Dufour, Laskay, & Strouse, Inc. - Worldwide Marine Appraisers, Surveyors, & Consultants

Norman J. Dufour, Jr. - President

Areas of Expertise:
• Commercial Marine Vessels
• Fleet Appraisals
• Marine Safety

Education:
• United States Coast Guard Academy Graduate
• Naval Damage Control School
• USCG Merchant Marine Safety School
• EMD Engine School
• Marine Gear Design & Application

Memberships / Professional Certification:
• NAMS
• Certified Marine Surveyor
• National President 1996-1997
• National Vice-President 1994-1995
• Regional Vice-President East Gulf Region 1988-1991

• ASA
• Accredited Senior Appraiser
• Local Chapter President/Vice-President 1991-1994 and 2009-2010

MRICS
• Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors, Accredited member

Background:
Mr. Dufour joined Stickney Marine Surveying, Inc. in 1977, and was promoted to Vice-President of Operations in 1978. In 1988, he assumed the duties of President.

Mr. Dufour has surveyed all types of commercial marine vessels, including ships, tugs, towboats, crewboats, supply vessels, barges, derricks, dredges, and lift vessels, including their machinery. He is qualified in various State and Federal Courts in marine surveying, safety, engineering, and appraisal.

Norman F. Laskay - Of Counsel

Areas of Expertise:
• Commercial Marine Appraisal
• Hull Damage and Repair
• Cargo Loading, Securing and Trip in Tow Preparation

Education:
• Maine Maritime Academy Graduate
    • B.S. in Marine Transportation
• Continuing education credits in Law, Appraisal, Marine Survey, and Diesel Repair.

Professional Certification/Memberships:
• NAMS Regional Board of Directors Member 1989-1994
• American Society of Appraisers - Chapter Treasurer 1991-1994
• American Society of Appraisers - Chapter President 1994-1995
• Mark Twain Club (Charter Member)
• Machinery and Technical Specialties International Committee 1995-2007

Publications
• The Journal of the International Machinery & Technical Specialties Committee of the American Society of Appraisers "TUGBOAT DESIGN 101" Vol 13 No. 2 Fall 1996
• The Journal of the International Machinery & Technical Specialties Committee of the American Society of Appraisers "KEEPING AN EYE ON YOUR MARINE ASSET" Vol 13 No. 3 Winter 1996
• Marine Money, The Ship Finance Publication of Record "ASSET BASED APPRAISAL:, Vol. 21, No. 3, May/June 2006 Wrote the chapter on Marine Asset Appraisal for the American Society of Appraisers text book: "VALUING MACHINERY AND EQUIPMENT: THE FUNDAMENTALS OF APPRAISING MACHINERY AND TECHNICAL ASSETS" Second Edition. In 2008, revised the chapter for the future Third Edition and wrote an accompanying Work Book section.

Background:
Mr. Laskay joined Stickney, Dufour & Associates, Inc. in 1988 as a partner. He is now of Counsel. He became a Marine Surveyor in 1974, having gained prior experience in steamship agency, bulk cargo handling and vessel operations. He has been involved in many aspects of marine surveying including hull, machinery and cargo, both inland and ocean. Since becoming an Accredited Senior Appraiser of commercial marine equipment, he has been active with the American Society of Appraisers' International Machinery and Technical Specialties Committee. He has written a comprehensive exam for the Commercial Marine Appraisal specialty and has written a 30-hour course for the American Society of Appraisers on appraising commercial marine vessels and yachts and is the lead instructor.

Capt. Larry E. Strouse - Of Councel

Areas of Expertise:
• Vessel Operations
• Navigation and Safety Expert Witness
• Gaming Vessel Appraisal
• Commercial Vessel Appraisal
• Machinery & Equipment Appraisal
• Specialized Cargo
• Yacht Appraisal

Education:
• Louisiana State University (1963-1965)
• ASA Appraisal Courses
• Educational Seminars
• USMC Basic Training, Combat Training, Aircraft Mechanic School, Embarkation School

Memberships / Professional Certification:
• Annually comply with Continuing Education Requirements
• National Association of Marine Surveyors Certified Marine Surveyor
• American Society of Appraisers - Accredited Senior Member
• The Marine Surveyors Guild (President - 1993-1996)
• American Boat and Yacht Council
• NAMS East Gulf Regional Vice President 1993-1995
• USCG Licensed Master Unlimited

Background:
Capt. Strouse joined Dufour, Laskay & Strouse, Inc. in 1997 as Vice-President. Having 40 plus years in the marine industry, Capt. Strouse has developed a wealth of experience and knowledge in all facets of marine surveying, appraisal, and vessel operation with the ability to serve a wide array of clientele.

Capt. Strouse also maintains an unlimited masters and pilot license with various endorsements of routes and waters of navigation. Capt. Strouse has been qualified as an expert in Vessel Operations, Vessel Safety, Shipyard Operations, Vessel Value, Personal Watercraft and Yacht Operation/ Safety. Also Capt. Strouse Testimony has been positively recognized in Federal Appellate Court.

Paul F. Deister - Marine Surveyor

Areas of Expertise:
• Hull Damage
• Machinery Damage - Including EMD Turbocharger Failure Analysis
• Commercial Vessel Valuation
• Marine Fleeting Operations
• Expert Witness Testimony - State and Federal Courts

Education:
• New York Maritime - Fort Schuyler
• B.S. in Meteorology and Oceanography

Memberships / Professional Certification:
• NAMS - CMS
• Detroit Diesel School - George Engine Company
• 24-Hour Hazwoper
• NDT School
• NACE Corrosion School
• American Society of Appraisers – Senior Accredited Appraiser

Background:
Mr. Deister is a 1975 graduate of the State University of New York Maritime College at Fort Schuyler. Mr. Deister holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Meteorology and Oceanography and also holds a U.S. Coast Guard Merchant Mariner's License as Third Mate.

Mr. Deister also has Hull and P & I marine insurance underwriting experience with the Marine Office of America Corporation in New Orleans, Louisiana. He also has experience in the operation of an inland towboat and fleeting operation as general manager.

Mr. Deister also has extensive training and experience with marine diesel engine and reduction gear failures. He brings with us thirty years of marine surveying experience in hull, machinery, salvage, dock damages, trip surveys, and marine appraisals. Mr. Deister is certificated in vapor recovery and HAZWOPER.

He has also testified in both State and Federal court as an expert witness in marine surveying.

Mr. Deister is a member of NAMS and is an ASA senior appraiser.

Arnold N. Lachmann - Marine Surveyor

Areas of Expertise:
• Shipyard Project Management
• Hull and Damage Repair
• Repair Estimation

Education:
• Delgado Jr. College - New Orleans, LA
• Continuing education credits in Strength in Materials

Professional Certification/Memberships:
• American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) Coating Evaluation course
• NAMS-CMS

Background:M
Mr. Lachmann joined DLS in 2006 and brings thirty-five years of marine experience. He is experienced in project management, hull and damage repair, steel structure evaluation, and coating evaluation.

Nicholas Paternostro - Louisiana

Areas of Expertise:
• Commercial Vessels
• Propulsion and Auxiliary Machinery
• Port State Control
• SOLAS, MARPOL, STCW, ILO, Loadline, Tonnage

Education:
• Shipboard Damage Control and Firefighting School - Land and Vessel based Engineer
• ISPS Security Course
• Caterpillar 3400 Series Services School
• Caterpillar Failure Analysis I
• International Ship and Port Security Course

Memberships / Professional Certification:
• NAMS-CMS

Background:
Mr. Paternostro joined the firm in 2006, after serving in the U.S. Coast Guard as a Vessel Inspector. His surveying experience includes hull and machinery damages and repair, load/secure/trip surveys, salvage, general condition, and on/off charter surveys. He is also in the process of being trained as a marine appraiser and is a candidate member of the American Society of Appraisers.

Ryan T. Armida - Louisiana

Areas of Expertise:
• Hull and Machinery

Education:
• B.S. in International Maritime Business - Massachusetts Maritime Academy

Background:
Mr. Armida graduated from Massachusetts Maritime Academy and received a Bachelor of Science degree in International Maritime Business. He joined DLS in 2008 as a hull and machinery surveyor and appraiser trainee. Mr. Armida currently performs hull surveys including condition/valuation, fair market value, general condition, and on/off charter surveys.

Gary L. Rankin - Marine Surveyor

Areas of Expertise:
• Hull and Machinery Damage
• Commercial and Recreational Vessel Condition and Valuations
• Trip-in-Tow
• Heavy Lift and Transportation Projects
• Expert Witness Testimony - Federal Court

Education:
• Various naval sponsored schools

Memberships / Professional Certification:
• NAMS-CMS

Background:
Mr. Rankin joined DLS in 2008 and brings thirty one years of marine experience. He is experienced in hull and machinery damage and repair, dock damages, salvage, trip-in-tow surveys, cranes, bridges, and marine appraisals. Mr. Rankin is retired from the U.S. Navy having spent the last seven years as a tug boat captain and operations manager.

Capt. Daniel F. MacKinnon - Marine Surveyor

Areas of Expertise:
• Pre-purchase condition inspection of vessels
• All types of P & I surveys, including personal injury, oil spills, safety, and dock damage
• Hull damage surveys
• Cargo damage surveys and claims
• Heavy lift cargo load and discharge surveys
• On/Off Hire Condition surveys
• Grounding surveys
• Cargo load-out and Trip-in-Tow surveys
• Expert Witness—State and Federal

Education:
• 1968, Graduate of Main Maritime Academy - Castine, Maine
• B.S. in Ocean Transportation

Professional Certification:
• Member of Council of American Master Mariners (CAMM)

Background:
Capt. MacKinnon is a 1968 graduate of Maine Maritime Academy at Castine, Maine. Capt. MacKinnon holds a U.S.C.G. Merchant Mariners license as "Master of Steam and Motor Vessels of Any Gross Tons Upon Oceans". He has 40 years of marine experience, including 13 years as a marine surveyor.

Ave P. Boudreaux

Areas of Expertise:
• Hull and Machinery

Education:
• Rolls-Royce Z-Drive Failure Analysis Seminar
• Flex-Core and Aluminum Welding Course
• Extensive training in engine, gear, and shaft alignment
• Extensive training in vessel repair and new construction

Background:
Mr. Boudreaux has 14 years experience with offshore supply vessels, crewboats, and anchor handling tugs. During this time, he served 7 years in vessel repair and new construction, 3 years in vessel operation and logistics, and 4 years as a vessel port captain.

Mr. Boudreaux served over 2 years as a marine surveyor performing numerous types of surveys in the marine industry prior to joining DLS.

J.F. "Scott" Phillips

Areas of Expertise:
• Loss of Hire Survey
• Hull Damage
• Trip and Tow Surveys
• Condition and valuation surveys
• Main and auxiliary engine damage claims
• On Hire Surveys
• Project Cargo loading and off loading
• Shipyard specifications

Education:
• Texas A&M University, College Station, TX
• BS Marine Engineering

Memberships / Professional Certification:
• Chief Engineer Unlimited HP MOTOR, 3RD A/E STEAM

Background:
Scott Phillips graduated from Texas A&M University with a Bachelor of Science degree. Upon graduation, Scott sailed as a Shipboard Engineer on U.S. deep sea/coastal vessels for Sunoil, Ingram Ocean, and Hvide Shipping, rising to Chief Engineer. In 2003, Mr. Phillips came ashore and worked as Chief Engineer on the Texas A&M University Training ship and taught engineering classes for 4 years.

Scott started his survey career in 2007 and joined DLS as a hull and machinery surveyor in 2008.

Kenneth Hendrix

Areas of Expertise:
• Hull and Machinery

Education:
• First Lieutenant/Shipboard Deck
• Department Head of Maintenance and Preservation
• Certified USCG Standard Boat Coxwain
• Certified USCG Standard Boat Engineer

Background:
Mr. Hendrix served 11 years in the United States Coast Guard. He separated from the service at the rank of First Class Boatswain's Mate. During this time, he served as first lieutenant aboard a 175‑foot buoy tender ship. This experience, along with many years maintaining and commanding search and rescue boats and conducting Homeland Security boardings aboard various types of ships, has given Mr. Hendrix an in-depth knowledge of the maritime environment and the construction and characteristics of container ships, tanker ships and barges, bulk cargo carriers, and large recreational sailing and motor vessels.

Bruce P. Taylor

Areas of Expertise:
• Commercial Marine Vessels
• Damage
• Repair Estimation
• Expert Witness in both Federal and State Courts
• Salvage

Education:
• Naval Damage Control School
• Naval Welding School
• Naval Small Engine Repair School

Memberships / Professional Certification:
• Completed Course for General Motors Detroit Diesel Engine School in Series 71's, 92's and 149's, and failure analysis, at Stewart & Stevenson facilities, Houston, Texas, 1985/1986.
• Completed courses of study in marine vessel accident reconstruction, 1986.
• United States Navy - E-5 Damage Control/Shipfitter, February 1969 to March 1973
• NAMS - CMS
• American Society of Appraisers – Senior Appraiser

Background:
Mr. Taylor joined Dufour, Laskay & Strouse, Inc. in 1994 as a marine surveyor qualified in all capacities encompassed by the firm: condition, valuation, damage, salvage, and machinery surveys of all commercial vessels, both inland and ocean-going. Additionally, his qualifications include docks and wharves, loadouts aboard barges for inland/ocean-going voyages.

Before coming on board at Dufour, Laskay & Strouse, Inc., Mr. Taylor was a marine surveyor for 14 years. Additionally trained in welding, cutting, ship repair, firefighting and salvage of all types of marine vessels, including diving techniques, emergency repairs and shipyard repairs.