Management Team

Soft-Pak’s team consists of highly skilled individuals who specialize in the fields of programming, software development, information management, training and business management. It is one thing to have these skills – and quite another to have these skills AND industry knowledge. Most of our employees have this unique qualification. For example, our installers and trainers are ALL from within the waste industry and had years of industry experience before they joined Soft-Pak. The average Soft-Pak team member has been with the company nine years and some as many as 24 years. We are stable, experienced and dedicated to our clients and prospective customers.

Soft-Pak's highly trained management professionals are dedicated to total customer satisfaction. Their experience, expertise, dedication and commitment to excellence continue to be the driving force behind our continued success.

Rodger Mehrer - Founder
Mr. Mehrer founded Mehrer and Associates in 1975 and incorporated the company Soft-Pak Inc. in the mid 1980’s. He brings decades of software development and waste management experience to Soft-Pak, as his leadership, industry knowledge, and unsurpassed level of expertise continues to fortify Soft-Pak's position as the market leader.

Brian Porter - President
Brian was introduced to Soft-Pak in 2006 and became the majority equity partner in 2007. After graduating from USC, Brian spent 15 years in sales and management prior to joining Soft-Pak. He has come to Soft-Pak to oversee the day to day operations, while handling financial and business development decisions. His expertise in managing vendor relationships and overall sales and marketing direction will be key to Soft-Pak's ongoing operations. Brian is a board member of the Andrei Olenicoff Memorial Foundation as well an active participant and contributor in the California League of Conservation.

Carla Walsh - Vice President of Operations / Support Services
Ms. Walsh holds a degree in computer science and has been an integral part of Soft-Pak from its inception. She worked with Rodger Mehrer on various projects before joining Mehrer and Associates and together they built the foundation of Soft-Pak. Her depth of experience has made her an invaluable resources in the areas of programming, accounting and business management for the waste industry. Carla is a member of the board of directors of Elder Law and Advocacy, a California non-profit organization.

Darryl Cooksey - Vice President of Information Technology
Mr. Cooksey is a graduate of San Diego's Coleman College with a degree in Information Technology. He began his career at Soft-Pak in 1990 as an programmer, and today manages Soft-Pak's Information Technology department. His vast experience incorporates programming in several languages, hardware experience with IBM's iSeries servers, PC based servers as well as office applications and system operating software (OS/400, Microsoft, Novell). He is an IBM Certified Specialist in iSeries/AS/400 Server Technical Solutions Design.

Dody Martin - Vice President, Research and Development
Since graduating from San Diego’s Coleman College 1977, Ms. Martin has worked in the computer industry as a Analyst, Developer and Project Manager with IBM mid-range server applications.  Joining Soft-Pak in 1998, she has effectively managed Soft-Pak's accomplished team of Program Developers.  Her expertise in business and system analysis, design, development and implementation has led to the development and enhancement of several Soft-Pak products.

Dawn Wittig - Vice President, Project Management Team
A USC graduate, Dawn Wittig has over 12 years experience in the waste industry and more than 16 years of business software experience. She has worked for large waste haulers in the North East and Southwest as their IT/Soft-Pak manager. Dawn began her Soft-Pak career in 1994 as a System Analyst/Trainer, based in our San Diego corporate office location. Dawn was promoted to the position of Project Management Department Manager at the beginning of 2006, and currently resides in New Jersey.
 
Steve Belt - Sales Manager, Western Region
Steve Belt joined Soft-Pak as a Support Services Associate in May 2000 and was promoted to Support Services Manager in August 2003.  Prior to joining Soft-Pak he spent nearly two years working for one of the nation's largest trash companies. There he learned many aspects of the business, specializing in customer service where he was recognized on multiple occasions for his outstanding efforts. He holds a bachelor's degree in environmental studies from the University of Iowa. In Q4 2007, Steve moved to sales and now manages the Western Region for Soft-Pak.