By Heather Blahnik (MA ’96, US ’98, AI ’99)

Jeff Popiel (CO ’93, US ’94, AI ’95) is the CEO & President of Geotech Environmental, which was recently visited by John Bryson, the newly confirmed Secretary of the U.S. Department of Commerce, where he presented Geotech with the Certificate of Excellence for Export Achievement.  Jeff has been CEO & President of Geotech since 2008 and in that time he has brought Geotech’s 2011 revenues to $18 million this year, up 10 percent over 2010.  International sales are expected to be up 40 percent over 2010, and the company has grown from 88 employees a year ago to 92 people currently.  The company has focused on the international market since the recession started in 2008.  “In 2008 we decided to diversify internationally.  Developing countries are under pressure to clean up their environment and the easiest way to do that is to adopt U.S. laws — which we know,” Jeff said.

Geotech was recognized for its success by U.S. Rep. Diana DeGette, D-Colo., who accompanied Bryson on the Geotech tour.  Rep. DeGette said to Jeff, “This company is an example of how we can grow our economy through small businesses.  We need to take what you’re doing and spread it across the country.”

Geotech makes equipment to test, remediate and monitor groundwater pollution from oil, gasoline and diesel fuels.  State-of-the-art manufacturing, machining, thermoplastic extrusion, contract manufacturing and injection plastic molding capability have allowed Geotech to innovate cost-effective solutions to tough environmental problems for its extensive government, consulting and private industry customers.  Geotech currently has distribution in 72 countries including Australia, Chile, Mexico, the UK, the Netherlands, and France.  In addition to five domestic offices, they have satellite offices in Spain and China.

If you would like to learn more about Geotech, visit its webpage at http://www.geotechenv.com/.  To talk to Jeff about the company and his experience there, you can email him at jeffp@geotechenv.com.

If you know of any alumni who have recently been recognized or given an award, email us at heather@aieseclife.org.