Senior Engineering Associate with Potesta & Associates with offices in Charleston and Morgantown, West Virginia, and Winchester, Virginia
Mr. Grose has geological/geotechnical engineering experience related to subsurface exploration studies, soil and rock slope design, landslide causation studies, foundation system design, surface/subsurface hydrogeology, ground subsidence, contaminant transport and groundwater flow modeling. He has experience in planning, design, and permitting of natural gas production well pads and access roads. Mr. Grose has studied hazardous waste remediation sites, compiled CERCLA/SARA, RI, and FS reports and worked on geological and geotechnical aspects of siting and design of municipal and industrial waste landfills. His civil/site design experience includes slope stability of both cut and fill slopes in soil and rock for various well production pads in northeastern West Virginia associated with natural gas production in the Marcellus well field. Mr. Grose’s work has consisted of the management of a design engineering team including ground survey crews to development site topographic base mapping, and coordination with clients regarding land ownership, access roadway alignments, site drainage control, and number/location of production wells. Additionally, his work has also included gathering and midstream transmission pipeline locations. The scope of services for these projects also included the preparation of permit documents and attachments for submittal to the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection-Office of Oil and Gas.

Past-Chair and Associate Professor of Geology & Geography West Virginia University Morgantown
Dr. Steve Kite’s research interests are in the geomorphology and late Cenozoic history of the Appalachian Mountains and the processes that dominate this ecologically-rich landscape. Surficial geology mapping is a favorite approach to understanding landscapes, relying on a balance of traditional field work techniques with manipulation of LiDAR and other digital data. His current research focuses on landslide risk assessment, cold-air traps that act as floral and faunal refugia, the geomorphic evolution of the Ohio and New River basins, and New World geoarcheology. Professor Kite’s Quaternary geology research includes the evolution of Appalachian slopes, debris fans, terraces and floodplains; the paleohydrology of proglacial lakes and outwash terraces; and the Pleistocene history of Appalachian fluvial systems. This research draws upon understanding of geomorphology, slope process, surface-water hydrology, hydroclimatology, pedology, biogeography, paleoecology, sedimentology, and karst and cave studies. Modern geomorphology research usually includes some focus on man as a geomorphic agent, and Professor Kite’s primary focus is the human activity with the greatest impact in the Appalachian region: surface coal mining, but also includes the effects of agriculture, logging, and other land uses, such as ecological restoration. Several geoarcheological projects have involved grad students, whose contributions have included development of models for landscape genesis, reconstruction of late Quaternary environments, development of archeological testing strategies, and guidance over excavation. His geoarcheological research has covered an array of sites, ranging from Paleo-Indian and Early Archaic sites on the Ohio and Kanawha rivers to 19th century mills.

Branch Manager/Senior Engineer with Potesta & Associates with offices in Charleston and Morgantown, West Virginia, and Winchester, Virginia
Mr. Sharp has been involved with many aspects of civil engineering with a special interest in the geotechnical/environmental aspects. His responsibilities have included projects involving civil/site design; geotechnical design; solid waste management facility design, including geosynthetic applications; hydrologic and hydraulic design; transportation/highway projects, including geotechnical and right-of-way plans; and municipal water and wastewater projects. Mr. Sharp’s geotechnical engineering responsibilities have included performing subsurface investigations, preparing geotechnical reports, coordinating laboratory analysis programs, and providing recommendations for lateral earth pressures, bearing capacities, modulus of subgrade reactions, settlements and construction specifications for multi-story structures. He has served as an expert witness in numerous cases involving geotechnical issues, earthwork construction, and/or drainage issues. Many of these cases involved a review of available information, development of professional opinions, and issuance of expert reports, depositions and expert testimony.