As a certified small business, MD Acoustics has a well educated and talented staff that is capable of quickly and efficiently turning around projects. MD staff has completed numerous acoustic/vibration studies and evaluations. In addition, MD has conducted and completed many noise/air monitoring studies.
Mike Dickerson, INCE
Principal
Background
Mike Dickerson has a passion for the science of sound and vibration and has worked professionally in acoustical engineering since 2002. He received his Bachelor of Science degree in Physics, emphasizing in acoustics from Brigham Young University in Utah. He is currently a member of the Institute of Noise Control Engineers (INCE). Motivated by professional growth and opportunity, Mr. Dickerson formed his own acoustical engineering firm, MD Acoustics in 2012.
Mr. Dickerson’s versatile experience includes leading and assisting in the design and review of many facets of acoustical engineering and air quality projects, including but not limited to: air/ noise assessments, ceiling/floor assembly design, architectural design, acoustical product design, vibration analysis and noise mitigation strategies.
Prior to starting his own consulting firm, Mr. Dickerson worked for Sony Entertainment, Parsons, and RK Engineering. He has successfully completed over 4,200 acoustical/air quality assessment reports for various engineering companies, municipalities and other agencies (both public and private). His strategic project planning and cost effective management solutions enabled him to excel in the field of Acoustics and project management.
In 2011, Mr. Dickerson was asked to present a paper at the Acoustical Society of America Seattle, Washington Conference on his research and work on noise and vibration in Cockpit Door Modules. MD continues to work closely with many engineering disciplines and provides quality results..
Mr. Dickerson’s relevant work experience includes the following:
Education
Bachelor of Science – Physics (Acoustics), Brigham Young University
Professional Affiliations
Acoustical Society of America (ASA), Full Member
Institute of Noise Control Engineers (INCE), Full Member
BYU Acoustic Research Group
American Institute of Physics (AIP)
Association of Environmental Planners (AEP), Member
Michael Dickerson Sr, INCE
Principal
Background
Michael Dickerson Sr. has worked in sound, controls, and vibration for 45 years. He has worked professionally in acoustical engineering since 1978. He received his Bachelor’s and Master of Science degrees in Mechanical Engineering, from Brigham Young University in Utah. He is currently a member of the Institute of Noise Control Engineers (INCE), International Council of System Engineers (INCOSE), American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) Acoustical Society of America (ASA) and provides papers and training to the various engineering societies. Mr. Dickerson Sr. continues to successfully build and develop MD Acoustics LLC through marketing and team-building efforts.
Mr. Dickerson’s varied experience started in the working on rocket plume modeling in
the early 1970′ then to the NAVY as a Nuclear Power officer in the Submarine service. After that, the computer industry worked at UNIVAC designing impact printers from a noise and vibration standpoint. The main goal was to successfully design quieter impact printers. He then worked at DataProducts leading a team of engineers to design printers for the “at the time” world’s largest printer manufacturer. During his time at DataProducts he consulted with Bolt Beranek and Newman assisting in the design and review of many facets of acoustical engineering projects. He then moved to the DOD and space industries working on Aircraft, Helicopters, and Spacecraft noise, vibration, jet and rocket engine issues related to the development of the vehicles and design. He was Manager of Engineering Analysis, Manager of Mechanical Engineering, and Chief Engineer with more than 200 engineers of various Space and Military weapon systems. He worked at the NASA Jet Propulsion Lab for 10 years developing the first Mars Rover, and managing the analysis tools group for many space programs. He then worked on F15, F18, F22 and F35 developing the bomb dropping and testing of all aspects of fight conditions to ensure function and flight safety. In addition, he worked for AeroVironment Inc. as a Sr. System Engineer developing the unmanned aerial vehicle. An example was when the earthquake in Japan destroyed a nuclear power plant, he and his team quickly added payloads to a drone that could measure the radioactivity so that it could be used to safely define the hazards that need to be mitigated.
Modeling of jet plumes to understand the noise hazards, noise pressure as it relates to dispersion of gases and how to mitigate these are things he has done.
Mr. Dickerson Sr. has written several papers on System Engineering for the INCOSE Insight and was President of the LA Chapter in 2005.
In 2011, Mr. Dickerson was asked to present a paper at the Acoustical Society of America Seattle, Washington Conference on his research and work on noise and vibration in Cockpit Door Modules. MD continues to work closely with many engineering disciplines and provides quality results.
Mr. Dickerson’s relevant work experience includes the following:
Education
Bachelor of Engineering – Mechanical Engineering, Brigham Young University
Masters of Engineering – Mechanical Engineering, Brigham Young University
Professional Affiliations
American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME), Member
Acoustical Society of America (ASA), Full Member
Institute of Noise Control Engineers (INCE), Full Member
American Institute of Physics (AIP)
International Council of Systems Engineers
Mary Collins
Operations Coordinator
Background
Mary Collins oversees MD’s activities and coordinates the essential functions necessary to manage the teams workflow to align productivity with our quality standards in order to achieve MD’s goals. She implements communications procedures and develops strategic initiatives to improve efficiency throughout the business. She provides leadership, coordination and administrative oversight for facilities planning & maintenance, administrative support functions, and procurement and purchasing efforts.
Relevant work experience includes the following:
Robert Pearson
Acoustical Consultant
Background
Robert Pearson graduated from Utah State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Communications and Sociology. Robert has worked for MD over three years and has developed a knack for noise and vibration. His project management experience has allowed him to excel in multi-tasking several large-scale infrastructure projects simultaneously. He has helped develop and maintain MD’s noise and vibration monitoring systems which allow MD to remotely monitor noise and vibration 24/7, 365 days a year.
Robert enjoys working in MD’s anechoic/reverberation chambers and perform high precision noise and vibration measurements. Furthermore, his work includes the evaluation and development of acoustic modeling skills. He works closely with architects on the development of sound attenuation applications in the car wash industry. He has a full understanding in the complexities of the various mechanical systems associated with car wash noise.
Prior to Mr. Pearson joining MD Acoustics, he worked for over 7 years as an Acoustical Field Technician for Advanced Engineering Acoustics. Mr. Pearson has also worked for over 9 years as a Project Manager in the Large format printing and Telecommunications industries.
Representative Project Experience:
Education
Bachelor of Science – Communications and Sociology, Utah State University
Claire Pincock INCE
Acoustical Consultant
Background
Claire Pincock graduated from Brigham Young University in the top 5% of her graduating class with a Bachelor of Science degree in Applied Physics with an emphasis in acoustics and a minor in Mathematics. Before joining MD Acoustics, she was a research assistant at BYU. Her research was focused on speech acoustics, specifically on how speech radiates from the mouth. https://www.physics.byu.edu/thesis/archive/2017
In 2017, Claire presented her research with Dr. Timothy Leishman on speech directivity at the Acoustical Society of America, spring Boston conference where she placed 2nd in the student competition on speech acoustics. http://asa.scitation.org/doi/abs/10.1121/1.4987652
This research is also presented in the following paper published in the Journal of the Acoustical Society of America in 2021: https://asa.scitation.org/doi/10.1121/10.0003363
Mrs. Pincock’s work experience includes the following:
Education
Bachelor of Science – Physics (Acoustics), Brigham Young University, Magna Cum Laude
Professional Affiliations
Acoustical Society of America (ASA), Full Member
BYU Acoustic Research Group
American Institute of Physics (AIP)
Samuel Hord INCE
Acoustical Consultant
Background
Samuel Hord is an Arizona native with a knack for noise control.
While a student at Brigham Young University, he solved practical problems, including architectural modes, intelligibility metrics, jet noise analysis, traffic noise modeling, barrier insertion loss, and outdoor sound propagation. He investigated the reflection of sound off the ground as a research assistant for Kent Gee and Traci Neilsen. As a research assistant, he also helped develop an acoustical model for the sound field near a rocket engine, and he assisted in a full-scale shock wave experiment involving exploding balloons.
After graduating from BYU, Mr. Hord spent a summer in the Sound Research Group at Caterpillar, Inc. There he researched new acoustical technologies and their applications to Caterpillar machines, and he conducted experiments in the acoustical chambers at their Peoria, Illinois facility. His experience there included using industry standards to perform sound absorption, sound power, sound transmission loss, and insertion loss tests. The highlight of his experience there included assisting in the acoustical characterization a new motor grader cab.
Mr. Hord went to graduate school at The University of Texas at Austin. As a Longhorn, he spent countless hours in a cleanroom fabricating sensors for acoustic MEMS research under Neal Hall. He developed a fabrication process for three different sensors, including optical gratings, shear sensors, and CMUTs. For his master’s thesis, he modeled, characterized, and tested electrical and acoustical properties of ultrasonic transducers built using the fabrication platform he developed. He completed his Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering in December 2017.
After completing his degree at The University of Texas, Mr. Hord enrolled in two more acoustics classes and taught two sections of an undergraduate physics class before returning home to Arizona. He continues to indulge his passion for teaching as an adjunct faculty at Mesa Community College.
Mr. Hord’s work experience includes the following:
Education
B.S. Applied Physics, Brigham Young University
M.S. Mechanical Engineering, University of Texas
Professional Affiliations
Institute of Noise Control Engineers (INCE), Full Member
BYU Acoustic Research Group
Francisco Irarrazabal
Acoustical Consultant
Background
Francisco Irarrazabal has experience in many different engineering fields. His passion for science and leading-edge technology brought him to the supreme art of sound and vibration. His career path started in the aerial firefighting field developing aeronautical products for the UH-1 series Helicopters. He served as a combat pilot for the Chilean Air Force for five years. After serving he continued to pursue the engineering field and has worked professionally in aerospace and mechanical engineering since 2013. He received a Bachelor of Science degree in Aerospace Engineering, from the University of Concepcion in Chile. Motivated by professional and cultural growth, Francisco started his acoustical path at Brigham Young University in 2018 as a graduate student in the Master of Science in Physics with an emphasis in the acoustics program, graduating in April 2021.
Francisco has participated in several engineering projects, including developing a structure for aviation uses and certification process, the development of brick change criteria for lime kilns, chemical cleaning application for oil refinery plants, mechanical repairs in Cupper refinery plants, aeronautical products certification, and the installation of a tactical communication system on military rotorcraft. In the acoustics field, Francisco has worked with Dr. Kent Gee on outdoor measurements using vector intensity techniques for infrasonic sources. He presented his research at the Acoustical Society of America meetings at Louisville, KY, and San Diego, CA, regarding outdoor rocket and wind turbine noise measurements.
He enjoys hiking the mountains or playing soccer and is devoted to his wife and two children.
Relevant work experience includes the following:
Architectural Acoustics Assessment/Design
Noise and Vibration Assessment
Construction Noise and Vibration
Industrial Noise and Vibration Assessment
Education
Universidad de Concepcion
B.S., Aerospace Engineering, 2008
Universidad de Concepcion
B.S., Mechanical Engineering, 2014
Brigham Young University
M.S., Physics (Acoustics), 2021
Affiliations and Awards
Acoustical Society of America (ASA), Student Member
BYU Acoustic Research Group
Drew Gibson
Acoustical Consultant
Background
Drew Gibson is a graduate of Arizona State University with a Bachelor of Science in
Mechanical Engineering Technology. His previous work experience in the APU repair
and overhaul field familiarized him with various machining, assembly, and repairing
processes. He has been working in the acoustical and vibration field since August
2020. At MD Acoustics, Drew has learned the appropriate test methods and skills to
perform noise and vibration surveys, AIIC/FSTC evaluations, and acoustical product
testing, procured a proficiency in acoustical modeling methods, and helped develop
new products, such as the quietest car wash systems in the United States.
Drew is part of MD Acoustics team of acoustical consultants tasked with providing
acoustical and vibration services. He specializes in carwash and cell tower noise impact
studies and tool vibration isolation and has experience in building and environmental
noise impact studies and product development. He assists in testing at the job site and
within MD Acoustic’s reverberation and anechoic chambers. His skill set includes CAD
modeling, acoustical modeling with SoundPLAN, acoustical and vibration testing,
airflow testing, and 3D printing.
Relevant work experience includes the following:
Education
Bachelor of Science – Mechanical Engineering Technology, Arizona State University
Rachel Edelman
Acoustical Consultant
Background
Rachel Edelman graduated in Applied Physics with an emphasis in Acoustics from Brigham Young University in 2022. As a student, she worked as a research assistant for the BYU acoustics research team for 3 years, specializing in the directivity of guitar amplifiers and other sound sources. She also worked as an acoustical consultant intern for Cerami & Associates in the summer of 2021, where she participated in a variety of projects to meet acoustical requirements for hospitals, hotels, performance spaces, and other buildings.
In 2019, Rachel presented her research with Dr. Timothy Leishman on musical instrument directivity at the Acoustical Society of America fall conference in San Diego: https://asa.scitation.org/doi/abs/10.1121/1.5136709
She presented her research with Dr. Brian Anderson on guitar amplifier directivity at the 2022 Acoustical Society of America spring conference in Denver: https://asa.scitation.org/doi/abs/10.1121/10.0010961
Relevant work experience includes the following:
Education
Bachelor of Science – Physics (Acoustics), Brigham Young University
Professional Affiliations
Acoustical Society of America (ASA), Full Member
BYU Acoustic Research Group
Naomi Jensen
Acoustical Consultant
Background
Naomi Jensen graduated in Applied Physics with an emphasis in Acoustics from Brigham Young University in 2023. As a student, she worked as a research assistant for the BYU acoustics research team for 2 years, specializing in the development of a vibration-based sound power measurement method.
She presented her research with Dr. Scott Sommerfeldt on the development of the vibration-based sound power measurement method at the 2023 Acoustical Society of America spring conference in Chicago: https://doi.org/10.1121/2.0001788
Relevant work experience includes the following:
Architectural Acoustics Assessment
Noise Assessment
Construction Noise and Vibration
Education
Brigham Young University
B.S., Applied Physics (Acoustics), 2023
Sarah Ostergaard
Acoustical Consultant
Background
Sarah Ostergaard graduated in Applied Physics with an emphasis in Acoustics from Brigham Young University in 2020. As a student, she served as a presidency member of the student chapter of the Acoustical Society of America (2017-2019). She worked as a TA for multiple physics classes, including the Introduction to Acoustics class. She also worked as an undergraduate research assistant as well as a graduate-level researcher for the BYU acoustics research team for 3 years and 2 years, respectively, specializing in the acoustic directionality of explosions as scale-model volcanoes as well as the development of a vibration-based sound power measurement method for coupled structures: https://physics.byu.edu/department/theses
She presented her research with Dr. Tracianne Neilsen at the December 2019 Acoustical Society of America conference in San Diego: https://pubs.aip.org/asa/jasa/article/146/4_Supplement/2784/704426/Directionality-of-ground-based-exploding-balloons?searchresult=1
She presented her research with Dr. Jonathan Blotter and Dr. Scott Sommerfeldt on the development of the vibration-based sound power measurement method for coupled structures at the April 2022 Acoustical Society of America conference in Denver: https://pubs.aip.org/asa/jasa/article/151/4_Supplement/A227/2838777/Sound-power-from-coupled-structures-using?searchresult=1
Relevant work experience includes the following:
Architectural Acoustics Assessment
Noise Assessment
Design + Fabrication
Education
Brigham Young University
B.S., Applied Physics (Acoustics), 2020
Magna Cum Laude
18 credits toward a M.S. (Mechanical Engineering)
Joel Demir
Acoustical Consultant
Background
Professional Affiliations
Education
Studied engineering and music at Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo
B.A., Music, 2007
Currently pursuing his Master’s in Acoustical Engineering at Penn State.
Matthew Baldwin
Engineering Aide
Background
Matt Baldwin has started his professional career here at MD Acoustics. He assists with the field work and CAD drawing. He has started his undergrad studies at Gilbert Community College and plans on attending ASU. He has a passion for music which has lead him to the path of understanding acoustics. His skills include Photoshop, Illustrator, SketchUp, EASE Modeling and other analytical software.
Relevant work experience includes the following:
Education
Coming Soon!!!
Jordan Trubakoff
Design and Acoustical Consultant
Background
Jordan moved directly from his formal education in Audio Engineer to audio hardware sales and analytics. Filling roles from Sales and Training Manager to Consumer Relations/Data Analyst for Fender Musical Instruments.
Upon leaving employment by Fender, Jordan became a motivated entrepreneur who saw success in the private sector. With full autonomy, creativity, interpersonal networking, analytics, and innovation Jordan built a creative solutions and fabrication business that doubled in revenue every year for his 5 years of involvement. (www.TruCollective.com)
Jordan now serves MD Acoustics as a Designer and Acoustical Consultant. His primary functions within MD Acoustics range from designing test fixtures, 3D spaces, and products, to modeling and writing sound studies, and helping review and write municipal ordinances to name just a few.
Representative Project Experience
Analytics/modeling/fieldwork
Design + Fabrication
Management
Municipal Code/General Plan
Education
The Conservatory of the Recording Arts and Sciences
Certifications
Apple Gold Certified & SMAART certified
Soundplan 8.2
Protools
Tyler Klassen
Air Quality Specialist
Background
Tyler Klassen graduated Magna Cum Laude in Chemical Engineering from Arizona State University in 2019. Since then, he worked one year as an Air Quality Specialist at SWCA Environmental Consultants where he completed air quality analyses in fields including the oil and gas industry and solar and wind power. He also worked one summer for the Maricopa County Air Quality Department as an Air Quality Inspector, performing site visits to ensure air quality permit holders were in compliance with County rules and regulations.
As an Air Quality Specialist with MD Acoustics, Mr. Klassen has written studies analyzing air quality, greenhouse gas, and energy usage for projects including housing developments, fueling stations, and storage facilities, using CalEEMod to model emissions. He has also written health risk assessments analyzing road and gas station impacts utilizing AERMOD and contributed air quality, greenhouse gas, and energy analyses to city general plans.
Relevant work experience includes the following:
Education
Bachelor of Science in Engineering – Chemical Engineering, Arizona State University
Certification
Engineer-in-Training, Arizona State Board of Technical Registration
Jason Schuyler, INCE
Engineering Tech 1
Background
Jason Schuyler works directly with many of our clients in the field. He conducts on site field inspections, evaluations, and measurements. He has a knack for troubleshooting on the fly and identifying noise and vibration issues. His 10+ years of construction experience have proven to be invaluable assets to our company as has his experience as a professional photographer/videographer. Using this experience he also performs photographic studies, light studies, and aerial surveys.
Relevant work experience includes the following:
Education
Bucknell University, 1997 Bachelor of Arts – Economics
Sandler Sales Institute level III Sales, 1998
Affiliations and Awards
Institute of Noise Control Engineers (INCE)
Metro Rail Safety Certified
Matthew Baldwin
Engineering Aide
Background
Coming Soon!!!
Relevant work experience includes the following:
Education
Coming Soon!!!
Shon Baldwin
Engineering Aide
Background
Shon Baldwin joined MD Acoustics in October 2019. As Facility Manager, he’s responsible for the maintenance of our equipment and lab while also ensuring the team follows safety protocols and OSHA regulations. Additionally, he works out in the fi eld conducting site inspections, evaluations, and performing measurements using various sound level meters. Prior to joining the MD Acoustics team, he worked for over 20 years in the security and facilities management industries.
Relevant work experience includes the following:
Noise and Vibration Assessment
Construction Noise and Vibration
Noise Assessment
Kevin Nielsen
Director of IT
Background
Kevin Nielsen graduated from Brigham Young University – Idaho with a Bachelor of Science degree in Applied Technologies with the focus of computer programming.
Kevin has worked for MD for many years in the background developing software and systems that MD still uses today. Likes systems that coordinate team and their projects to systems that centralized multiple remote monitoring stations, gathering images sound and raw sound data 24/7, 365 days a year. The last 4 years Kevin join the MD family full time leading a team of developers to grow and innovate MD for the future moving forward.
Prior to Kevin joining MD Acoustics, he worked for over 17 years in web development, data management, e-commerce development, online security and PHP programming. Kevin has also worked for over 5 years in graphic design industry in both digital and printed media.
Relevant work experience includes the following:
Education
Bachelor of Science in Applied Technology, Summa Cum Laude, Brigham Young University – Idaho
Certificate – Computer Programming, Brigham Young University – Idaho
Certificate – Web Backend Development, Brigham Young University – Idaho
Certificate – Web Frontend, Brigham Young University – Idaho
Associate of Science – Graphic Design, Moorpark College
Certificate in Graphics – Desktop Publishing, Moorpark College
Alek Olsen
Programmer/Robotics
Background
Alexander “Alek” Olsen, a graduate of Arizona State University Polytechnic campus, May 2022, with a Bachelor of Science degree in Robotics Engineering, has been a valuable asset to MD Acoustics since July 2022. Leveraging his programming experience, Alexander has successfully developed software for processing, recording, and displaying data from MD Acoustics’ noise meters.
Proficient in multiple programming languages, Alexander demonstrates adaptability and a keen ability to experiment, ensuring the creation of efficient software for data processing and comparison. His passion for programming is evident in the joy he finds in creating new programs and exploring avenues to expand his expertise.
Over the course of nearly two years at MD Acoustics, Alexander has designed and developed multiple software programs for the MD Acoustics website. These innovations extend to generating reports for internal use, enhancing the website’s utility, and improving tools for the MD Acoustics team and, ultimately, their clients.
Relevant work experience includes the following:
Education
Arizona State University Polytechnic
B.S., Robotics Engineering, 2022