Francis “David” Magill Jr., Avanti International CEO and the company's first president, lost his battle with cancer on Jan. 19. 

In 1978 when Avanti International was established in Webster, Texas, David was hired as its first employee and the company’s first president. In 1988, David purchased controlling interest in the company, becoming CEO. 

Under his direction, the company has continued to prosper, remaining steadfast to the Avanti name. Avanti started with only one product — acrylamide chemical grout — and over the last 35 years has grown by offering a wider variety of chemical and cement grout products.

David was a dedicated businessman and an early pioneer of the trenchless technology industry. 

Avanti has become the predominant provider of chemical and cement grouts for North America. Today, under the leadership of Daniel Magill, Avanti continues to research, develop and perfect new sustainable solutions to restore our aging infrastructure. 

“The business of Avanti is in good hands with his son Daniel who has been purchasing the business from his father for years,” says Don Rigby, vice president of marketing and education at Avanti. “Daniel has enjoyed a rare seven-year mentorship with his father who had full confidence in his leadership abilities and passion for the industry. Case in point, Daniel was just elected to the NASSCO board of directors.”   

David has been instrumental in the growth of municipal, industrial and geotechnical grouting and played an active role in many trade associations through the years. He was an active member of the National Association of Sewer Service Companies for over 30 years, served as a director and chairman of the grouting task force, and participated in specification preparation for the ASTM standards. David helped Avanti establish the Center for Innovative Grouting Materials and Technology at the University of Houston, which is an industry-university consortium to develop improved grout materials and technologies. 

David is survived by his wife of 22 years, three children, five grandchildren, and one on the way.