IECA Board of Directors Election Results

The results of the Board of Directors election are as follows. New members will actively join the IECA Board at the IECA Annual Conference in February:

Seat “A” Winner

Nicky Araujo
Rafael (Nicky) Araujo, born in Panama, Republic of Panama, holds a BSc. in Biology, majoring in Zoology and Ecology from the University of Panama and a Certificate in Geotechnical Engineering from University of Delaware. With more than 36 years in the business of geosynthetics and erosion control, he is the current C.E.O. of Servicios de Ingenieria Geosintetica, S.A. (S.I.G.S.A.). Nicky has served as President of I.E.C.A. (2021-2023), President the Ibero American Chapter of IECA (2010-2012), is the current Vice-President for Global Development of IECA, a Board Member of the IRC, past Co-Chair of the Erosion and Sediment Control Track of the Educational Track Committee as well as a member the Professional Development Committee and of the Chapter Advisory Committee of IECA.

Seat “B” Winner

Michael Frankcombe
Michael started his career as a soil conservationist with the NSW Soil Conservation Service in 1989. He joined the Australasian Chapter of IECA in 1993 and became a CPESC. Michael was elected to the Australasian Chapter Board of Directors (BoD) in 1994 and remained on the BoD until he chose to not stand again in November 2022. He was elected Vice President in 2001 and President in 2002 and held the Presidents role for 14 years. He was elected to the USA BoD in 2005 for a 3-year term and was on the International Development Committee and held the position of Technical Vice-President. Michael was the Chair of the International Regional Council responsible for the reunification of IECA and a member of the international standards and practices committee. He has been providing technical tips for the IECA newsletter since 2002.

Seat “C” Winner

Matt Welch
Matt Welch, CPESC, CESSWI, is the Director of Technical Development for Profile Products, LLC, of Buffalo Grove, Illinois. Welch oversees Profile’s Technical Department and works closely with specifiers to ensure that all erosion and sediment control designs, involving Profile’s line of products, will have a high rate of success. Welch holds a Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Conservation and Environmental Sciences from the University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee, with an emphasis on land resources and soil science. During and after college, Welch worked at an engineering and consulting firm out of Green Bay, WI. The firm he worked with was heavily involved in projects with erosion control and reclamation of land; many of which were on linear transmission line projects. This experience ultimately led to a smooth transition into the technical department at Profile Products. Welch has been a member of the IECA since 2013 and is currently the Great Lakes Chapter President. Previously he was a member of the IECA Professional Development Committee for a term limit of 4 years.

Congratulations to this year's new board members. Thank you to everyone who participated!