Bill Sundeen became majority owner of American DND in 2006. With 38 years of experience spanning government service, contracting, and demolition, Bill Sundeen brings a wealth of expertise to complex project environments. For the past decade, he has served as the Project Decommissioning Manager at the West Valley Demonstration Project (WVDP), where he has led a variety of high-risk demolition efforts, including the first-ever demolition of a vitrification facility.
Bill’s leadership has been instrumental in guiding diverse teams of craft and management professionals through challenging and safety-critical work. His consistent focus on operational excellence has resulted in successful, on-schedule project completions, all executed with an uncompromising commitment to safety and quality.
Before transitioning to the private sector, Bill honorably served in the United States Navy for 23 years, where he developed the discipline and leadership skills that continue to define his approach today. Bill honorably retired with the rank of Senior Chief in 2006 as a service-disabled veteran. During his time with the navy, he oversaw up to 110 men and completed conventional and nuclear ordinance in the military. He had also rewritten procedures to make them more efficient and safer for the Navy.
Bill Schaab founded American DND in January of 2004. Bringing over 40 years of leadership in heavy industrial contracting, with a distinguished career encompassing environmental remediation, decommissioning, demolition, and new construction. As the founder of American DND, Bill has been directly responsible for more than $1 Billion in project work, managing efforts ranging from $50,000 to $50 million in scale.
Renowned as an industry innovator, Bill specializes in developing alternative decommissioning means and methods that challenge conventional approaches. His pioneering techniques have earned written variances from regulatory agencies, enabling the use of safe, nontraditional demolition strategies. These alternatives have consistently led to reductions in at-risk labor hours, accelerated project schedules, and significant cost savings for stakeholders. Bill’s deep technical knowledge, combined with his forward-thinking mindset, continues to drive American DND’s reputation for excellence and innovation in the field.
Bill started his career in the trades as an insulator with his father’s insulation business. Installing asbestos insulation. Asbestos was later identified as a health hazard, resulting in Bill forming his own abatement company . The abatement company was sold to a publicly traded company, where Bill remained as President / CEO reporting to a board of directors. In the early 90’s Bill and a handful of his peers left the public company and formed demolition business. Bill acted as the Senior Vice President for the demolition business. At the height, the company employed over 200 individuals, operated in 37 states, and was generating $50m+ in revenue annually.
Blake Schaab has been a key member of American DND since 2014, initially supporting the company part-time before transitioning to a full-time role in 2020. He currently oversees all financial and administrative operations, working in close coordination with the company’s third-party accounting firm. Blake is solely responsible for managing American DND’s credit portfolio and ensures full compliance with Defense Contract Audit Agency (DCAA) standards, a critical component of the company’s government contracting responsibilities.
Beyond finance, Blake plays a pivotal role in driving strategic operational improvements, including automation of key business functions such as accounts payable and employee onboarding. His focus on efficiency and systems integration has enhanced company-wide performance and compliance capabilities.In addition to his administrative responsibilities, Blake also serves as Project Manager for projects under $3 million in revenue. Over the course of his career at American DND, he has contributed to more than $35 million in projects, serving in various capacities ranging from contract management and compliance to full project oversight. He also manages all equipment rental contracts, supporting field operations with reliable and cost-effective logistics.
Blake is a Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM), credentialed by the Project Management Institute (PMI), and holds both a Bachelor’s degree and a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from St. John Fisher University in Rochester, NY. Prior to his full-time tenure at American DND, Blake spent several years at sea as the first mate on a 113-foot motor yacht, living and working throughout the Caribbean and Bahamas—a testament to his adaptability, leadership, and diverse experience.
Mike Tallant joined American DND in early 2025, bringing with him over two decades of operational, construction, and facilities management experience. Mike is responsible for overseeing all administrative activities and processes that directly enable American DND’s field operations across the United States and Canada. Some duties include but are not limited to Managing state licensing, contractors’ licenses, conducting corporate Health and Safety Plan reviews, and insurance renewals. His work ensures seamless support for projects of varying size and complexity throughout North America. Mike also manages the company’s property portfolio and tenant relations, ensuring that all leased and owned properties operate efficiently to support project needs. Additionally, he oversees equipment management. Coordinating the flow of assets between the home office and active project sites, maintaining operational readiness across multiple locations.
Before joining American DND, Mike spent 10 years in the federal sector, where he handled contracts, construction, and facility operations for both the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Department of Homeland Security. Prior to his federal service, he dedicated 10 years to telecom construction, building out fiber optic and cellular networks nationwide. Mike’s professional journey began with distinguished military service. He spent four years in the U.S. Army’s 82nd Airborne Division, deploying during the initial stages of Operation Enduring Freedom. After his military service, he continued supporting U.S. missions abroad as a contractor for the Department of Defense in Afghanistan. Mike’s combined military discipline, federal expertise, and private sector experience make him a critical leader in ensuring the smooth execution of American DND’s field operations.
John Richard Dearholt “Rick”, age 69, of Knoxville, TN., passed away on Saturday, June 8th, 2024. John Served 22 years as a Master Sargent in the United States Marine Corp. John also worked at American DND, and Rix LLC for many years. He was a member of the American Legion Post 615, President of ETEBA, and was Chairman of The Boys and Girls Club Clinch Valley. John received his bachelor’s degree in business administration safety management and engineering. He was a certified Project Management Professional and an honored Fellow of Waste Management. John took great pride spending time with his family and friends. He enjoyed vacationing with his wife, Jennifer, and camping. Rick was an integral part of American DND. He was best friends with both William Sundeen, and Bill Schaab. Rick also had a major role in Blake Schaab’s professional development within the demolition and decommissioning industry. His presence is greatly missed. Rest In Peace.
Not pictured here is a significant portion of our workforce — the men and women in the field who perform the hands-on demolition work, the most dangerous part of what American DND does.
They are the ones ensuring that projects stay on schedule and within budget, all while consistently meeting and exceeding client expectations. These are the individuals the contribute the most to our excellent safety record of zero OSHA recordables. Every project is unique and demands a specialized team. Our field team includes both upper-level management — such as Project Managers, Environmental Safety & Health personnel, and Administrative staff — as well as field operations personnel, including Superintendents, Laborers, Heavy Equipment Operators, and Mechanics.
These dedicated individuals play a vital role in maintaining our outstanding safety record and are the true face of American DND.