Meet the Team
Dave Russell, MBA
President
Edmonton, Alberta
A true expert in the pipeline inspection industry, Dave is the developer and chief inventor of electromagnetic tools and technologies. With more than 52 years of experience, Dave holds four current patents (and eight total patents) and has earned the American Society for Nondestructive Testing (ASNT) Level III technical qualifications in electromagnetics, ultrasonics, and radiography. He is the author of numerous training manuals, including the American Society for Nondestructive Testing (ASNT) Electromagnetics Handbook. Dave is a contributing author to the first and second editions of the AWWA M77 Manual of Practice – Condition Assessment of Water Mains.
Martin Korz, P.Eng.
Vice President, Operations
Edmonton, Alberta
Martin has 16 years of experience in research and development, design, and deployment of non-destructive-testing equipment. He has keen insights in development of electro-mechanical systems and data processing software. As VP of Operations, he coordinates a team of project managers and field technicians in the successful execution of pipeline inspection projects. He is the first point of contact after project award and oversees planning, engineering, procurement, field operations, and reporting.
Derek Brent
Vice President, Manufacturing
Edmonton, Alberta
Derek is involved in research and development for all of PICA’s in-line inspection (ILI) tools and builds most of the inspection equipment that is currently in use. He is also responsible for the electronic and mechanical maintenance and repair of PICA’s equipment. An electronics technologist by trade, he has been an invaluable member of the Russell NDE/PICA team since the 1980s.
Jake Regala
Manager, Data Analysis and Reporting
Toronto, Ontario
Jake manages PICA’s data analysis team, which includes quality control and timely submission of reporting deliverables. He is also responsible for assisting utility owners and engineering consultants with interpreting PICA’s condition assessment results. Jake has over 20 years of experience in pipeline inspections (PCCP and metallic pipes) using specialized NDT tools and EM data analysis.
Daniel Lingnau
NDE Technical Specialist
Edmonton, Alberta
Dan has over 25 years of experience in the NDE field and has overseen the completion of many projects for clients with high-risk pipeline infrastructure. His expertise with Remote Field Testing (RFT) has allowed him to contribute to the design and development of a fleet of PICA tools and methodologies for the inspection of “difficult to inspect” pipelines. Dan has been actively involved in the most up-to-date technology advances and has lent his innovative expertise to the designs of PICA’s NDE inspection tools for challenging inspection projects around the world.
Kris Embry
VP of Client Services
New Orleans, Louisiana
Kris is responsible for business development and project delivery throughout the U.S. He has 13 years of experience in the water and wastewater industries serving clients through all phases of project development and delivery, from budgeting and scope planning to the execution of the condition assessment and final report. Kris is a member and active participant of the Northern California (Norcal) Pipe Users Group, AWWA Water Main Condition Assessment Committee, and NASSCO Pressure Pipe Committee.
James Hawthorne
Client Service Manager
Charlotte, North Carolina
James’ role at PICA includes customer service from the inception of a project to its completion, as well as client engagement with utilities, engineering consultants, and contractors through educational meetings and forums. Prior to joining the PICA team, James worked for more than 16 years at a utility municipality where he oversaw new water and sewer infrastructure plan approvals and construction. James is an active member of AWWA, Water Environmental Association of South Carolina (WEASC), and the South Carolina Rural Water Association (SCRWA).
Vincent Shen
Client Service Manager
Vancouver, British Columbia
Vincent focuses on the inspection needs of water and wastewater mains for customers in British Columbia. He proposes customized solutions to fulfill client’s condition assessment goals and oversees the planning, implementation, and delivery of inspection projects. Vincent has extensive experience managing pipeline inspections and conditions assessment projects and more than 25 years of non-destructive testing experience.
Tim Andrews
Project Manager
New Orleans, Louisiana
Tim focuses on the free-swimming autonomous force main inspection needs of PICA customers. He has 20 years of customer-facing service industry experience and has been an integral part of the PICA team for more than two years. Tim holds an MBA, as well as an undergraduate degree in Finance.