Isabel is a Product Manager of Subgrade Improvement at Terrafix Geosynthetics, which is a role that gives her the opportunity to be involved in the design stage up to project completion. Remarkable contributions of her role: deliver Value Engineering designs, address site challenges, and provide technical assistance, tests, and site visits. She graduated from URBE University in Venezuela in 2006 as an Industrial Engineer. She has worked for more than 10 years in civil engineering, supporting a wide variety of infrastructural projects in Venezuela, Spain, and Canada. Isabel was nominated by a fellow WIG member. When asked why we thought she would make a great spotlight, the individual said “she is incredibly bright, has an incomparable work ethic and because she is both female in a male-dominated industry AND a new Canadian, she works harder than anyone in her department (my opinion). She is always on, always ready to give more and ready to help.”
Great job Isabel! Thanks for being such a positive woman in the industry!
Dr. Arriaga has over thirteen years of academic and professional experience in the field of geotechnical and geosynthetics engineering. Her Ph.D. dissertation was titled: “Response of Geosynthetic-Reinforced Structures under Working Stress and Failure Conditions”. Research work included testing geosynthetic-reinforced slope models in a geotechnical centrifuge until failure to evaluate the stress distribution along the reinforcements. Dr. Arriaga’s experience spans public and private projects across the Western U.S. including transportation, earth retaining structures, dams and levees, waste containment, and methane mitigation.
Dr. Arriaga received her Bachelor’s of Science in Civil Engineering from Universidad Católica Andrés Bello in Caracas, and Master of Science in Civil Engineering and Doctorate of Philosophy in Civil Engineering from the University of Colorado at Boulder.
Maya Innis has been a professional in the geosynthetics industry for over twenty years. During her tenure, she has gained a vast knowledge of quality control, fabrication and installation techniques and procedures. With experience second to few in the industry, Maya has had a hand in managing and inspecting the installation of over 39.5 million square feet of all types of geosynthetic lining systems and prefabricated accessories. In addition to her installation skill set, Maya has also managed and assisted with the fabrication of an untold amount of square footage of a variety of geomembranes, and has provided quality control both in the field and in the geomembrane fabrication facility.
Tina Oliver is the Geo Military Senior Product Manager for Seaman Corporation. As an experienced product management and marketing professional, Tina has spent the last 20 years developing both standard and custom products for the electrical industry. Prior to that, she worked in the construction industry and has extensive experience developing products for North America, Asia, Europe and the Middle East. Tina has a Bachelor of Science degree in Business from Indiana Wesleyan University.
I have more than 20 years of experience in the geotechnical, geo-environmental, and solid waste industry. I received my bachelor's degree in civil engineering from the University of Puerto Rico and a master's in geomechanics from Stanford University. My experience includes analysis, design, permitting, and construction of municipal solid waste landfills, including expansion and closure of existing facilities; developing closure and post-closure cost estimates; evaluating slope stability of new and existing structures; and preparing construction documents for bid purposes. My current and past assignments involve landfill redevelopment and/or cleanup, feasibility studies, and solid waste design and permitting.
Kristin Sample-Lord, Ph.D., P.E., is an Associate Professor of geotechnical and geoenvironmental engineering at Villanova University in Pennsylvania. Her research programs focus on geoenvironmental containment barriers and green stormwater infrastructure. She recently received a National Science Foundation CAREER award for research on geosynthetic clay liners. She is a board member of the International Geosynthetics Society-North American chapter and co-Chair of the 13th International Conference on Geosynthetics. She is particularly passionate about initiatives advancing geotechnical and geosynthetics undergraduate education.
I have worked in the geosynthetics industry for over 10 years. Starting in production I have moved upward over the years thru quality assurance, purchasing, operations, and safety. I currently am responsible for managing our overall quality assurance and safety standards across all our facilities. I like to be “hands-on” and am a strong believer in the way we learn is to ask questions and experience things firsthand. When not at work I enjoy spending time with my husband and our dogs outdoors.
Jordan Wiechmann is a Territory Sales Manager at Intertape Polymer Group. In her current role, she focuses on maintaining and creating positive business relationships, meeting sales goals and engaging in continued education within the geosynthetics industry. Before joining Intertape Polymer Group, Jordan worked in technical sales for a PVC manufacturer and spent time in the staffing industry. Jordan graduated from Saginaw Valley State University with a Bachelor of Business Administration Degree. She regularly attends industry trade events and currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Fabricated Geomembrane Institute. In her spare time, she enjoys soaking up the Michigan summer sun with her husband, son and two dogs.
I have over 20 years of experience in geosynthetics with work experience in the private and public sector including government and consulting as well as construction supply.
My current focus is on stormwater management and green infrastructure designs and systems. I work with Engineers, Contractors, and Project Owners to design and incorporate them into Low Impact Development Applications.