IAGI Board of Directors Candidates Biographies

2017 - 2018 Board of Directors Candidates

Nicky Araujo, Servicios de Ingenieria Geosintetica, SA, Panama/Costa Rica,  Installer

Nicky Araujo started his involvement with geosynthetics in 1985, working initially as a Field Supervisor for Field Lining Services in Phoenix, Arizona. In 1989, he decided to move back to Latin America and started Field Lining Services of Latin America, Inc. In 1993 a branch office called Servicios de Ingeniería Geosintetica, S.A. was opened in Costa Rica. Under his management, the group of companies has extended and now includes 4 offices in Central and South America. The companies provide engineering design services that incorporate geosynthetics, supply materials and do the installation and CQC that the customers may require. The primary concern of the companies lead by Nicky Araujo has always been to provide the customers with the very best geosynthetics and the best installation that the project and the customer may require, which has resulted in these companies becoming a leader in the Latin American region. Constant training of the personnel has also been a key element that allowed Nicky to count with a team of professionals of exceptional qualities.

Max Brady, DDT Liners, Australia, Installer  

Max Brady lined his first dam in 1983, in South-East Queensland, Australia. Since then he has watched (and participated in) the growth of the geomembrane lining industry—to become the high-tech / high-spec business it is today.

A founding member of IAGI, Max is a keen supporter of the CWT and AIC programs. Following a recent re-structure, Max continues his involvement as a consultant to DDT Liners, a highly regarded Australian Installer.

Brett Burkard, Titan Environmental Containment,Canada, Installer 

Born and raised in Manitoba, Brett Burkard is CEO and part owner of Titan Environmental

Containment (Titan), a company specializing in the supply and installation of high-quality geosynthetic materials, storage tanks, and specialty civil construction products that help manage and protect the environment.

Brett holds a diploma in Business Administration from Red River Community College and prior to co-founding Titan in 2006, he spent 10 years working in Regional Management, Operations

and Sales positions  in the geosynthetics industry where he acquired vast industry knowledge and expertise. Building the business from the ground up, Brett has played a major role in helping to grow the company from a five-man operation to well over 100 staff, five locations across Canada and a subsidiary company in the United States.

Heavily involved in the company’s day-to-day workings, he currently overseas all aspects of business operations, sales and strategic development.  Always striving for personal growth and development Brett has thirst for knowledge and is a firm believer in giving back to industry.  He views the International Association of Geosynthetic Installers (IAGI) as an industry pillar and is keen on involving himself further with to make notable contributions to the field.

Chris Eichelberger, Agru America, United States, Associate

Chris Eichelberger currently serves as Vice President - Technical Marketing for Agru American, the leading manufacturer of flat die, extrusion calendered geomembrane products and a leading manufacturer of geocomposite drainage products, geosynthetic clay liners, geotextiles, concrete protective liners, HDPE pipe fittings and other specialty products. His role includes oversight of the company's complete geosynthetics product line.

He holds a BS from The Pennsylvania State University and over 16 years of experience in the geosynthetics industry including; divisional management, business development, contract administration, project management, constructability reviews, installation of products, specification and material selection and field experience in CQA of soils and geosynthetic materials.

Todd Harman, Hallaton, Inc., United States, Installer

In 1984, after graduating from Washington College, Todd Harman started in the geosynthetics field working with a Mirafi representative in Baltimore selling to engineers and architects. In 1986, he became a partner in Hallaton Pty. Ltd., Australia. Hallaton Pty, Ltd. marketed erosion and geosynthetic materials. In 1993 Todd Harman started Hallaton, Inc. a geosynthetic installer located in Baltimore, MD. Hallaton, Inc. is now in its twenty-fifth year as an installer.

John Heap, Colorado Lining International, United States, Installer

John Heap has been in the geosynthetic industry since 1978. Working initially as a Field Supervisor for his first 8 years in the business, John moved into sales, estimating and project management in 1986. In 1992 John purchased CLI from his Father Robert A. Heap, and with a strong employee team and a customer first approach CLI has continued to grow by offering a wide range of high quality fabricated products and construction services.

John McElhatton, Scorpion Liners, Canada, Installer

John A. McElhatton joined Scorpion Plastics in 2014 and has worked in the industry since 1989. John holds Supervisory Development and Project Leadership Certificates from NAIT, as well as being an Alberta Certified Peer Health and Safety Auditor.

“Demo” Dave McLaury, Demtech Services, United States, Associate

“Demo” Dave McLaury is President of DEMTECH Services, Inc. a seaming and testing equipment manufacturing company located in California serving the geosynthetics installation industry since 1999. Prior to forming DEMTECH, Demo Dave was employed by Columbine for 14 years. His extensive knowledge of equipment designs as well as their use in fabrication and installation of geosynthetics provides a fresh perspective to the board, especially on seaming related issues such as the IAGI Certification program. Dave has been involved with IAGI since 1996 and is currently an official proctor for the certification program.

Piet Meyer, Aquatan, Pty Ltd. South Africa, Installer

Piet Meyer, Managing Director joined Aquatan in 1981. Aquatan is based in Johannesburg, South Africa. Aquatan, previously Gundle Lining Systems, for the past 50 years (and still do) supply and install Geosynthetic Materials. Our market, in addition to the very well regulated South African market include Africa and neighbouring islands. We further install our specialist products in various countries across the world. The combination of my own 35 years of geosynthetic application experience; the companies 50 years existence; the variety of geosynthetic applications over the years; Aquatan’s geomembrane manufacturing experience since Clifford Gundle (Chairman of Aquatan) developed the wide sheet blown film manufacturing in 1966 and subsequently developed the seaming mechanisms still in use today, all adds significant depth to the contribution we can make to IAGI. I understand the manufacture and composition of geomembranes which often affects the specific application and durability of the material.

I graduated (BSc) from the University of Pretoria in 1976. I understand, fully support and apply the principles of QA, QC, proper project management, respect clients requirements and believe in innovative solutions, morally sound business principles and stakeholder relationships. As a result of the above I fully subscribe to the CWT and AIC principles of the IAGI and believe that there are ways to make it even more acceptable and successful.

 Andrew Sanderson,  Western Tank & Lining, Canada, Installer

Andrew has over 15 years of experience at Western Tank and Lining with Geosynthetics both in installation and project management.  He has successfully managed hundreds of projects including over 10 million square meters of HDPE / LLDPE liner installation.  Andrew has a distinct reputation with owners and engineers for completing complex projects on schedule without sacrificing spec or quality.  Andrew has been involved and supporting IAGI since 2007.  In his spare time Andrew enjoys spending time with his family, golfing, skiing and fishing.

Bill Shehane,  Seaman Corporation, United States, Associate

Bill has spent 25 years in the geomembrane industry and is currently Seaman Corporation’s Geomembrane Market Manager. He is a registered  Professional Engineer in North Carolina and also a member of the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), American Water Works Association (AWWA), ASTM International and the Fabricated Geomembrane Institute (FGI). Bill is married with twin children and enjoys hiking and golf.