Timothy Niemeier
Niemeier is Vice President, and laser ablation SME, with Best-Tec; a company providing hazardous lead and asbestos coating removal at industrial sites including the DoD, DoTs, and power generation using advanced laser ablation with other unique surface treatment technologies.
Niemeier’s experience includes over 40 years in surface preparation, corrosion control, high performance coating applications as well as the preservation of historic structures and monumental buildings across North America. His positions have included project management, new process development, corporate safety officer, laser safety officer, technical services director, executive management, and business owner.
Niemeier began working with lasers 20 years ago. For the past 19 years his work has focused on laser systems designed specifically for industrial de-coating and surface preparation process improvements. He’s supported major aerospace and automotive manufacturers, the DoD, DoTs, power generation, universities, conservators, and museums. He’s provided technical support with laser systems used for the preservation of the most prominent national landmarks and monuments in the US and Canada including at the U.S. Capitol and the Canadian Parliament. He’s worked closely with the U.S Army at major depots to support equipment maintenance time and cost saving using laser ablation. He has worked with the U.S. Navy and shipyards from coast to coast to achieve NAVSEA approval for shipboard laser applications, including support for developing operator and safety training. In the nuclear power industry, he has worked with Radiation Safety and those responsible for plant maintenance to validate laser cleaning as a new method for radiological decontamination to reduce worker dose rates and minimize radwaste disposal. With the Virginia Department of Transportation, he has supported validation testing and approval of laser ablation and induction coating removal as an innovative new method for bridge preservation, especially for maintenance work involving the removal of lead containing paint. He’s helped those responsible for environmental, health and safety develop safe work practices and procedures in a wide range of businesses and laser ablation applications. He has trained hundreds of individuals in Class 4 laser safety, equipment use/care to be qualified laser operators.
Niemeier has been a speaker on laser ablation and surface preparation technology at conferences including NACE, SSPC, MegaRust, National Shipbuilding & Research Program, Fleet Maintenance Symposium, CTMA Sustainment & Repair Conference, NPCA Marine Coatings Conference, SAIL-Shipyard Applications for Industrial Lasers, Edison Electric Institute S&H Conference, MIT, and others.
Member: Institute of America (LIA)
LIA Certified: Industrial Laser Safety, Laser Safety Officer
Member: Association for Material Protection and Performance (AMPP)
Documents Project Manager:
AMPP SP21511-1-2024 Laser Ablation Standard for the Surface Preparation of Ferrous Metal, Pulsed Lasers
AMPP Guide 21611-2024 Laser Ablation Technical Guide for the Surface Preparation of Ferrous Metal
