these were adapted to meet stricter regulatory requirements.

Mr. Easterling has served clients in a wide range of industries including metals recycling, chemical manufacturing, waste incineration, Portland cement, and a variety of power generation facilities including biomass boilers — at locations ranging from East Tennessee to South America and the Caribbean. Mr. Easterling is a member of the Air and Waste Management Association (A&WMA), the Source Evaluation Society (SES), and the National Society of Professional Engineers (NSPE). Mr. Easterling graduated from Tennessee Technological University with a Bachelor of Science in chemical engineering and has maintained a professional engineering license in Tennessee since 2012.

Lee Kirkpatrick, PMP

Project Manager

Mr. Kirkpatrick has had twenty-five years of combined experience in both the financial sector and construction industry.  During this time, he has managed multiple projects across both industries with budgets that have ranged from as small as $10,000 to as large as $1,000,000.  He also has extensive experience in each industry in business management and business development.

He will be managing both domestic and international projects of all sizes during his time with McHale.
Mr. Kirkpatrick joined McHale in 2022 and is currently expanding his experience to include project management in the power generation industry. He has a B.S. in Mathematics from East Tennessee State University.

Matt Gatian, QSTI

Senior Environmental Technician

Mr. Matt Gatian is a QSTI-Certified Senior Environmental Technician with over fifteen (15) years of knowledge in the industry. Mr. Gatian specializes in conducting EPA 40 CFR Part 60, Part 63, and Part 75 performance and compliance testing. He conducts regular testing for certification of new CEMS and ongoing certification of existing CEMS, leads a crew of technicians during complex isokinetic and gaseous sampling projects, provides onsite diagnostic testing utilizing US EPA methodology, and is adept at identifying and resolving unexpected sampling issues.

Mr. Gatian executes air compliance test program audits and on-site diagnostics testing utilizing EPA test methodology and manages individual test program operations of the specified equipment required for EPA methods in various industries. Mr. Gatian has been instrumental in providing technical leadership and clear presentation of results to clients and facilitating communication between regulators, clients, and technical staff in the planning of complex, multi-phase test programs. He also trains and mentors new technicians in safety, current methodology, and equipment use/repairs.

Mr. Gatian graduated from Fairfield Christian Academy in Lancaster, Ohio and in addition to obtaining his Certificate in PEC Safety, is also Process Safety Trained for Utility and Steam Generation Operations, Paper and Pulp Mill Operations, and Chemical Manufacturing Facilities.

Mark A. Smith, P.E.

Principal Performance Engineer

Mr. Mark Smith has over 41 years of experience in the electric power industry, specializing in the evaluation and optimization of electric generating plant performance.  He currently serves as a consultant engineer for McHale & Associates.  Mr. Smith’s areas of expertise include technical analysis, and evaluation of combustion turbine, combined cycle, fossil-fueled, and nuclear-powered steam turbine electric generating plant performance.  As well as general combustion, low NOx burner, and selective catalytic NOx reduction system tuning along with field construction engineering support and management.

 Mr. Smith has performed numerous performance tests and evaluations at electric generating plant sites as an employee for Southern Company, Entergy, Gulf States Utilities, and Florida Power & Light.  Implementation of his recommendations has resulted in significant improvements in unit performance for all these companies.  While employed with Foster Wheeler his responsibilities include combustion tuning and installation of Low NOx Burner systems.  He was also responsible for general field service support of all other FW-designed equipment (boilers, mills, heaters, pumps, etc.) plus new unit startup and commissioning.

Special Job Interests and Skills include a detailed understanding of steam and combustion turbine performance, plant and dispatch system operations for performance, application of test quality data acquisition systems and instrumentation, root cause failure analysis, plus statistical analysis of test data along with measurement uncertainty analysis of results and Total Quality Management applications.

Mr. Smith received his Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering from LeTorneau University in Longview, Texas. He is a licensed Engineer in the state of Texas since 1985, an active member of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME), and a past member of ASME Performance Test Code Development Committee 46 – Overall Plant Performance.

Hal M. Stephens, P.E.

Senior Consulting Engineer

Mr. Hal Stephens is a Licensed Engineer with 40 years of experience in performance engineering with a central office test group in power generation. Over his career, he has worked in the areas of testing, operation, maintenance, safety, environmental programs, engineering, and management, and has worked on complex issues individually and as a team member to identify opportunities, evaluate solution alternatives, and implement solutions in a cost-effective, timely, safe, and environmentally responsible manner on projects locations both national and international.

As a Mechanical Engineer, Mr. Stephens has an extensive working background in plant equipment testing utilizing ASME PTC test methods and applications of other standards including ASTM, HEI, and AMCA. His equipment analysis areas include dynamic, hydraulic, electrical, control, pressure, combustion, heat recovery, noise, and environmental equipment. This includes systems failure analysis through the use of structure problem resolution processes utilizing advanced failure analysis tools including process control, fault trees, Weibull, FMEA, and EMEA. Other experience includes statistical solid fuel measurement and sampling analysis and methods.

Mr. Stephens received his Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering from Tennessee Technological University in Cookeville, Tennessee. He is an active member of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) and a Licensed Engineer in the state of Tennessee since 1984.

John H. Bannen, P.E.

Principal Performance Engineer

Mr. John Bannen possesses over twenty (20) years of utility, industrial, commercial power, and heating project experience. In addition to his experience with capital equipment proposals and writing equipment specifications, Mr. Bannen also has an extensive working knowledge of analysis tools, lab testing, and field startup / troubleshooting. He is accomplished in customer, client, and public sector interactions and relationships and consistently produces results across a broad spectrum of assignments and challenges. Among his many accomplishments, Mr. Bannen has been a key contributor to increasing a power boiler retrofit business from $25M to $150M.

As a Principal Engineer for McHale, Mr. Bannen currently supports a Site Lead role for time-sensitive testing projects – primarily combined cycle projects, which entails significant client interaction activity. Mr. Bannen performs mathematical modeling, procedure development, and reporting, and provides supervision and mentoring to as many as eight (8) engineers.

Mr. Bannen graduated from the University of Main with a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering. He is a registered Professional Licensed Engineer in the state of New Hampshire.

Charlie Garner, QSTI

Senior Environmental Lead

Mr. Charlie Garner is a Senior Environmental Test Lead with extensive Project Manager experience in all aspects of managing on-site air compliance testing. Mr. Garner has provided project management oversight during the execution of air compliance test programs and has served as a liaison between the client, testing crews, and regulatory agencies for several projects.

His thorough understanding of CFR Part 60, Methods 1-30b, and Part 75; as well as Continuous Emissions Monitoring Systems (CEMS) and Relative Accuracy Test Audits (RATA) has been instrumental in successfully executing these tests in various power stations, refineries, manufacturing, mining facilities, and for the pulp and paper industry internationally.

G. Iulian Duma, QSTI

Environmental Technician

Mr. Iulian Duma is a QSTI-certified Environmental Testing professional with over ten (10) years of experience in stack testing/air pollution measuring. Mr. Duma combines deep industry knowledge with experience in project management, leadership, and communication with team members, regulators, and clients across the United States, Central America, Europe, and Asia. His expertise as a Qualified Source Test Individual (QSTI) includes, but is not limited to, Groups 1 through 4, Visible Emission (VE) Testing, Particulate Matter Testing, Stack Gas Velocity and Flow Rate Measurements, and safe testing for emissions of hazardous metals.

His knowledge as an Environmental Engineer and Project Manager have been instrumental in managing testing crews, communicating with clients, and acting as a liaison between the EPA regulators, testing crew, and clients’ representatives.

Mr. Duma graduated with a Master’s Degree in Public Relations in Marketing from the Academy of Economical Studies in Bucharest, Romania, and a Bachelor’s Degree in Economical Engineering in the Mechanical Field from the Technical University of Cluj-Napoca, Romania.

Susan B. Eisenstadt, P.E.

Project Manager

Ms. Eisenstadt has over 30 years’ experience as a Project Manager and Engineer. In 2013, Ms. Eisenstadt joined McHale expanding her experience to metrology, which is the instrumentation for physical measurements such as pressure and temperature that are needed for thermodynamic modeling. McHale’s Engineering personnel install the temporary instrumentation for highest quality, pedigreed data ultimately used to calculate heat and mass transfer occurring in process systems,

primarily in power plants where performance testing is needed for environmental regulations, modeling, and predicting dispatched plant performance in terms of capacity, efficiency, and CO2 credits. She has managed complex, multi-year, international projects involving Power Plant Performance Testing and Engineering Consultation Services. Ms. Eisenstadt has managed over 100 projects for McHale with revenues ranging from $2,000 to $1.5 million, and average size about $75,000. She is typically responsible for about $2.5 million in project backlog and about $1 million in high probability opportunities. Most projects are in the private sector although some are for government entities. About one-half of the projects are outside the US in locations such as Morocco, Cambodia, Argentina, India, Mexico, Canada, and others. 

Prior to joining McHale, she was with Bechtel Environmental, Inc. in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, Galbraith Analytical Laboratories, Inc. in Knoxville, Tennessee, and Professional Project Services, Inc. (Pro2Serve) in Oak Ridge, Tennessee. She has a B.S. in Chemical Engineering and M.S. In Environmental Engineering both from the University of Tennessee and an active P.E registration in the State of Tennessee.  

Ashley H. Maveety, P.E.

Project Manager

Ms. Maveety began her career with McHale & Associates, Inc. in 2006 as an Assistant Performance Engineer, gaining experience in the power industry initially with gas turbine emissions tuning and performance testing projects and later with combined cycle and various component performance testing projects. 

As a Project Manager, she now coordinates thermal performance and emissions testing scopes for simple cycle, combined cycle, and fossil applications worldwide. 

Ms. Maveety graduated from Clemson University with a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering in 2004. She earned her Masters of Science in Environmental Engineering & Science, also from Clemson University, in 2006. Ms. Maveety is a Licensed Professional Engineer in the State of North Carolina.

Shawn M. Goedeke, Ph.D.

Principal Performance Engineer &
CTI Program Manager

Dr. Goedeke has experience extending from Research & Development to Power Plant Performance and Maintenance. His performance testing experience includes Gas Turbine Generators, Heat Recovery Steam Generators, Boilers, Air Heaters, Cooling Towers and Solar Energy.

Dr. Goedeke is the Cooling Tower (CTI) Program Manager with McHale & Associates, Inc. and is responsible for business development, operations, and technical leadership of the CTI Testing Program.

Prior to working at McHale, Dr. Goedeke has done research into microelectromechanical (MEM) sensors and non-contact thermometry, at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL). Research topics have also included triboluminescent materials for impact sensors. He has also worked with a team at the University of Louisiana, Lafayette to develop non-burning tracers for the US Army.

Dr. Goedeke received his Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering, at Tennessee Technological University in December 2002 while serving as a research associate for the Electric Power Center from 1996 to 2002 and as a Research Intern at ORNL from 2000 to 2002.

Jessica N. Drinnon

Measurement Services Manager

Ms. Drinnon is McHale’s Measurement Services Manager. She possesses over fifteen (15) years of Quality Management System experience in calibration laboratory and manufacturing settings. She has experience calibrating a wide variety of instruments for a multitude of industries including manufacturing, pharmaceutical, medical, transportation, utilities, environmental, power generation, food & beverage, research and development, and construction.

Her calibration expertise encompasses dimensional, thermodynamic, electrical, mechanical, and mass disciplines. In addition, she is familiar with several international, regulatory, and industry standards such as ISO/IEC 17025, ISO 9001, and CLIA.

Ms. Drinnon plays a key role in improving laboratory processes and procedures, implementing new calibration capabilities, and training laboratory personnel. With her knowledge of the ISO/IEC 17025 Standard for Testing and Calibration Laboratories, she successfully guided the Measurement Services team through the process of initial accreditation for calibration activities and continues to lead the effort to maintain and add to the Scope of Accreditation. She is responsible for ensuring our customers’ calibration needs are met, providing technical expertise to customers and laboratory personnel, encouraging an environment of continuous improvement and growth, and maintaining the quality system in compliance with ISO/IEC 17025.

Michael P. McHale

President

Mr. McHale founded McHale & Associates, Inc. in 1995. He has over 35 years of experience in performance testing, thermal analysis and instrumentation and has developed thermal test monitoring and analysis software including programs for conducting performance tests of power plants, long term plant performance monitoring, plant economic 

optimization, thermal vacuum tests of space vehicles, thermal control systems, and aircraft electronics testing. Analysis includes development of performance test models, thermo-economic optimizers, as well as finite difference and finite element heat transfer and fluid flow numerical simulations. Instrumentation and control system experience includes specification and review of pressure, thermal, and flow transducers for various projects.

Mr. McHale is a member and former Chair of the ASME Performance Test Codes Standards Committee, Chair of PTC 1 General Instructions, a member of ASME PTC 4.4 Gas Turbine Heat Recovery Steam Generators, a member of ASME PTC 46 Overall Plant Performance, a former member of ASME MFC Measurement of Fluid Flow in Closed Conduits, and the founding Chair and current member of ASME PTC 6.2 Steam Turbines in Combined Cycles.  Mr. McHale has a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Washington where he graduated Suma Cum Laude.  Mr. McHale is the 2018 recipient of the ASME Performance Test Codes Medal.

Dr. Thomas Keith Kirkpatrick, Ph.D.

Senior Vice President of Operations

Dr. Kirkpatrick currently serves as the Senior Vice President of McHale & Associates, Inc. and is responsible for the overall operations management. Dr. Kirkpatrick is a 26-year practitioner of engineering focused in the area of thermal performance testing, improvement, monitoring, and consulting within the power industry. Dr. Kirkpatrick received the PhD. in Mechanical Engineering, Tennessee Technological University in May 1999 while serving as a research 

engineer in the area of thermal performance for the Electric Power Center from 1995 to 1999. In 1999, he became a member of Environmental Systems Corporation, Power Generation Technologies (PGT) Division, where in 2004, left the position as Technical Manger II of the Advanced Thermal Performance Group to join McHale & Associates, Inc.

Dr. Kirkpatrick is a 28-year member of ASME and serves on the ASME Performance Test Codes Standards Committee. He is the Vice Chair of the PTC Standards Committee; a member of PTC 1 General Instructions; the former Chair of ASME PTC 46 Overall Plant Performance; the founding Chair and current member of ASME PTC 51 Gas Turbine Inlet Air-Conditioning Equipment; a founding and current member of ASME PTC 6.2 Steam Turbines in Combined Cycles; a founding and current member of ASME RAP/PTC SC Heat Rate; a contributing member of ASME PTC DVR Control and Quality Improvement of Process Data; a contributing member of ASME PTC 19.5 Flow Measurement; a member of ASME PTC 6 Steam Turbines; as well as a contributing member of ASME PTC 52 Concentrating Solar Power Plants. Dr. Kirkpatrick is the 2017 recipient of the ASME Performance Test Codes Medal.

Wilson G. Davis, P.E.,

Director of Operations

Mr. Davis is a results-driven problem solver with over eighteen years of experience in power plant thermal performance testing. He began his career as a field performance test engineer and after years of success in meeting client technical needs, has expanded to include client commercial needs as well. Mr. Davis currently supervises a group of skilled proposal and project managers who are adept at matching project scope with McHale technical talent and instrumentation to meet the project requirements.

Mr. Davis is responsible for all Operations and Commercial aspects of the Testing Services Division of McHale and is involved with proposal management, project management, and as-needed engineering efforts as well. He has contributed to the development and standardization of communication methods and lines within McHale to better meet project goals and to provide customers with consistent quality and approach.  

Mr. Davis has a Master of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering from Tennessee Technological University as part of his technical background and is a Licensed Professional Engineer in Tennessee.

Wesley M. Newland

Director of Engineering and Testing Services

Mr. Newland is McHale’s Director of Engineering and Testing Services and has over twenty years’ experience in thermodynamic analysis, testing and monitoring.  Mr. Newland is responsible for the development, implementation, and execution of McHale’s analysis and testing program.  He ensures  that all performance related documents and tools (test procedures, data analysis models, thermal models, reports, etc.), are produced in compliance with the respective ASME Performance Test Codes or other applicable industry standards and good industry practices

He has valuable experience with design and development of thermal test monitoring and analysis systems, computerized analysis of power plants and other complex thermo-mechanical systems.  His testing experience includes gas turbine, steam turbine, boilers, combined cycle, nuclear, geothermal, and biomass facilities ranging from 15 MW to over 2,000 MW.  Mr. Newland serves supports a variety of ASME Performance Test Code activities including as a member of ASME PTC 51.

Mr. Newland graduated from Tennessee Technological University with a Master of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering with an emphasis on heat transfer, thermodynamics, and fluid flow and has completed his comprehensive exams and coursework in 2001 toward a Doctorate in Mechanical Engineering.  

Joseph M. McHale, P.E.

Director of Environmental Measurement Services

As Director of Environmental Measurement Services, primary responsibilities include planning, organizing and controlling the measurement services department to and ensuring the professional development, training, and work efficiency of personnel while maintaining the quality of deliverables.  

Mr. McHale has over sixteen (16) years of experience in the power industry primarily focused on the performance evaluations of power plants.  Mr. McHale’s possesses experience in the planning, conductance, analysis and reporting with testing requirements for a variety of power cycles including renewables (solar, geothermal, and biomass) as well as experience with fossil fuels (coal and biomass fired boilers, and natural gas and liquid fuel fired simple and combined cycle power plants).  Mr. McHale’s experience is in the implementation of thermal performance monitoring systems, interfacing with PI historian systems to provide in order to calculate and report real-time precision measurement systems, performance monitoring, as well as in conducting power plant thermal performance and emissions compliance tuning.

Mr. McHale acts as the Department Head, Project Manager and Technical Lead on projects, overseeing the successful delivery of project deliverables and ensuring technically accurate products meeting the budget, scope and goals of the project.