Occupation: General Manager
Born: Vernal, Utah
Education:
PhD in Civil Engineering, The University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM (1986)
MS in Civil Engineering, Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah (1980)
BS in Civil Engineering, Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah (1979)
High School Diploma
Career:
General Manager, Blast Modeling Technology, Dyno Nobel Inc., Salt Lake City, Utah (2018-Present)
Senior Consultant, Rock Blasting and Explosives Engineering, Moncourt Group Pte. Ltd., Singapore (2018)
Senior Manager, Explosive Applications Research, Orica Mining Services, Orica Limited, Watkins, CO (2017-2018)
Global Technology Manager, Blast Modeling Development and Support, Orica Mining Services, Orica Limited (2010-2017)
Senior Research Associate, Strategic Marketing and Technology, Orica Mining Services, Orica Limited (2007-2010)
Distinguished Member (DMTS) of Technical Staff, Sandia National Laboratories, National Technology and Engineering Solutions of Sandia, LLC, Albuquerque, NM (2005-2007)
Principal Member of Technical Staff (PMTS), Sandia National Laboratories, National Technology and Engineering Solutions of Sandia, LLC (1996-2005)
Survey Crew Chief (1977-1979)
Civic:
Bishop, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (1997-2003)
Creative Works:
Co-author, “Application of GEM (Geologic Element Motion) to Heave Modeling of Cast Blasting and Iron Ore Blasting,” 49th Annual Conference on Explosive and Blasting Technique, International Society of Explosives Engineer (ISEE), Las Vegas, NV (2022); Co-author, “Simulations of Full-scale Bench Blasts Using FDM (Fracture Density Model),” 49th Annual Conference on Explosive and Blasting Technique, International Society of Explosives Engineer (ISEE), Las Vegas, NV (2022); Co-author, “Blast Heave Modeling with GEM (Geologic Element Motion),” Blasting and Fragmentation Journal (2021); Keynote Speaker, ANSYS Users Conference (2006); Keynote Speaker, ISEE Annual Conference, International Society of Explosives Engineers (ISEE) (1998, 2000); Author, “PhD Dissertation: Physical and Numerical Simulation of Fluid Filled Cavities in a Creeping Material,” The University of New Mexico and Sandia National Laboratories, National Technology and Engineering Solutions of Sandia, LLC; Author, Master’s Thesis, “Computer Graphics: A Collection of Improvements to MOVIE,” Brigham Young University; Editor, Blasting and Fragmentation Journal; Author, 140 Technical Publications on Rock Blasting, Explosives Engineering, Explosive Device Design, Terminal Ballistics, Blast Effects on Structures, Oil Well Sand Production, Discrete Element Modeling, Rock Mechanics and Computer Graphics to Professional Journals and Conference Proceedings
Achievements:
Created the FDM (Fractured Density Model) and GEM (Geologic Element Motion) rock blasting models for Dyno Nobel (2018-Present); Creator of DMC (Distinct Motion Code) for modeling blast induced rock movement (1986-2018); Patent, “Armored Garment for Protecting” (2009); PhD dissertation, “Physical and Numerical Simulations of Fluid-Filled Cavities in a Creeping Material,” established the basis for designing tubular cavities in rock salt to store 20M barrels of oil for the created salt caverns and clay; They had all the properties of clay and then they slung that on a centrifuge with an accelerated time and could do the modeling of it; They studied salt cavern arrays by doing it on the centrifuge and he did a computer modeling of the research; Patents in field for body armor, explosive devices, and new blasting modeling techniques; After 9/11, as the head of the explosive analysis defense team, he helped develop the ability to do explosive-structure interaction studies and explosive vulnerability studies for many government facilities across the country
Awards:
Recipient, Distinguished Service Award, International Society of Explosives Engineers (ISEE) (2017); Orica Recognition Award, “Single-Level Drawbell Blasting” (2013); Recipient, President’s Award, International Society of Explosives Engineers (ISEE) (2005); Recipient, Sandia Employee Recognition Award for Meritorious Achievement (2003); Recipient, Three Awards for Two Patents
Memberships:
Member, Program Committee, Annual Conference, International Society of Explosives Engineers (ISEE) (1998); Member, FRAGBLAST International Organizing Committee (FIOC) (1988); Member, Executive Board, International Ballistics Society; Member, Society of Mining, Metallurgy, & Exploration (SME); Member, Science Panel and Development Committees, Institute of Makers of Explosives Safety Analysis for Risk (IMESAFR), The Institute of Makers of Explosives; Member, The Tau Beta Pi Association, Inc.; Member, Sigma Xi, The Scientific Research Honor Society
Religion:
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day-Saints
Family:
Son of Erland Preece and Hope Preece
Married: Shauna (1976)
Children: Cordell (Deceased, 2005); Amanda; Cameron
11 Grandchildren
Hobbies:
Outdoor sports; Skiing; Backpacking; Fly fishing; Photography
