PENC Northwest Chapter Meeting

Date: Monday, November 10, 2025
Time: 12:00 PM to 1:15 PM
PDH: 1
Location: South Fork Community Center

Title of Presentation: Cranes Summary

Description: This presentation discusses cranes, how a crane operates, the operator's needed training and certifications, crane inspections, dangers of operating a crane and crane usage.

Presenter: Gary Kilpatrick, PE

Gary Kilpatrick, PE, is a North Carolina State University alumnus and a licensed Professional Engineer in multiple states. He has extensive experience as a mechanical design engineer and currently practices as a forensic engineer, providing expert analysis on engineering failures and investigations.

In addition to his engineering practice, Gary has expanded his technical expertise through specialized training in crane operations. Since November 2024, he has been completing coursework through a certified crane school and has successfully passed the Telescoping Boom Fixed Cab Crane (commonly known as the Boom Truck or “Neck Breaker”) practical field exam administered by the National Commission for the Certification of Crane Operators (NCCCO). He is now completing advanced training on two additional crane types—the All-Terrain Swing Cab and the Lattice Boom Crawler—both of which require higher operational skill levels.

Once this training and testing are complete, Gary plans to pursue certification in Crane Rigging, further enhancing his ability to assess and understand heavy equipment operation and safety in his forensic engineering work.