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