Kurt Nichol is President, CEO, and co-founder of Experimental Design & Analysis Solutions, Inc. (EDAS) in Brentwood, TN. EDAS was formed in August 2000 to better enable transition of HCF test and evaluation (T&E) technologies developed under the USAF HCF T&E Plan to the commercial sector. He has long been a key proponent of “holistic” test and evaluation where seamless integration of experimental and numerical methods becomes reality. His vision and leadership have influenced significant changes in standard T&E approaches used to assess HCF capability of components in high vibration environments. Dr. Nichol served as the chairman of the HCF Test Protocol Working Group which was comprised of international experts tasked with developing improved methods for HCF verification in turbomachinery. Many of the approaches developed under his leadership have now become standard practices at major aerospace companies worldwide.
Prior to forming EDAS, Dr. Nichol was employed by Sverdrup Technology, Inc., AEDC Group, as Chief Engineering Officer for Turbine Engine Structural Test & Evaluation. During his career at AEDC, Dr. Nichol was a key contributor in numerous evaluations of front-line fighter engines for the United States Air Force and Navy. He has spent hundreds of hours engaged in test coverage and detailed analysis of data which have led to the development of many time and labor saving approaches and tools. These approaches and tools form the basis for most of the products currently marketed by EDAS, Inc. Prior to working at AEDC, Dr. Nichol worked as a structural engineer for Pratt & Whitney in West Palm Beach where he worked in turbine design, structural analysis and testing.
Dr. Nichol was honored to provide a guest lecture at the 8th National High Cycle Fatigue Conference in Monterey California in 2003. He has also been honored by the Tennessee Section of the AIAA by being awarded H.H. Arnold Award for his significant contributions to the advancement of the state of the art in aeronautics, and the Billy J. Griffith Engineering Analysis Award for significant contributions to turbine engine structural evaluation. Additionally, he holds two United States Patents for inventions in the field of turbine engine rotor dynamics.
Dr. Nichol received his Ph.D. from the University of Tennessee Space Institute in Engineering Science (1995) with emphasis in computational mechanics, an MS in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Tennessee Space Institute (1992), and a BS in Aeronautical Engineering from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (1983).
Kurt’s leadership of EDAS is guided by his faith in Jesus Christ which compels him to treat his customers, vendors, employees, and competition with respect and dignity. He is a member of the Christian Executive Officers Fellowship (www.christianceo.net) and Franklin Christian Church in Franklin, TN. He and his family live in Franklin, Tennessee.
