Organizing Committee

George R. Koerner is Director Emeritus of the Geosynthetic Institute. He is in charge of laboratory accreditation, field certification and continuing education at the Institute. He also manages several research projects and has published over 350 technical Papers in his 40 year association with polymers used in below ground construction. Dr. Koerner’s Ph.D. is from Drexel University in Geotechnical Engineering. He is a registered professional engineer and a certified quality auditor. George has received many awards over the years. The most notable being IFAI’s Environmental Technologies Award of Excellence 1995, ASCE’s DVGI Geotechnical Engineer of the year in 2004, the title of ASTM Fellow in 2013, GMA’s first Koerner lecturer in 2017 and the title of ASCE Fellow in 2020.

Dr. Kuo Tian holds a Ph.D. in Civil and Environmental Engineering from the University of Wisconsin. He is an Associate Professor of Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Engineering at George Mason University, where he co-directs the Sustainable Geo-Infrastructure research group. His research focuses on the design and evaluation of environmental containment systems for municipal, hazardous, and radioactive wastes; the development of innovative geomaterials for sustainable construction; and the fate and transport of contaminants in soils. His work integrates fundamental laboratory studies, field experiments, and computational modeling.

Burak F. Tanyu has over 20 years of experience in geotechnical engineering practice and education. He began his professional career at Geosyntec Consultants and is currently a tenured full professor in the Civil, Environmental, and Infrastructure Engineering Department at George Mason University (GMU). He founded the geotechnical engineering program at GMU and co-directs the Sustainable Geo-Infrastructure Research Group. His research focuses on the use of geosynthetics and recycled materials in the construction of infrastructure and containment systems. He serves in leadership and editorial roles within ASCE and has previously served as a committee chair for the Transportation Research Board (TRB).

Andrew has an Environmental Engineering degree from the University of Florida and is an environmental professional with over 30 years of field work, operation management and sales experience. For 16 years Andrew worked for Clean Harbors and Veolia focused on hazardous waste disposal and recycling. In 2013, he went to work for CETCO as Technical Sales Manager for the western US for their geosynthetic clay liner product line. He founded Western GeoSystems in 2018 as an independent representative for geosynthetic manufacturers including CETCO, Afitex-Texel, and Coletanche. With Western GeoSystems, our focus is working with engineers, regulators and contractors promoting the use of geosynthetics to reduce the use of natural resources in the lifecycle of landfill and mining operations. These innovative products can reduce cost, speed construction, improve safety, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Melissa Hurley is the General Manager of Cascade Geosynthetics, a Portland, Oregon-based distribuotr of geosynthetics, erosion control, stormwater management, and revegetation solutions serving the Pacific Northwest and Mountain West regions. With over 30 years of experience in the geosynthetics industry, she co-founded Cascade Geos in 2020 with Travis Riehl under Hale Holdings. Melissa drives the company's growth, emphasizing win-win partnerships, exceptional customer service, technical expertise, and a supportive, family-oriented culture focused on safety, integrity, and community.

John Lostumbo is the Technical and Business Development Director for Maccaferri North America with over 30 years of experience in the civil engineering and geosynthetics industry. His responsibilities include , geosynthetic applications, product development, project support and industry standards/specifications for Maccaferri solutions and applications. John is a member of several technical committees in various organizations including- Serving his 2nd elected term as Vice President of IGS-North America where he is the Technical Chair, Executive Member of the Technical Committee on Stabilization for IGS International, Chair of the GMA Geotextile Task Group, Currently serving on the Organizing Committee for the 2026 International Conference on Geosyntethics (13th ICG) in Montreal, He is also a member or contributor of technical committees in ASCE, AREMA, ASTM, TRB and AASHTO and has written several technical papers and articles on various civil engineering applications. He received his BSCE from the University of Vermont and is a registered professional engineer in WV, PA, OH and NC. John is an avid skier, enjoys golf, soccer, travel and spending time with his family. He lives in Buffalo, NY with his wife Lisa and children Luke and Sara.

Daniel Retired after a 35 year career in geotechnical engineering. He worked 23 years for the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA). He Provided technical support and training for the FHWA National Highway Institute courses and reference manuals, including: o Geosynthetics, o Geotechnical Aspects of Pavements, o Mechanically Stabilized Earth Walls and Slopes.

Dr. Elie Y. Hajj is a Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering at the University of Nevada, Reno, where he also serves as Associate Director of the Western Regional Superpave Center. He chairs the International Society for Asphalt Pavements (2025–2027) and directs major national research initiatives, including the AIEI cooperative agreement with FHWA. With over 21 years of experience in academia and industry, and more than 120 publications, Dr. Hajj has significantly advanced the development and implementation of innovative asphalt pavement technologies.

Fred Chuck has been in the geosynthetics industry for more than 40 years, having had responsibilities ranging from product development and technical service to sales and market management to Industry Council lobbying and education (details in CV). Fred served as Past Chair of the GMA Geotextile Focus Group, a member of: IGS-NA; TRB AFS70 - Committee on Geosynthetics; AREMA (Rail Engineering) Committee 1 (Geosynthetics); & IECA. He led the GMA efforts from 2009-2012 to establish the NTPEP GTX audit plan and the AASHTO M288-17 modifications. In December of 2018, Fred assumed the Chairmanship of the Geosynthetic Materials Association (GMA) Executive Council, ending his term in April 2020 to take on the role of Executive Director of the Geosynthetics Materials Association (GMA). A Civil Engineering graduate of Purdue University, he is licensed in Indiana, Georgia and North Carolina. Residing in Fort Mill, South Carolina, Fred and his wife, Beth, a realtor, have two children; a son, Davis, working for GE, graduated in Industrial Engineering from Clemson University and a daughter, Natalie, who will graduate from University of South Carolina in May 2020 with a degree in Broadcast Journalism.

Barbara has been involved with the Geosynthetics conference in various roles since GeoAmericas 2008 and has been Secretary General for the conference since Geosynthetics 2015.