Category Archives: Client Spotlight

With nearly 30 years of experience in the fields of geology and environmental remediation, it’s difficult to imagine a client project challenge that Kirby Smail has not yet encountered. As a Senior Project Manager for Antea Group, a leading international environmental and sustainability consulting firm, and valued REGENESIS client, Smail routinely manages complex projects across a broad range of clients, services and geographies.  He shares, “I ensure the right resources are assigned to the right projects at the right time.  In addition, I’m leveraging talent management to grow and mentor the staff within my project teams. I’m also a member of our Chemical Segment leadership team and a member of our Environmental Liability Management (ELM) Practice team as the Vapor Intrusion Service Line Lead.”  His broad and diverse role allows him to lead several client accounts simultaneously, with responsibilities that include developing and maintaining client relationships and ensuring client expectations are met for performance and budget. He continues, “Essentially, I am a problem-solver. I have always enjoyed a good puzzle or logic problem, and these talents have come in quite handy throughout my career in environmental consulting.”

When he began exploring a career path, Smail’s decision to focus on the environment was an easy choice. As a child, he had developed a keen interest in geology, and enjoyed collecting rocks as a young boy. He continues, “I knew I wanted to be a geologist since I was about 9 years old.  Growing up, my dad was a “rock-hound” and my best friend’s dad taught geology at the local college.  I think my interest in geology certainly grew from that early exposure. In college, my focus was sedimentology, so environmental consulting seemed to be a natural fit for my skills and interests.”  His passion for geology and the environment would eventually lead to a BS in Geology from Northwest Missouri State University, and afterwards, a MS in Geology from Utah State University. Prior to joining Antea Group 10 years ago, he worked for several environmental consulting firms in a variety of positions that included Project Geologist, Project Manager, and Staff Geologist. When asked what he enjoys most about his work, Smail points to successful site closures. “I enjoy closing sites because so many of the environmental sites out there have been open for decades.  A lot of clients seem to lose hope in navigating their sites to closure, so it’s very rewarding for both me and our clients to have successful outcomes. I also enjoy finding solutions to complex and difficult problems and building and mentoring junior staff – its amazingly fun to watch them learn and develop.” And the most demanding aspect of his work? “While many facets of my job are demanding, I think the biggest challenge stems from managing very tight project budgets to get sites to closure, while simultaneously balancing project and staff schedules.”

When it comes to working with REGENESIS, Smail appreciates the fact that Antea Group has a strong partnering relationship with REGENESIS across the US, and internationally.  “It’s truly a collaborative effort,” he shares. “And that allows us to get the best results for our clients. REGENESIS seamlessly integrates with our project teams in the evaluation of what products are most suitable for our application, and they fully participate in the project-specific design phase along with our project team.” One recent example that comes to mind involves a project with a site that included numerous logistical and regulatory problems. Smail continues, “The site is now owned by a third party and had significant petroleum impacts in both soil and groundwater.  After several attempts at negotiating access to address the impacts, an access agreement to complete an excavation was signed.  We knew this was likely our only opportunity to address the remaining impacts, since the property was scheduled for redevelopment.  We worked through a design phase with REGENESIS for the addition of ORC Advanced to the excavation prior to backfilling. REGENESIS suggested trying a new product, PetroFix™, to assist in retarding the migration of impacts to the groundwater and for enhancing the biodegradation of impacts as a way to “supercharge” the ORC Advanced pellets in the biodegradation of the residuals following the excavation.  We believe this collaborative effort with REGENESIS will close this site- a site that certainly was problematic in moving to closure.”  Regarding other REGENESIS products beyond PetroFix™, that he’s used, Smail points to several he’s enjoyed success with. These include ORC® Advanced, PetroCleanze™, PersulfOx®, and more recently, PetroFix®. “In addition to these,” he says, “Antea Group has utilized an even wider range of products that include HRC®, S-MicroZVI™, PlumeStop®, and RegenOx®.”

Throughout his time with Antea Group, Smail has resided in the Des Moines, IA area, where he works from his home office. Married with eight children, he is quick to point out things can get pretty busy on the home front. “Three of our children are out in the world,” he says, “Three are in college, and two are in high school.  Our kids seemed to have inherited my love for science. One is an acoustical engineer working as a consultant himself, one is studying environmental science and sustainability, one is on the pre-med path, and one is on the pre-veterinarian path.”  When it comes to hobbies, outside of work he enjoys rock and fossil collecting, along with camping, when life allows some free time. He shares, “I’m a Boy Scout at heart and enjoy the whole experience of packing all the gear and tent camping, but alas, my wife much prefers the comforts of our 36-foot motorhome!”

When asked how he’s seen the industry change over the years, he reflects on the increased solutions that have been developed. He shares, “I’ve been in this industry for nearly 29 years and I’ve seen a tremendous amount of change during that time. When I first began my career, just out of graduate school, there really were not a lot of tools in the remediation toolbox. It seemed at the time that the solution to environmental problems was to throw money at it. However, as more remedial tools were developed and regulatory agencies (and regulations) became more mature, the focus changed to what I believe is a more practical approach of focusing on the site goals to allow closure.  Shortly thereafter, the right products and solutions became available to address the specific contaminant or conditions.  This has allowed closure of sites that may not ever have closed otherwise.” And how would he encourage others to join in his field of study? He concludes, “Chase your dreams, find your passion, and do your best to make that your career.  If that’s geology or environmental remediation, fantastic!  Work is hard and demanding, but if you are following your passion, it’s fun and exciting.”

REGENESIS is proud to have Kirby Smail, Senior Project Manager for Antea Group, as a valued client and partner in environmental remediation, and appreciates his dedication and vast experience in providing successful remediation outcomes for REGENESIS and its clients.

When it comes to making an impact on the future of environmental remediation, Marco Petrangeli Papini is doing his part by teaching the next generation of bioremediation professionals. As an Associate Professor at the University of Rome La Sapienza, a valued REGENESIS client, Papini is tasked with advanced training of students who want to specialize in solutions to combat the contamination of environmental matrices. In addition, he is also the University’s Director of the II Level Master Course on Characterization and Technologies for the Remediation of Contaminated Sites. His instructional role in environmental remediation is one he takes very seriously, knowing that the future of our planet’s health rests on the shoulders of those who are studying and learning the latest trends and technologies. He shares, “As a Director of an advanced Master course on Remediation of Contaminated Sites, my primary focus is to guarantee an adequate training course to prepare professionals to manage a contaminated site, from its accurate characterization through the choice of the best strategy for its reclamation.”

To prepare for a career in teaching, Papini fulfilled his required coursework at the University of Rome La Sapienza, completing his degree in Industrial Chemistry in 1990. Soon after, he earned his PhD in Chemical Sciences, while working part-time at the Institute of Terrestrial Ecology of the ETH in Zurich. He continues, “After earning my PhD I received a permanent position at La Sapienza in 1995, as University Researcher. My official teaching title is Associate Professor of Chemical Plant and Remediation of Contaminated Sites. The University of Rome is extremely large, and covers all the different branches of knowledge, with more than 120,000 students.” When conducting research, his key interest is in the development of sustainable processes (combined chemical-physical and biological ones) for the in-situ remediation of contaminated sites. He adds, “I manage various national and a few international projects on the remediation of contaminated aquifers until realization of full-scale installations.”  When asked about the future goals of the University of Rome La Sapienza, Papini points out they are primarily institutional. He goes on to explain, “Our first goal is to make progress toward significant improvement in the preparation of the future professionals in the field of remediation by providing a strong scientific basis, but also a deep understanding of the more operative problems. Secondarily, it’s the development of new approaches for increasing the capacity of site reclamation through effective and sustainable processes.”

To stay abreast of the latest trends and technology in his field, Papini attends several conferences each year, including the last two Battelle Conferences. He continues, “I attended the 2018 Palm Springs Battelle on Chlorinated Compounds, and this year’s Baltimore conference on Bioremediation and the topic of reclamation of contaminated sites. I feel everyone should strive to keep updated, since our field is in continuous evolution. I also take part in conferences to understand the new technological improvements and the new directions in research.” When it comes to working with REGENESIS, Papini points to the company’s combination of experience and collaboration as key strengths, and offers an example of a recent project. He continues, “Nearly every year I participate in the Battelle conferences on Bioremediation and Chlorinated Compounds, and during one conference in 2014 I heard about the development of the new PlumeStop® product. I was strongly interested because at that time I was in charge to develop the remediation strategy for a low concentration contaminated chlorinated plume in Italy (around a new underground high-speed railway station in Italy). The possibility to couple adsorption and biological degradation in-situ was potentially the appropriate solution for the site. I started a fruitful cooperation with the REGENESIS people. We tested the material at the lab scale and then in a pilot test at the contaminated site. We were then able to optimize the strategy, and finally we performed the first European full-scale installation using PlumeStop®.  After almost two years from the full-scale injections, the results are so promising that in the next weeks we will probably conclude the remediation procedure.”

Living in Rome, with his wife and two children, (Tommaso, 11 and Sara, age 7), Papini enjoys playing tennis and cycling in his free time. He shares, “Cycling is a new passion, and I started to mountain bike ride in the last three years and enjoy our countryside around the city. Unfortunately, a year and half ago I had a bad accident. A car struck me and I had several bone fractures.  I’m doing my best to recover and hope to come back soon to enjoy cycling and biking with my family.” When asked what he enjoys most about his work, the subject of teaching is brought up quickly, with research a close second. He continues, “Teaching is probably the most rewarding aspect of my job. I enjoy the interaction with young people interested in the recovery of contaminated environment.  However, in the last few years I’ve become excited about the possibility to “scale up” my research, especially in the field of bioremediation, for solutions toward site remediation.” And the most demanding aspect of his work? “The interaction between the industrial world, control bodies, and the academic world can be quite challenging.  Everyone sees the same problem but from different points of view. This is a real challenge, but if you are able to manage it then you are more successful in achieving a positive result.”  And how would he encourage others to join in his field of study? He concludes, “From my point of view the remediation of polluted sites is a very attractive topic. The multidisciplinary characteristics make the work consistently stimulating. If one is interested in environmental issues and environmental protection, what could be better than directing one’s study to this sector?”

REGENESIS is proud to have Marco Petrangeli Papini, Associate Professor and Course Director at the University of Rome La Sapienza, as a valued client and partner in environmental remediation, and appreciates his passion to teaching those who want to go forward in providing successful remediation outcomes for REGENESIS and its clients.

For John Mundell, President and Senior Environmental Consultant at Mundell & Associates, a leading environmental consulting firm and valued REGENESIS client, starting his own remediation services company was a logical step in addressing the emerging complexities of plumes and remedial treatment designs of various Brownfields. Since he founded Mundell & Associates in 1995, based in Indianapolis, IN, the firm has grown to serve industry, municipalities, governmental agencies, engineering firms and the legal community throughout the United States, Canada, Mexico, South America, Europe and Asia. As the top executive in his own firm, Mundell enjoys a multi-faceted role in determining environmental remedial outcomes across a broad range of sites. He shares, “I really like what I’m doing. I’m responsible for the entire operations of the company and most of the senior-level review of our projects.  This includes setting the standards for how we do work and the methodologies we use to investigate and remediate.  Our work is quite comprehensive and covers site characterization, remediation, geophysical surveys, groundwater and contaminant modeling, and water resources.”

When asked how he chose a career in environmental remediation, Mundell is quick to point out that his career chose him. He continues, “I came out of graduate school in 1981, from Purdue University, where I earned my BS and MS in Civil Engineering.  One of my first projects was the closure of a hazardous waste landfill in southern Indiana. The company I was working for was primarily a geotechnical engineering and materials testing company and was encountering contaminated soils and groundwater in many of their standard site investigations, and frankly, they were unsure what to do.  At that time, senior engineers did not want to get involved in environmental contamination, so I as a young engineer I began working with these investigations and cleanups, as well as the design of landfills.  Ultimately, I was involved in many of the first leaking underground storage tank sites as well as other industrial properties.  However, I soon realized I needed to advance my knowledge in the environmental side, so I went to graduate school at Notre Dame and conducted research on the movement of chemicals in the subsurface.  From there, I became the Director of Technical Service at ATEC Associates, and from 1988 to 1995 we grew the company to the 25th largest environmental consultant firm in the country.  It was at that time that I decided to start Mundell & Associates, and focus on higher-end environmental consulting, dealing with complex plumes and the design of remedial alternatives for major site cleanups of Superfund, RCRA and other industrial properties.”

When it comes to working with REGENESIS, Mundell appreciates the company’s high level of expertise and experience, and as an example points to a recent project his firm supervised in northern Indiana. The project involved the remediation of a chlorinated solvent plume that was progressing towards a wellfield.  “We evaluated a number of in-situ injection treatment options,” he says. “REGENESIS provided the technical knowledge and support to allow us to design an effective system of permeable reactive barriers for the off-site groundwater plume.” Two REGENESIS products his firm has used recently, with much success, include AquaZVI and 3D Microemulsion®. He continues, “We like AquaZVI for its reactivity and easy handling, and 3-D Microemulsion® for its ability to both adsorb and then slowly redistribute and move with groundwater.  Both are excellent qualities to have when you are trying to treat large plumes in a cost-effective manner.” To stay abreast of the ever-changing remediation industry, Mundell attends conferences and seminars, and makes a habit of reading industry-related articles as much as possible. He shares, “Education never stops, whether it is attending national or international conferences on site characterization and remediation, or continually reading peer-reviewed journals with articles on in-situ treatment and modeling.  There is always something new to learn or evaluate that can be used on a project.”

Residing in Indianapolis, where he works out of the company’s office, Mundell has completed projects in every state across America, with the exception of Alaska and Hawaii, and from an international standpoint, has been involved in environmental projects in Canada, Mexico, South America and Europe. “The world is small,” he says, “So it is relatively easy to share expertise over long distances.” Away from work, he enjoys spending time with his wife Julie, whom he’s been married to for 40 years, their four children, and three grandchildren. “All our children are grown and on their own in San Francisco, New York City, Atlanta and Indianapolis,” he says. Hobbies include playing guitar and singing, which he’s enjoyed since he can remember, and his wife is an accomplished singer-songwriter (www.juliemundell.org).  When it comes to making a difference with philanthropic activities, Mundell points out that his company is part of the Economy of Communion network of companies, a group of companies committed to ending poverty around the world (see www.edc-online.org).   He shares, “I’ve helped start new small social companies committed to these same principles in Africa, South America and Europe.  I’m a member of the Economy of Communion International Commission, which helps coordinate the activities of the more than 850 companies we have involved around the world.”

When asked how he’s seen the industry evolve during his career, Mundell points to an increase in the use of technology, and a potential shortage in resources from agencies that oversee various aspects of remediation. “The environmental industry has grown up during the 40 years since I began my career,” he says. “Technologies have been discovered and implemented, and cleanups have improved.  However, the agencies overseeing our work have less resources and staff to review our work in a timely manner with the expertise needed, and educating regulators is a constant.” And how would he encourage others to join his field of study? He concludes, “I would encourage young people to focus on science and engineering and try to obtain a multi-disciplinary education, because that is still what is needed.  Communication skills are also paramount – speaking and writing is not the domain of only politicians and English majors.  In the future, it will be even more important as we face challenges to the validity of scientific principles.”

REGENESIS is proud to have John Mundell, President and Senior Environmental Consultant at Mundell & Associates, as a valued client and partner in environmental remediation, and appreciates his experience and commitment to providing successful remediation outcomes for REGENESIS and its clients.

For Matt Valentine, Regional Manager for Woodard & Curran –a valued REGENESIS client and leading provider of integrated engineering, science, and operation services — a career in environmental remediation was an easy choice as it combined his love of the outdoors with his passion for science. The variety in his work has helped to provide an excellent outlet for combining the many skills he learned over the years in hydrogeology and geochemistry, with a practical approach to addressing real-life problems affecting people and our planet. He shares, “I enjoy finding solutions to problems of all kinds,  including solving technical challenges related to a project, making complex issues easier to understand, or mentoring our younger staff.” Valentine started out as a staff-level geologist in 1990 and advanced to the role of Project Manager, which he held for 13 years prior to merging with Cummings/Riter Consultants, which became Woodard & Curran. He continues, “Although my functional position is Regional Manager, I also serve as a Senior Project Manager, and in terms of company ownership, I am a Senior Principal with the firm.”

As a Regional Manager with Woodard & Curran, Valentine’s responsibilities include development, growth and financial performance of the Midwest-South Region Environment and Remediation Strategic Business Unit (E&R SBU).  This region has offices located in Atlanta, GA; Pittsburgh, PA; Tunkhannock, PA; and Elmira, NY.  “I really enjoy the day-to-day interaction with our staff and project managers,” he says.  “Helping them resolve the project, administrative, and technical issues they face on a daily basis is both challenging and rewarding. I also love a good technical challenge, although I don’t get to do as much technical work as I once did.” To prepare for a career in the environmental sciences, Valentine obtained a Bachelor of Science in Geology from Indiana University of Pennsylvania, and followed that with a Master of Science in Geology from West Virginia University. To stay current with industry trends and new technologies, he attends technical conferences, including the recent Battelle Bioremediation Symposium in Baltimore, MD, as well as technology-specific short courses.  He continues, “I also try to attend webinars on various technical subjects several times a month.” Valentine is dedicated to helping Woodard & Curran achieve its long-range goal of developing a nationwide footprint by expanding its remediation (and other) services into new offices in Florida and California. He shares, “Woodward & Curran continues to be a company that is able to attract and maintain all types of young, world-class talent, so I believe we are on track for our plans of sustainable growth.”

When it comes to working with REGENESIS, Valentine and his team appreciate the advanced level of expertise, and the collaborative, common sense approach that REGENESIS brings to its work. He continues, “REGENESIS employs some very sharp people who are on the forefront in advancing new remedial technologies.  In addition, they are easy to work with and typically maintain a practical approach to environmental problems.  They work with qualified DPT contractors around the country and these relationships have helped us complete projects on time and within budget.” He goes on to share, “Another benefit of working with REGENESIS is their ability to be flexible during field applications which has served us well on many projects.” One recent project in South Carolina serves as an example of how REGENESIS helped overcome a challenging soil condition. He continues, “We encountered very tight soils and were having trouble delivering the entire volume of remedial amendments.  We worked with REGENESIS and their contractor to develop an approach that allowed the full volume of reagents to be injected.  We also confirmed the effectiveness of the delivery using design verification borings. To date, the remedial work we completed is performing as designed.” When it comes to using specific REGENESIS products, 3-D Microemulsion®, HRC®, and Bio-Dechlor INOCULUM® Plus have proven to be successful, when used either independently or in combination. Valentine shares, “We have found different combinations of products to be effective in treating source areas versus treating downgradient plumes where conditions are often very different. REGENESIS has been a valuable partner in helping to design the appropriate combinations and related volumes/dosages of these products.”

Valentine has been married for 27 years, has three children and currently resides in Pittsburgh, PA with his wife and youngest daughter.  Valentine appreciates the flexibility of working from both his home office and the company office, located nearby in Monroeville, PA. Outside of work, he enjoys a variety of sports, especially golf, softball, and hunting.  “I’ve coached both youth softball and volleyball for many years,” he says.  “I’ve also been an avid fan of the Pittsburgh Steelers and NHL Penguins all my life.  In the rare instance that I can sit down for a few minutes, I enjoy reading, especially biographies and books related to history.” When asked what he likes most about his work, Valentine points to helping those just entering the environmental industry, and observing their development. He also appreciates the challenge of harnessing support to facilitate project staffing, adding, “A large portion of my time is spent finding resources, usually people, to fill project needs, which is satisfying.  Overall, I just really like interacting with our staff and helping them overcome many of the work-related challenges they face.”

When asked how he would encourage others to join his field of study, Valentine feels the industry itself attracts its share of those who are meant to make a difference. He concludes, “If anyone has an interest in science and engineering, they cannot help but be impressed with what is happening in this industry. I would encourage anyone who has an interest in learning more about what we do, to attend college and job fairs, and talk to those of us who are passionate about what we do.  The diversity of the jobs that we get to work on is unmatched by practically any other industry.”

REGENESIS is proud to have Matt Valentine, Regional Manager for Woodard & Curran, as a valued client and partner in environmental remediation, and appreciates his dedication and diverse contributions in providing successful remediation outcomes for REGENESIS and its clients.

Over the course of her career, Amy Roth, Associate Vice President and Senior Geologist at Wilcox & Barton, Inc., a leading environmental services firm and valued REGENESIS client, has clearly established herself as an expert in the field of environmental remediation. With a background that includes several positions, such as Project Director, Senior Geologist, and Operations Manager, among others, Roth has been exposed to a broad spectrum of the environmental sciences industry, and in the process, has helped shape the continued growth of Wilcox & Barton, Inc. In her current role, Roth manages and provides technical direction for the firm’s Massachusetts-focused environmental scientists and engineers. “I also direct and/or manage larger projects,” she says, “I act as the Licensed Site Professional (LSP) of Record for a wide range of sites and clients.  I enjoy digging into the details of a project and helping people work through the technical and regulatory challenges.”

To prepare for a career in environmental science, Roth earned her undergraduate degrees in Earth & Planetary Science and English Literature while attending Washington University in St. Louis, then followed that with a Master of Science in Geochemistry, also at Washington University. “I really enjoyed my time at Washington University,” she says. “I was initially drawn to the planetary science program and remote sensing teams that work with NASA to develop scientific objectives and select instrumentation for missions. The Magellan Spacecraft, launched as I was graduating from high school, went into orbit around Venus right before my Sophomore year and it was amazing watching the teams analyze the data and imagery based on years of studying earth-analog remote sensing data.”

When asked why she enjoys working with REGENESIS, Roth points to the company’s high level of service. She continues, “I appreciate the full-service approach that REGENESIS provides.  They are experts in the field of remedial additives, and I appreciate being able to rely on that expertise for design, implementation, and evaluation. I also appreciate their willingness to work with us.  We had a project last year that required night work over the course of two weeks in January.  The REGENESIS crew accepted the challenge and came prepared for the weather and ready to work.” As for which REGENESIS products she uses, RegenOx® and ORC Advanced® are two that have performed well at several sites. She particularly likes their low cost and that they can be applied safely in a variety of situations. Roth has used other REGENESIS products as well. She shares, “We recently applied PlumeStop® with HRC™ and BDI® Plus at a chlorinated solvent site to rapidly decrease concentrations in a GW-1 (drinking water) area.  We’ve also applied PersulfOx® at a petroleum site, and we’re currently evaluating REGENESIS’ new carbon-based fluid, PetroFix™ for a petroleum site.”

To stay abreast of the latest trends in remediation, and as a LSP and Professional Geologist, Roth fulfills various continuing education requirements.  “I take at least 16 hours of training per year,” she says. “I also really appreciate the training sessions offered by the Licensed Site Professional Association (LSPA) at our monthly meetings.” Residing in Falmouth, MA, where she lives with her husband and two children, Roth enjoys a variety of family outdoor activities, especially camping and hiking. She adds, “We are lucky enough to live on a pond on the Cape, so we get to spend a lot of time in and around the water.  In April we are travelling to Utah to hike in the national parks and then ski for a few days.”  She also spends time volunteering as a member of the Solid Waste Advisory Committee, which tackles issues of solid waste and recycling, as well as waste minimization and litter reduction. When asked about the future goals of Wilcox & Barton, Inc., she points to the firm’s commitment to expanding its services throughout the region. She explains, “We want to continue expanding our environmental, civil, and geotechnical services throughout New England.  We have experienced steady revenue and staffing growth, nearly doubling in size over the past 5 years.  Given our work-from-home model, we tend to favor self-directed and efficient professionals, so our growth is more deliberate. That said, we also know it is important to maintain our core identity as a highly-responsive and flexible group of scientists and engineers that partner with individuals and teams to move projects forward.”

When asked what she thinks the future holds for environmental remediation, she feels the industry is definitely evolving. She continues, “We have seen the practice evolve from focused cleanup of releases to soil and groundwater, to larger-scale considerations. One example is understanding the complex ways in which releases to the environment impact indoor air, managing the underlying impact of ubiquitous historical fill, and evaluating the community impacts of persistent chemicals that were widely used.”  She also appreciates the opportunity to address various challenges associated with our environment. She shares, “The most rewarding part of my job is solving difficult problems.  Sometimes those problems are technical in nature, like trying to understand contradictory and changing indoor air data, and sometimes they are logistical, like wrapping remedial activities around a fast-moving construction project.” And the most challenging aspect of her work? “My most challenging experiences have been trying to help people understand the significant environmental exposures they have at home or at work. For example, explaining to a pregnant resident that the air in her home exceeds an Imminent Hazard level, or telling a room full of community members that the soil in their backyards and playgrounds has naturally-occurring arsenic concentrations that exceed risk standards.” To help encourage those who might be interested in joining her field of study, Roth suggests one should be prepared to get involved with details, and have an appreciation for variety. She concludes, “Environmental consulting is a great field for the hands-on scientist or engineer.  Between the contaminants, the impacted media, the property details, and the people involved, each site is different.  This industry also offers constant variety – you have the opportunity to work outside in the field, inside at a desk, in groups, alone, in emergency situations, and on projects that develop slowly over many years.  One day you are in a hardhat and boots in the mud, the next you are 20 stories above Boston Harbor in a suit!”

REGENESIS is proud to have Amy Roth, Associate Vice President and Senior Geologist at Wilcox & Barton, Inc., as a valued client and partner in environmental remediation, and appreciates her deep experience and diverse contributions in providing successful remediation outcomes for REGENESIS and its clients.

With over 20 years of environmental experience, Monica Young, Project Manager/Environmental Scientist with CGRS, a leading environmental consulting firm, brings a diverse and accomplished background to her work. In addition to the broad experience she’s garnered while at CGRS over the past 16 years, Young has also served as an Environmental Protection Specialist for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in Denver, Colorado, where she performed inspections, managed contractors, and worked as a Project Officer for several states. She is also a Recognized Environmental Professional (REP) with the Colorado Division of Oil and Public Safety (OPS) and works primarily assessing and remediating  petroleum hydrocarbon releases.  Her experience in such a specialized field is even more impressive considering that she entered the environmental remediation industry after working as a Legal Secretary for several years. She shares, “Prior to obtaining my B.S. in Soil and Crop Sciences from Colorado State University, I was a legal secretary for 12 years.  I got tired of the back and forth between different parties and wanted to do something for the environment.  Specifically, working to improve our planet by remediating the soil and groundwater.” In her current role with CGRS, Young is a team leader, and has a group working under her supervision on numerous projects.  She continues, “As the REP, I am responsible for the assessment, risk characterization, and remediation of petroleum releases to the environment.  I also represent my clients with the various regulatory agencies.”

Making a Difference by Improving the Enviornment

When asked what she enjoys most about her work, Young points to making a difference by improving our environment, while sharing her knowledge with others. She continues, “I really enjoy managing my sites, remediating the soil and/or groundwater, and getting sites to closure.  I also enjoy mentoring my teammates and others in our office because they represent our future.” To stay current within the industry she routinely attends conferences, webinars, and workshops and is a member of the Rocky Mountain Association of Environmental Professionals (RMAEP), Colorado Environmental Management Society (CEMS), and Society of Women Environmental Professionals (SWEP). She also fulfills coursework to satisfy her REP requirements. “As a REP with the Colorado OPS, I’m required to complete a number of professional development hours”.

Creative Solutions to Solve Remediation Problems

When it comes to working with REGENESIS, Young appreciates the company’s unique approach to project work. She shares, “REGENESIS provides innovative designs and creative solutions.  I really enjoy working with them on my projects.  For example, one of my LUST sites that is still in operation had multiple releases over the years and weathered bedrock is fairly shallow.  Due to this lithology, a mechanical system was not feasible.  Initial corrective action ideas with REGENESIS included performing traditional injections but these would have required injecting at five-foot centers, which was not feasible at an active facility.  So REGENESIS came up with the idea of installing two subsurface horizontal wells which would be our infrastructure that we could perform numerous injections through.  We partnered with a directional drilling company to drill and install the two horizontal wells and with REGENESIS to perform the injections.  We are partnering with REGENESIS this year to perform three additional injections through those wells.” As for which products she uses, PetroCleanze™, RegenOx®, PersulfOx®, and ORC Advanced® are at the top of the list. She continues, “I mostly remediate petroleum hydrocarbons, and these are the products designed to enhance desorption, perform chemical oxidation, enhanced biodegradation, or provide oxygen to the subsurface.  Another team at CGRS will be using PetroFix™ this year at one of its sites.”

Living in Ft. Collins, CO, where she works out of the CGRS headquarters, Young finds time away from her work to enjoy an array of outdoor activities that include backcountry skiing in the winter, and biking and hiking during the warmer months. “I also love learning Italian and going on bike tours in Italy,” she says. “I’ve been on bike tours in the Tuscany and Puglia areas, and in Sardinia.  I also did a bike tour in Vermont to see the fall colors.” Additionally, she finds time to volunteer with the Poudre Wilderness Volunteers (PWV), which partners with the US Forest Service.  She continues, “I perform hiking patrols to educate people on the “Leave No Trace” principles in the Canyon Lakes Ranger District.  I’ve been doing this since 2009.”

The Future of Environmental Remediation

When asked how she’s seen CGRS change over the years, Young states that the company has diversified in other areas of its business and they continue to provide solutions and excellent customer service to their clients/customers.  CGRS is expanding their environmental services and continues to grow its business in the waste water, compressed natural gas, biogas, and other engineering project arenas.  She shares, “I mainly work on LUST sites that are regulated by the OPS.  When I first started in this arena, the emphasis was on remediation.  Now, the emphasis is more focused on compliance.  If everyone is in compliance, there should be less releases to the environment.” And what does she think the future holds for environmental remediation?  “I think we will continue to remediate the environment.  It appears that as long as humans are involved with chemicals, products, substances, etc., that can harm the environment, there will be releases to the environment that will need to be remediated. There will always be other new emerging contaminants that we (the public) become aware of that will need to be remediated.” And how would Young encourage others to join her field of study?  She concludes, “If someone wants to improve the quality of our soil and groundwater, then study geology and/or the hard sciences, seek internship opportunities, join professional organizations, and seek mentors in this field.  It is so rewarding to observe beneficial results from your remedial efforts and getting an impacted site to closure.”

REGENESIS is proud to have Monica Young, Project Manager/Environmental Scientist with CGRS, as a valued client and partner in environmental remediation, and appreciates her dedication and diverse contributions in providing successful remediation outcomes for REGENESIS and its clients.

For Bruce Thompson, the rigorous training of the U.S. Naval Academy, where he earned his BS degree in Oceanography, provided the appropriate foundation for a successful career in environmental project management. As a Senior Project Director and board member at de maximis, inc., a leading environmental project management firm and valued REGENESIS client, Thompson continues to leverage the leadership and management experience he garnered as a commissioned Naval officer to make an impact in the field of environmental remediation. He shares, “de maximis was founded in 1988 and I was recruited and came aboard in 1991, so I was one of the early employees. I was hired right out of the U.S. Navy, where I had been teaching leadership and management to newly commissioned officers. Prior to that, I was a Division Officer on the USS IOWA, a WWII era battleship homeported in Norfolk, VA.” Now in his 27th year at de maximis, inc., Thompson clearly enjoys his work, and continues to help the firm pursue its overarching goal as the leading provider of comprehensive project coordination and management services for environmental investigation and remediation projects.

A Diverse Range of Remediation Responsibilities

His role with de maximis, inc. includes managing staff and services for New England, which covers a diverse range of remediation sites and responsibilities. He continues, “I serve as the Project Coordinator for work under Administrative Orders on Consent (AOCs) and Consent Decrees (CDs). The Project Coordinator is the lead technical person for the PRP Group, and is responsible for the administrative, technical, and financial aspects of the project. Additionally, the Project Coordinator is the counterpart to the EPA Remedial Project Manager. Currently, I’m serving as the Project Coordinator for projects including the Solvents Recovery Service of New England (SRSNE) Site in Southington, CT; the Nuclear Metals, Inc. (NMI) Site in Concord, MA; Industri-plex OU2 in Woburn, MA; York Oil OU1 and OU2 in Moira, NY; and the Auburn Road Landfill in Londonderry, NH.” When asked why he enjoys working with REGENESIS, Thompson cites the company’s professional, technology-focused reputation. “REGENESIS brings an excellent technical approach to evaluating each site and tailors the application of their products to create a recipe to meet the unique site goals required,” he says. “I saw their PlumeStop® presentations at the 2016 and 2018 Battelle conferences and discussed the product with REGENESIS’ technical staff. The application of in-situ carbon for certain types of plumes made a lot of sense. I basically filed it away in my mental “tool box” to look at if the right need came up at one of our sites.” The SRSNE site was our first project to use PlumeStop®, and included REGENESIS’ Aqua ZVI™ product as well. The project went beyond dealing with low-concentration VOCs – adding PFAS to the contaminants needing to be addressed. Thompson continues, “Based on the success of that project, I proposed the use of PlumeStop® at an EPA Region II CERCLA site, where we had low concentrations of BTEX that needed to be treated. We just finished that injection last month.”

Although he has nearly three decades of experience under his belt, Thompson knows first-hand the importance of keeping up with new technologies in a constantly evolving industry. He routinely attends professional conferences, and notes that over the years he has had an opportunity to work with and learn from some great individuals in the remediation industry. When asked what he enjoys most about his work, he reflects on the satisfaction that comes with working on a project from start to finish. “The most rewarding part for me is seeing a project through the entire process,” he says. “I have been fortunate to have had the opportunity to take several sites through the remedial investigation and feasibility study processes, and then through the remedial design and remedial action steps.” And the most demanding aspect? “Starting up a new site and trying to get my head around the myriad of issues, data, site conceptual modeling, and other elements of a large, challenging site. Large-scale, long-term sites are complex and have a lot of nuances to sort out.”

Issues Emerge, Get Traction, and Become Understood

When he’s not working, Thompson, who lives in Simsbury, CT with his wife, enjoys skiing. “I grew up in California and learned to ski in Tahoe,” he says. “It’s an activity I’ve been able to share and enjoy with both of our daughters. I also try to be a “slope chaperone” for an after-school ski club each January. We use all 625’ vertical feet of the Ski Sundown area in New Hartford, CT. It’s not much, but it is only 20 minutes away. We also explore Vermont and New Hampshire ski areas when we can.” In addition, he has mentored some high school students who have expressed interest in the environmental field. When asked how he’s seen the industry change over the years, Thompson responds by sharing his observations on contaminant identification and initial awareness. He continues, “I’ve watched the process of an issue emerge, get traction, and then become understood multiple times. For example, we delineated DNAPL (dense non-aqueous phase liquid) at one of my first projects in 1993. We hired a recent PhD named Bernie Kueper to help us understand this new type of problem before there was the guidance and books now available on the topic. Trichloroethylene has gone from being considered toxic to bacteria, to us now sending off samples for qPCR analysis to quantify the DHC that is degrading it. Next was 1,4-dioxane, and now we’re dealing with PFAS.” When it comes to the future of environmental remediation he points to the importance of efficient operations and maintenance. He concludes, “Due to the types of projects I am involved with, I feel there is a need to continue to optimize long-term operations and maintenance (O&M). All of my current sites have very long O&M horizons, so we want to be as cost-effective as we can over time.”

REGENESIS is proud to have Bruce Thompson, Sr. Project Director and board member of de maximis, inc., as a valued client in environmental remediation, and appreciates his expertise and ongoing efforts in providing successful remediation outcomes for REGENESIS and its clients.

For Mike Gefell, Principal Scientist at Anchor QEA, a nationally recognized environmental and engineering consulting firm and valued REGENESIS client, understanding the complexities of groundwater and protecting this resource deserves great attention, and it is an aspect of our environment he has devoted his entire career to. His specialized field, known as quantitative hydrogeology, involves the analysis of hydrologic processes, including precipitation, groundwater flow, water-well yield, discharge to surface water, and water quality. With 29 years of industry experience in hydrogeology, Gefell has become a highly respected specialist. “I really enjoy quantitative hydrogeology,” says Gefell. “Collecting various types of data in the field, conducting technical evaluations to create a picture of what is happening at a site, and predicting outcomes based on the type of remediation implemented—it’s all quite fascinating. All my work focuses on protecting ecological and human receptors and water resources, and understanding the relationships between water and environmental risk.” He also appreciates the inherent and diverse challenges of environmental remediation. He continues, “I like the fact that hydrogeology is so complex, multifaceted, and highly variable from site to site—and it’s constantly changing.”

The Path to a Career in Quantitative Hydrogeology

Prior to joining Anchor QEA over three years ago, Gefell practiced quantitative hydrogeology with other environmental firms, with a focus on quantifying the flow of water and oily substances known as “non‑aqueous phase liquids” (NAPLs) through spaces in soil, sediment, and rock. Prior to working in the environmental industry, he earned his bachelor’s degree in geological sciences from Cornell University and a master’s degree in geology (with a focus on structural geology) from the University of California, Davis. However, it was not until after he earned his master’s degree that he decided on a career in environmental remediation. He shares, “When I finished grad school, the petroleum industry was in a lull, but I was fortunate to have a personal connection to a firm that was hiring new graduates with degrees in geology. The environmental industry had gotten started already, and it continued to grow after that.” For ongoing education and training, Gefell often attends conferences and participates in technical working groups for ITRC (Interstate Technology and Regulatory Council) and ASTM International. He continues, “I also attend the Battelle Chlorinated and Sediments conferences, RemTEC, the biennial MGP series, and NGWA meetings.”

An Innovative Remediation Design for PFAS and VOC Contamination

When asked what he likes most in working with REGENESIS, Gefell points to a unique relationship between both companies. He shares, “REGENESIS understood our team’s vision and collaborated with us to help realize our objectives.” With regard to recent successes using REGENESIS products, Gefell highlighted the SRSNE Superfund Site project, which was unique because of the manner in which PlumeStop® and AquaZVI™ were used. “These two REGENESIS products were injected into a system of subsurface, gravel-filled trenches,” he describes. “The trenches were designed to collect, convey, and distribute groundwater passively, without pumping. PlumeStop® and AquaZVI™ were selected because of their combined ability to treat PFAS and VOCs, allowing us to replace an expensive pump-and-treat system that had been operating continuously for 23 years. By injecting the treatment reagents into the engineered groundwater flow path, we eliminated guesswork about whether or not we would hit the target with the injections.” To ensure the project’s overall success, Gefell and his team designed a treatment zone to facilitate adequate water flow. He continues, “We created a treatment zone to our own specifications, and the affected groundwater has no choice but to flow through it for proper treatment. The hydraulic aspects of the design were interesting, and we used groundwater flow modeling to accomplish that. Also, a tiny yet important detail was the comparison between the size of particles in the PlumeStop® and AquaZVI™ injections versus the pore sizes within the natural soil. We successfully worked through that with REGENESIS to help ensure the groundwater would continue to flow freely through the system and into the downgradient soil.”

Residing in Golden, CO, where he works from Anchor QEA’s nearby office in Lakewood, CO, Gefell is married and has two sons. In his free time, he enjoys playing guitar and is especially a fan of vintage rock ‘n’ roll. He also finds time for biking, archery, skiing, hiking, and walking many of the trails near his home. In addition, he provides support to the Greenwood Wildlife Rehabilitation Center and other organizations that serve environmental causes. He serves as the Technical Spotlight Editor for Groundwater journal, a leading international publication focused on groundwater and its role in the environment. When asked about the most rewarding aspect of his work, Gefell is quick to point to how much he enjoys working with smart, creative people to solve challenging problems, using new technologies and methods, while also having fun. And the most challenging aspect of his work? “The sheer complexity of the systems we study and the problems we solve—3D, time-variable with multiphase flow, chemical and biological complexities with evolving regulations, public sensitivities, client expectations, and demanding deadlines.”

When asked what he feels the future holds for environmental remediation, he says, “The purpose for remediation is to protect ecosystems and people from potentially harmful substances. As more toxicological testing is conducted, more will be learned about substances that are not yet regulated, and new ones will likely be added to the list at some point in the future. These emerging compounds will drive the next wave of remedial responses. The current focus on PFAS is a good example. I also believe remediation will continue to shift toward problems that are larger and more complex.”

REGENESIS is proud to have Mike Gefell, Principal Scientist at Anchor QEA, as a valued client in environmental remediation and appreciates his specialized knowledge and ongoing efforts in providing successful remediation outcomes for REGENESIS and its clients.

For Jeffrey Holden, Senior Engineer at GEI Consultants, Inc., a leading environmental services firm and valued REGENESIS client, a career in environmental engineering came about after initially having interest in a career in the aerospace industry. However, he soon left the solar system behind for planet earth. “I had originally intended to pursue a career in aerospace engineering,” shares Holden, “But I was rather disappointed by my college internship experiences in that field. At about the same time, I also became passionate about the outdoors, and wanted to do something to help preserve and restore impacted land.” Holden’s efforts in helping to preserve our planet’s environment began upon graduation from Clarkson University, where he earned bachelor’s degrees in both Mechanical/Aeronautical and Civil/Environmental Engineering. He worked for nearly 25 years at a leading global design, engineering and management consulting company, ultimately managing roles as a Senior Engineer, Vice President, and Principal in Charge. He shifted gears to join GEI in December of 2016 and immediately found himself immersed in new and refreshing multi-disciplinary roles. He shares, “I manage a variety of projects, provide regulatory and technical guidance for projects, and support marketing and proposal opportunities.  I’m also the coordinator of GEI’s PFAS Team, which is aimed at developing, coordinating, and leveraging GEI’s experience and expertise related to emerging contaminants like PFAS compounds.”

A Constantly Changing Environmental Remediation Industry

At GEI, Holden appreciates the impressive wealth of knowledge, expertise, and steady growth the company has forged since it was first founded in 1970. Headquartered in Massachusetts, GEI was ranked #92 on the 2018 ENR Top 500 Design Firms list, and has climbed 30 positions just since 2013. In addition, the company is also ranked #66 on the list of Top Pure Designers in the United States, and has 38 office locations throughout the country. Adds Holden, “I really enjoy expanding GEI’s scope of services and mentoring junior staff. And as a P.E. and a Massachusetts Licensed Site Professional (LSP), I also have technical and regulatory compliance responsibilities. However, what I enjoy most about my position is the complex and highly diverse types of sites and projects that I’ve been fortunate to work on.  I’m also lucky to have worked with some excellent clients, coworkers, and collaborators.” When asked about the future goals of GEI, Holden points to a desire to foster even greater levels of client trust, ingenuity, and collaboration. He shares, “GEI’s goals are to be a preferred provider and trusted advisor to our clients; to be known for creative yet practical solutions to challenging issues; to be recognized for outstanding expertise in our service areas; and to be an employer of choice for the best people in our industry.  And we want to do all this while retaining the collaborative and entrepreneurial atmosphere of a small firm.” Not surprisingly, as a result of the company’s culture and objectives, Holden is pleased with the direction GEI is taking in accomplishing its objectives.  When asked about the most demanding aspect of his work, he points to the constant changes taking place within environmental remediation. He continues, “It can be difficult at times keeping abreast of new technologies and finding ways to be increasingly efficient in a mature and competitive marketplace.”

Preventing PFAS Migration at a Superfund Site

When describing his relationship with REGENESIS, Holden’s enthusiasm is quickly evident in the wake of GEI’s current project and initial use of PlumeStop®.  He continues, “Thus far, PlumeStop® and AquaZVI™ are the two products I’ve personally worked with. Right now, we are in the midst of a pilot study to evaluate the effectiveness of PlumeStop® at preventing downgradient migration of PFAS in groundwater at a Superfund site.  Although I am aware that PlumeStop® has been used on hundreds of sites globally to address other contaminants, I understand this to be the first such application in treating PFOS and PFOA in the U.S. and I am eager to assess its effectiveness.  I have found the REGENESIS team to be forward-thinking, innovative, collaborative, and competent, which makes them enjoyable to work with.” Suffice to say, these attributes help illuminate some of the changes Holden has observed within the environmental remediation industry itself. These include changes in corporate attitudes toward environmental regulations and increased burdens on environmental agencies with shrinking budgets. He continues, “The amount of science supporting the industry has increased significantly, and I think we’re on the verge of seeing shifts in the types of contaminants we focus on within our industry.”

Residing in Ithaca, NY, Holden and his fiancé, Lisa, are each parents to two college-aged children, and are looking forward to continuing to integrate their lives and families. In his spare time, he enjoys watching soccer, a sport he has played, coached, and been a fan of throughout most of his life. He also enjoys gardening and cooking, and is especially proud of his baked Steelhead Trout and a homemade jalapeno tomato sauce dishes. “A neighbor dropped off a bunch of fresh garden vegetables once, and I had to come up with a creative way to use them. I ended up adding sausage and hot peppers to create something truly memorable.” In addition, he supports his local Ducks Unlimited chapter by volunteering at select events and activities. He also finds time to study and learn about current trends and developments within his industry by attending conferences and webinars whenever possible, especially within the areas of PFAS. He shares, “REGENESIS offers free webinars that I take advantage of whenever my schedule allows, and continuing education is required for my New York PE and my Massachusetts and Connecticut licensed professional certifications.”

When asked about what he feels the future holds for environmental remediation, he expects societal pressures will drive regulators and industry to consider a substantially expanding list of chemicals that have come to be present in the environment, with many representing a potential threat to human health or the environment. He concludes, “I think this will extend beyond “classic” contaminants, such as PCBs, to include things like caffeine and chemicals/pharmaceuticals we currently use on a routine basis, without much consideration of their ultimate fate.  I also expect cleanup goals will continue to get more and more stringent as the public becomes less tolerant of any level of contamination in air, water, and soil.”

REGENESIS is proud to have Jeffrey Holden, Senior Engineer at GEI Consultants, Inc., as a valued client in environmental remediation, and appreciates his wealth of experience and ongoing efforts in providing successful remediation outcomes for REGENESIS and its clients.