Compiled by Katie Johns
undefinedAndres Rivas
Official Title: Lead Engineer
Company Name: ParkUSA
Age: 31
What are your professional certifications and education? Bachelor of Science in Environmental Engineering, Master of Science in Civil & Environmental Engineering from Portland State University, Doctor of Philosophy in Civil & Environmental Engineering from Rice University.
What are your professional accomplishments? Personally, getting my PhD at a young age as well as being a professor in the same discipline. Achieving this alongside a full time job was fulfilling. Professionally, being able to work with a wide range of professionals in all areas, from engineers and top notch design firms to operations departments and the teams building and making stuff happen. Understanding both the design phase all the way to product manufacturing has been essential. I have started and maintained the certifications program in my current company. Among others, we were able to achieve certifications under the Uniform Plumbing Code for different separators lines, as well as UL certifications for steel tanks. Being able to have a direct impact on project designs and systems selection is another great part of my work. On my educational achievements, I was awarded cum laude recognition and updated the content for the graduate course Advanced Stochastic Mechanics once I started to impart the class.
How did you come to be in the water industry? Since I graduated, I knew this was the area I wanted to be in. Although I got into engineering by accident when my mom enrolled me to take the engineering exam at my old university without consulting me. I got accepted, liked the discipline, and stayed.
What are your goals? To be a high level scientist and professor at my university as well as being the top level engineering professional in my company. Further in the future, being able to create new technologies that will dictate the path forward on water treatment.
Who is your greatest influence? My mom.
What are your hobbies outside of work? Read and research, find new places to eat, spend time with family.
What is a fun/surprising fact about you? I enjoy reading manga.
Are you involved in the community outside of work? If so, how? I'm a part-time professor. Sharing knowledge and education has always been a passion.
What is your hidden talent? I’m a great food critic.
What is your biggest lesson learned so far? Patience.
Where do you see the industry going in the future? With the introduction of emerging technologies, especially in the software side of the industry, it will be easier to track performance of designs, and improve accuracy of water quality models.
James Pixley
Official Title: GIS Coordinator / Stormwater Technician
Company Name: City of Cambridge, Minnesota
Age: 24
What are your professional certifications and education? Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Studies with a minor in GIS from Gustavus Adolphus College, 2019; Construction site manager and installer certifications from the University of Minnesota, 2020; Smart Salt for Parking Lots, Sidewalks, and Roads from the MPCA, and in process of obtaining Hazmat 1072 Operations level response from the Minnesota Fire Service Certification Board.
What are your professional accomplishments? Since my start in the industry in December of 2020, I’ve assisted in the creation of multiple mapping applications to assist public works staff in inspection procedure and prioritization. On top of this, all as-built surveys for storm water structures are now available through a web application.
How did you come to be in the water industry? I had a great passion for the environment for as long as I can remember, but a course from Eric Elias in my sophomore year at Gustavus on Minnesota aquatic stewardship along with a course in geomorphology from Dr. Laura Triplett opened my eyes to the level of damage humans can cause to our water if we aren’t careful. After seeing the GIS and storm water combination in this job description, I knew I had found my perfect fit.
What are your goals? If I can look back at my community in 10 years and see kids and young adults who are passionate about their environment and have the clean water and natural areas they deserve, I’ll be happy.
Who is your greatest influence? Dr. Jim Dontje from Gustavus was really the main driving force in my desire to do what I could to help the planet. My wife and son both inspire me every day to leave a world where we can play in the lakes and streams in our area without worry.
What are your hobbies outside of work? I enjoy fishing, hunting, and most of all going on walks with my 2-year-old-son, Brooks.
What is a fun/surprising fact about you? I’m a big time gamer nerd. I love settling in for an evening and playing with friends.
Are you involved in the community outside of work? If so, how? I’m a probationary member of the Cambridge Fire Department and have been loving every minute of it.
What is your hidden talent? I’m a force of nature in the trivia world. I absolutely love random knowledge.
What is your biggest lesson learned so far? My priorities aren’t always the same as the person I’m talking to. Being able to show them the value of what I’m trying to do versus telling them what they have to do has helped a ton.
Where do you see the industry going in the future? I’d like to see the industry continue to move towards on-site retention and more green spaces being utilized.
Johnathan Clayton
Official Title: Regional Manager
Company Name: Earthworks Environmental, LLC
Age: 32
What are your professional certifications and education? B.S. in Criminal Justice from Polk State College in Florida. I have my FSEFCI certification through the state of Florida. In 2021, I received my CESSWI.
What are your professional accomplishments? My biggest professional accomplishment would be entering the storm water industry with no prior experience or schooling and quickly understanding the industry standards and purpose to allow for advancement in my career.
How did you come to be in the water industry? I was looking for a change in career path but still wanted to do something where I could make a difference. I chose the water industry because it allows me to make an impact on the community around me while enjoying the work that I do. I love being out in the environment, and the work I do with Earthworks allows me to focus my efforts on keeping that environment healthy and pollutant free.
What are your goals? One of my major goals is to continue to increase my knowledge and involvement in the storm water community. I really enjoy what I do and look forward to the continued growth.
Who is your greatest influence? The greatest influence in my life has been my father. My father has always been a positive role model in my life and from a young age has instilled a hardworking, honest and loyal mentality. I would not be the person I am today without my father’s influence.
What are your hobbies outside of work? I love to do anything outside, except pulling weeds from the garden, of course. I love to fish, scuba dive, hit the sandbar or just cruise on the boat. I am currently section hiking (four-to-five day trips) the Appalachian trail with my father and brothers.
What is a fun/surprising fact about you? A surprising fact about me is my previous career. Before I started my career in storm water, I was a law enforcement officer for seven years for a local municipality.
Are you involved in the community outside of work? If so, how? I stay very busy with
family and friends, while dedicating time to church.
What is your hidden talent? I would love to say my hidden talent is found on the golf course, but I would be lying. I do know how to grill a pretty decent steak though.
What is your biggest lesson learned so far? I have learned that no matter the industry, communication can make or break any relationship, work or personal.
Where do you see the industry going in the future? With today’s ever-changing technology, I see the industry making very positive changes in the ability to monitor, understand and protect the environment.
Juhann Waller
Official Title: President/ CEO
Company Name: JC Waller & Associates
Age: 39
What are your professional certifications and education? Professional Engineer, Doctor of Design Candidate
What are your professional accomplishments? Being a member of the state of North Carolina Water Infrastructure Authority, researcher in infrastructure resilience, and a mentor and teacher.
How did you come to be in the water industry? I was introduced to the storm water and water industry after college.
What are your goals? My goal is to continue to be a leader in storm water management and infrastructure resilience.
Who is your greatest influence? My greatest influence are the people I mentor and teach.
What are your hobbies outside of work? Traveling.
What is a fun/surprising fact about you? I am a proficient drummer.
Are you involved in the community outside of work? If so, how? Yes, I am. My involvement is through my company. We have worked in urban gardens, helped construct tiny houses as well as financially giving.
What is your hidden talent? I’m not sure if it’s my talent, but I seem to be a dog whisperer.
What is your biggest lesson learned so far? Today’s problems are so multifaceted and wicked that it requires a team of people with various viewpoints to develop equitable solutions.
Where do you see the industry going in the future? I see the industry focusing on innovative solutions that increase resiliency to combat climate change and emerging clean water contaminants.
Kerry Symanski
Official Title: Stormwater Consultant
Company Name: Contech Engineered Solutions
Age: 28
What are your professional certifications and education? Bachelor of Science in Industrial Engineering, Purdue University, class of 2016.
What are your professional accomplishments? Getting a chance to work across multiple state lines. Water quality is a solution that is being answered in a variety of different ways; being able to be a resource for these varying requirements and regulations always makes for a unique and interesting challenge.
How did you come to be in the water industry? I was introduced through Contech. I found Contech at the Industrial Roundtable at Purdue, and it was there I got my first glimpse of the water industry. While attending the fair, I had expected to expand upon my interest in manufacturing, but instead I found myself drawn to hydrology and storm water quality. Through Contech, I’ve gotten the opportunity to wear a few different hats and have been able to work alongside industry leaders to explore the vast layers of post-construction BMPs.
What are your goals? The next step for me is to pass my PE and get licensed.
Who is your greatest influence? This is undoubtedly cliché, but I would have to say my family. I come from a small one and have been lucky to have a constant support system to help drive me in both my personal and professional life.
What are your hobbies outside of work? Outside of work I enjoy baking, reading and hiking with family and friends.
What is a fun/surprising fact about you? I’ve continually participated in yearly triathlons since I was a child.
Are you involved in the community outside of work? If so, how? Most of my time outside of work is spent with family and friends. On top of that, I’ve spent time volunteering in orchestral pits and at local food pantries through my church.
What is your hidden talent? I’m a card shark. I played a lot of card games growing up and continually force family and friends to play when I get the chance.
What is your biggest lesson learned so far? There is more than one way to crack an egg. Getting to work alongside various regulators, engineers and municipalities has been an incredible experience as there’s always something new to be learned about water quantity and quality. Looking from different perspectives and seeing how storm water management is being addressed in other areas has been a continual benefit and a great influence on my own work.
Where do you see the industry going in the future? Over the past few years, I’ve seen regulators push for ‘greener’ solutions, so I envision the use of low impact development (LID) post construction BMPs to continue to grow.
Kyle McCready
Official Title: Area Sales Manager
Company Name: StormTrap
Age: 40
What are your professional certifications and education? – Bachelor of Arts from Elon University, FMP-Facility Management Professional (IFMA)
What are your professional accomplishments? Twice named Territory Manager of the year at StormTrap. Involvement in both the Neighborhood Stormwater Improvement Project in the Village of Wilmette as well as the Saylor/Swain/Vallette & College View Stormwater (York Community High School) Improvement Projects for the Village of Elmhurst.
How did you come to be in the water industry? When I was young, I was involved in the landscaping industry. It was a natural progression to then move to the construction materials business. After working throughout the United States in materials related to infrastructure, I have now landed in providing storm water solutions.
What are your goals? I am enthusiastic to provide knowledge, learn and grow with this ever evolving business.
Who is your greatest influence? The work ethic of my father (a physics and math teacher) who has always led by example. As he has continued to age and confront new challenges, he has continued to persevere and keep looking forward.
What are your hobbies outside of work? Spending time with my family, including my wife and two young girls. We enjoy spending time outside (even when not so nice), camping, ice skating, exploring. It's always an adventure.
What is a fun/surprising fact about you? I have lived in almost every region of the United States including both coasts and have settled in the Midwest (third coast), which I truly enjoy.
Are you involved in the community outside of work? If so, how? Starting this spring, I am now a volunteer ice captain at the outdoor ice rink constructed annually at our local elementary school. I am learning the ropes on how to construct/provide a space for the community to skate all winter long.
What is your hidden talent? I used to think it was navigation and memorizing locations, but that was before I started working directly with civil engineers.
What is your biggest lesson learned so far? To continually show up and be present in whatever it is you are doing at the moment.
Where do you see the industry going in the future? Only growing. The continual need for infrastructure repair, flood alleviation, and water quality has no end in sight, the population continues to increase and the infrastructure continues to age. Technology continues to advance, and I am sure we will find more and more creative ways to address the issues presented to our industry.
Maggie Moniot
Official Title: Stormwater Inspector
Company Name: Parker Design Group
Age: 30
What are your professional certifications and education? Certified Erosion and Sediment Inspector and Stormwater Management Inspector. I hold an associate’s degree from Virginia Western Community College with the study of Environmental Sciences.
What are your professional accomplishments? I am proud to be involved with many diverse projects within our community: solar field inspections, commercial and residential development, landfill inspections, pipeline installment, all the while working alongside multiple municipalities for BMP inspections throughout Southwest Virginia.
How did you come to be in the water industry? I have always been drawn to water. In the beginning of my schooling, I considered marine biology, but I have a fondness for mountain life and the rivers that connect in our Roanoke Valley. I’ve always wanted to be a part of a team that strives to protect the integrity of our rivers and the wildlife that it feeds. Everything in the river systems will ultimately lead to the ocean, so I feel it is essential to protect their symbiotic relationship.
What are your goals? To further my environmental education in an effort to provide a better tomorrow for creatures and people alike. I would love to broaden my knowledge on environmental law.
Who is your greatest influence? Family and Mother Nature.
What are your hobbies outside of work? Anything outdoors: hiking with my dog, snowboarding and traveling. You name it, let’s do it…other than caving. That is just crazy.
What is a fun/surprising fact about you? I recently competed with a coed team in the US National Toboggan Championships in Camden, Maine.
Are you involved in the community outside of work? If so, how? Each April, I help organize a neighborhood clean up to focus on collecting litter and discarded tires from our local waterways. I have aided in organizing and promoting blood drives for the local Red Cross and the Boones Mill Fire Department. I’ve also helped the charitable event Tunes For Tykes establish a reputation in Southwest Virginia for giving back to children’s nonprofit charities to ensure children with developmental difficulties receive appropriate learning tools through music therapy.
What is your hidden talent? I love to sing blues music.
What is your biggest lesson learned so far? To not allow the small things in life, personally or professionally, to take up more time than necessary.
Where do you see the industry going in the future? I see large and rapid growth in the storm water field nationwide. Living in the Roanoke Valley creates challenges with flooding yearly, and I hope to help our community, alongside with local developers, to create a healthy and sustainable community while expanding Roanoke and Virginia.
Matthew M. Welch
Official Title: Director of Technical Development
Company Name: Profile Products LLC
Age: 34
What are your professional certifications and education? Bachelor of Science – Conservation and Environmental Science – UW-Milwaukee; Certified Erosion, Sediment and Stormwater Inspector (CESSWI); Certified Professional in Erosion and Sediment Control (CPESC)
What are your professional accomplishments? Emerging Leaders Alliance – Industry Nominee/Attendee - 2019; IECA 4 Under Forty Class of 2021; Current elected President of the Great Lakes Chapter IECA.
How did you come to be in the water industry? I have always had an affinity for nature and saw the need to do what I can to protect and enhance our natural environment.
What are your goals? My goals, in the most simplistic sense, are to improve the erosion, sediment and storm water Industry and create innovative solutions to enhance our environment.
Who is your greatest influence? I have been lucky to spend the last nine years working with Marc Theisen. He is the definition of an industry icon and has been a thought leader in the storm water and erosion control industries for decades.
What are your hobbies outside of work? My wife Kelly and I have a 2-year-old son named Benjamin, so any free time outside of work is typically focused on those two. We are expecting a little girl in July, so we will soon have our hands even more full! Other than family time, I take any excuse I can to get outdoors. Hunting, fishing, camping, hiking, etc. I was born and raised in Green Bay, Wisconsin, so Packers football is at the top of the list, as well.
What is a fun/surprising fact about you? The furthest I have lived from Lake Michigan is my current residence at 37 miles as the crow flies.
Are you involved in the community outside of work? If so, how? I am the current chapter president of the Great Lakes IECA and actively participated in the Root-Pike Watershed Initiative Network (WIN). I moved closer to family (Appleton, Wisconsin) from Oak Creek, Wisconsin, in May of 2021 and am hoping to become more involved with the Winnebago Waterways Program. I also participate in the AASTHO NTPEP Erosion Control Committee.
What is your hidden talent? I love playing guitar! Pre-COVID, a friend of mine and I played regularly around the Green Bay and Milwaukee areas.
What is your biggest lesson learned so far? Fail fast! Don’t be afraid to think outside of the box and push the envelope with new ideas.
Where do you see the industry going in the future? I believe the industry will shift away from outdated and rudimentary BMPs with an emphasis on holistic, environmentally sound alternatives.
Marianne Pott
Official Title: Lead Inspector of Post-construction Stormwater BMPs
Company Name: Stormwater STL
Age: 32
What are your professional certifications and education? Bachelor of Science in environmental science from Valparaiso University in 2011 and OSHA certified in confined space training.
What are your professional accomplishments? For the last six years, I’ve been able to respond to the demands of a growing business. When I started in 2016, I was the only one responsible for routine inspections on 130 storm water management systems with around 300 inspections each year. The business has grown to now around 200 sites and 550 inspections each year.
How did you come to be in the water industry? I’ve always been curious and inspired by the movement of water across a landscape. As a kid, I loved to play in the gutters during summer rainstorms, and the first river I came to know as a child was River des Peres, a channelized urban river that now functions as a storm drain and once sanitary sewer. While pursuing an environmental science degree in college, the course that most excited me was a water resources class.
What are your goals? Continuing to learn, grow and develop in the storm water industry, helping owners and property managers understand the importance of routine care for storm water BMPs, improving and modernizing the reporting process for inspections; perfecting my homemade rain garden model for display at education and outreach events.
Who is your greatest influence? The founder of Stormwater STL, Steve Polk, is my greatest influence in the storm water industry.
What are your hobbies outside of work? Swimming, gardening, hiking, woodworking and creating a backyard oasis with my fiancé Aimee.
What is a fun/surprising fact about you?
I have a bit of a fear of heights that I had to overcome to do confined space inspections of underground storm water detention and filtration systems.
What is your hidden talent? I’m really good at yard games and sports that require hand-eye coordination.
What is your biggest lesson learned so far? Not everything has an answer, and often finding a solution requires trial and error.
Where do you see the industry going in the future? I see there being more innovative approaches and technologies that can reduce the footprint of BMPs, rehabilitate non-functioning systems, and monitor and control discharge from systems with cloud-based technology.
Sarah Coleman
Official Title: Owner
Company Name: Sustainable Landscapes ONE
Age: 40
What are your professional certifications and education? CBLP Level 1, Delaware Blue Card, Maryland White Card, CBLP CREWS, CBLP BUFFERS
How did you come to be in the water industry? My husband and I also have a landscape company. About five years ago we got into storm water work, which fit perfectly with my wants and needs to improve the earth and our footprint. I am always trying to do what I can to take care of the Earth, we only have one. Without clean water we can not exist!
What are your goals? My goals are to make serious changes to the storm water industry. There are programs in place, of course, but many plans are not followed and not all states and counties incorporate storm water management policies. I want to teach everyone how to manage storm water according to best practices.
Who is your greatest influence? My grandfather.
What are your hobbies outside of work? Running, spinning, traveling and watching my son play soccer.
Are you involved in the community outside of work? If so, how? Yes, I attend runs/ walks to support different groups and efforts throughout the Baltimore area. I am involved with the development of the Discovery Center that is set to be built here in Harford County near Aberdeen Proving Ground. I am part of the Future Farmers of America Alumni. I am on the Alumni Board for John Carroll High School.
What is your biggest lesson learned so far? Everything takes time, effort and patience!
Where do you see the industry going in the future? I see only improvements in the future. I think people are starting to care a lot more about the environment, and I can only see our government representatives following suit. I have a great hope for the future of our waterways!
