IAGI Board of Directors 2025 - 2026

President

Todd Harman, Hallaton, Inc.

Installer

Phone: +1 (410) 583-7700 | Send Email

1st Vice President

Phil Rock Denis, FC Geosynthetiques

+1 (780) 224-1924    |  Send email

Phil was conceived, born and raised in geosynthetics. He could spell it at three years old. From humble beginnings at fourteen as a summer student at Solmax, to Sales Manager out of Malaysia, Phil never looked back to second guess his career path. It’s literally in his blood. Phil holds a bachelor’s degree in International Commerce from UQAM/Paris XIII,  a College Diploma in Applied Sciences, and is currently Project Manager at FC Liners. Phil enjoys life on the job site, hovering between North and South America, he has personally acquired and supervised projects totaling well over 10 million square meters of geomembrane liner. He revels in daily construction challenges, associated responsibilities, and interfacing with all managing levels. He is trilingual, counting English, French and “job site Spanish.” Phil is also one of the founding members and MC of the GeoGames. Phil is an unconditional advocate of Quality Control because, as he always says; “I like to sleep at night.” He strongly believes that geosynthetics will only work as intended with proper installation methods and care. Phil is a doer, and his passion for geosynthetics is contagious. He truly represents the younger generation of geosynthetics devotees.

2nd Vice President

Nicky Araujo, Servicios de Ingenieria Geosintetica, SA

Installer

Phone: +1 (506) 231-4238  | Send Email

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 led 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 on a team of professionals of exceptional qualities.

Treasurer

 Eric Lamontagne, P.Eng. G.E. Environmental Solutions, Inc.

Phone: +1 (306) 931-8014   | Send Email

Eric Lamontagne is a Professional Engineer in Canada.  He was introduced to Geosynthetics in 2001 where he started installing geomembranes.  During his time attending university, his summers were spent installing Geosynthetics, where he became IAGI certified.  After graduating from university, Lamontagne was hired as a Mine Engineer for Canada’s largest energy company in Fort McMurray Alberta.  During his tenure as a Mine Engineer, he worked in various roles, including reclamation and mine design.  In 2014, Lamontagne and his family returned to Saskatchewan where he took the role of Operations Manager with GE Environmental Solutions Inc.  Lamontagne’s focus was to grow the company in a sustainable manner, while providing insight from a mining and engineering perspective.  Geosynthetics have been a part of Lamontagne’s life for just under 20 years, where he still frequents project sites and continues to lend his expertise to design engineers, project owners, and earthwork contractors.  In 2017 Eric provided great insight to the engineer and general contractor and was an IAGI award-winning geosynthetic project in northern Alberta.  Lamontagne’s passion is to apply the new advancements in technology and research into the installation of geosynthetics.  Lamontagne sits on the board of directors of a mining association in Saskatchewan and is a volunteer with the local engineering association.  Lamontagne envisions the IAGI organization continuing to grow the Geosynthetic installation industry to advance the quality of our ever-changing infrastructure.  Eric Lamontagne resides in Canada with his wife and three children.

Director

 Marco Araujo, SAI

Installer

Phone: 55-5856 5170   |  Send email

Marco Araujo Leal brings over 30 years of experience in the geosynthetics industry, having participated in more than 1,400 projects worldwide. He was the first Certified Welding Technician in Latin America and played a pivotal role in championing the IAGI Approved Installation Contractor (AIC) program, leading his company, Soluciones Ambientales, to become the first AIC-certified company in the region.

He holds a Master’s degree in Sustainable Design from the University of Florida and a Ph.D. in Wildlife and Fisheries from Texas A&M University.  Marco has also earned advanced certifications in sustainability from institutions such as MIT Professional Education. His expertise lies in integrating sustainability into geosynthetics installation processes, focusing on reducing environmental impact while improving efficiency and compliance.

On the IAGI Board of Directors, Marco aims to drive innovation and sustainability within the industry, empowering installers to adopt best practices and ensuring a greener, more responsible future for geosynthetics.

 Director

Evan Bao,     Comanco

Installer

Evan Bao graduated from Texas A&M University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Petroleum Engineering. He started his career as a Field Engineer and has since then dedicated himself to ensuring quality and excellence in his work. Evan has been a QAQC Engineer for the past six years and is currently the QAQC Manager at COMANCO., where he works on the GeoCAAB software. He possesses expertise and training in project safety compliance, review of project QA/QC specifications, and site-specific QA/QC testing and documentation performance.

 Director

 Gus Fauci,  DEMTECH Services

Associate

Phone: +1 (530) 621-3200   | Send Email

I’ve been in the geosynthetics industry since 1983. Starting at Columbine International as their production manager and supporting field services. From there,  I went to DemTech Services in 2001 as their production and development manager, recently promoted to General Manager in 2024. While managing production and development, I also oversee all training for geosynthetic installers including mechanical workshops, welding training and certification. I have over 29 years of welding, testing and training experience in the geosynthetic industry.

As production / development manager I oversee the research and development team, supervise the production and quality control of equipment for installation and testing of geosynthetics and other thermoplastics.

As the master training instructor for all customers using DemTech equipment for installation or repair of geomembranes. I have directed training of thousands of welding technicians worldwide. These locations include Canada, UK, Germany, France, Japan, Europe, Asia, Africa, Australia and the Americas to name a few. I have also been

an official proctor for the International Association of Geosynthetics Installers’ (IAGI)  Certified Welding Technician program since 2005. Proctoring hundreds of CWT tests over the past 20 years. I also exclusively provide Turf training and certification for Watershed GEO. I have installation experience of over 10 million square feet of geosynthetic products including geomembranes, geotextiles, geocomposite, pVC, Closure-Turf and Z-Turf.

Throughout my time in the industry, I have provided technical support with numerous types of materials establishing welding specifications with material manufacturers such as Solmax, Layfield Plastics, Agru America, etc.

 Director

 Brian Fraser       Layfield Geosynthetics

+1 (619) 433-4985 |  Send email

I have been actively employed in the geomembrane industry for the past 45 years. My background includes geomembrane and geosynthetic manufacturing, fabrication, and installations. My experience includes working in the USA, Canada, Australia and South America. I have previously managed Layfield’s operation in the USA and Canada. My position is Vice President of Layfield Geosynthetics responsible for business development in North America and internationally. I have been on the Board of Advisors for both the FGI and GSI as well as actively participate as a member supporting various GMA and IGS initiatives. I am a passionate industry supporter of geosynthetics and the various applications and advantages they provide in civil and geotechnical construction including environmental sustainability. I am currently based in Yuma, Arizona.

Layfield is a vertically integrated company involved in the manufacturing, fabrication and construction of geomembranes and geosynthetics.

Managing Director

Laurie L. Honnigford

Managing Director

Phone: +1 (720) 353-4977 | Send Email