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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.
