Fire in the Hole

Explosives expert Matt Barnett, founder and president of Texplo Explosives, is the man to call when you need something blown up. He fields calls from all over the world for detonation jobs, from 250 pound bombs from World War II to meth labs to armored vehicles for the military.

Each job has it’s own unique challenges, so Matt relies on his Texplo crew, comprised of long-time friends and fellow explosives experts. With each detonation job, Matt and his Texplo team have to figure out the right plan, tools, and explosives to use to make sure that in the end, they have a happy client and an amazing explosion, without anyone getting hurt in the process.

Participants

Matt Barnett
Matt Barnett
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Matt Barnett is the owner of Texplo, an explosives company he recently started in Columbus, Texas. Matt is a master craftsman and explosives artist who can do just about anything with a bit of TNT and detonation cord. Matt got bit by the explosives bug when he was seven years old and his dad taught him how to make black powder for rockets. His love of explosives continued throughout high school and he earned the name “bomb boy” after blowing up oranges in the cafeteria.

He has a degree in chemistry from Texas A&M University and then got certified as an unexploded ordnance technician. His work with unexploded ordnance and his experience working at a shape charge manufacturing facility gave him a first hand look at what the explosives industry was all about.

It inspired him to start his own company where he has been able to turn his passion for explosives into a new business. He’s assembled a motley crew of people he’s known his whole life because when you work in the volatile world of explosives your fate may be in your co-workers hands.
Rex Rotsko

Rex Rotsko

Rex Rotsko is Texplo’s UXO (Unexploded Ordnance) Technician and the “old man” on the team.

In 2002, Rex was invited to meet a 21 year old “kid” named Matt Barnett who was blowing up a car just for fun. Immediately impressed with Matt’s charisma and passion for explosives, Rex knew that when the day came for Matt to start a company he’d want to be involved.

Rex’s favorite things about working at Texplo are the people, working outdoors and, of course, blowing stuff up! Though his intention is to keep the mood light for the most part, Rex admits he sometimes get’s a little “butt hurt”, as Matt likes to say, when he feels there’s just cause. Rex is excited to be a part of the Texplo journey and he looks forward to being along for the ride for years to come.
Jeremy Hanak

Jeremy Hanak

Jeremy is the Operations Manager at Texplo and Matt’s right hand man. He is the mechanical genius and can build whatever Matt dreams up.

His interest in explosives started back in elementary school when he would set off fireworks and be fascinated by the science behind the blast. Shortly after graduating high school he joined the US Army. After his enlistment in the military ended he moved back to Columbus where he met Matt and the two became fast friends over their love of guns and explosives. Jeremy’s versatile military training means he’s up for any challenge that Matt throws at him.
Beth Hagendorf
Beth Hagendorf
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@Bethhagendorf
Beth is the office manager of Texplo Explosives. From doing inventory and fielding calls to client management and balancing the books, Beth is the glue that holds the company together. Matt and Beth have been friends since high school and her interest in explosives combined with her money smarts made her the perfect fit for the Texplo team.

Beth was raised on a 6000 acre cattle ranch in Columbus, TX and grew up a sporty tomboy on four wheelers running wild on the ranch. She graduated with a bachelor of science in sociology and a minor in psychology from Texas A&M University and has lived several different lives before joining Texplo including being a body builder and working in mortgage finance. But the Texplo family is where she feels most at home and she wouldn’t trade her job for anything.
Zak Oliver

Zak Oliver

Zakery (Zak) Oliver is the intern and field assistant at Texplo Explosives. He’s always had a love of explosives ever since he was a little kid shooting off fireworks in his backyard and feels honored to be a part of the Texplo team.

He started off doing maintenance work for Matt around the ranch and it evolved into a full time position with the company. Zak is eager and willing to learn, but tends to get into trouble when it comes to doing more than he should. Matt has high hopes for him just as long as he can keep him under control and out of harms way.