About

Grounded in our expertise, energized by what’s possible.

A Blade Diagnostics testing machine with a circular spinning turbine or rotor inside.

For more than 20 years, Blade Diagnostics has turned deep academic research into practical tools that make aircraft engines and other critical rotating systems safer and more reliable. Born from university labs and built in the industrious heart of Pittsburgh, we bring scientific rigor and real-world know-how to every system we design.

We specialize in understanding vibration and high-cycle fatigue. These small signals can mean the difference between routine flight and early failure. Our team creates smart inspection tools, custom measurement systems, and analytic methods that help decision-makers keep rotors running safely and efficiently.

We predict and prevent damage before it becomes critical. We sound the alarm when something matters—and silence it when it doesn’t—so our customers can act with confidence instead of uncertainty.

As a trusted partner to the DoD and to industry, we deliver solutions that turn complex engineering problems into clear, actionable information.

And we’re just getting started.

BDC Team Members

  • A professional man with glasses, bald head, wearing a dark suit and white shirt, standing in an office with blurred background including a window and abstract wall art.

    Dan Ryan

    President & Chief Executive Officer

    With a career spanning over three decades at the intersection of engineering and strategic operations, Dan brings a multi-disciplinary perspective to the helm of Blade Diagnostics. His deep-rooted expertise in structural dynamics and industrial turbo-machines has made him a trusted advisor for some of the world’s most demanding aerospace and energy programs.

    Beyond his technical foundations, Dan’s legal background provides a sophisticated understanding of the regulatory and intellectual property landscapes. As President and CEO, Dan oversees the delivery of specialized solutions for complex rotational issues. Under his leadership, the team helps commercial and defense clients enhance safety and operational performance.

  • A smiling man with curly dark hair, wearing glasses and a light checkered shirt, standing in an office with large windows and a blurred background.

    Drew Feiner, Ph.D.

    Chief Technology Officer

    As the primary architect of Blade Diagnostics' analytical core, Drew translates complex vibration physics into actionable engineering data. His partnership with Jerry Griffin at Carnegie Mellon University led to the development of the Fundamental Mistuning Model (FMM), the patented technology that remains the company’s cornerstone.

    A leading theorist in High Cycle Fatigue (HCF) and turbine health monitoring, Drew ensures that every diagnostic algorithm is anchored in rigorous physical principles. His work provides the analytical certainty that allows global aerospace and defense partners to push the boundaries of engine performance and lifecycle management.

  • A smiling middle-aged man with a beard and dark hair, wearing a light-colored collared shirt, standing in a technology or data center environment with server racks and equipment in the background.

    Blair Echols

    Chief Product Officer

    As the lead for product development, Blair excels at translating digital models into operational hardware. He is the primary driver behind the design and integration of Blade Diagnostics’ testing systems, including the SmartBlend System (SBS).

    With extensive industrial experience spanning aerospace, data storage hardware development, and industrial automation, Blair engineers the precision instrumentation and mechanical environments required to validate performance in real-world conditions. His ability to translate complex constraints into robust, user-friendly equipment ensures that Blade Diagnostics' solutions are as practical and reliable on the shop floor as they are in the laboratory.

  • A smiling man with glasses, wearing a black polo shirt, standing in a workshop or industrial setting with tools and equipment in the background.

    Jerry H. Griffin, Ph.D.

    Founder & Vice President of Engineering

    The lineage of Blade Diagnostics is rooted in the pioneering research of Dr. Jerry Griffin. With over 50 years of experience in mistuning and blade vibration, Jerry’s tenure as a chaired professor of engineering at Carnegie Mellon University established the foundational methods that define the industry today.

    As a founder, Jerry’s patented research into the effects of vibration on engine blades provided the bedrock for the company’s technology suite. Today, he remains a vital technical anchor, lending his peerless expertise to the research and development teams as they continue to evolve the next generation of vibration diagnostics.