Redefining Soft Armor After Five Decades of Success

Marc S. Theisen, M.Sc., CPESC, CPSWQ, CESSW & Matthew M. Welch, CPESC, CESSWI

This publication will offer a brief history on the development and evolution of turf reinforcement mats (TRMs) up to the present and GreenArmor which has reinvigorated the industry. GreenArmor combines an open and lofty TRM structure with a hydraulically-applied infill of a High Performance Flexible Growth Medium™ (HP-FGM™) to maximize temporary erosion protection, accelerate growth establishment and extend performance of natural vegetation. This presentation will provide case studies where GreenArmor has successfully established robust, reinforced vegetation to solve complex erosion control challenges.

Learning Objectives: 

  • As a result of this presentation, the attendee will gain insight into the history of turf reinforcement mats and how they have evolved to offer unprecedented levels of performance to resist channelized flow and stabilize steep slopes.
  • The attendee will also learn about the health, safety and environmental attributes or liabilities of various TRMs.
  • The attendee will see case studies documenting the effectiveness of GreenArmor to successfully establish robust, reinforced vegetation to solve complex erosion control challenges.

Presented by Marc S. Theisen, M.Sc., CPESC, CPSWQ, CESSWI – Vice President - Business Development and Technical Services & Matthew M. Welch, CPESC, CESSWI – Technical and Business Development Manager, Profile Products LLC

Marc S. Theisen, M.Sc. is Vice President of Business Development and Technical Services for Profile Products, LLC, residing in Signal Mountain, Tennessee, USA. He is a Certified Professional in Erosion and Sediment Control (CPESC), Certified Professional in Storm Water Quality (CPSWQ) and Certified Erosion, Sediment and Storm Water Inspector (CESSWI) with over 25 years of experience in erosion/sediment control and storm water management on construction, mining, waste containment and infrastructure projects over six continents. Over his career in these industries, Theisen has acted as a contractor, consultant, distributor and manufacturer. He has participated in the development and commercialization of a comprehensive line of erosion control, sediment control, turf reinforcement and stormwater treatment devices. Theisen holds five related patents for hydraulically-applied erosion control products, biotic soil media, sediment retention devices and turf reinforcement mats. Theisen received a Bachelor’s Degree in Environmental Biology from the University of Colorado and a Master’s Degree in Plant Ecology from Denver University with his thesis focused on mined land reclamation. He has been an active member of the International Erosion Control Association (IECA), formerly served on its Board of Directors as Technical Vice President and participates in various committees and events. In 2018, Marc was recipient of the IECA Technical Paper of the Year Award. Theisen also an active member of EnviroCert International serving on various committees and received its 2018 Distinguished Service Award. He has long been involved in industry growth and standardization efforts authoring numerous publications to integrate product and material technology through effective categorization, design, selection, and installation protocol. He remains an energetic member of the ASTM International D18 and D35 Committees on Erosion Control, Sediment Control and Geosynthetics.

Matthew Welch is the technical and business development manager at Profile Products. He supports sales, marketing, customer service, manufacturing, research and development, customers and distribution with any technical assistance they need. From drafting project submittal letters to presenting Lunch & Learns, Matt’s expertise touches all of Profile’s segments. Most recently, Welch was elected the 2020-2022 board president for the IECA Great Lakes Chapter. Welch holds a bachelor’s degree in Conservation and Environmental Science, with an emphasis on land resources and soil science, from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.