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FrançaisKeith Gaskill Joins the REGENESIS Technical Team as a Senior Design Specialist
Even at the young age of seven, Keith Gaskill knew he wanted to become a geologist. Then at 21 he decided he wanted to include environmental remediation in his work. Now at this stage of his career, Gaskill has chosen to join REGENESIS as a Senior Design Specialist. It’s a progression point in his work that he’s excited about because he feels it will offer greater opportunity to use his experience and assist the company’s clients achieve success with a variety of environmental remediation challenges. In his new position, which he started earlier this month, Gaskill will be supporting the technical team with remedial designs utilizing the REGENESIS Toolbox. In addition, he’ll be assisting clients with conceptual site model interpretation and data analysis, among other tasks. He shares, “I have enjoyed remedial design and implementation for a number of years on the consulting side and now I look forward to focusing more in that area for REGENESIS and its clients. In the long term, I’d like to develop a high level of proficiency and trust from my peers and clients.” Prior to joining REGENESIS Gaskill worked at EnviroForensics® as a Chief Geologist and Field Training Leader, Conceptual Site Model Team Leader, and was a key client partner with REGENESIS for over 10 years. In addition, he has held positions as a Project Manager, Senior Geologist, and Senior Geochemist. When asked what he feels is biggest challenge will be in his new position, Gaskill says the quick pace is something he’ll adjust to. He continues, “I’m used to a fast pace, so I feel like I’ll adapt quickly.”
While working at EnviroForensics®, Gaskill developed a deep appreciation for REGENESIS’ knowledgeable and technical staff. He continues, “It was gratifying to see my ideas developed into a final plan and then implemented, especially when it’s an environmental solution that both EnviroForensics® and REGENESIS believed to be effective.” To prepare for a career in environmental remediation, Gaskill earned his B.S. in Geology at Ball State University and followed up with a M.S. in Geochemistry and Hydrogeology from Northern Illinois University. He continues, “It was while working on my bachelor’s degree that I developed an interest in geochemistry and hydrogeology and decided to further my studies to develop skills which would help be useful to someone working in the environmental industry.” To stay abreast of trends, evolving technology, and the most recent developments in the remediation world Gaskill attends conferences, webinars, and available classes, “whatever I can find that is applicable,” he says. “When choosing educational opportunities, I focus on the emerging and cutting-edge topics. In my former position as a consultant, I found the REGENESIS webinars to be quite helpful, particularly the recent PFAS webinars.” In his new position with REGENESIS, Gaskill will live and work in Indianapolis, where he lives with his wife Carey and their two large chocolate labs. Away from work he enjoys travel and spending time outside, celebrating the environment by camping and backpacking. He shares, “Surprisingly, there are a fair number of nice hiking trails in southern Indiana, and several around the Great Lakes/Ohio Valley area. At the end of this year I will have visited 24 National Parks from California to Maine. I’m also an avid Green Bay Packers and Chicago Cubs fan, and love to go offroad Jeeping as well.” In addition, he finds time to support water charities and human trafficking causes, which require significant volunteer time. “I also regularly donate to and volunteer for natural and ‘unnatural’ disaster causes” he says.
When asked what he sees the future holds for the environmental remediation industry, Gaskill feels the process of understanding remediation is in a constant state of expansion. He shares, “Though the latest realization is that we must learn to characterize the subsurface system in more detail to aid in the success of bioremediation as well as many other types, I think the recent technologies being introduced into the bioremediation field will continue to push the technology forward. Recent trends suggest the common use of multiple co-applied technologies will make the application of bioremediation technologies much more efficient.” And how has he seen the industry change over the years? “Over time, with more data in hand, remediation efforts (in the right hands) have not necessarily gotten easier, but they have become more successful.” To assist in developing future talent in his field, Gaskill serves on the Ball State University Geology alumni advisory board and has frequent contact with the geology students. “I conduct a resume workshop prior to the annual job fair,” he says. “The job fair aids in placing students in jobs right out of school. I volunteer to speak to students ranging from kindergarten to high school age regarding STEM issues and geology specifically, as appropriate.” And how would he encourage others to join his field of study? He concludes, “If you look at what we do from a distance, we help clean up contamination as scientists, and provide a service to those who need help. On that level, it sells itself in my opinion. It’s crazy to look back and see what the road brought and taught me along the way, but I can tell you that I am very excited to be with REGENESIS and look forward to getting to know everyone better.”
REGENESIS is proud to welcome Keith Gaskill, Senior Design Specialist, to the team and appreciates his expertise and thorough approach in providing leadership and successful remediation outcomes for REGENESIS and its clients.
REGENESIS Employee Spotlight: Andrew Stajduhar
As the Manager of Financial Reporting and Analysis at REGENESIS, Andrew Stajduhar enjoys “putting a story behind numbers” when he can. And with responsibilities that include accounting, financial reporting, budget development, and other aspects of finance, Andrew indeed has plenty of numbers to work with as he assists company executives by providing accurate, up to date financial information, which is mission critical for key decision making.
In addition to managing the Financial Reporting and Analysis department, he also heads up the company’s IT unit, and admits that leading two departments can be challenging. “Managing two departments means I deal with all of the company’s managers and executives. And although, based on the information I present, getting all of the stake holders to buy into change can be challenging at times, I think we do a good job of communicating to the various teams so they can make the best decisions.”
Andrew’s Background
Prior to joining REGENESIS a little over three years ago, Andrew was a Sr. Accountant at The Irvine Company, one of California’s premier real estate development companies, and one that has a reputation for world renowned master planning and thoughtful stewardship along California’s coast. Before joining The Irvine Company, he was a Financial Systems Project Manager at WNC & Associates, a national investor in real estate and community renewal initiatives, located in Irvine. His academic background includes a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting and Finance from the George L. Graziadio School of Business and Management, Pepperdine University.
When asked how working at REGENESIS has changed his thinking about our planet, Andrew responds by saying he has a much greater sense of awareness. “My experience at REGENESIS has made me very aware of all the issues revolving around pollution, conserving our natural resources, and the need to clean up our environment. I believe that, as individuals, we need to be more aware of the choices we make that impact our environment.” He continues, “Living in Southern California, I have learned not to take water for granted, especially now with the severity of the drought. With over 20 million people in southern California, the water situation is very serious and it impacts all of us.” Although his work in finance and accounting may seem somewhat removed from the day-to-day, on-site remediation efforts of the company, he still appreciates that he works with a team that is dedicated to making a positive impact on the environment. “It makes me happy that I get to work with such a wonderful, experienced team of smart people who are focused on the job of cleaning up the environment. Everyone I work with is extremely professional and always wanting to improve. That focus of staying on the leading edge is very inspiring to me.”
Following the Japanese Business Philosophy
Staying on that “leading edge” also plays a role within Andrew’s financial analysis and IT departments, in part, because of recent advancements in accounting software, coupled with philosophical best-practices. Shares Andrew, “Finance, Accounting, & IT have really seen automation become a large part of our job. We are always looking towards the Japanese business philosophy “Kaizen” (a philosophy of continuous improvement of working practices, personal efficiency, etc.). Managing our efforts to focus on the front end of the business to get better information (what’s behind the data) to front line managers and key decision makers makes a big difference. I strive to go beyond the “bean counter” image that’s focused on the historical numbers, which is still important, by spending more time looking forward to what can drive the business long term.”
Married with two boys, Andrew and his family live in Anaheim Hills, located just south of Yorba Linda, in Orange County. In his spare time, he enjoys a variety of activities that include listening to Jazz and Blues, weight lifting, hiking, and attending his sons’ sports activities.
When asked how he would encourage others to join his field of study, he responds by saying, “If they have an attention for detail, enjoy numbers, and have an entrepreneurial spirit, I suggest Finance or Accounting may be just what they are looking for.”
REGENESIS is pleased to have Andrew Stajduhar as Manager of Financial Reporting & Analysis and IT, where his keen attention to detail and acumen in finance help shape many of the decisions that lead to successful remediation outcomes for REGENESIS and its clients.