Tim Ruckman:
Co-owner and Chief Operating Officer of Soil Nail Launcher, Inc., Tim continues to be the mastermind behind SNL’s
innovations in tools, equipment and techniques. These concepts and techniques are utilized in repairing landslides more
efficiently in remote locations in the US, New Zealand, and Canada. Tim has over 15 years of construction management
and soil stabilization experience, serving as project manager and field superintendent on projects as large as $30 million.
As the previous president of Rock Creations, Inc., Tim is also an expert in dry stacked stone and block faced GCS walls.
Tim combines his experience with his superior skills in planning, scheduling, and teaching to ensure job quality every
time. Tim lives in Phoenix, Arizona with his wife Shaunda and their son Nash.
Contact: tim@soilnaillauncher.com
Colby Barrett:
Co-owner and President of SNL, Inc., Colby has worked for Bob and Al for over 10 years, managing projects throughout
the continental United States, Puerto Rico, and Jamaica. After studying Chemistry and Chemical Engineering at the
University of California at Berkeley and Oxford University on an NROTC scholarship, Colby served as a Captain in the
United States Marine Corps, leading both infantry and Scout/Sniper platoons throughout the Pacific Rim and the Middle
East. Colby also holds Juris Doctor from Yale Law School and is currently wrapping up the requirements for his
Professional Engineer License. He handles marketing, site visits, proposals and project management assignments. Colby
lives in Grand Junction, Colorado with his wife Leslie and their son Lachlan
Contact: colby@SNL1.com
303.909.6083
Sikot “C” Mahaxay:
Sikot Mahaxay was born in Champasack, Laos and then moved to Thailand with his family at an early age. As the eldest and only son, tradition dictated that Sikot
support his family until he married. Sikot knew that if he stayed in Thailand, he would not be able to support his parents and his four sisters, so he sought
sponsorship to come ot the United States. A sponsor family in Lake Park, Iowa invited Sikot to join them on their farm, and taught him the basics of equipment
operation. While attending high school in Lake Park, Sikot worked as a full-time heavy equipment operator, finally making enough money to move the rest of his
family to Iowa from Thailand.
Sikot has over twenty years experience as an equipment perator, and over ten years experience in soil nailing, GCS wall construction, and is a world-class rock
mason using mortarless construction techniques. Sikot is also an expert driller and has repaired landslides across the United States. Sikot lives in Denver, Colorado
with his family, his wife, and his daughter. When he is not fixing landslides, Sikot enjoys outdoor sports, camping, boating, fishing, and hunting.
Contact: sikot@soilnaillauncher.com
Phivane “A” Romyen:
The other half of the "C & A dreamteam," Phivane has managed projects across the United States and has constructed GCS walls over a half-mile long and 50 feet in
height. His masonry skills and capacity for hard work are unrivaled.
Kim Ruckman:
Kim is one of the bright stars at SNL. She coordinates and leads our U. S. marketing effort including trade shows,
workshops, and brochures and videos. Kim handles contracts, insurances, bonding, warranties, and supervises the
financial group. And she has a talent for design. She routinely visits potential sites and prepares proposals as well. A
one-stop shop for talent. When you need something right now, call Kim.
Contact: kim@soilnaillauncher.com
970.210.6170
Keith Bender:
A native of Akron, Ohio, Keith Bender has over 25 years experience in construction,
construction management, and construction sales. Beginning his career as a draftsman,
then an iron worker, Keith put himself through school at Bowling Green State University,
graduating in three years with a Bachelor of Science in Construction Technology. After
college, he worked heavy marine construction, international heavy construction, segmental
post-tensioned box girder bridges, various plant facilities & renovations, and restaurant
construction, as well as construction sales. Keith has lived and worked throughout the
United States, the Caribbean, Africa, Asia and the Middle East. Keith’s experience and
expertise made him a perfect choice to head SNL’s sales and consulting effort in the Eastern
United States. Keith lives in Winston-Salem, North Carolina with his wife and two sons.
Contact: kwbender@gmail.com
John Steward:
It is no stretch to say that John Steward “wrote the book” on Launched Soil Nails. In 1992,
he arranged and managed the demonstration project to introduce the Soil Nail Launcher to
the U.S. and was the lead author of the U.S. Forest Service/Federal Highway Administration
Application (Design) Guide for use of launched soil nails in roads. John holds both a B.S. and
a M.S. degree in civil engineering from Oregon State University, and has been a senior
project engineer on numerous major projects throughout the Pacific Northwest for over 30
years. John served as the Senior Geotechnical Engineer for the Pacific Northwest Region
National Forests, and has been a pioneer in research related to geotextiles, soil nailing,
retaining walls, horizontal drains, the use of wood residue as lightweight fill, and is an
industry expert in value engineering strategies. He designed the first Forest Service access
roads using geotextiles, and designed and instrumented the first geotextile reinforced
retaining wall with a geotextile face in North America. John was the lead author “Guideline for
Use of Fabrics in the Design and Construction of Low Volume Roads,” which was reprinted by
the Federal Highway administration and is still in use today. In conjunction with Dr. J.R. Bell
of Oregon State University, John developed the first design methodologies and construction
specifications for geotextile reinforced retaining walls. John also introduced the use of
horizontal drains installed by commercial drillers and drafted the first specifications for their
use. John heads SNL's sales and consulting efforts in the Northwestern United States.
Contact: dcstew@msn.com
360-521-7683
Cameron Lobato:
Cameron Lobato is the President of GeoStabilization, Inc. and is a professional engineer registered in several states. His
partner company specializes in stabilizing difficult terrain. SNL calls on Cameron when the challenges get really tough.
His web site is www.geostabilization.com
Contact: cameron@geostabilization.com
970.985.1066
Perry A. Kairis, P.E.:
Mr. Kairis joins the Soil Nail Launcher, Inc. team as a registered Professional Engineer with more than 25 years of
construction experience. He earned his BS degree in Civil Engineering Magna Cum Laude from the University of
Wisconsin. Mr. Kairis has worked in local government serving as the Public Services Director for the City of High Point for
17 years. His responsibilities included roadway and bridge maintenance, capital improvement project planning and
implementation, construction administration and project management for multi-million dollar contracts, and all public works and utility management services. Mr. Kairis has been an engineering consultant for over eight years including the
design, permitting, and construction manager for various large capital improvement projects. He most recently served as
an Area Manager for a large international consulting firm. Perry brings his knowledge and experience to support our
clients throughout the East Coast. Mr. Kairis is married to wife Nancy for 26 years. He has two daughters – Amanda 16;
Ashley 12. Hobbies include flying, golf, and other outdoor sports.
Contact: perry@soilnaillauncher.com
412.432.6047
GeoStabilization, Inc. is a full service design-build geotechnical engineering company based in
Western Colorado, serving Colorado, Montana, Wyoming, Utah, Arizona, and New Mexico.
Founded in 2007 to bring a full suite of design-build services to Western Colorado and surrounding regions, GeoStabilization employs state of the art tools and technologies to solve the most difficult geotechnical problems. GeoStabilization, Inc. prides itself on rapid response, cost control, and
warranted full-service solutions.
Website: www.geostabilization.com
Contact: Cameron Lobato, P.E.
cameron@geostabilization.com
970.985.1066
Landslide Solutions, Inc. (California)
Landslide Solutions, Inc. (LSI) is the leading design | build | warranty landslide repair and
GeoSolutions company in California. Together with its in-house expertise and national partner
company, Soil Nail Launcher, Inc., LSI can repair virtually any landslide in any geologic setting.
LSI's expertise doesn't stop at landslides. It continues with temporary Excavation Support,
Geosynthetically Confined Soil™ Retaining Walls (including Rockery Walls), Launched Horizontal
Drains, Permanent SuperSoilNail™ Walls, Scour Remediation, Railroad Applications, Rockfall
Protection, the BioWall®, Historic Rock Wall Repair, Existing Retaining Wall Repair and more.
Website: www.landslidesolutions.com
Contact: James Chinchiolo
james@landslideolutions.com
916.698.5133
Morsky Industrial Services (Canada)
Morsky Industrial Services is a 50-year old family-owned and managed business that provides
numerous services in the industrial and heavy construction industry. We have expanded our
expertise in the areas of site services, railway services, natural resource construction,
environmental construction, and soil and landslide solutions.
Regina is our headquarters with a branch office and shop in Rainbow Lake, Alberta, branch at
Mosiac, Belle plain and with services throughout the Prairie Provinces. With our soil and landslide
solutions we offer coast to coast services.
Website: www.morsky.ca
Hiway Stabilizers Environmental
(New Zealand)
Hiway Stabilizers are stabilising pioneers and have developed and nurtured an environment of
innovation, excellence and technological development with the company - providing sound
engineering solutions to demanding engineering situations. Throughout its history the company has
achieved growth through implementing our "solution based" attitude.
Website: www.hiwaystab.co.nz/specialist/environmental.cfm
Contact: Andy O' Sullivan
andy@hiwaystab.co.nz
64 - 9-4263419