Problem Solver

Erik Veach

Erik Veach
math3

I am definitely a generalist, in the sense that I have no one single area that I know better than anyone else. But, I have found that my fairly in-depth knowledge and experience in a wide array of topics often give me quicker and more complete insight into challenging problems. I bring a truly unique perspective and understanding to difficult and unique problems, which is usually what's needed for those types of problems that stump people - the kinds of problems that would need to be outsourced since there's no one readily available to provide a standard solution. If a standard answer applied or if a specialist could have solved it, you'd know right where to go for the answer. The fact that you're searching for help means you need something not so readily available or easily obtained. That's my area of expertise - trying to figure out how to make the uknown into the known.

Areas Erik Veach is Knowledgeable in:

General Physics, Engineering, Statistics, Mathematics, Programming, and Sound are probably my most experienced areas.
However, I have the problem-solving bug so I get excited about just about any topic, including areas where I have no formal knowledge. I often end up having long problem-solving discussions with my wife who has an MS in Psychology and currently works in educational policy for high school AP courses nationally - an area where I have no training or knowledge of specifics, but the general practices of problem-solving and my overall analytical abilities can still apply.

Techniques Erik Veach Uses:

My primary method for problem solving personally is to list the requirements and boundary conditions (limiting cases) and then try to fit solutions that meet all requirements and conditions and chose the best solution from among those that could potentially work for the situation. In choosing the best solution, I always do the the "put myself in someone else's shoes" exercise to see if the solution appears best from all angles/viewpoints. I will play devil's advocate, even with myself (but not to excess) to ensure the solution stands up to criticism.
For group problem-solving I employ Baha'i Consultative Method, which requires that each individual must contribute to the solution in some manner and that as soon as a contribution is made the individual drops all personal attachment to the idea/contribution and sees it as belonging to the group as a whole as with every contribution made by all participants. Differing opinions are required to be presented, but not defended as there is no personal attachment. If a unanimous decision does not become obvious during discussion, the facilitator asks for a vote at an appropriate point in the discussion and a majority vote wins.

Erik Veach's Problem Solving Skills:

  1. Business: started and operated 3 businesses (2 still in operation), including one currently in initial invention-based stage
  2. Committee experience: have been elected and appointed to management committees of various types
  3. Musician: 30+ years writing, performing, recording
  4. Audio and sound engineering: owner of professional audio recording, mixing, mastering studio (2001 - present)
  5. Mathematics and algorithms: see skills 2, 3, and 6
  6. Computer programming: C, C++, Basic, Fortran, Javascript, html - wrote digital audio software used in pro studio (see skill 4)
  7. Acoustics noise analysis and solutions (architect., mech., environ.): INCE fully elected member by experience and education
  8. Expert analytic abilities: perfect score on GRE analytical section
  9. Broad advanced physics and engineering: MS Physics (Oregon, 2000 - biomedical optics), FE Engineering (California, 2000)
  10. Idea consultant: known among friends, family, and acquaintances as "the one to ask" about just about any new ideas or problems

Erik Veach's Problem Solving Experience:

  1. Elected to administrative committees for my religious organization in 2 different cities. These committees were responsible for deciding how to spend the community's budget, including projecting income and expenses and also deal with personal issues and provide guidance and direction for everything from marital issues to financial emergencies.
  2. Have designed initial plans for a hydrolosis-based fuel system I envision as something that could be applied to automobiles some day, if testing is successful. Testing steps are planned out in my notebook...time is all that's needed.
  3. For several musical pieces I have composed and recorded, I needed a special sound that's not something readily available or could be produced by human voice or typical instruments. For these cases I have designed the desired sound through a combination of audio recording and digital modification techniques.
  4. Designed a cheat-proof test/exam system for school tests with my business partner in one of my two current businesses (see skill 8). Requires full development and testing.
  5. Developed a program to read past lottery numbers for the Powerball lottery and produce best-guesses for the upcoming lottery draw based on statistical results. Calculated a theoretical 30% improvement in chances of getting at least one number correct. Actual tests resulted in closer to 15% improvement. Unfortunately, even 30% improvement isn't enough to produce more money than went into the purchase of the draws - either way you still lose, so it's not a good investment. :-)
  6. Developed the software for an audio mastering program, including elements for digital audio enhancements based on numerical modeling and taking into account psycho-acoustic effects. This software is used as the basis for the audio mastering portion of the business mentioned in solution 4 and is one of the primary reasons that business has continued to be successful and beat out competition.
  7. As an assistant acoustical engineer I was responsible for analyzing, measuring and calculating results for many acoustical, mechanical, and environmental noise factors and helping to determine the appropriate solutions.
  8. For an acoustic products company I devised measuring systems, including a tone-based test system and analysis program for room acoustics and soundproofing and designed and calculated acoustic impacts of various new acoustic and soundproofing devices and products, including work on active acoustic devices.
  9. Without any formal business training, researched and developed the business plans to start 2 simultaneous small businesses. One is still functioning, and has been profitable every year. It is currently my primary source of income and employs 3 contract employees on a regular basis.
  10. Graduate-level research in Physics was in biomedical optics research using low-coherence light tomography to attempt to scan below the skin for cancer and other problems in a non-invasive fashion. Contributed to 2 grant applications, one was awarded by the NCI to the Oregon Biomedical Optics Network, which included a section for the project I was solely responsible for and for which I wrote up the proposal.