Leadership
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Alan Weakley, Project Manager
Alan Weakley brings more than 30 years of experience in engineering, maintenance, and construction management to his role as Project Manager. As APTIM’s Executive Vice President for Government & Growth and President of APTIM Federal Services, Alan has led large-scale federal and commercial operations focused on reliability, safety, and compliance.
His leadership has guided APTIM to national recognition as a top-ranked contractor in fuels, oil and gas, and environmental compliance by Engineering News-Record. Alan is committed to driving operational excellence, safety culture, and seamless transitions across multi-year federal programs.
Deborah Hojem, Transition Manager
With more than 30 years of experience in technical and operational leadership, Deborah Hojem is an expert in managing large-scale transitions with precision and stability. Having served as VP of Engineering, VP of O&M, and VP of Data Systems at the Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR), she offers unmatched insight into SPR’s systems, processes, and people.
Her proven leadership has earned recognition from both the DOE and corporate officials, including the DOE's Program and Project Management Award and CSC’s Federal Sector President’s Award. Deborah ensures mission continuity and operational excellence throughout every transition she leads.
Tim Taulbee, Vice President ESH&Q
Tim Taulbee has more than 36 years of experience in environmental, safety, and health management across commercial and government energy sectors. He has held senior leadership roles at organizations such as BWXT, Tetra Tech, Fluor, and the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant.
Tim is a certified DOE NQA-1 Lead Assessor and FEMA Unified Command Crisis Manager, with deep expertise spanning radiation protection, industrial hygiene, fire protection, and emergency management. Known for his hands-on leadership and commitment to safety, Tim ensures a strong culture of protection and compliance at every level of operations.
Steve Schoeni, Engineering Director
Steve Schoeni brings more than 30 years of oil and gas industry experience, successfully leading an 80-member engineering team on global fuels projects. He oversees engineering, construction management, and operations and maintenance (O&M) programs that meet the highest standards of safety, quality, and environmental stewardship.
His expertise includes managing large-scale design projects for DOE, DOD, and commercial clients, ensuring alignment with industry standards such as the DOD Unified Facility Guide Specifications. Steve’s leadership fosters collaboration, innovation, and consistent delivery of technical excellence across all engineering initiatives.
Nick Schulist, O&M Director
For more than 15 years, Nick Schulist has helped clients optimize the cost, safety, and performance of major operations and maintenance programs. He leads with a focus on continuous improvement, driving efficiencies in planning, execution, and workforce development.
Nick’s innovative approach to turnarounds has reduced client costs by up to 20%, while maintaining safety and operational integrity. His strategic leadership ensures the successful delivery of complex oil and gas projects that meet both financial and performance goals.
Mark Erskine, Cavern Integrity Manager
With more than 35 years of experience in the salt dome cavern storage and brine mining industry, Mark Erskine is a recognized leader in cavern integrity and operations. His expertise spans drilling, cavern design, well workovers, and maintenance integrity testing.
As a contributor to the API-1115 standards for underground hydrocarbon storage, Mark has helped shape industry best practices and regulatory frameworks. His deep understanding of SPR operations ensures safe, compliant, and efficient management of critical storage assets.
Travis Combel, Life Extension 2 Director
Travis Combel brings more than 30 years of experience in oil and gas engineering, construction, and program management, including 17 years dedicated to underground storage operations. He has held senior leadership roles at WSP USA, Caliche Development Partners, and Fairway Energy Partners, overseeing projects valued up to $300 million.
Travis’s expertise spans salt cavern and depleted reservoir storage, pipeline development, and power systems across U.S. and international markets. His extensive technical and managerial background ensures the successful execution of complex energy infrastructure projects worldwide.
Gina Newman, Finance Director / CFO
Gina Newman brings more than 25 years of experience working in finance, accounting, and management, previously holding CFO positions at N3B Los Alamos (A BWXT Joint Venture), Nova Technologies, and Syncom Space Services. She has led financial operations across major government and commercial contracts, including NASA’s Artemis SLS Program and Los Alamos National Laboratory's environmental remediation projects.
Gina combines financial rigor with strategic leadership to support mission-driven performance and accountability.
Amanda Fleig, Human Resources & Development Director
Amanda Fleig is an accomplished human resources executive with more than 10 years of experience leading workforce strategy and organizational transformation. She has managed large-scale transitions, federal contracting compliance, and cultural change initiatives for global, private-equity-backed firms.
Amanda specializes in aligning HR programs with mission objectives to strengthen performance, equity, and employee engagement. Her strategic leadership ensures that workforce development and operational goals are seamlessly integrated throughout the organization.