Issue link: http://psai.uberflip.com/i/1418957
10 I PSAI Association Insight, October 13, 2021 "I" is for International (continued from page 8) Colombia Carlos Robles Carlos founded Bamocol in Cali, Colombia, in 1998. Originally an architect, he came up with the idea of starting a portable restroom company in a rather unique way—hang gliding! In a November 2014 issue of PRO Magazine, Carlos tells of his epiphany: "In 1995, a friend brought back a picture of a portable restroom from a hang-gliding event in Mexico. Before we fly, you always had to go to the bathroom and go to the trees." This photo began his entry into the industry. Later in 1995, Carlos attended a Satellite Industries trade show in Bogota, Colombia, and purchased two units. In 1998 he ordered 40 more units, borrowed an old truck, and started Bamocol. Growth was slow but he persevered. In the same PRO Magazine article, he states that he won a large contract from an engineering firm in 2004 and grew from 92 to 200 units. Later in 2006, Bamocol was awarded a two-year contract with the Colombian national oil company and his company experienced tremendous growth. Several PSAI members will remember Carlos and Bamocol from the International Meeting that was held in Cali, May 15- 19, 2012. This was a very memorable event in the history of the PSAI as it coincided with both the 40th anniversary of the Association and the 20th anniversary of the certification program. Over a year of planning went into the event, but with just a month to go, it was in doubt as the PSAI had lost its Executive Director. As President, I, along with the rest of the Board, assured Carlos that the show would go on. He and his wife Maria were wonderful hosts. A tour of their company was a definite highlight. Bamocol had an excellent office facility, and the organization of their year was incredibly efficient. Carlos was also able to assist in recruiting operators from neighboring countries to attend this event where PSAI route service training and certification was to be held. I had the priv- ilege of teaching this course to the largest international class that had ever been held—39 route service technicians repre- senting 13 countries participated in the 4-hour training followed by the certification exam. This would not have been possible without our dear friend, Past President, and Andy Gump recipient Flay Anthony. Flay worked with his wife Glenda, who worked with others at her school to translate the entire PSAI training manual and certification exam into Spanish. With the help of a translator, all the candidates were ultimately successful in becoming PSAI certified and along the way, I learned several words in Spanish that are common in our industry! Carlos Robles (continued on page 12)