Employee Spotlight: Ian Dunlap, Chief Technology Officer
Innovation drives everything at Bristola, and for Ian Dunlap, that innovation starts with curiosity, persistence and a deep understanding of how things work. As chief technology officer, he has led the development of Bristola’s most transformative systems, including the entry system. Ian, a native of western Pennsylvania, earned a degree in business management and served nine years in the U.S. Army National Guard. These experiences equipped him with the discipline and problem-solving skills that guide his approach today.
What you should know about Ian Dunlap:
How did you first connect with Bristola, and what made you take a chance on a startup?
I connected with Jared when the entry system idea was first developed and have been working with him on bringing it from paper to reality. This project is very close to me, as many of the discoveries have come from hands-on problem-solving between Jared and me.
What’s the most rewarding part of your job?
The most motivating part is figuring out how to do things that others in the industry thought were impossible. I love bringing an idea from a “napkin sketch” to a physical product, sometimes in the same day.
What’s one project or moment that stands out to you?
The first deployment was years in the making. Seeing it finally work successfully after so much testing and development was incredibly rewarding.
How would you describe the culture at Bristola?
We’re continuously innovating and pushing for perfection. Nothing is ever “good enough” here, and that’s what keeps us sharp.
What’s it like working with Jared?
He’s passionate and knowledgeable. He knows what each person is capable of and pushes us to think bigger, innovate faster and never stop improving.
What do you see for the future of Bristola?
I’d like to see us become the industrial standard for tank cleaning: providing safer, more efficient solutions worldwide.
At Bristola, innovation is built into everything we do. From concept to execution, our engineering team continually refines each piece of technology to make tank cleaning smarter, faster and safer. It’s innovation driven by people like Ian, who turn big ideas into real-world solutions.