Manhole Recovery was founded by a group of municipal engineers and infrastructure specialists who saw a critical gap in the industry: aging underground infrastructure being ignored until failure. Since our founding, we’ve grown into one of the most trusted resources for manhole rehabilitation professionals, city planners, and public works departments across North America.

Our Mission

We exist to advance the science and practice of manhole recovery and rehabilitation. Our team brings together certified civil engineers, polyurea application specialists, trenchless technology experts, and municipal policy advisors — all united by one goal: extending the life of underground infrastructure while protecting public safety and taxpayer investment.

Who We Serve

Our community includes public works directors, municipal engineers, underground utility contractors, environmental compliance officers, and infrastructure policy makers from cities and counties across the United States and Canada. Whether you’re managing a fleet of aging manholes or specifying materials for a new installation, Manhole Recovery provides the research, case studies, and expert guidance you need.

Our Leadership Team

Heidi Lee — Executive Director

With over 18 years in municipal infrastructure management, Heidi has overseen rehabilitation projects totaling more than $200 million in public works spending. She holds a PE license in civil engineering and serves on the American Society of Civil Engineers infrastructure committee.

Marcus Webb — Technical Director

Marcus brings 22 years of specialty coatings experience, including 14 years focused exclusively on polyurea and polyurethane systems for underground infrastructure. He has trained over 300 applicators nationally and developed the industry’s first field certification program for manhole lining specialists.

Dr. Sandra Okafor — Research Lead

Dr. Okafor holds a PhD in materials science from Georgia Tech and has published 27 peer-reviewed papers on polymer coatings in corrosive environments. Her research has directly informed ASTM standards for underground infrastructure coatings.

James Torretta — Field Operations Lead

James started his career as a confined space entry specialist before transitioning to rehabilitation project management. He has personally overseen the rehabilitation of over 4,000 manholes across 14 states and is a certified NASSCO inspector with expertise in PACP/MACP assessment protocols.

Our Advisory Board

Manhole Recovery is guided by a volunteer advisory board of senior professionals from across the water/wastewater industry, including representatives from APWA, NASSCO, ASCE, and the Water Environment Federation. This ensures our content reflects the most current best practices and regulatory requirements.

Partnerships & Affiliations

We maintain active partnerships with the American Public Works Association (APWA), the National Association of Sewer Service Companies (NASSCO), the Trenchless Technology Center at Louisiana Tech University, and the Water Environment Federation (WEF).

Have a question or want to contribute? Contact our editorial team.