Larry R (Bert) Wagster

Experience

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  Marathon Pipeline Company

  Jan 1980 - Jan 1985

  Pipeline Project Engineer

  - Engineering of cross-country crude oil and refined products pipelines, pumping stations, and tank farms in Texas, Louisiana, and Gulf of Mexico offshore- Heavy construction project management- Division lead for pump efficiency testing, surge analysis and control, and corrosion control- Offshore experience included pipe-lay operations up to 12" diameter, pipeline riser and associated platform structure installation, and pipeline route surveys using sonar &remote piloted vehicles

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  Rockwell North American Aircraft Operations

  Jan 1985 - Jan 1987

  Flight Control Test Engineer

  - Checkout and acceptance testing of B-1 Bomber flight control systems- Used system specifications to determine performance criteria- Developed test software and hardware- Developed and carried out tests to verify requirement compliance- Expedited correction of discrepancies revealed by testing- Generated detailed shop floor instructions for problem investigation & resolution- Directed technicians during troubleshooting & repair activities- Performed aircraft pre-flight checkout Show less

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  Rockwell Space Systems Division

  Jan 1987 - Jan 1998

  - Managed the engineering team conducting in-flight Orbiter performance evaluation and problem resolution- Supported Orbiter turnaround issue resolution and system design and procedure updates- Managed the review of changes to vehicle & payload interface requirements and crew procedures- Resolved spacecraft payload interface technical issues- Managed the Orbiter in-flight check-out process - Resolution of spacecraft in-flight anomalies- Evaluation of Space Shuttle Orbiter failure trends- Flight readiness review & certification - Reviewed technical rationale used to close Orbiter systems problem investigations following the Space Shuttle Challenger accident- Specialized in propulsion, fluid, and mechanical systems- Worked with a wide range of NASA & contractor engineering personnel- Presented assessments and made action recommendations to an integrated NASA review board

  • Mission Evaluation Lead Engineer

    Jan 1993 - Jan 1998

  • Orbiter Mission Support Problem Resolution Manager

    Jan 1989 - Jan 1993

  • Orbiter Independent Problem Assessment Team Member

    Jan 1987 - Jan 1989
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  United Space Alliance

  Jan 1998 - Jan 2011

  Space Shuttle Vehicle Manager & Orbiter Chief Engineer

  - Vehicle Manager for Space Shuttle Orbiter Endeavour, responsible for turn-around requirements for space craft troubleshooting, repair, and modification- Developed and presented Orbiter flight readiness briefings to NASA management- Became acting Orbiter Chief Engineer for United Space Alliance in early 2011, investigating and resolving technical and safety issues- Orbiter representative for integrated vehicle interface requirements, including payloads- Orbiter mission evaluation engineering team lead, directing efforts to resolve issues in real time during flight- Supported the Space Shuttle Columbia accident investigation and return-to-flight effort- Conference Speaker at the 2010 NASA Project Management Challenge, on the subject of "Managing Technical Issues In Complex, High Risk Projects" Show less

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  Wood

  Jan 2012 - now

  Pipeline Project Engineer

  Project Manager & Project Lead Engineer in the design and construction of pipelines for the transport of crude oil, refined products, chemicals, natural gas and other liquid and gaseous commodities. Responsible for complete project scope, from studies & proposals, estimating, and design, to construction management.