Mark Loizeaux has imploded some 2,000 structures in his four-plus decades with Controlled Demolition Inc., which was started by his late father, John. Mark has taken down cooling towers, arenas, stadiums, bridges, tall and short buildings, steel frames and concrete frames—all over the planet.

But none of his previous jobs match the implosion of the structurally ailing, 379.9-ft-tall Ocean Tower project in South Padre Island, Texas. After more than six months of intense preparation, CDI dropped that building successfully on Dec. 13, without injuries or incidents.