Water Tank Leadership
Jim Skilton has been climbing water towers for over 40 years and has been Southern Corrosion’s President since 1989. His dad Harry started Southern Corrosion, and his brother Rich works alongside him on projects. He is a certified NACE Level 1 coatings inspector and earned the designation of Protective Coatings Specialist from the Society for Protective Coatings (SSPC). Jim earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the University of Delaware, and a Masters Degree in Business Administration from Campbell University. As part of his work, Jim teaches Engineered Tank Care™ seminars and continuing education classes.
Elbert Basolis is an expert in temporary water tank solutions and co-owner of Southern Corrosion. He is also CEO of Garrison Enterprises, a mechanical contracting company serving the water industry, an owner or active participant in at least six other complementary industrial businesses, and the Co-Chairman of the Board of Yardville National Bank, NA, which was recently purchased by PNC bank. Elbert splits his time between his home in New Jersey and his North Carolina based offices.
Since 1984, Ed has been working on water towers. Ed Soltis is a certified NACE Level 1 coatings inspector and a SSPC C3 Supervisor for Deleading Industrial Structures. He specializes in surface preparation, water tower painting and minor repairs. He has been Southern Corrosion’s Manager of Operations since 2008.
Before becoming Southern Corrosion’s Director of Human Resources, Lynne Skilton worked as a school counselor, Assistant Principal, and as a child and family therapist. Lynne officially joined the Southern Corrosion tank maintenance team in October 2013, however she’s been part of the Southern Corrosion family since 1987, when she married President Jim Skilton.
Water Tank Maintenance Sales Consultants
Jim Dotson has been with Southern Corrosion since 1995. He has extensive experience in water tank maintenance and systems. Jim is one of our certified trainers in our Water Tank Management Programs.
Brett Woodruff has 30 years of experience in the water tank maintenance industry, and has been a member of the Southern Corrosion water tank maintenance team since 2005. Brett is a native of Richmond, Virginia, and a University of Richmond graduate.
For over 40 years, Tom has worked in Public Utilities. He also has been the Superintendent of a Class 2 Water Treatment Plant in the State of Virginia for the past 32 years. Tom has a Virginia Class 1 Water Works License and a Backflow Prevention Device Worker License issued by DPOR. He has served on the Virginia Rural Water Association Board of Director since 1995. Also, he is currently representing the State of Virginia as its National Director for National Rural Water Association and serving as a member of the Finance Committee and chair of the Awards Committee for NRWA.
Rich Skilton’s water tank maintenance expertise includes lead abatement for steel superstructures. He is the second generation of his family to work in the water tank maintenance business: his first job as a teenager was working on water tanks. He’s also one of our certified trainers in Engineered Tank Care™ water tank maintenance.
Ryan, a graduate of Hampden-Sydney College, has been with Southern Corrosion since 2016 and has eight years prior sales experience. He is NACE Level 1 certified.
Jason Phillips has more than a decade of experience in water tank maintenance, and has been a part of the Southern Corrosion team since 2008. Jason is one of our certified trainers in Engineered Tank Care™ water tank maintenance. He’s also a West Virginia native and graduate of West Virginia University.
Anson has been in sales for more than nine years. He is an Alabama native and earned his Bachelor’s Degree from Auburn University. He finished his Master’s Degree in Business Administration from Liberty University. He also has been an enlisted Marine since 2006 and is currently becoming a commissioned officer in the Army.
John Tucker has been in the sales profession for over 25 years, with over 20 years spent in the construction industry. John is a New Jersey native but has transitioned to a Floridian, having lived here since 1984. He earned his Bachelor's degree from the University of North Texas in Denton, TX. John is married to a native Floridian and has raised two exceptional sons who have, like their mother, pursued their degrees at the University of Central Florida.
Engineers
Michael Douglas is a Professional Engineer licensed in North Carolina, Virginia, Maryland, Delaware, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Georgia, Florida and Alabama. He has extensive experience with public water supply systems and drinking water regulation. His previous work includes overseeing more than 600 water systems in 16 counties as a Regional Engineer. Michael is a North Carolina State University graduate with a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering. He is one of our certified trainers in Engineered Tank Care water tank maintenance.
Estimating, Inspections and Quality Control
Carl Lynn has been with Southern Corrosion since 2008. He is certified NACE level 2. He estimates water tower maintenance costs and assists with proposals and water tank maintenance contracts.He originally began working for Southern Corrosion as a water tank inspector after taking a class taught by Jim Skilton. Carl is a Navy veteran with extensive experience in Business Administration and Industrial Systems Technology.
Eric Barnes is certified NACE Level 2 and has been with Southern Corrosion since 2014. Eric has a technical background in industrial maintenance and aluminum manufacturing. He is a water tank inspector and installs mixers.
Administration
Morgan Barnes is the point of contact for Southern Corrosion’s Accounts Payable and Accounts Receivable Departments. She is a third generation member of the Southern Corrosion water tank maintenance team, and an East Carolina University graduate with a degree in Criminal Justice.
Corporate Chaplain
