Austin Powder Executive and Leadership Team

September, 2026

Leadership Overview

Austin Powder has 10 executives leading key functions including strategy, financial oversight, and regional operational management.

Focused on delivering high-performance blasting solutions, Austin Powder maintains a legacy of industrial excellence by manufacturing essential commercial explosives and providing specialized blasting services to global markets.

Leadership Roles at Austin Powder

  • Chief Executive Officer - Michael Gleason
  • President & Chief Executive Officer - Lamar Duhon
  • Chief Financial Officer - Randy Khalaf
  • Chief Financial Officer Latín América - Martin Adame
  • Chief Operating Officer Africa - Neil Kernahan
  • President, Western (Canada) - Jaret Nault
  • President, Southeast LLC - Brad Splitt
  • President, MidSouth LLC - Chip Davis
  • President, Powder Appalachia Llc (Austin) - Herman DeProspero
  • President, CIL Avalanche - Braden Schmidt
  • Michael Gleason - Chief Executive Officer

    Michael Gleason, the Chief Executive Officer at Austin Powder, directs the overarching corporate strategy and long-term vision for the organization. Gleason manages the alignment of manufacturing capabilities with the evolving demands of the global mining and construction sectors. By overseeing the integration of advanced explosive technologies, the Chief Executive Officer ensures that the company maintains a competitive edge in safety and efficiency. This leadership role involves constant collaboration with the Board to drive sustainable growth and operational excellence across all international divisions. Michael Gleason monitors market trends to identify expansion opportunities, ensuring that the firm remains a leader in the commercial explosives industry. Through rigorous oversight of corporate governance and resource allocation, the Chief Executive Officer secures the financial health and market reputation of the enterprise, ultimately positioning the organization for continued success in complex industrial environments.

    Lamar Duhon - President & Chief Executive Officer

    Lamar Duhon, the President & Chief Executive Officer at Austin Powder, executes the primary operational mandates and strategic initiatives that define the company's market presence. Duhon oversees the daily execution of blasting services and the manufacturing of high-quality explosive powders. By coordinating with regional leadership, the President & Chief Executive Officer ensures that safety protocols and technical standards remain consistent across all operational sites. This role involves managing complex supply chains and optimizing production workflows to meet the rigorous requirements of the mining industry. Lamar Duhon drives the implementation of innovative blasting techniques, which directly enhances the value provided to clients. Through the management of cross-functional teams, the President & Chief Executive Officer fosters a culture of technical precision and operational reliability, ensuring that the firm consistently delivers superior results in demanding environments while maintaining strict adherence to regulatory compliance and safety standards.
    Lamar Duhon

    Randy Khalaf - Chief Financial Officer

    Randy Khalaf, the Chief Financial Officer at Austin Powder, manages the fiscal health and capital allocation strategies for the entire organization. Khalaf oversees financial reporting, budgeting, and risk management processes to ensure the company maintains a robust balance sheet. By analyzing market data and operational costs, the Chief Financial Officer provides the insights necessary for informed decision-making regarding manufacturing investments and service expansion. This leadership role involves coordinating with other executives to align financial goals with the broader corporate mission of delivering high-performance blasting solutions. Randy Khalaf directs the financial planning required to support large-scale infrastructure projects and the ongoing development of explosive technologies. Through the implementation of rigorous financial controls and performance metrics, the Chief Financial Officer ensures that the firm remains profitable and resilient, providing the necessary capital to sustain long-term growth and innovation within the competitive commercial explosives sector.

    Martin Adame - Chief Financial Officer Latín América

    Martin Adame, the Chief Financial Officer Latín América at Austin Powder, manages the financial operations and fiscal strategy for the company's extensive activities throughout Latin America. Adame oversees regional budgeting, tax compliance, and capital investment strategies to support the growth of blasting services in this critical market. By monitoring economic fluctuations and currency risks, the Chief Financial Officer Latín América ensures that regional operations remain profitable and financially stable. This leadership role involves collaborating with local management to streamline procurement processes and optimize the cost structure of explosive manufacturing. Martin Adame directs the financial planning necessary to support large-scale mining contracts and infrastructure development across the region. Through the implementation of robust financial reporting systems, the Chief Financial Officer Latín América provides the transparency and accountability required to maintain the firm's reputation for excellence, ensuring that all regional financial activities align with the global corporate objectives.

    Neil Kernahan - Chief Operating Officer Africa

    Neil Kernahan, the Chief Operating Officer Africa at Austin Powder, directs all blasting service operations and explosive manufacturing logistics across the African continent. Kernahan oversees the deployment of technical teams and the management of regional supply chains to ensure consistent service delivery for mining clients. By optimizing operational workflows in diverse geographic conditions, the Chief Operating Officer Africa ensures that safety and efficiency standards meet the high expectations of the firm. This leadership role involves managing local partnerships and navigating complex regulatory landscapes to facilitate seamless project execution. Neil Kernahan drives the adoption of advanced blasting technologies tailored to the specific geological challenges found in regional mining operations. Through the coordination of field personnel and technical resources, the Chief Operating Officer Africa secures the company's market position, ensuring that all regional activities contribute effectively to the overall growth and operational success of the organization.
    Neil Kernahan

    Jaret Nault - President, Western (Canada)

    Jaret Nault, the President, Western (Canada) at Austin Powder, directs the strategic operations and service delivery for the Canadian market. Nault oversees the management of blasting services and the distribution of commercial explosives to support the heavy mining and construction industries in the region. By coordinating with local teams, the President, Western (Canada) ensures that all projects adhere to the highest safety and environmental standards. This leadership role involves managing client relationships and identifying opportunities for operational expansion within the challenging terrain of Western Canada. Jaret Nault drives the implementation of specialized blasting solutions that improve efficiency for regional partners. Through the oversight of logistics and technical support, the President, Western (Canada) ensures that the firm maintains a strong competitive advantage, delivering reliable and high-performance results that support the broader mission of the company in the North American market.
    Jaret Nault

    Brad Splitt - President, Southeast LLC

    Brad Splitt, the President, Southeast LLC at Austin Powder, directs the operational activities and service initiatives across the Southeastern United States. Splitt oversees the deployment of blasting services and the management of explosive supply chains to support regional mining and infrastructure projects. By focusing on operational efficiency and client satisfaction, the President, Southeast LLC ensures that the firm delivers consistent value in a highly competitive market. This leadership role involves managing regional personnel and ensuring that all blasting operations comply with strict safety and regulatory requirements. Brad Splitt drives the adoption of innovative explosive technologies that address the specific needs of regional construction and quarrying clients. Through the coordination of field resources and technical expertise, the President, Southeast LLC secures the company's market presence, ensuring that all regional activities contribute to the overall growth and operational excellence of the organization.
    Brad Splitt

    Chip Davis - President, MidSouth LLC

    Chip Davis, the President, MidSouth LLC at Austin Powder, directs the strategic management and operational execution of blasting services throughout the MidSouth region. Davis oversees the coordination of technical teams and the distribution of commercial explosives to support diverse industrial clients. By optimizing regional logistics and service delivery, the President, MidSouth LLC ensures that the company maintains a reputation for reliability and safety. This leadership role involves managing client accounts and fostering strong relationships with key stakeholders in the mining and construction sectors. Chip Davis drives the implementation of customized blasting solutions that enhance productivity for regional partners. Through the oversight of field operations and resource allocation, the President, MidSouth LLC ensures that the firm meets its performance targets, contributing significantly to the company's overall success and market impact within the MidSouth territory.

    Herman DeProspero - President, Powder Appalachia Llc (Austin)

    Herman DeProspero, the President, Powder Appalachia Llc (Austin) at Austin Powder, directs the operational strategy and service delivery for the Appalachian region. DeProspero oversees the management of blasting services and the supply of commercial explosives tailored to the unique requirements of the regional mining industry. By focusing on technical precision and safety, the President, Powder Appalachia Llc (Austin) ensures that all operations meet the rigorous demands of the local market. This leadership role involves managing regional teams and coordinating with corporate leadership to align local activities with the broader company mission. Herman DeProspero drives the implementation of advanced blasting techniques that improve efficiency and reduce environmental impact for regional clients. Through the oversight of field operations and resource management, the President, Powder Appalachia Llc (Austin) secures the firm's market position, ensuring that all regional activities support the company's long-term growth and operational excellence.

    Braden Schmidt - President, CIL Avalanche

    Braden Schmidt, the President, CIL Avalanche at Austin Powder, directs the specialized operations and strategic initiatives related to avalanche control and safety services. Schmidt oversees the development and deployment of explosive solutions designed to mitigate avalanche risks in mountainous regions. By coordinating with technical experts and safety professionals, the President, CIL Avalanche ensures that the firm provides reliable and effective solutions for public safety and infrastructure protection. This leadership role involves managing specialized supply chains and ensuring that all explosive applications adhere to the highest safety standards. Braden Schmidt drives the innovation of avalanche control technologies, which directly enhances the value provided to government and private sector clients. Through the oversight of field operations and technical support, the President, CIL Avalanche secures the company's reputation as a leader in specialized explosive applications, ensuring that all regional activities contribute to the overall mission of the organization.
    Braden Schmidt

    Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Austin Powder Top Executives and Leadership Team

    Who leads Austin Powder?
    Austin Powder is led by Michael Gleason (Chief Executive Officer), along with executives such as Lamar Duhon (President & Chief Executive Officer) and Randy Khalaf (Chief Financial Officer).
    Who is part of Austin Powder’s executive team?
    The executive team of Austin Powder includes leaders such as Michael Gleason (Chief Executive Officer), Lamar Duhon (President & Chief Executive Officer), Randy Khalaf (Chief Financial Officer) and other senior executives.
    How many executives does Austin Powder have?
    Austin Powder has 10 executives leading key business areas.
    What roles are included in Austin Powder’s leadership team?
    The leadership team of Austin Powder includes roles such as Chief Executive Officer, President & Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, Chief Financial Officer Latín América, Chief Operating Officer Africa.