Staff bios

Lester Engel

Lester Engel founded the company and implemented the company's detailed, quality-focused testing and services. He continues to personally perform failure analysis on metals, cermets, plastics and other materials. He renders expert opinions, giving depositions and testimony for litigation support. Les helps manufacturers select materials and processes, develop product designs and other specifications.

Les also has experience as the chief metallurgist for Brown Boveri Turbomachinery and as a metallurgical engineer for the Aircraft Engine Group of General Electric, where he focused on material selections for hot aircraft and marine gas turbine components. His GE career began in Nuclear Systems Programs, where his work included serving as the principal investigator on three NASA programs.

Les earned his undergraduate and master of science degrees in Metallurgical Engineering from the University of Cincinnati.

His current professional designations include:

James Brusso

Jim Brusso brings keen expertise to Engel Metallurgical and its clients, performing failure analysis; rendering expert opinions, giving depositions and testimony for litigation support; assisting in materials and process development; and developing and reviewing products design, materials and process details. Jim oversees the technical operations of the laboratory as Engel Metallurgical's technical manager, and evaluates new testing opportunities and equipment to expand the lab's capabilities. He also serves as the company's quality manager.

Jim has worked with Engel Metallurgical since 2000. Prior to that, he held several positions with The Timken Company in Ohio, where his responsibilities included establishing the company's machinability testing laboratory, team leader for product development, managing the company's application metallurgical laboratory, and providing technical review of internal processing and testing standards to satisfy ISO 9000 / QS 9000 registration.

Jim earned his undergraduate degree, Master of Science and Ph.D., all in Metallurgical Engineering, from Michigan Technological University in Houghton.

He is a registered Professional Engineer (P.E.) in Minnesota and a member of ASM International, Failure Analysis Society, Heat Treat Society, International Metallographic Society, National Association Of Subrogation Professionals, and the American Foundry Society.