Meet the Instructor
Justin Koschak
Justin Koschak is the new owner of ESF Training as of January 2026.
His background includes over 35 years in construction, industrial work, and heavy industry, including working for piping contractors in the mines as a Pipefitter and Welder on maintenance shutdowns, process piping, construction projects, and plant work throughout the region. His experience also includes supervision, bidding, project management, and work in pit operations, crushing, concentrator, agglomerator, and loadout facilities.
In addition to industrial work, Justin owns and operates Koschak Enterprises Inc., an aluminum fabrication and project-based manufacturing company involved in custom fabrication, marina systems, floating trail systems, and specialty projects.
Justin also has over 22 years as a first responder and serves as a Lieutenant and training officer with the Pike Sandy Britt Volunteer Fire Department, where he has been involved in emergency response and training for many years.
His classes are built around practical field experience, real situations, and straightforward instruction that people can apply on the job.
Founder
Duane DeMaris
After serving in the United States Marine Corps as a rifle repairman, he returned to Hibbing, Minnesota and began work at Hibbing Taconite in 1977.
Following a year in the pelletizer as a laborer, he transferred into mine operations and spent the next 16 years operating heavy equipment ranging from small side dump loaders to Caterpillar 994 loaders and D11 dozers.
He later moved into mine supervision and spent more than 14 years as a shift supervisor and General Foreman of Mine Operations at Hibbing Taconite.
In addition to his mining background, he also owned and operated a successful excavating business for several years.
He later became an MSHA, OSHA, and AHA instructor and taught several hundred classes covering a wide range of industrial safety and compliance topics.
ESF was created to keep your employees safe
At times in this industry, there are pivotal moments that can define a company's principles. One such principle is our attitude towards the safety of our employees. ESF offers the training needed to follow show your company's values.