Full Name: Karl Juncker

Position: MD of WEC Projects

Main Activity of the Company: Mechanical and process contractor focusing on water treatment, wastewater treatment, biogas-to-energy solutions, sludge treatment and beneficiation

Date and Place of Birth: Edenvale, South Africa, November 15, 1972

Education: BEng (Mech), 1995; PrEng, 2009

First Job: Quality assurance engineer, Nordberg, Vereeniging

Career History Prior to Current Position: Quality assurance engineer, Nordberg, 1996; project engineer, DB Thermal/WABAG, 1997 to 1999; project engineer, Bateman Water, 1999 to 2000; member (project management), KEG Engineering, 2000 to 2004; director, WEC Projects, 2003 to date

Size of First Pay Packet: Around R4 500 a month

First Job with Present Group: Director: marketing and sales

Value of Assets under Your Control: Not stated

Number of People under Your Leadership: About 180

Management Style: If I had to describe it, motivational and proactive would probably be the best description

Personal Best Achievement: Achieving a balanced family and work life

Professional Best Achievement: All that we have managed to achieve in the last 10 to 15 years within the group. The successful completion of certain projects have also been a highlight, such as the biogas-to-energy project at Joburg Water

Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Life: There have been a few, including my father and my friends

Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Career: I have had a few great mentors and friends who have motivated me and guided me a lot: Gunter Lempert, Evan Bird and Shaun Deacon

Person You Would Most Like to Meet: My grandchildren (one day)

Businessperson Who Has Impressed You Most: My mentors have impressed me the most

Philosophy of Life: Enjoy everything you do and make it count

Biggest Ever Opportunity: Growing a business like ours with fantastic people (past and present) and sharing in the successes together

Biggest Ever Disappointment: The fact that South Africa has so much opportunity that is often wasted or overshadowed by greed or politics

Hope for the Future: That South Africa becomes a safe and strong economy for all the right reasons

Favourite Reading: I am not a big reader – I prefer short stories or technical articles, such as those published in Popular Mechanics

Favourite TV Programme: Detective series, such as The Mentalist or Sherlock HolmesFavourite Food/Drink: Braaivleis/beer

Favourite Music: Good old classic rock

Favourite Sport: Rugby (past), mountain biking, tennis and running

Favourite Website: WeatherSA and News24

Hobbies: Helicopters, golf (just started), bikes and fishing – pretty much anything outdoors

Car: Land Cruiser 100 series and BMW 330D

Pets: We have a great mix of dogs and cats

Miscellaneous Dislikes: Pessimistic people, slow traffic and bad drivers. I also do not like listening to the news

Favourite Other South African Company: Henley Air, SAB

Favourite Foreign Company: WEG

Married: To Donette, since December 6, 2001

Children: Luc, 14; Sam, 11

Clubs: I belong to a flying club and a golf club