Your team of leaders who defines the vision and strategic priorities of the Academy
Senior Vice President for South & North America (SNAM)
BARTEC
English, German, Spanish, Portuguese
Stefan advocates for digital innovation and growth in hazardous areas and has played a pivotal role in expanding BARTEC’s presence across the South and North America (SNAM) Region.
With over 17 years of leadership experience at BARTEC, he serves as Senior Vice President for the SNAM Region and as Chairman, President, and CEO of BARTEC US Corporation. He was the driving force behind bartecshop.com and bartecacademy.com—BARTEC’s first digital commerce and learning platforms—positioning the company as a global leader in explosion protection solutions.
Stefan brings a strong background in business intelligence, sales strategy, and corporate development. He has successfully led strategic initiatives across China, Germany, the United States, and the broader Americas. He holds a degree in Business Administration and Management from the Berlin Institute of Technology, where he was recognized as “Best Student of the Year,” and pursued doctoral studies in organizational psychology, focusing on leadership and organizational efficiency. Fluent in German and English, and conversational in Portuguese and Spanish, Stefan brings a truly multicultural perspective to global business and leadership.
As one of the leaders of BARTEC Academy and Chairman of its Advisory Council, Stefan plays a key role in shaping the future of education and workforce development in explosion protection and industrial safety. His motto, “Making Things Happen!”, reflects his commitment to transforming bold ideas into measurable results—especially in industries where innovation, precision, and safety are essential.
Head of Digital Commerce, Marketing, and Learning for SNAM
BARTEC
English, Spanish, Portuguese
Fernando is a strategic leader in human and digital transformation. As co-author of the Explosion Protection Professional (ExPP) Certificate series, he is committed to supporting designers, installers, operators, inspectors, and auditors of Ex equipment and systems in hazardous areas—ensuring the protection of people, the environment, and critical assets. He leads the strategy and management of bartecshop.com, BARTEC’s digital commerce platform, and bartecacademy.com, the company’s digital learning platform, where he focuses on designing and delivering engaging, effective learning experiences.
Fernando holds a Business Administration degree with honors from the Pedro Emilio Coll Institute of Technology (IUTPEC), graduating magna cum laude. He earned a Master of Science in Education and completed doctoral coursework at the University of Pennsylvania through the Chief Learning Officer program, a joint initiative of the Graduate School of Education and The Wharton School. He has also completed advanced studies in Digital Leadership at Boston University, earned a Digital Marketing Strategy Certificate from Yale University, and is currently pursuing the Credential of Digital Innovation and Strategy at Harvard Business School.
Driven by a passion for meaningful learning and measurable impact, Fernando blends technical excellence with human-centered leadership. His work empowers individuals and organizations to confidently navigate complex challenges in explosive atmospheres. Through BARTEC Academy, he champions a culture of agility, continuous learning, and performance optimization—for BARTECians, partners, and customers alike—that inspires safer workplaces and smarter decisions worldwide.
Vice President Quality & Certification
BARTEC
English, Norwegian
Steinar serves as Vice President of Quality & Certification for the BARTEC Group. In this role, he is responsible for ensuring that all BARTEC products placed on the market comply with applicable laws, regulations, and standards. He also leads the global certification process to secure the necessary approvals for BARTEC solutions across international, regional, and local jurisdictions.
With a technical background as a certified electrician, electrical technician, and electrical engineer, Steinar has been working with explosion-protected (Ex) products and systems since 1995. His expertise spans engineering, manufacturing, and product certification. He has also played an active role in the development of Ex standards as a member of the Norwegian National Committee TC 31 and the international IECEx TC 31 committees. He holds the IECEx Certificate of Personnel Competence in the following units: Ex 001 – Basic Principles of Protection in Explosive Atmospheres, Ex 003 – Installation of Ex Equipment, Ex 004 – Maintenance of Ex Equipment, Ex 006 – Testing of Ex Installations, Ex 007 – Visual and Close Inspection, Ex 008 – Detailed Inspection, and Ex 009 – Design of Electrical Installations.
Steinar is passionate about building Ex competency across the entire value chain. He strongly believes that without proper and continuous training—especially in explosion protection—neither manufacturers like BARTEC nor engineers, installers, operators, or asset owners can ensure a high level of safety and quality in hazardous environments. His mission is to help elevate knowledge and standards throughout the Ex industry.
Recognized global experts providing strategic guidance on global and local explosion protection standards.
Ex Advisor & Faculty Member
BARTEC
German, English
Dietmar Rook is a senior expert in explosion protection and hazardous area safety, with more than three decades of professional experience in the design, certification, application, installation, inspection, and lifecycle management of Ex-protected equipment and systems. His career combines deep mechanical and electrical engineering expertise with long-standing involvement in international explosion protection standards and conformity assessment frameworks.
Dietmar holds a degree in Mechanical Engineering from Hannover University, completed in 1993. Early in his career, he specialized in EC type examination for vacuum and liquid pumps for ATEX Category 1 and 2, covering both mechanical and electrical equipment. In 1998, he was directly involved in the first pump to receive EC type examination according to the ATEX Directive, classified as electrical device Category 2, marking a significant milestone in the practical implementation of ATEX requirements.
His expertise extends across the full ATEX and IECEx lifecycle, including concept and design, equipment selection, EC type examination, installation practices, inspection, operation, maintenance, and modification of installations in hazardous areas. Dietmar has been admitted to the IECEx system and has maintained continuous technical exchange and collaboration with leading notified and certification bodies, including TÜV, PTB, BARTEC, STAHL, IBExU, QPS, and SIRA.
For many years, Dietmar served as a Senior ATEX Authorized Representative of the Flowserve-SIHI Group, where he supported compliance strategies, certification processes, and explosion protection concepts for rotating equipment used in classified areas worldwide. His work has consistently focused on translating regulatory and standards-based requirements—such as IEC 60079 and the ATEX Directive—into robust, safe, and operationally practical solutions.
Over the past 30 years, Dietmar has actively contributed to collective technical seminars and expert workshops in collaboration with BARTEC and PTB, and since late 2016 he has intensified his role as an explosion protection consultant and trainer, delivering specialized seminars in cooperation with TÜV Süd Akademie and other professional institutions. His training and consulting activities emphasize real-world application, inspection readiness, and compliance across the entire lifecycle of Ex installations.
As a member of the BARTEC Academy expert community, Dietmar Rook contributes his extensive standards-based knowledge and field experience to the development of high-quality learning content and expert discussions. He supports the Academy’s mission to advance global competence in explosion protection by sharing practical insights drawn from certification work, industrial projects, and decades of collaboration with authorities, notified bodies, and industry partners.
Within BARTEC Academy, Dietmar participates in expert exchanges, advisory activities, and content development initiatives focused on IECEx and ATEX standards, lifecycle compliance, installation and inspection practices, and the safe execution of projects in hazardous areas, both in in-person and digital learning formats.
Ex Advisor & Faculty Member
SOURCE IEx
English
Bob Johnson is the President and Founder of SOURCE IEx, with over 30 years of experience in explosion protection design, installation, and training. He has provided technical assistance to major oil and gas companies, including Halliburton, Baker Hughes, ExxonMobil, and Chevron. Throughout his distinguished career, Bob has become a recognized expert in Explosion Protection and has specialized in various critical areas, such as IEC standards, ATEX Directive, intrinsic safety design, and cable installation. As a member of the BARTEC Academy Leadership Council and a faculty member, he plays a pivotal role in shaping learning experiences and advancing technical knowledge in hazardous area safety.
Bob holds an MBA in Business from Loyola University New Orleans and a Bachelor of Science in Business Marketing from California State Polytechnic University-Pomona. His academic credentials are complemented by extensive professional certifications, including being an IECEx Certified Person, a TÜV Rheinland Certified Functional Safety Engineer, and a CompEx Instructor/Assessor, among others. He is also a member of the UL STP 60079 committee, contributing to the development of industry safety standards.
Throughout his career, Bob has developed and led comprehensive training programs on topics such as Ex protection concepts, IEC standards, and intrinsic safety design. He has worked with organizations like Halliburton, Fluor, and Siemens to establish ongoing training initiatives, helping to ensure that their teams are compliant with the latest explosion protection standards. Bob is also the co-author of the Explosion Protection Professional (ExPP) Awareness and ExPP Competence certificates, which are co-designed with Fernando Sanchez-Arias. These certificates have become a cornerstone for advancing safety and expertise in hazardous environments.
In addition to his work with BARTEC, Bob has delivered seminars for IEEE and ISA chapters and has personally trained over 100 candidates on IEC 60079 standards compliance. His expertise and leadership have had a lasting impact on the oil and gas industry, where he continues to advance knowledge and best practices through SOURCE IEx, providing innovative solutions and training programs to ensure safety and compliance in hazardous environments.
At BARTEC Academy, Bob facilitates the Explosion Protection Professional - ExPP Awareness and the ExPP Competence learning and certification paths, both physically/in-person and digitally/remotely.
Ex Advisor, Speaker & Lecturer
SmartGrid Engenharia Ltda
Portuguese, English
Roberval Bulgarelli, Master Electrical Engineer, is a renowned expert with over 40 years of experience in the petroleum, gas, and petrochemical industries. His career has focused on the design, inspection, maintenance, and auditing of electrical, automation, and telecommunication systems for industrial facilities, particularly in explosive atmospheres containing flammable gases or combustible dust.
With 37 years at Petrobras, Roberval held roles such as Master Electrical Engineer and Technical Consultant, contributing significantly to the development of safety and automation systems. He has been a pivotal figure in national and international standards, serving as Chair of the Brazilian IEC TC-31 committee and a delegate in the IECEx system. His expertise includes IEC 61850 Substation Automation & Protection Systems.
As a professor at Universidade Petrobras, Roberval designed and taught courses on the lifecycle of “Ex” installations, focusing on the integrity and compliance of systems in hazardous environments. He also led the creation of Petrobras technical standards and contributed to international advancements, including thermal protection functions for electrical equipment as standardized in IEC 60255-149.
Currently, Roberval is an independent consultant with dss+, advising on safety, compliance, and lifecycle management for classified installations. He is also a monthly contributor to **O Setor Elétrico** magazine, where he shares insights into the lifecycle of installations in hazardous atmospheres.
Roberval holds a Master of Science in Electrical Power System Protection from USP – Universidade de São Paulo and a degree in Electrical Engineering from Universidade Santa Cecília.
As a digital guest speaker for the BARTEC Academy, Roberval has delivered a session on Explosion Protection Fundamentals in Hazardous Areas, sharing his wealth of knowledge to empower professionals navigating the complexities of hazardous environments.
Your team of researchers, professors, speakers, facilitators, instructors, and subject-matter experts
Global Product Line Manager - Ex p
BARTEC
German, English
Jens Schurwanz is an experienced product management and engineering leader with more than 25 years of expertise in explosion protection, pressurized systems (Ex p), and industrial automation. Based in Bad Mergentheim, Germany, he currently serves as Global Product Line Manager – Ex p at BARTEC Group GmbH, where he is responsible for the global strategy, development, and lifecycle management of pressurized enclosure solutions for hazardous areas.
In addition to his global product role, Jens also holds the position of Team Leader Automation and Ex p, leading multidisciplinary teams focused on automation technologies and explosion-protected systems. His work bridges engineering, product development, manufacturing, and business development, ensuring technically robust and market-driven solutions that comply with international standards such as IEC and ATEX.
Jens has spent his entire professional career within the BARTEC organization, progressing through a wide range of technical and leadership roles. He began as a Service Technician for Seismic Instrumentation, later expanding into project management, product management, and ultimately department and global product leadership. As Head of Pressurized Systems, he played a key role in advancing overpressure encapsulation technologies and strengthening BARTEC’s position as a global leader in Ex p solutions.
His areas of expertise include explosion safety, electrical engineering, automation, product development, project management, and new business development, supported by a strong practical background in commissioning, manufacturing, and system design. Jens is known for his structured approach, technical depth, and ability to translate complex engineering requirements into scalable, market-ready products.
Fluent in German and English, Jens works closely with international teams, customers, and partners, contributing to global projects across a wide range of industrial sectors. His career reflects a strong commitment to technical excellence, continuous innovation, and long-term value creation in hazardous-area solutions.
Key Accounts Sales Manager, SNAM
BARTEC
English, Spanish
Natalia leads sales strategies across the SNAM region (South and North America) within BARTEC’s Enterprise Mobility and Connectivity business unit. Based in Houston, she manages major accounts in the United States and Canada while continuing to support key customers throughout Latin America. Her focus is on delivering digital solutions for hazardous areas across a broad range of industries—including oil and gas, chemicals, manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, aviation, logistics, and transportation. With a customer-centric and data-driven approach, Natalia plays a critical role in delivering tailored solutions that accelerate growth and drive operational excellence in complex industrial environments.
She is a Chemical Engineer, graduated from Universidad Rafael Urdaneta (URU) in Maracaibo, Venezuela, and holds a Master of Business Administration from Universidad de Los Andes (ULA) in Bogotá, Colombia. Before relocating to Houston, Natalia served as the Managing Director of BARTEC’s regional sales office in Bogotá, where she led the company’s commercial and strategic efforts across Latin America. With more than ten years at BARTEC and extensive experience in industrial automation, enterprise mobility, and hazardous area safety, she consistently bridges technical precision with business strategy.
Natalia is a certified digital learning facilitator by CLICK Institute and serves as one of the content reviewers of the Explosion Protection Professional (ExPP) Awareness Certificate. She is currently participating in the Certified ExPP Facilitators Program, conducted by BARTEC Academy and SOURCE IEx, to deliver ExPP Awareness training in Spanish, Portuguese, and French-speaking countries. Passionate about purposeful learning and international collaboration, Natalia is committed to advancing safety, inclusion, and technical excellence in the field of explosion protection.
Faculty Member
BARTEC
English
Corentin Thierry is a highly skilled Sales Manager with extensive experience in the analyzer world, particularly in the oil and gas industry. He currently serves as the Sales Manager for Process Analyzer Technology (PAT) at BARTEC US Corporation, a position he has held since April 2019. With a strong background in both sales and product management, Corfentin has proven expertise in driving business development, managing international customer bases, and overseeing product improvements for various process analyzer technologies. Before joining BARTEC, he worked as a Product Line Manager at a major instrumentation company, where he played a key role in expanding the company’s market reach and managing product improvement projects.
Corfentin holds a Master's Degree in Chemical Engineering from Grenoble INP - Phelma and has a specialized focus in Chemical/Process Engineering, with minors in Electrochemistry and Materials. His academic journey also took him to Universidad Nacional de Colombia in Bogota, where he studied bio-chemical processes, and to Polytechnique Montreal and the National Research Council of Canada, where he focused on Electrochemistry and Materials for one year.
His professional experience spans roles in both sales and applications engineering. He began his career as an Applications Engineer, being responsible for establishing a distributor network and providing technical and commercial support for customers in various industries, including oil, refining, and food & beverage. He has also managed the analytical division for the Americas of another firm, developed solutions for customers, and played a crucial part in growing the business to over $500,000 per year.
At BARTEC, Corfentin leverages his deep technical knowledge and sales expertise to help drive the success of the company's process analyzer technology solutions. He is also actively involved in the training and development of professionals in the field, as he teaches Technology Systems and Process Analyzer Technologies (TS-PAT) learning experiences, both physically and remotely, for BARTEC Academy. His ability to bridge the gap between technology and customer needs has made him an invaluable asset in advancing process analyzer technologies across industries.
Faculty Member
BARTEC
English, Spanish
Juan Najera is an expert in integrated engineered solutions and heating technology, specializing in the design of Flow Measurement and Heat Trace Systems for the Oil & Energy industry. With a Mechatronics Engineering degree from Tecnológico de Monterrey (ITESM), he has developed deep expertise in Electrical, Mechanical, and Control Engineered Solutions, Business Development, Account Management, and Continuous Improvement.
Currently, Juan serves as a Technical Sales Engineer at BARTEC US Corporation, leading the Electrical Heat Tracing business unit for the Americas. His previous roles include positions at reputable companies in the automation and instrumentation industry sectors, where he contributed to the development of custody transfer systems and optimized metering solutions in compliance with international standards.
As a Council Member of BARTEC Academy, Juan plays a key role in enhancing the company’s customer education programs. He provides both in-person and digital training for customers, focusing on electrical heat tracing systems and projects, and Explosion Protection Professional lessons. His work ensures customers understand the technical aspects of BARTEC products and are equipped to implement them effectively in hazardous environments.
Regional Sales Manager, Enterprise Mobility & Connectivity for SNAM
BARTEC
English, Portuguese, Spanish
Mateus leads the Enterprise Mobility and Connectivity team at BARTEC in the SNAM region, serving customers across Canada, the United States, Latin America, and the Caribbean, while maintaining direct responsibility for the Brazilian market. Based in Houston, he drives regional growth initiatives, develops strategic partnerships, and supports both the Enterprise Mobility & Connectivity and Electrical Safety Solutions business units. His role is focused on market expansion, consultative sales, and delivering value-driven solutions for hazardous area applications.
He holds a Master of Business Administration in Finance, Accounting, and Auditing from Fundação Getulio Vargas (FGV) and a Bachelor of Business Administration in International Business from Faculdade de Tecnologia de São Paulo (FATEC-SP). He has also completed graduate studies in entrepreneurship, marketing, and petroleum engineering through Faculdade Unyleya. With more than 11 years at BARTEC, Mateus has held key positions including administrative manager, business development manager, and sales engineer, contributing to the management teams in both Brazil and Colombia. His expertise spans finance, sales strategy, and project execution across industries such as oil and gas, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, food and beverage, mining, automotive, and animal nutrition.
Mateus is driven by a high-performance mindset, international experience, and a passion for delivering measurable growth. He has built strong networks with major operators such as Petrobras, EPC firms, OEMs, and end users, and is the architect of BARTEC’s partner program in Brazil. Committed to results and strategic impact, he is currently leading an ambitious initiative to grow BARTEC’s revenue in Brazil by 450% between 2023 and 2025. His leadership is rooted in entrepreneurial spirit, resilience, and a deep commitment to advancing safety and excellence in hazardous environments.
Senior Business Development Mgr
BARTEC
English
Kelly Collins is a seasoned business development and sales leader with more than 30 years of experience in the industrial automation and electrical safety industry, specializing in solutions for hazardous and classified locations. He is widely recognized for his ability to build high-performing sales organizations, develop strategic market initiatives, and deliver customer-focused solutions in complex technical environments.
Kelly currently serves as Senior Business Development Manager – Electrical Safety Solutions (ESS) at BARTEC, where he leads strategic growth initiatives focused on electrical safety technologies. Working remotely from the Tulsa Metropolitan Area, he combines deep technical expertise with a strong commercial vision to support customers across demanding industrial sectors.
Throughout his career, Kelly has held senior leadership roles with globally respected organizations including Weidmüller USA, Emerson Automation Solutions, R. STAHL Group, and Eaton (Cooper Crouse-Hinds). During more than eight years at Emerson, he provided sales leadership across North America, managing both manufacturer representatives and factory sales teams while delivering tailored solutions based on extensive experience in hazardous location and electrical markets.
Kelly began his career in sales and engineering roles in the early 1990s, building a strong technical foundation as a Sales Engineer, Field Sales Representative, and IEC Sales Manager. His core competencies include negotiation, international business, sales operations, team leadership, and electrical wiring solutions.
He holds a Bachelor of Science in Marketing from Northeastern State University, with additional studies in Business and Marketing from Northeastern Oklahoma A&M College.
Beyond his professional achievements, Kelly is highly regarded as a mentor, leader, and trusted colleague, known for his integrity, dedication, and commitment to success in his family life, professional relationships, and personal values.
Faculty Member
BARTEC
English
Jarrod Jones is a highly skilled Service Technician with extensive experience in electronics and computer hardware. He has been a key member of the BARTEC US Corporation team since October 2016, where he specializes in maintaining and servicing explosion-proof devices and systems. With over 8 years of experience in the industry, Jarrod brings a deep understanding of electronics, customer service, and technical repairs.
Before joining BARTEC, Jarrod honed his skills as an Advanced Repair Agent at Geek Squad (2014-2016) and as a Repair Technician at Bass Computers (2009-2012), where he gained hands-on experience in troubleshooting and repairing complex electronic devices.
Jarrod is also passionate about sharing his expertise with others. He currently teaches the "Intrinsically Safe Mobile Devices" course at BARTEC Academy, where he provides valuable insights into the operation and safety considerations for mobile devices used in hazardous environments.
His expertise in electronics, customer service, and problem-solving, combined with his commitment to safety in potentially explosive atmospheres, makes Jarrod a trusted resource for both BARTEC and its customers.
Jarrod's transition into Technology Systems and Process Analyzers Technologies (TS-PAT) has provided him with a robust understanding of the operation and servicing of advanced analyzer systems. This experience has equipped him with the technical proficiency and practical insight to train customers effectively, ensuring they can maintain their equipment for optimal performance and efficiency. His hands-on expertise and dedication to excellence enable him to deliver tailored guidance, empowering users to maximize the reliability and lifespan of their systems in hazardous environments.
