Matthews Design Group Forensic Engineering division is dedicated to Professional Claims Support, andoffers comprehensive consulting services to the property and casualty insurance industry including adjusters, risk managers, litigation, government and private clients.

Home based in historic St. Augustine, Florida, Matthews Design Group, Inc. (MDG) provides multi-disciplinary design and consulting engineering services to clients in Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, and Alabama.  With seven degreed engineers, MDG has over 100 years of collective engineering experience, enabling it to respond actively to the changing environments and to the changing needs of its clients.  The basic philosophy of the company is to produce quality work, on time and within budget, and is exemplified in its mission statement:

 Our Mission and Commitment

To provide excellence in engineering design and customer service to our clients in a timely and cost effective manner.

To promote engineering designs that protects our natural resources and minimizes environmental impact. 

To be a contributing and responsible member of our community. 

To foster employee development in an atmosphere based on teamwork, trust, andfamily values.

The success of this approach is confirmed by the firm's rapidly growing list of successful projects, satisfied clients, and a corresponding high occurrence of repeat and referral business that has made Matthews Design the "firm of choice".  

While MDG has specialized in commercial and residential development planning, design, and construction, its engineers hold degrees in civil, mechanical, environmental, industrial, and agricultural engineering with additional extensive experience in heavy industrial machinery and processes, and environmental investigation and remediation.

MDG has established its forensic engineering division to provide Insurance Companies with a means to professionally handle their claim and Investigative Services needs with the production of a brief, concise, easy-to-read report delivered on schedule and in a cost-effective manner.

MDG has earned a solid reputation for delivering innovative engineering solutions, accurately, on schedule, and within budget.   Our clients can be assured of quality, functionality, efficiency and economy as the keystones of each project.

Our firm prides itself in perfecting the team approach, and utilizing the strength of the individual team member's skills and experience to solve problems in a creative and cost effective manner.

RESUMES OF PROFESSIONAL ENGINEERS / KEY CONTACTS

George E. Connaughton, P.E.  

Experience: 

Education: 

• B.S. Mechanical Engineering –North Carolina State University
• Licensed Professional Engineer (PE): Florida, Georgia
• Certified in Fire Investigation by Peter Vallas Associates, Inc.
• Past National Chairman, Society for Maintenance and Reliability Professionals  

Professional Affiliations: 

• Jacksonville Claims Association
• Florida Engineering Society
• National Society of Professional Engineers
• American Society of Mechanical Engineers
• Society for Maintenance and Reliability Professionals (National Chairman, 2000)
• Past Member Georgia DOL Boiler and Pressure Vessel Advisory Committee 

Publications:

American Institute of Chemical Engineers:

• Failure Analysis of High Pressure Steam Line Rupture
• Failure Analysis of Secondary Reformer Support Dome Collapse
• Failure Analysis of High Pressure Steam Line Header Cracking

Rob A. Matthews, P.E.   

Experience: 

Mr. Matthews has over twelve (12) years experience as an engineer with a particular focus on construction and civil site design.  His work experience includes all aspects of road and traffic design, drainage modeling, water mitigation, and civil construction.  He has experience testifying at depositions, and is certified in Fire Investigation by Peter Vallas Associates, Inc.  Mr. Matthews has performed many site assessments to evaluate trip and fall hazards and many other potential maintenance and liability issues.   As the founder of Matthews Design Group, Mr. Matthews has extensive experience in all phases of commercial and residential civil site design and construction, land development engineering, and environmental and regulatory permitting.  This experience also includes roadways, intersection design, traffic accident analysis, traffic signal warrant studies, traffic pattern studies, water retention facilities, pumping stations, stormwater systems, and foundation analysis.  He has special expertise in designing civil engineering infrastructure and stormwater mitigation facilities, as well as environmental impact studies and mitigation.  He has managed projects in North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Ohio, Texas, Indiana, and Illinois.   In addition to his civil engineering and construction experience, Mr. Matthews has significant experience reviewing boating and marine related incidences.  These include sinkings, salvage operations, fires, and mechanical failures.  Having worked in various aspects of the marine industry for many years and spending most of his life around boats and on the water, Mr. Matthews has thorough knowledge of the manufacture and use of both recreational and commercial vessels.  Mr. Matthews is also a PADI Open Water Scuba Instructor. 

Education: 

• B.S. Civil Engineering - Clemson University
• M.S.Civil Engineering – Clemson University
• Licensed Professional Engineer (PE): Florida, South Carolina
• Certified in Fire Investigation by Peter Vallas Associates, Inc.
• PADI Open Water Scuba Instructor 

Professional Affiliations: 

• Jacksonville Claims Association
• Florida Engineering Society
• National Society of Professional Engineers
• American Society of Civil Engineers
• Urban Land Institute 

Organizations:

• ARC of the St. Johns – Director
• St. Johns County Economic Development Council

Matthews Design Group, Inc.