Don Bender, P.E., Ph.D.

He is Director of the Wood Materials and Engineering Laboratory at Washington State University and Professor of Civil engineering. He has taught courses and conducted research on wood engineering for 20 years. He has researched the performance of glulam timbers and wood trusses, developed design methods for post-frame timber structures, and developed nondestructive evaluation techniques for wood materials. Don is a technical advisor to the American Institute of Timber Construction, the APA Engineered Wood Association and the National Frame Builders Association. He is a registered professional engineer and holds the Weyerhaeuser Distinguished Professorship at WSU.

Tom Skaggs , P.E., Ph.D.

He is a Senior Engineer in the Technical Services Division of APA - The Engineered Wood Association. During his 9 years at APA, he has been actively involved in the testing of engineered wood products, and evaluating the cyclic performance of shear walls. In addition to his testing experience, he has participated in the building code development process by serving on both ASCE 7 Committee, and the Wood Subcommittee of Building Seismic Safety Council, which writes the NEHRP Provisions. Prior to joining APA, Tom's Ph.D. research at Virginia Tech was in the area of metal plate connected wood trusses. Tom completed his B.S. and M.S. at Texas A&M University. Tom is a licensed Civil Engineer in Washington, and has written various journal articles and a chapter in the award winning APA Engineered Wood Handbook published by McGraw-Hill.

Frank Woeste, Ph.D., P.E.

Is Professor Emeritus at Virginia Tech and Adjunct Professor, Wood and Materials Engineering Lab, Washington State University. Since 1972, he has researched the design, installation, and performance of metal-plate-connected wood trusses and the engineering properties of lumber. A list of Frank's publications can be viewed at http://www.woodscience.vt.edu/resumes/woeste1101.pdf. His recent research has focused on the inspection and design of wood decks and balconies, and a Manual for the Inspection of Residential Wood Decks and Balconies is now available from the Forest Products Society (608-231-1361).