John Van Der Wal brings five decades of hands-on and leadership experience in the aggregate and mining industries to JSV Consulting. Prior to working in the aggregate and mining industries, he served in the U.S. Army from 1963 to 1968, and the importance of discipline and teamwork he learned during those years continues to shape his work ethic. After serving in the Army, John began his career in the early 1970s as an equipment operator and truck driver, he advanced through roles that gave him practical mastery of virtually every type of heavy equipment and a deep, operational understanding of mineral and aggregate production.

In 2007 he led a greenfield project for Cardinal Glass — designing, building, and operating a sand plant for their Durant, Oklahoma facility — and supported land acquisitions and testing. During that project he worked alongside regulatory agencies including the Department of Environmental Quality, MSHA, and the USACE, maintained strict compliance with wetland protection requirements, and ensured all activities met applicable environmental and safety regulations.

John has overseen multiple dredging operations and developed extensive expertise in sediment management and waterway permitting. He has applied that experience to produce data-driven analyses and practical recommendations that have improved safety and operational efficiency on projects, and informed strategic decision-making for clients. John has delivered hands-on solutions and advisory support tailored to resolve operational challenges and advance business objectives for companies across related industries.

Across decades in the field, John has honed an ability to “read” the land, providing trusted assessments of a site’s potential—whether for aggregate production, dredging, or conservation. His long tenure has enabled him to evaluate subsurface strata, groundwater behavior, material suitability, reclamation prospects, and the operational constraints that influence feasibility and cost. Those practical insights have helped clients anticipate challenges, uncover value, and pursue pragmatic, sustainable uses for property consistent with regulatory expectations.