Gary L. Barton
Senior Engineer, NACE CP4 Specialist
Industry veteran Gary L. Barton, a certified AMPP Level IV Cathodic Protection Specialist and Senior Corrosion Technologist (#6426) joined ARK Engineering & Technical Services, Inc. in 2020. Having started his career with HARCO in 1984, Mr. Barton brings to ARK clients a high level of expertise developed over three decades in the field of coatings, construction and corrosion engineering.
Mr. Barton has served as corrosion supervisor, project manager, senior engineer, consultant or coatings specialist on a variety of corrosion control projects, including transmission pipelines, AC Corrosion assessments and mitigation, water transmission and distribution systems, waste distribution and wastewater treatment facilities, water and fuel storage reservoirs and ship dry-docks.
Major clients include Kinder Morgan, the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California, the Irvine Ranch Water District, the Orange County Sanitation District, the San Diego County Water Authority, the Elsinore Valley Municipal Water District, Southern Company Gas, Dominion, TC Energy, National Grid, DCP, Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority, ETC, ETC, ETC
Gary is a recent transplant back to his roots in New England where he can enjoy the seasons, hunting, fishing and long missed family. He was born and raised in southern Vermont and attended college at the University of Maine, Orono. He hailed from the west coast area for the last 35-plus years, where he got involved in corrosion in 1984. A lifelong NACE/AMPP member, corrosion control to Gary is a way of life, not a job. He is blissfully married to wife Joanne with four adult children and three grandkids.
Michael Harmon
Engineering Manager
Michael Harmon joined ARK Engineering in 2022. He is a certified AMPP CP2 Cathodic Protection Technician (#31854). Involved with the natural gas transmission and distribution pipeline industry since 2008, he focuses largely on cathodic protection, corrosion engineering, gas distribution, gas transmission and federal regulations, including the PHMSA Mega Rules.
He is actively engaged with different corrosion committees and works closely with a team of engineers that provide AC mitigation designs using state of the art modeling software, CAD Drafters and Corrosion SME’s. Michael enjoys providing quality results to ARK Engineering’s clients.
In his spare time, Michael enjoys spending time with family and friends, going to car shows and traveling.
Mike Placzek
Senior Engineer, NACE CP4 Specialist
Mike Placzek joined ARK Engineering in 2015. He is a certified NACE CP Specialist. Involved with Corrosion Control and related fields since 1982, he focuses mainly on CP Design, installations, troubleshooting, commissioning, and DCVG surveys.
He is Retired Colonel, Served Eight years active duty – 20 as a reservist.
Retired from Texas Eastern Gas Transmission – 25 Years – Covering internal corrosion at 2 storage fields, external corrosion for all pipelines and compressor stations from the Ohio River to the Hudson River, atmospheric corrosion too. 12 technicians across that area. ILI runs, ILI data, ILI excavations, CP, all databases pertaining too.
Born and raised in Queens, NYC. Always liked to go to the Hayden Planetarium and the Museum of Natural History. The Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Metropolitan Museum of Modern Art were cool too. (Yes – I was a Geek!). Left NYC to go to college at the Virginia Military Institute (Class of ’81). Sang in the Glee Club and a Barbershop Quartet. Joined the Air Force. Served 8 years of active duty and 20 in the Reserves. Retired Colonel with 28 years of service. Joined Texas Eastern in 1990 and retired in 2015. Lives in Camp Hill, PA since 1993. 2 children (daughter and son), 3 granddaughters. The Air Force got me started with corrosion in 1982. Loves teaching and presenting (AUCSC since 1991 and Indiana Valley Short Course from 1992 to 2022).
Anna Guarnotta
Operations Manager
Anna joined ARK Engineering in 2014 as a part of our accounting department. With it being her first exposure to the corrosion industry she was determined to further her knowledge within the company and understand all department roles and processes. This soon led to her current role as the Operations Manager. Anna works top down within the company from sales to billing and almost everything in between. Her goals have been to further develop as an employee and help ARK grow and improve for our staff and our customers.
Anna is a loving mom and wife. She is also a fitness and nutrition coach in her spare time.
Robert F. Allen
Founder and Vice President
Mr. Allen is the founder of ARK Engineering in 1991 and ARK Field Services in 2010 and has been instrumental in their growth in the areas of Electrical Interference Analysis, AC & DC Mitigation system design and installation, and the design, installation, and maintenance of Cathodic Protection systems in various industries, worldwide.
Mr. Allen has given presentations and training for numerous energy and power companies worldwide in the areas of electrical interference effects, corrosion control, lightning protection, and cathodic protection.
He is the author of various papers and articles about electrical interference effects, cathodic protection, AC Corrosion, and electrical grounding published in technical magazines and periodicals, worldwide.
He is the co-developer of the MSD1-Marker Station Decoupler unit for AC mitigation applications. ARK Engineering was awarded a patent for this device in 2022.
He is recognized worldwide as a Subject Matter Expert (SME) in the areas of AC Interference Effects, AC Corrosion Mechanisms, and Cathodic Protection Systems.
Bob was born and raised in Boston, MA and graduated from Northeastern University (BSEE) and Bryant University (MBA). He has been involved with corrosion control and AC interference issues since 1986. In his free time, he enjoys golf, fishing, boating, and is a lifelong ice hockey player (over 60 years!). He has a daughter, son-in-law, and 2 grandsons who keep him young and active and enjoying lots of new experiences.
Education:
B.S. Electrical Engineering, Northeastern University, Boston, Mass.
M.B.A., Bryant University, Smithfield, Rhode Island
Certifications
National Association of Corrosion Engineers (NACE) Certified
Cathodic Protection. Specialist.
Senior Corrosion Technologist
Linda Turrell
Controller
Linda joined ARK Engineering in 2022 as Controller. She brings more than 25 years of senior experience in a wide variety of businesses while serving in various accounting, finance and office management positions. She brings knowledge and expertise in finance, operations and human resources.
Linda has extensive experience in all areas of cash management, accounts payable, accounts receivable, cash disbursement, budget management, financial statements and bank reconciliation. She has coordinated financial audits and has established and managed relationships with banking, insurance, legal and IT professionals.
When not at work, Linda enjoys running local 5Ks, gathering and cooking for friends and family and spending time on the beach. Her latest favorite pastime is enjoying her new granddaughter.
Mike Conroy
Construction Manager
Mike Conroy is a Navy veteran has been with ARK Engineering since 2011 working for the construction division ARK Filed Services. Mike was appointed Construction Manager in 2015.
Mike holds NACE CIP1 and CP1 certifications as well as being a certified Operator Qualification evaluator for Energy WorldNet, Veriforce and AGL.
Mike has installed or managed over 2 million feet of AC mitigation as well as hundreds of CP installations across the United States.
Mike has been the inspiration and the lead designer of our new MSD1 marker test station.
Mike is a family man with wife Sherry and proud father of two boys Cody and Colton. Mike has a deep background and education in the mechanical field. A Navy aircraft technician, A.S.E Master Certified Auto mechanic, truck mechanic, heavy equipment mechanic and operator. When not working he enjoys hunting, fishing, and rodeo.
