MEET THE SPEAKERS

WORKSHOP

AMIR SHAHKOLAHI

Technical Manager Australia and NZ, Global Synthetics

DANIEL GIBBS

General Manager - Technical, Research and Innovation, Geofabrics Center for geosynthetic Research, Innovation and Development

Daniel Gibbs is the General Manager of Technical, Research and Innovation at Geofabrics’ Centre for Geosynthetic Research, Innovation and Development (GRID). The GRID provides solutions to engineering and environmental challenges through empirical research and product development, working collaboratively with consulting engineers, regulators, universities, councils, lining contractors and government agencies to provide an understanding of short-to-long term Geosynthetic behaviour using design requirements and site-specific materials. He has more than 20 years of combined quality management, research, method development, auditing, innovation, and analytical techniques in Pharmaceuticals and Geosynthetics, has authored or co-authored 11 research papers on Geosynthetics and is an active member of various professional bodies including ASTM Committees D35 on Geosynthetics and D18 on Soil and Rock and The Australian Chapter of the International Geosynthetics Society (ACIGS).

MARC AMTSBERG

Sector Manager Mining and Containment, Geofabrics Australia

Marc Amtsberg provides technical support to Atarfil Australia, providing design and advice for performance of Geosynthetics in Lining and Capping systems for Landfill and Tailings. He has worked for Geofabrics as the containment and mining manager for 10+ years and has critical knowledge as to manufacturing inputs for Geomembranes, Geotextiles and GCLs in containment applications, developing key understanding as to the Australian regulatory environment.

ANDY WARWICK

National Product Manager, Global Synthetics

Andy has been working in the geosynthetic industry for over fifteen years. He has worked at several large geosynthetic companies including Geofabrics (UK), Fiberweb/Barry Global (USA),  Polyfabrics (AUS) and now Global Synthetics. Andy has extensive experience in product development, manufacturing as well as a wide understanding of the various applications, standards and local country practices involved in the geosynthetic selection process.

Throughout the carrier has been part of the Various IGS committee’s including UK, Pakistan and India as well as assisting in the British Standards committee, he is excited to share these experiences with Australia.

WARREN HORNSEY

Director, TRI Australasia  

Warren is professional civil engineer, with experience in Africa, UK and Australia. He is the Director of TRI Australasia, an independent geosynthetic testing and analysis laboratory, based on the Gold Coast in Queensland. He is directly responsible for all geosynthetic testing and support in the Australasian region. His current role means he is involved in landfill quality assurance on a daily basis and has strong relationships with regulators, designers, installers and manufactures.

Warren has 24 years experience in geosyntheic design, manufacture and R&D, he is currently a committee member of the International Geosynthetics Society and was previously Chairman of Standards Australia CE20 committee on geosynthetics. He has published over 25 peer reviewed papers covering a range of geosynthetic applications and has a passion for all things geosynthetic related.

FRED GASSNER

Senior Principal Engineer, Golder

Fred is a Geotechnical Engineer with 40 years of experience in the environmental, civil geotechnical and mining industry as a consulting engineer.  He has wide experience in the fields of mining, industrial and municipal waste and water management, and has special knowledge in geosynthetics and containment systems, both for solids and liquids.  Fred has worked on a wide variety of containment system projects including a number of special waste facilities that include PFAS impacted materials.  He has worked as a consultant his entire professional career in Australia and internationally, being responsible for the investigation, design, construction and operational auditing and rehabilitation of a wide variety of facilities.  Fred is also involved in the design and permitting of numerous lined ponds to retain a wide variety of types of liquids.