Executive Leadership
Gary Backe — Founder, Chief Executive Officer & President
Gary Backe brings 37 years of petroleum-industry experience to Tank Specialists of California. As the company’s founder and state-license qualifier, he oversees all field and administrative operations while leading the company’s strategic direction, client relationships, and construction sales efforts. He brings extensive fuel-system knowledge, experience, and expertise to support a wide range of client needs.
Estee Backe — Chief Operating Officer
Estee Backe brings more than 33 years of experience in accounting, operations, communication, training, and administration. She has played a key role in building Tank Specialists’ financial and management systems and now provides strategic guidance in operations, client communication, and business processes to support the company’s continued growth.
Pam Prior — Chief Financial Officer
Pam Prior’s 45-year finance and accounting career spans 36 industries, including 25 years in Controller and CFO roles at organizations ranging from DuPont and Merck to venture-backed startups. For the past 12 years, she has helped small and mid-sized businesses navigate every stage of growth. As Tank Specialists’ CFO, she delivers financial rigor through flexible, practical processes that keep pace with the company’s growth and agile operations.
Blue — Chief Canine Officer
Blue brings 3 years of hands-on experience in office morale, visitor relations, and perimeter security to Tank Specialists of California. As the company’s Chief Canine Officer, he oversees employee wellness, conducts routine snack-area inspections, and provides enthusiastic greetings for team members, clients, and delivery personnel.
Management
Drew Backe — Equipment Manager / Sr. Construction Field Supervisor
Drew has been part of Tank Specialists of California since 1998. He leads safe, efficient onsite construction operations, coordinates field crews, and is the company’s equipment and tools manager.
Rita Aguilar — Office Manager
Rita Aguilar brings 38 years of experience in the construction industry to her role as Office Manager at Tank Specialists. She oversees core office operations and supports the company’s construction-contract compliance, payroll, and collections functions. Her responsibilities also include CRM administration, human-resources management, employee insurance administration, workers’ compensation facilitation, and interim coordination of Testing & Maintenance services.
Carlos Silva — Project Manager
Carlos Silva brings more than 26 years of experience in his area of expertise to Tank Specialists. He provides project management for all Tank Specialists construction projects and works closely with the company’s Construction Managers. Carlos coordinates onsite and offsite project information, schedules, communication, and project requirements from planning through completion to support efficient construction execution.
Ralph Bouknight — Construction Manager
Ralph Bouknight brings 43 years of experience in the fuel system industry and has been a Tank Specialists team member since day one, with deep knowledge of fuel systems, their components, and troubleshooting processes. As a Construction Manager, he oversees Tank Specialists’ field activities, including pre-construction planning, procurement of related parts and equipment, coordination and scheduling with regulatory agencies, and resolution of field-related quality-assurance issues. He also coordinates onsite construction operations, crew activity, safety, quality, and daily project progress to support successful project delivery.
Justin Woodfill — Construction Manager
Justin Woodfill began his career in the fuel system industry in 2020. As a Construction Manager, he oversees and coordinates Tank Specialists’ onsite and offsite construction operations, including field activities, project information, schedules, and progress. He supports construction and maintenance services while working with field crews and project leadership to promote safe, efficient, high-quality project execution. Justin is an ICC-certified system installer and a state-certified welder.
Javier Soto — Compliance Testing Manager
Javier Soto joined Tank Specialists of California in 2009 and has developed extensive technical knowledge throughout his career. As Compliance Testing Supervisor, he maintains the majority of the company’s technical-testing and manufacturer-equipment certifications. He performs and supervises monitoring certification, leak-detection, CARB, and SB 989 compliance testing. Alongside his three technicians, Javier provides Designated Operator services and helps customers maintain dependable fuel-system performance through responsive service coordination and technical support.
Design, Engineering and Operations
Johnny Talian — Engineering, CAD & Permit Supervisor
Johnny Talian supervises and performs engineering support, CAD design, and permitting for construction projects, as well as permitting for testing and maintenance work. He prepares and reviews project documentation, drawings, permit applications, and submittals, helping ensure materials are accurate, complete, and aligned with applicable requirements.
Shane Blattenberger — Assistant Project Manager
Shane Blattenberger brings more than 10 years of experience to his role supporting Tank Specialists’ construction operations. He assists with the management of ongoing construction projects, including onsite and offsite coordination, project information, scheduling, and administrative follow-through.
Sales
Lawrence Kellar — Sales & Marketing Manager
Lawrence Kellar brings more than 20 years of experience in sales, business development, and law to Tank Specialists. He leads sales and marketing initiatives for the company’s construction, testing, and maintenance services, working with customers to understand project needs and connect them with the appropriate technical and operational resources.
Testing, Maintenance and Environmental Compliance
David Hollenbeck — Environmental Compliance Manager
David Hollenbeck began working in the fuel-system industry in 1996 and brings substantial technical and regulatory-compliance expertise to Tank Specialists. As Environmental Compliance Manager, he leads environmental-compliance services and serves as a primary liaison among clients and regulatory-agency inspectors. His responsibilities include maintaining CERS accounts, preparing SPCC plans, coordinating PE assessments, and supporting testing and maintenance needs. David also develops business relationships with current and prospective customers.
Giovanni Garcia — Lead Maintenance Technician
Giovanni Garcia began his fuel-system-industry career with Tank Specialists in 2018. As a Testing & Maintenance Technician, he maintains a variety of customer equipment and supports field maintenance services. He is a certified Weights and Measures technician, is qualified to calibrate gasoline and diesel dispensers, and supervises Tank Specialists’ fuel-filtration and polishing services.
Office and Administration
Betty Evans — Lead Bookkeeper
Betty Evans plays a central role in keeping Tank Specialists’ financial operations organized and on track. She manages customer billing, accounts payable, banking, progressive billing, lien releases, and the day-to-day financial administration that supports both construction and testing-and-maintenance operations.
Lisa Clark — Office Administrator
Lisa Clark brings nearly 20 years of experience in the construction industry to her role as Office Administrator. She plays an important role in the administrative details that help projects and customers stay supported. She manages customer insurance documentation, construction and testing-and-maintenance collections, vehicle records, payroll, and certified payroll preparation.
Field Supervision
Adalberto “Beto” Albino — Construction Field Supervisor
Beto Albino began his career in the fuel system industry with Tank Specialists in 2004. As one of our Field Supervisors, he supervises Tank Specialists’ field activities, including construction and maintenance services. He is an ICC-certified system installer, a certified Weights and Measures technician, and is qualified to calibrate gasoline and diesel dispensers.
Luis Moreno — Construction Field Supervisor
Luis Moreno supervises construction field operations, helping coordinate crews, daily activities, and the safe execution of ongoing work.
Christopher Ohler — Construction Field Supervisor
Christopher Ohler supports construction crews and onsite operations, with a focus on field coordination, quality workmanship, and project progress.
Diego Gaspar — Construction Field Supervisor
Diego Gaspar supervises onsite construction work and helps ensure that crews have the coordination and support needed to complete project activities successfully.
Nathaniel Reyes — Construction Field Supervisor
Nathaniel Reyes supervises construction operations through jobsite preparation, crew instruction, material handling, and general field work.
Jonathon Jackson — Welder
Jonathon Jackson provides welding support for Tank Specialists’ field operations, contributing skilled fabrication and repair work as project needs require. He is a state-certified welder.
Field Operations
Tank Specialists’ construction, testing and maintenance crews support the safe, efficient installation, testing, maintenance, and repair of fuel-system infrastructure across Southern and Northern California.
Edder Hernandez
Edder Hernandez supports construction crews with jobsite preparation, material handling, equipment support, and general field activities that help keep projects moving safely and efficiently.
Ulysses Munoz
Ulysses Munoz assists Tank Specialists’ construction teams with essential field activities, helping maintain organized, efficient, and safe jobsites.
Meghan Evans
Meghan Evans supports construction and testing and maintenance crews with jobsite preparation, material handling, and general field assistance that contributes to successful project execution.
Jonathan Valdivia-Ulloa
Jonathan Valdivia-Ulloa provides field support for construction projects, assisting crews with jobsite setup, materials, and day-to-day work activities.
Company Certifications
ICC UST Installer
ICC UST Technician
Xerxes Tank Installer
Containment Solutions Tank Installer
Fireguard Tank Installer
FE Petro
Leak Alert
Multiforce
Red Jacket
APT (pipe)
Ameron (pipe)
Total Containment (pipe)
Morrison
Pryco
RCI
Flexworks
Pneumeracator
ICC UST Tester
Modern Welding Tank Installer
Convault Tank Installer
OSHA 40 HR HAZWOPER
Veeder Root
Gasboy
Incon
Ronan
A.O. Smith (pipe)
Environ (pipe)
OPW
Bravo Systems
Simplex
CNI
EBW