researcher agricultural engineer
Degree in Agricultural Engineering, Ohio State University, Columbus, 1959. Master of Science in Agricultural Engineering, Ohio State University, Columbus, 1962. Doctor of Philosophy in Agricultural Engineering, Ohio State University, Columbus, 1971.
Vice president, research & new product development Hancor, Inc., Findlay, Ohio, 1976—1982. Agricultural engineer USDA-Agricultural Research Service, Columbus, 1960—1964, research agricultural engineer, 1964—1974, Baton Rouge, 1982—1989, research leader & supervisor research agriculture engineer Florence, South Carolina, 1974—1976, Baton Rouge, 1998—2009, team leader & research agriculture engineer, 1989—1998, chairman, agricultural drainage management system task force, 2002—2009, lead scientist & research agriculture engineer Houma, since 2009. Consulting engineer Self Employed, Baton Rouge, 1982—2009.
General chairman 6th international drainage symposium American Society Agricultural Engineers, Baton Rouge, 1991—1992.
Achievements include research in development of the plow-in method for installing corrugated plastic drainage tubing with laser-beam automatic depth, quantify the effect of controlling (managing) outflow from subsurface drains in reducing nitrogen loss in the discharge. Patents for designed and developed roto-molded PE plastic septic tanks 300-, 500-, & 750 gal. Development of computer program code for a subsurface drainage model to simulate automatic control of controlled-drainage and subirrigation to manage water table depth in the root-zone soil profile.
Development of an analytical method to design corrugated-wall PE plastic drainage tubing and culvert pipe to meet strength specifications.
Fellow: America Society Agriculture & Bio. Engineers (John Deere Gold medal 2006). Member: American Society of Civil Engineers.
Married Judith Lysle Theiss, December 28, 1957. Children: JoAnna Patrica Weaver, James Michael.
