Transforming Environmental Liabilities into Assets, with Mike Ayers, Watershed Geo (Executive Perspective, Episode 15)
Mike Ayers, CEO and co-founder of Watershed Geo, discusses the company’s history and cutting-edge environmental solutions in this episode of Executive Perspective with host Danny Vander Maten. Watershed Geo specializes in intellectual property for waste management, geotechnical engineering, and renewable energy. Mike details their unique approach to closing landfills, the importance of a strong technical team, and their commitment to offering solutions rather than just products. He also discusses significant milestones, like gaining regulatory approval in California and converting landfills into renewable energy assets. Throughout the conversation, Mike emphasizes the importance of credibility, hard work, and resilience in driving the company’s success.
Executive Perspective is sponsored and presented by Cresa Atlanta. The show is produced by John Ray and the North Fulton affiliate of Business RadioX®.
Mike Ayers, CEO and co-founder of Watershed Geo
Mike Ayers, one of the founders of Watershed Geo, holds the position of CEO within the company.
As CEO, his primary focus revolves around fulfilling the company’s core mission of being a leader in civil and environmental infrastructure protection and resilience. This involves spearheading strategic growth plans, overseeing the commercialization of new patents, evaluating market opportunities, establishing crucial partnerships, and driving international expansion efforts.
A specific area of his and the company’s focus is the conversion of closed landfills and impaired land into solar energy assets through the implementation of Watershed Geo’s technologies.
Watershed Geo
Watershed Geo is an environmental solutions company offering unparalleled geosynthetic options for both civil and environmental applications for erosion control, soil stabilization, and waste containment. Through best-in-class materials and extreme engineering, Watershed Geo products deliver improved safety and reduced environmental impact while limiting the long-term costs associated with landfill management and hard armor revetment. The company’s in-house polymer scientists, geotechnical engineers, and hydrologists have worked with multiple universities and private research labs to achieve unprecedented performance that far exceeds that of traditional landfill closure and revetment methods.
Their products include:
- ClosureTurf® – A final closure system for municipal, industrial, and coal combustion residual landfill/impoundment final closures
- HydroTurf® – An advanced revetment technology for high hydraulic shear protection in down chutes perimeter channels, bench drains, outfall structures, slopes and basins
- PowerCap™ – A revolutionary new approach to solar on landfills and impoundments, directly attached to the ClosureTurf capping system with no penetrations, eliminating racking material
- VersaCap® – An intermediate cover for odor prevention, emission control and leachate reduction
- CapSure™ – A high-performance intermediate cover solution for landfills that is impermeable and wind-resistant, reduces leachate, prevents erosion, and contains and controls landfill gas
Topics Discussed in this Episode
00:00 Introduction to Executive Perspective
00:56 Meet Mike Ayers, CEO of Watershed Geo
01:10 Innovative Environmental Solutions
03:18 Challenges and Successes in Civil Engineering
09:01 The Journey of Watershed Geo
14:45 Breakthrough in California
20:16 Company Philosophy and Culture
31:01 Learning from Failures
35:58 Customer Commitment and Follow-Up
38:18 Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs
41:29 Philosophical Reflections on Leadership
42:03 Turning Failures into Successes
46:31 Future Aspirations and Industry Insights
48:20 Closing Remarks and Contact Information
About Executive Perspective
Executive Perspective features executives and business leaders from a wide variety of sectors. Host Danny Vander Maten and his guests cover industry trends, insights, challenges, success strategies and lessons learned. Executive Perspective is underwritten and presented by Cresa. The show series is produced by John Ray and the North Fulton studio of Business RadioX® and can be found on all the major podcast apps. A complete show archive can be found here.
Executive Perspective
Danny joined Cresa in the Spring of 2016 and brought a diverse background with nearly 10 years of experience in finance, business operations, and strategy to his client’s real estate transactions.
At Cresa, Danny’s primary responsibilities include strategic planning, lease analysis, negotiations, and cost mitigation. As a registered Certified Public Accountant with an active license in the state of Georgia, Danny provides unique financial insight into every critical aspect of the transaction.
Cresa is the world’s most trusted occupier-centric commercial real estate firm. They strategize for the best possible results for occupiers everywhere. Cresa thinks beyond space. Partner without conflict. And apply their integrated expertise to make your business better.
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