Walter Beach
National Board Consultant

After holding various industry and AIA positions spanning over 38 years, Mr. Beach became a National Board consultant in 2012. Primary duties include non-nuclear Code design, non-nuclear and nuclear QA, inspections, fabrication, project management, supervision, and NBIC repairs & alterations.

He has served as a committee member of ASME Subgroup on Containment Systems for Spent Fuel and High Level Waste Transport Packaging (SC III), Subgroup on Materials, Fabrication, and Examination (SC III), SWG Regulatory Interface, and Task group on Parts Fabrication Stamp. He has an extensive background in development of nuclear and non-nuclear QA/QC programs.

Mr. Beach holds a BS in Applied Science degree in Mechanical Engineering from Youngstown State University, is an ASME and NB Team Leader, and held National Board IS and AI Commissions with B, C, N, NS, and R Endorsements. 

AI, B/O, N, NS, and RTL Instructor--Email Now

Tom Beirne, P.E.
Senior Staff Engineer

Mr. Beirne joined the National Board in 2010 as a Senior Staff Engineer in the Pressure Relief Department.  Currently, he is the Technical Manager of the Pressure Relief Laboratory. Mr. Beirne also is an ASME Authorized Observer for the test lab.

Mr. Beirne’s career began as a Project Engineer responsible for system design at a compressor company. His experience also includes positions as a Design Engineer, QC Manager, and Chief Engineer for a pressure vessel manufacturer and working as an Authorized Inspector for an inspection agency.

He served for 11 years as secretary for the NBIC Subgroup and Subcommittee on Pressure Relief Devices and is chair of PTC-25 Pressure Relief Devices and chair of ASME Section XIII Subgroup testing. Mr. Beirne holds a BS in Mechanical Engineering from Villanova University and is a Professional Engineer in Ohio and Pennsylvania. He is also an ASME and NB Team Leader and holds National Board AI and IS Commissions with an R Endorsement. 

IS, N, and VR Instructor--Email Now

Tom Danielson
Senior Staff Engineer

Mr. Danielson joined the National Board in 2022 as a Senior Staff Engineer in the Training Department and currently has over 35 years of experience in the operation, maintenance, repair, and inspection of various boilers and other pressure-retaining items.

He began his career in the boiler industry as a Boiler Technician in the United States Navy. He received his National Board Commission in 1996 while employed with the State of Tennessee and after joining the State of Nevada in 2000, retired as Safety Supervisor in 2020. He then worked as a part-time inspector for an insurance company until joining the staff at the National Board.

Mr. Danielson holds an IS Commission with the R Endorsement.p>

BPVF, IS, and R Instructor--Email Now

Robert Ferrell
National Board Consultant

Mr. Ferrell joined the National Board in 1999 to oversee the R/NR Accreditation Programs, and after 17 years as Senior Staff Engineer in the training department he is now semi-retired – continuing as a part-time instructor.

With over 35 years of experience in design, operation, maintenance, and inspection of pressure-retaining systems, Mr. Ferrell has served as a nuclear plant operator in the US Navy, Inservice Inspection Engineer at the Pilgrim Nuclear Power Station, Quality Assurance and Engineering Manager for York-Shipley, and Deputy Chief Inspector for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

Mr. Ferrell holds a BS in Mechanical Engineering Technology from Temple University and holds National Board IS and AI Commissions with B, C, I, N, and R Endorsements. 

BPVF, I, IS, and R Instructor--Email Now

Timothy Gardner, P.E.
Senior Staff Engineer

Mr. Gardner joined the National Board in 2013 with over 40 years of experience in maintenance, operations, and engineering associated with coal-fired boilers.

He began his career in the electric utility industry as a Performance Engineer at a fossil fuel power plant and then moved on to various positions in startup, construction, project, boiler, and piping engineering. After, Mr. Gardner worked for a manufacturer providing boiler associated equipment to the power, petrochemical, and paper industries. He was Cognizant Engineer for such product lines as boiler gage glasses and several sootblower models. He was also responsible for the engineering of sootblower steam piping systems.

He has a degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Kentucky and is a registered Professional Engineer in the State of Ohio and the Commonwealth of Kentucky.

Mr. Gardner holds an IS Commission.

AI, BPVF, IS, and R Instructor--Email Now

Terrence Hellman
Senior Staff Engineer

Mr. Hellman joined the National Board in 2016 as a Senior Staff Engineer in the Technical Department to supervise Authorizations to Register, Registration after Fabrication and Accreditations.

He attended the University of Tulsa for petroleum engineering. His professional career began as a production technician in the oil and gas industry, before becoming a boiler and pressure vessel inspector for the State of Oklahoma and then ultimately Chief Inspector for the state.

Mr. Hellman serves as secretary of the Nuclear Repairs Task Group, Interpretations Task Group, Repairs & Alterations Sub Group and Sub Committee. He holds National Board IS and AI Commissions with the R Endorsement and is a National Board and ASME Team Leader.

B/O, IS, and R Instructor--Email Now

Donna L. Nier
Senior Staff Engineer

Ms. Nier joined the National Board in 2024 as a Senior Staff Engineer in the Training Department, bringing experience from over 15 years sailing in the Merchant Marine. During her maritime career, she served on both ocean-going and freshwater vessels, advancing through various engineering roles, including Third, Second, and First Assistant Engineer.

Ms. Nier earned her USCG license as a First Assistant Engineer of Steam or Motor Vessels with unlimited horsepower, showing her technical skills and dedication to high standards. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Marine Engineering Technology from Maine Maritime Academy.

In addition to her professional achievements, Ms. Nier is an active member of both the Society of Women Engineers and the Society of Naval Architects and Marine Engineers, reflecting her dedication to the engineering profession. She also served in the United States Naval Reserve.

AI, BPVF, and IS Instructor--Email Now

Luis Ponce
National Board Consultant

Mr. Ponce joined the National Board in 2019 as the Manager of Technical Services in the Technical Department overseeing the Team Leader program and the NBIC, and has been an ASME and National Board Team Leader since 2008. He is now semi-retired -- continuing as a team leader and part-time instructor.

He retired from the US Navy in 2003 as a Machinist’s Mate Chief Petty Officer after serving 20 years. After the Navy he served in the State of Texas Boiler Program for 15 years working his way up to the Chief Boiler Inspector. He also served briefly as an Authorized Inspector Supervisor (new construction) for OneCIS Insurance Co.

He holds the AI and IS Commissions with the B, N, and R Endorsements. He earned an Associate’s Degree in Applied Science from Wayland Baptist University in 2002.

B/O and NS Instructor--Email Now

Jeff Smith
Senior Staff Engineer

Mr. Smith joined the National Board in 2023 and has over 30 years of experience in Non-Destructive Testing and Weld Inspection on Power Generating Equipment.

He has held various positions including QC Inspector, NDT examiner, QA Engineer, and Quality Manager. He has experience inspecting the manufacturing of new power generating equipment including boilers and boiler components. In addition, Mr. Smith performed condition assessments on parts in service at electric utility plants.

Mr. Smith has a BS in Business from Phoenix University. He also is a Certified Weld Inspector through the American Welding Society.

AI, IS, and R Instructor--Email Now