On-Demand Options

Mr. Deverman is vice president and national environmental planning leader for STV, a national planning, engineering, and architecture firm. Mr. Deverman has over 35-years-experience managing NEPA environmental impact assessment projects for transportation infrastructure improvements. He oversaw Phase I environmental, Phase II design, and Phase III construction management services for the $5 billion Chicago Region Environmental and Transportation Efficiency (CREATE) program, a public-private partnership between the USDOT, IDOT, CDOT, Cook County, Metra, Amtrak, AAR, and the nation’s freight railroads. Mr. Deverman is currently managing the Rock Island Third Main Improvements Project, a 41-mile rail and yard improvements project. He is a past president of the National Association of Environmental Professionals (NAEP) and IAEP (IL Chapter) and he is the chair of NAEP’s Leadership Development Committee. He is a Certified Environmental Professional by Eminence and a NAEP Fellow for his service and over 30-year commitment to NAEP and the environmental professions. Mr. Deverman is a board trustee of the Academy of Board-Certified Environmental Professionals (ABCEP), a member of The Council of Engineering and Scientific Specialty Boards. He is also an adjunct professor at Northwestern University teaching a Masters in Project Management course in NEPA and Context Sensitive Solutions. He is a Founding Board Director of the International Professional Association of Transport and Health (IPATH). Mr. Deverman farmed for a living while attending college, and he is currently the Farm LLC business manager. His education includes a B.S. degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Illinois in Urbana, an M.A. degree in English from the University of Illinois in Springfield, and post-graduate studies in NEPA and related environmental studies.

Mr. Smith, Ph.D. is a nationally-recognized leader in National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) compliance with over 29 years of experience in project and program management, technical analysis, policy development, and training/education for a wide range of public and private sector clients. He is currently a senior vice president and the national practice leader for WSP USA’s Environmental Policy and Process Group. Mr. Smith has managed and provided compliance review for some of the nation’s largest, most complex, and highly controversial projects, including major energy, transportation, and water infrastructure projects, regulation of genetically engineered plants, commercial space transportation operations, and approval of new fuel economy standards for all vehicles operated in the U.S. He has provided training and strategic advice for NEPA, CEQA, and related environmental compliance requirements as a faculty member at the UC Davis Extension Planning and Sustainability Program, the UCLA Extension Environmental Studies and Sustainability Programs, the NEPA Certificate Program at the Quinney College of Natural Resources at Utah State University, and as a senior consultant at The Shipley Group. From 2008 until the program ended in 2014, Mr. Smith was a faculty instructor for the NEPA Certificate Program at the Nicholas School of the Environment at Duke University, a program offered in conjunction with the White House Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ). He is a past recipient of a Science & Technology Policy Fellowship with the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) at EPA’s Office of Water and Office of Federal Activities in Washington, DC. From 1998 to 2007, he was a professor of Environmental and Natural Resources Sciences at Humboldt State University (now California State Polytechnic University, Humboldt) in northern California.

Ms. Wilson-McNerney is of Counsel with Schwabe. She provides legal advice to public- and private-sector developers building commercial, industrial, and infrastructure projects in a wide range of settings, from high-density urban centers to remote rural areas and coastline zones. Ms. Wilson-McNerney also defend project approvals before local and state administrative review boards and in federal and state court, when necessary. Whether managing the interlocking pieces of generational infrastructure projects or landmark renovations, she leverages her network of consultant relationships to support strategic, efficient, and successful project development. Ms. Wilson-McNerney represents private and public owners and developers of large retail, office, sports and entertainment, industrial, energy, multifamily residential, and other commercial projects. These projects often entail navigating complex regulatory requirements; appropriately scaled environmental review; and thoughtful negotiations with agencies, Native American tribes, and project neighbors. She also collaborates with clients on water supply and water rights issues in project development and assists in land use, environmental, and water rights due diligence for corporate and real estate transactions. Ms. Wilson-McNerney earned her J.D. degree, summa cum laude, from the University of Arizona, James E. Rogers College of Law.

Mr. Hock is a professional engineer with over 10 years of experience in the field of environmental engineering and water resources management. He holds a degree in Environmental Engineering from the SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry. Mr. Hock has worked for the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation Division of Water for over seven years. His current role is in managing the statewide Water Withdrawal Program where he performs engineering reviews of water withdrawal permit applications and provides permitting guidance, application guidance, and outreach to the public.

Mr. Kappel earned both undergraduate and graduate degrees from Penn State. He has worked as a hydrologist for the U.S. Forest Service in Missouri and Wisconsin. For about 45 years he has studied the hydrogeology of upstate New York with the U.S. Geological Survey – New York Water Science Center. At present he is a hydrogeologist emeritus with the New York Water Science Center. Past investigations include the Onondaga Trough, studying the movement of natural brine to Onondaga Lake at Syracuse, NY; study of mudboil (mud-volcano) activity in the Onondaga Creek Valley; study of landslides in upstate New York – in relation to glacial lake clays; aquifer studies in central and western New York, and carbonate and evaporite karst throughout New York. Presently, in his emeritus status, he is assisting various projects in central and western New York in the collection and analysis of data.

Mr. Kuzia-Carmel is an assistant geologist in the Division of Water (DOW) at NYSDEC Central Office in Albany. Mr. Kuzia-Carmel has over 10 years of combined experience in federal disaster response, environmental consulting, and as a technical professional for the State of New York. He has worked for NYSDEC for over six years and currently works within the Water Withdrawal Program, assisting regional staff with the review of new and modified Water Withdrawal Permit applications. He specializes in the review of applications involving new or modified groundwater sources and aquifer pumping tests. Mr. Kuzia-Carmel holds a degree in Environmental Geology from Binghamton University.

Mr. McCluskey is employed by Everett J Prescott as the Western Erosion Control & Stormwater Specialist, and he is experienced in the promotion and education of various product lines related to stormwater, geosynthetics, erosion control, sediment control, and ground stabilization. In this role Mr. McCluskey is in contact with local, state, and federal regulatory agencies and he also works closely with engineers, landscape architects, municipalities, and contractors in both the public and private sector. He is active in several professional organizations, frequently conducts presentations to educate decision makers, is involved in training EJ Prescott employees, and manages product sales and promotions in New York, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Indiana, and Ohio. Mr. McCluskey holds a bachelor’s degree in Psychology from the State University of New York at Potsdam.

Mr. Ophori is a professor in the Department of Earth and Environmental Studies, Montclair State University. He is a geo-environmental scientist and specialist, with extensive experience in the mapping and modeling of large-scale groundwater flow and contaminant transport for application to the solution of environmental problems. In the past, he worked as a hydrogeological consultant to both the Regional Municipality of Waterloo, Ontario, and Alberta Environment, Alberta, Canada. He was a research scientist with the Nuclear Fuel Waste Management Program of the Atomic Energy of Canada Limited (AECL), Canada, from 1989 to 1995. From 2007 to 2010, he was the chairperson of the Department of Earth and Environmental Studies, Montclair State University, Upper Montclair, New Jersey, USA.

Mr. Rigano has concentrated his practice exclusively in environmental law for more than three decades. He has served in the Enforcement Division of the United States Environmental Protection Agency, where he was involved in a variety of water pollution control programs and was environmental counsel to the New York Power Authority. Mr. Rigano was environmental counsel for the New York Power Authority. He was employed for five years as an environmental scientist conducting research on the environmental effects of electric power generation. Long Island Business News has featured him in their “Who’s Who in the Law” edition. Mr. Rigano is the Chair of the Environmental and Energy Law Section of the New York State Bar Association from 2022 to 2023. He earned his J.D. degree from Hofstra University School of Law.

Mr.. Williams has a B.A. degree in Geology from Colgate University, and an M.S. degree in Geosciences from Pennsylvania State University. Mr. Williams currently is the groundwater specialist for the U. S. Geological Survey Water Science Center in New York. He has worked on a wide range of groundwater projects throughout the Northeast in cooperation with the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, Pennsylvania Geological Survey, U. S. Environmental Protection Agency, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, U.S. Army Corp of Engineers, and Geological Survey of Canada. He has provided support and training in borehole geophysics for Survey offices throughout the U. S. and for water agencies in the United Arab Emirates, Iraq, Kurdistan, and India.

Mr. Foster is an experienced professional with a track record of measurable impact in certified organic and sustainable food & agricultural projects, business, and initiatives. His 30 years in corporate, small- scale, and non-profit enterprise environments has earned him national recognition in organic certification & policy, as well as business strategy, growth management, and strategic planning, all focused developing and growing the organic sector.

John’s educational background in diverse fields such as Environmental Studies, Literature, Ecological Horticulture, and Leadership Development. John spent over a decade a technical reviewer and organic inspector throughout North America, specializing in complex, global supply chains and food processing environments. For over ten years, he managed organic compliance at Earthbound Farm and then under White Wave Foods and Danone NA ownership of the Earthbound Farm BU, he served as Director of Supply Chain Strategy, being responsible for compliance with all customer and regulatory mandates for all field, co-manufacturer, and processing operations. John has consulted for over a decade in all aspects of the organic sector including certification management, business development, compliance, strategy, and change management.

John has served on many industry boards and committees providing guidance and leadership for the organic community, for example, the National Organic Standards Board (NOSB) – Handler Representative 2010-2015, California Organic Products Advisory Committee (COPAC) 2007-2013, and the Organic Materials Review Institute (OMRI) Board of Directors 2000-2006. John currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Organic Seed Alliance (OSA).

John is experienced in the development, implementation, and monitoring of National Organic Program standards for crop production, livestock, processing, wholesale, distribution, and retail operations. For the last two years, John and Wolf & Associates has focused on solving compliance problems and challenges for their clients related to new regulations under the Strengthening Organic Enforcement (SOE) initiative, speaking widely on the subject to numerous private and public sector audiences in the U.S. and abroad.

Mr. Foster, Chief Operating Officer, is passionate about all things organic. His experiences over 30 years in the organic sector are as diverse as the organic industry itself—farming in Oregon, serving on the National Organic Standards Board, organic inspection and certification management, organic business development, supply chain strategy, and change management, among others. John works across all areas of the agency and especially relishes working with innovative ideas and long-term strategic initiatives, bringing positive change through enterprising, impactful, and creative problem solving. A current focus area is expanding W&A’s advisory capacity to best serve all facets of the organic community, addressing near-term demands as well as long-term aspirations.

Ms. Phillips, Director of Business Development and Technical Affairs at Strengthening Organic Systems, LLC. Ms. Phillips brings a fusion of agricultural heritage, regulatory expertise, and organic certification expertise. With roots in a third-generation farm, education in animal science, and a lifetime of hands-on involvement in animal production, she approaches food production with a combination of traditional insight and an eye toward ecological health. Currently living on a small farm and continuing in the family beef production business, her practical experience enriches her professional endeavors. As a seasoned organic certification expert, Johanna champions equitable enforcement of regulations to support farmers and safeguard industry integrity. Her role in critical interagency fraud investigations underscores her commitment to strong organic standards. As a previous leader in the Idaho State Department of Agriculture and global sustainable certification leader Ecocert, formerly an OTA Board Member, she blends regulatory knowledge with industry foresight, offering valuable insights to professionals navigating organic agriculture laws.

Ms. Wyard has worked in organic certification and policy for over 28 years. Prior to SOS, she served for more than a dozen years as the vice president of Regulatory and Technical Affairs for the Organic Trade Association (OTA) where she worked on the development of policy strategy through regulatory engagement in the interest of OTA’s mission and its members. While at the trade association, Wyard was the lead developer and author of the association’s Organic Fraud Prevention Guide, now the industry standard reference for excellence in achieving integrity across complex organic global supply chains. In her early career, Wyard was an organic farmer, an organic inspector, and served as Oregon Tilth’s Technical Specialist in organic policy and technical review of materials for use in organic products. She holds an advanced degree in Fermentation Science, served on the OMRI Board of Directors for 12 years and was the North American representative on the Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) Advisory Board. She currently serves on the Board of Directors for Pennsylvania Certified Organic (PCO).

Dr. Hermansen is a professional land surveyor, professional engineer, and attorney at law. He earned his undergraduate degree and a Ph.D. degree in Civil Engineering from Pennsylvania State University, his M.S. degree in Surveying and Mapping from the University of Wisconsin, and a law degree from West Virginia University. He taught law, engineering, and surveying at the University of Maine, and he actively practices in the areas of land development, real estate, construction, professional liability, mediation, arbitration, and boundary location. Dr. Hermansen is the author or co-author of several articles and law reviews on surveying, land development, easements, and boundary retracement, including several Maine State Bar Association practice series.

Ms. Bobich, supervises a talented team of ecologists and biologists based out of Davey Resource Group, Inc.’s, Indiana offices. She is a professional wetland scientist, is proficient with NEPA work and projects, and has been trained by the Ohio Department of Transportation in Ecological Surveys and Waterways Permitting. In addition to managing a large portfolio of diverse and complex projects, Ms. Bobich also generates pricing and proposals for a wide range of consulting and restoration projects. She works on field investigations, wetland and stream permitting, restoration and mitigation design, native landscape design, best management practice plans, construction oversight, violation resolution and facilitation, and client and agency coordination. She holds an undergraduate degree from the SPEA program at Indiana University and a master’s degree in Landscape Architecture from Ball State University.

Ms. Bruce has over 19 years of sales and marketing experience serving Florida’s mitigation banking credit industry. Her vast background in the wetland mitigation and habitat conservation banks industry has designated her as one of Florida’s most sought-after mitigation bank sales brokers. Mrs. Bruce is passionate about partnering with mitigation bankers, environmental consultants and developers to aid in the mitigation process. She is responsible for developing and implementing strategies and forecasts that support existing relationships with industry partners and promote future growth for the industry.

Ms. Church, is an environmental scientist with Snyder & Associates. She has over 14 years of professional environmental experience. Before she started her career as an environmental scientist at Snyder & Associates, she worked for the US Army Corps of Engineers in Rock Island, Jacksonville, and Omaha Districts after graduating from Iowa State University in 2009. Her area of expertise focuses on wetland delineations, stream assessments, Section 404 permitting, and wetland and stream mitigation banking documentation

Ms. Herrera is an aquatic biologist with over eight years of experience in natural resource assessment, including wetland delineations, environmental permitting, stream assessments, mussel/macroinvertebrate surveys and identification, and threatened and endangered species surveys. She graduated with a B.S. degree in Biology and Program in the Environment (PitE) from the University of Michigan and an M.S. degree in Water Resource Science from the University of Minnesota Duluth. Ms. Herrera recently moved back to the mitten to work for Holland Engineering’s Environmental Group. She holds a USFWS permit to survey and handle federally listed mussel species. Her favorite mussels are the spectaclecase and snuffbox.

Ms. Keefer, MS has been a restoration biologist for the Stream + Wetlands Foundation (S+W) since June 2020, and she has eight years of experience working in the natural resources field. She is responsible for preparing and overseeing coordination of S+W’s mitigation project submittals to the Interagency Review Team. During her time at S+W, she has been instrumental in the submission and approval of over 20 in-lieu fee (ILF), mitigation bank, and permitee responsible projects. To date, the S+W ILF program is fully in compliance with all its advance credit sales obligations. Prior to joining the S+W team, Ms. Keefer worked for a northeast Ohio environmental consulting firm where she primarily worked on mitigation projects. She also worked at two different environmental test laboratories performing soil and water analyses using sophisticated equipment. During her formal education, she conducted a rigorous research study in native species revegetation and seed ecology. Ms. Keefer published her findings as the primary author of a peer reviewed research paper that appeared in the Journal of Rangeland Ecology and Management.

Mr. Strain has over 30 years of experience with all aspects of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) compliance including preparation of environmental assessments (EA), environmental impact statements (EIS), categorical exclusions (CE) and other NEPA documentation, baseline biological assessments, and habitat evaluation procedure (HEP) analyses; threatened and endangered species surveys and critical habitat assessments; wetland and stream evaluations; cultural resource investigations; and vegetative community surveys. Mr. Strain’s particular expertise is in wetland science; including delineation, creation, and restoration of wetlands for mitigation and wildlife habitat; Clean Water Act (CWA) Section 404 and 401 permitting; and design of constructed wetland treatment systems.

As a Principal in the Real Estate, Land Use & Environmental practice group, Ms. Glynn focuses on business and real estate transactions, representing individuals, businesses, municipalities and nonprofit organizations in sales, acquisitions and other commercial agreements. Chelsea was recognized by the Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch 2026 edition for her work in Real Estate Law and Land Use and Zoning Law. She is a frequent speaker at Real Estate and Land Use conferences and has published multiple articles in the American Bar Association’s Probate & Property journal.

As Chair of the Land Use and Real Estate Practice Group, Mr. Howsley’s practice focuses on land use and real estate development and is deeply intertwined to the home building industry in the Northwest. He is recognized regionally for his advocacy of the development community. Jamie represents companies, developers, and builders throughout the Pacific Northwest. He has successfully represented clients in a range of complex land use/development projects, including advocacy for large scale master planned developments throughout Washington and Oregon, getting new land into urban growth areas, and working with local governments on complex and creative financing tools to build necessary infrastructure.

Mr. Raju, an adept trial lawyer with over 15 years of experience, specializes in real estate litigation, landlord-tenant disputes, land use, and general litigation. With a remarkable track record of over 150 jury and judge trails, he stands out for actively engaging in courtroom experiences, distinguishing him from many in his field. Born in Chicago and raised in rural East Texas, his legal career began as a prosecutor in Portland, and over the last nine years in private practice, he has become a go-to resource for clients with real estate issues in the state of Oregon.

With a bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering from Oregon State University, and a subsequent master’s degree in Geotechnical Engineering and Surveying, he brings over a decade of industry experience. His career spans roles with Kiewit, Civil West Engineering, and the City of Coos Bay, culminating in his current position as the owner and operator of Estabrook Land Surveying.

Mr. Trinchero represents clients in litigation relating to business and real estate disputes, condemnation and eminent domain, property tax appeals, commercial landlord-tenant disputes, federal and state securities law, enforcement of noncompetition agreements, False Claims Act violations, and shareholder class action and derivative lawsuits. He is experienced in litigating cases in state and federal court, as well as in private arbitrations

Mr. Bowcock has been appointed to serve on several Watermaster Boards by California Superior Courts since 1990. He is a licensed California Grade V Water Treatment Operator and maintains various other water industry licenses. He routinely provides expert witness work to legal firms in the specific area of water resource management. Mr. Bowcock has decades of experience in designing, running, and advising municipal drinking water systems around the country and around the world. He is a water consultant to environmentalist in Erin Brockovich, who brought the lawsuit against Pacific Gas and Electrical in California and was featured in the 2000 movie Erin Brockovich.

Mr. Cossich, Jr., is the senior partner of Cossich, Sumich, Parsiola & Taylor, L.L.C. He earned a B.A. degree, magna cum laude, from Tulane University in 1980 and a J.D. degree, cum laude, from Tulane School of Law in 1983. His law practice focuses in the areas of personal injury, admiralty, complex business litigation, class action, multi district litigation and insurance law. Mr. Cossich, Jr. has experience litigating cases arising out of contamination caused by trichloroethylene (TCE) and perfluoronated chemicals (PFCs). He served on the Plaintiffs’ Steering Committee for the BP Multidistrict Litigation and as class counsel for all plaintiffs in the economic and property class settlement. Mr. Cossich, Jr., is also one of the top hurricane litigation attorneys in the country. He has recovered for his clients, tens of millions of dollars in damages resulting out of lawsuits from natural disasters and oil contamination.

Mr. Finn is an Environmental Engineer in EPA’s Office of Groundwater and Drinking Water, Capacity and Compliance Division in Washington, D.C. He has 30 years of experience in public water supplies and oversight of public water system, Prior to coming to EPA, he was a field engineer with the California Department of Health Drinking Water Program performing oversight of public water systems in the San Francisco Bay Area. He is a registered professional engineer and a certified water treatment plant operator.

 Mr. Fortunato is an attorney in the firm of Cossich, Sumich, Parsiola and Taylor, L.L.C. and has been with the firm since 2021. Prior to joining the firm, he was an assistant district attorney for over a decade in Louisiana’s Twenty-Fourth Judicial District in Jefferson Parish. During his tenure as a prosecutor, Mr. Fortunato gained extensive jury-trial experience, argued successfully before his appellate court, served as his office’s liaison to the Louisiana District Attorneys Association and as a member of its legislative solutions team, and was the chief prosecutor of his division. Before law school, he taught at his alma mater, Jesuit High School New Orleans. Mr. Fortunato is a graduate of Villanova University and Loyola University New Orleans’ College of Law, where he was a member of the Moot Court.

Ms. James recently joined EPA as a Physical Scientist in the Office of Water, Office of Ground Water and Drinking Water, Capacity and Compliance Assistance Division. Prior to this, she worked as a fellow in the EPA’s Office of Children’s Health Protection, and as an Environmental Health Coordinator for WE ACT for Environmental Justice. Ms. James holds a B.S. degree in Environmental Studies from the University of Richmond and an MPH degree in Environmental Health from Emory University.

Ms. Smith is a Physical Scientist in EPA’s Office of Water, Office of Ground Water and Drinking Water, Capacity and Compliance Assistance Division. She has eight years of experience in the Drinking Water and Wastewater sector, where she applies her expertise to support drinking water systems of concern. She holds B.S. and M.S. degrees in Biology from Virginia State University, as well as a doctorate in Public Health from Capella University. She has a passion for mentoring STEM students and volunteering in the community.

Ms. Vacs Renwick is an Environmental Engineer in EPA’s Office of Water, Office of Ground Water and Drinking Water, Capacity and Compliance Assistance Division, where she has worked on drinking water rule development and implementation, workforce development, and technical assistance projects. Before joining EPA in 2016, she worked as a water quality and regulatory compliance engineer at the Alameda County Water District in Fremont, California, and served as a water and sanitation volunteer in the US Peace Corps in Peru. Ms. Vacs Renwick has an Sc.B. degree in Civil and Environmental Engineering from Brown University and a Master of Engineering in Water Quality and Environmental Engineering from Massachusetts Institute of Technology. She is a registered professional engineer in the District of Columbia.

Mr. Gerken is a partner with Porter Wright. He focuses his commercial litigation practice in product liability, mass tort, catastrophic injury and wrongful death defense, real estate disputes and ERISA matters. He regularly advises businesses facing high-value claims that their products are defective and cause injury or death. Mr. Gerken’s broad real estate litigation practice extends from lease disputes to eminent domain, in which he has garnered substantial experience representing public utilities in hundreds of appropriation proceedings throughout Ohio. Mr. Gerken also represents employee-benefit plans, sponsors and administrators in ERISA litigation, including long-term disability and severance cases. He earned his B.A. degree from Princeton University, and his J.D. degree, summa cum laude, from Capital University Law School.

Mr. Young is a shareholder with Roetzel. His litigation practice is based in Roetzel’s Columbus office and serves a state- and nationwide clientele. Mr. Young’s practice focuses primarily on infrastructure and real estate-related issues and disputes, particularly eminent domain and easements. Two things set him apart from his peers in the infrastructure space. First, he focuses almost exclusively on representing businesses and commercial properties. This gives him a superior understanding of the unique concerns and challenges businesses face in this specialized area of the law. And second, he has long experience representing both property owners and condemning authorities. This gives him unparalleled insight into the many different issues that can arise and how both sides approach those issues. Mr. Young works hard to obtain just compensation for his clients. Throughout the eminent domain process, he educates and counsels his clients, presenting them with all available options and ensuring that they are equipped to make the right decisions for their businesses. He has represented some of the nation’s largest retail pharmacies, auto parts stores, grocery stores, discount retailers, gas stations, and pipeline companies, yet also enjoys helping smaller, local businesses. In addition to his eminent domain practice, he has considerable experience in zoning and land use, property tax appeals, and commercial foreclosures. Mr. Young also advises and represents clients with their business, contract, commercial, corporate, shareholder, securities, and trust/fiduciary issues and disputes. He earned his B.A. degree, cum laude, from The Ohio State University, and his J.D. degree, cum laude, from The Ohio State University, Moritz College of Law.

Mr. Zimmerman is chair of the Government Relations Practice Group and partner in the Litigation Practice Group with Benesch. As a civil trial and appellate lawyer with over 30 years’ experience, he has litigated cases involving employment discrimination, wrongful discharge, unfair competition, defamation, breach of contract, real estate, landlord-tenant, zoning, land use, eminent domain, constitutional rights, election law, campaign finance, trusts, administrative, business and commercial law. Mr. Zimmerman practices in state of Ohio courts and in federal courts in Ohio and around the country. He is a frequent lecturer on various legal topics and his opinions are often solicited by the print and broadcast media. Mr. Zimmerman earned his undergraduate degree, cum laude, from The Ohio State University, and his J.D. degree from The Ohio State University, Moritz College of Law.

Prior to his service at TVA, Mr. Savage was in private survey practice for 10 years specializing in dispute resolution and expert witness services. He has surveyed several disputed state boundaries to resolve jurisdictional conflicts. Mr. Savage is an adjunct professor at Cleveland State Community College where he teaches courses in boundary law, geodesy, GIS, and surveying fundamentals. He has researched and retraced the historical surveys of Henry David Thoreau and has published several articles on the subject. Mr. Savage teaches exam review and continuing education seminars at various state and local conferences across the country.

Mr. Shattuck is a practicing attorney and neutral (Cooper Shattuck,
LLC); primary instructor with Alabama Mediation Training; engaged principal of Cartography Consulting, LLC (which provides full-service marketing and business consulting services); frequent facilitator for strategic planning sessions and strengths-based personal assessments, team building and leadership training; and a regular speaker on mediation, negotiations, ethics, marketing, and other continuing legal education topics. In each of these roles, Mr. Shattuck calls on his unique practice experiences which range from firm private practice, to Governor’s legal advisor, to general counsel of the University of Alabama System, and longtime adjunct professor of law at the University of Alabama School of Law. Mr. Shattuck earned his B.S. degree in Economics from Georgia Tech in 1987 and his J.D. degree from The University of Alabama School of Law in 1990.

Ms. Wright Pritchett is an experienced environmental, natural resources, and oil and gas attorney, focusing on the intersection of government and business. With a deep background in environmental and natural resources law, Ms. Wright Pritchett’s practice includes environmental permitting and compliance, enforcement defense, brownfield redevelopment, hazardous waste, CERCLA contribution and cost recovery, water quality, water rights, oil and gas exploration and production, mining, timber, legislative drafting, and lobbying. She is a member of the Alabama State Bar and the past chair of its Environmental and Natural Resources Section, actively involved in the Alabama Center for Real Estate’s Leadership Council. Ms. Wright Pritchett is the former president of Birmingham Commercial Real Estate Women (BirminghamCREW). She is a former regulator, having served for eight years on the Alabama Oil & Gas Board where she oversaw the exploration and production of oil and natural gas in the state. She is Alabama’s appointee to the Interstate Oil & Gas Compact Commission’s Environmental Committee. Ms. Wright Pritchett has held numerous leadership roles in the American Bar Association since joining in 1994, including serving on the Section of Environment, Energy and Resources’ governing Council. She serves as the National Wildlife Federation’s Eastern Vice-Chair of its Board of Directors and is past president of the Alabama Wildlife Federation. Ms. Wright Pritchett earned her B.S. degree in Journalism and Public Relations from the University of Southern Mississippi, and her J.D. degree from the University of Oregon School of Law, where she also received a Certificate of Completion in Environmental and Natural Resources Law.

Ms. Akers is an Environmental Scientist Advisor with the Kentucky Division of Water, Commonwealth of Kentucky – Energy and Environment Cabinet. As a career employee of the Energy and Environment Cabinet, Paulette Akers has worked in the Department of Natural Resources and the Department for Environmental Protection for more than twenty years. Currently, Paulette serves as the Gulf Hypoxia Program Engagement Coordinator in the Division of Water and works to support activities occurring in nutrient-priority watersheds and develop new tools and partnerships to support nutrient reduction in those areas and across the Commonwealth. She works specifically in areas such as wastewater treatment plant nutrient optimization, agriculture, and with partners in Tennessee. Previously, she served 5 years as the Director of the Division of Conservation and 2 years as the Director of the Division of Compliance Assistance. Her early career was with the Division of Water in the Water Quality and Watershed Management Branches. Paulette is a graduate of Eastern Kentucky University where she earned a BS degree in Biology and an MS degree in Applied Ecology.

Mr. Bonnell has been involved in watershed and natural resource management for thirty years. In September of 2023, Joe became the first Nutrient Reduction Strategy Coordinator with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources in the Office of Agriculture and Water Quality. Previously, Joe had a long career in university extension, first with Ohio State University and more recently with the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Joe has spent his career working on addressing primarily agricultural non-point source issues, focusing on promoting holistic and collaborative approaches to watershed planning and implementation. 

Mr. Dunn is an environmental attorney with PoynerSpruill, LLP in Raleigh, North Carolina. After receiving his law degree and a master’s degree in City and Regional Planning from UNC-Chapel Hill, he worked with the N. C. Department of Environmental Quality for over eight years, with his last position being general counsel. In 1985 he joined PoynerSpruill to expand the firm’s areas of practice to environmental law. In his 39 years with PoynerSpruill, he has represented both private and public clients in practically all areas of environmental law and particularly has advised cities and counties regarding wastewater compliance issues and consolidation of water and wastewater treatment facilities and services. Most relevant to this seminar, Mr. Dunn was the legal advisor for the formation of the Neuse River Compliance Association (NRCA), an association of point source wastewater dischargers in the lower Neuse River Basin formed over 20 years ago to comply with a then-pending total maximum daily load for nitrogen in the lower Neuse River estuary.  Subsequent to the formation of the NRCA, Mr. Dunn served for many years as legal counsel for the NRCA and the Lower Neuse Basin Association, a previously- existing monitoring association, in establishing by-laws and rules for their membership and operations and for jointly carrying out their complementary functions.  

Ms. Harrold is the Program Manager for the Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP) and Water Quality Initiatives for the Indiana State Department of Agriculture (ISDA), Division of Soil Conservation (DSC). As the Program Manager, Julie provides leadership and management for the Indiana CREP, the Indiana State Nutrient Reduction Strategy and Indiana Science Assessment, and other water quality initiatives undertaken by the ISDA. She provides Indiana representation on the Gulf of Mexico Hypoxia Task Force Coordinating Committee. Julie is a graduate of Purdue University with a degree in Landscape Horticulture and Design and has over 26 years of experience as a conservation professional. She has held a number of different positions within the Division of Soil Conservation over the years and has been in her current position as Program Manager since July 2015. Her experience includes working with partners around the state of Indiana as well as other states to advance water quality improvement goals and implement conservation programs; engineering surveys, design and implementation of conservation Best Management Practices (BMPs) such as Grassed Waterways and Wetland Restorations; assisting landowners with developing conservation plans; working with Soil and Water Conservation Districts in northeast Indiana on carrying out conservation programs and events and providing technical assistance; working with DSC staff in quantifying the water quality benefits of various conservation BMPs; and working with Purdue University on quantifying the effectiveness of conservation practices on water quality.

Dr. Marshall is a Staff Scientist in the Water Planning and Assessment Division at the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality (LDEQ), where she has worked for the past five years. She serves as the project manager for the Hypoxia Task Force Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Gulf Hypoxia Program Grant for Louisiana, which is comprised of two projects focused on helping Louisiana address nonpoint source water quality management. Amanda also serves on the Water Resources Team for the Gulf of Mexico Alliance, and was the lead author on the update to the LDEQ report Nitrogen and Phosphorus Trends of Long-Term Ambient Water Quality Monitoring Sites in Louisiana, completed in 2021 in support of the Louisiana Nutrient Reduction and Management Strategy. Amanda holds a Ph.D. degree in Environmental Resources and Policy from Southern Illinois University, and both an M.S. degree in Public Policy and a B.S. degree in Biology with an ecology focus from the Georgia Institute of Technology. During her Ph.D. she was the recipient of a National Science Foundation IGERT Fellowship in the field of Watershed Science and Policy, where her dissertation work focused on comparative stakeholder assessments in the Mississippi and Tisza River Basins.

Mr. McAleese is president and CEO of the Sand County Foundation. Kevin assumed overall leadership of Sand County Foundation in July 2015. In his over 20 years with the Foundation, he has overseen all aspects of planning, program implementation, and personnel and financial management. Kevin founded the Cooperative Sagebrush Initiative in 2007, an award-winning 11-western state public-private partnership to balance energy production, ranching, and habitat protection. He served as President of its Board of Directors until 2013. He led a 10-year program in the Great Lakes states and northeastern U.S. to enhance the regeneration of important hardwood forests that support rural economies and abundant wildlife. He has organized and facilitated regional, national, and international conferences among landholders, resource managers, and scientists. He holds a BS degree in engineering from the University of Wisconsin and an MA degree in history from Catholic University in Washington, D.C.

Dr. Peterson leads Sand County Foundation’s agricultural conservation team and sets its strategic direction in research, and farmer and rancher engagement. She brings significant leadership, teaching, and research experience surrounding agricultural conservation and water quality issues. Heidi previously served as the Phosphorus Program Director with the International Plant Nutrition Institute, and prior to that at the Minnesota Department of Agriculture. She serves the scientific community on the Agronomic Science Foundation’s Board of Trustees, as an adjunct professor at the University of Minnesota, and as an associate editor with the Journal of Environmental Quality. Heidi completed her Ph.D. in Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering at the University of Minnesota. At Purdue University she received a M.S. degree in Agronomy, and a B.S. degree in Natural Resources and Environmental Science.

Mr. Phthisic is the Executive Director of the Lower Neuse Basin Association (LNBA) and Neuse River Compliance Association (NRCA). He has served in this role with the associations since 2009. Prior to accepting this position, he served as the Chair of the Associations (2004 to 2009). He was a founding delegate to the LNBA when formed in 1994. The LNBA was formed as a sampling coalition in concert with the N. C. Division of Water Quality. The NRCA was formed to implement the Neuse Nutrient Management Strategy (also known as the Neuse Rules) to comply with a Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) being implemented for the Neuse River estuary. He also served on the committee to form the NRCA in 2002. He was the Assistant Director of Utilities for Johnston County which included the management of the water, wastewater, and solid waste landfill for the County prior to becoming the Executive Director for the LNBA/NRCA.

Ms. Salvato has worked for the Upper Mississippi River Basin Association as a Policy and Programs Director since 2017. Her focus at the Association is on water quality, water quantity, and ecosystem restoration initiatives. Lauren previously worked for the North American Lake Management Society (Secchi Dip-In program), the National Park Service at the Grand Canyon (North Rim), and US Fish and Wildlife Service’s Eastern Tallgrass Prairie and Big Rivers Landscape Conservation Cooperative. Her background is in environmental science, with graduate degrees in Water Resources and Public Policy from the University of New Mexico and Indiana University. Lauren lives two blocks from the Minnesota River and volunteers as a Board member for the Lower Minnesota River Watershed District.  

Mr. Sample has worked for the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency for 22 years, serving as the Agency Coordinator for the Nutrient Loss Reduction Strategy for the past six years. He represents Illinois EPA on the federal Hypoxia Task Force, the Illinois Nutrient Research and Education Council, and the Illinois Certified Crop Adviser Board.  Mr. Sample earned a B.S. in Agronomy from Illinois State University.

Mr. Siegel is a member of Barley Snyder’s Real Estate and Environment & Energy practice group. He has spent more than two decades as a litigator at the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection. In his time at the DEP, he litigated more than 250 appeals in state and federal courts and in front of the Pennsylvania Environmental Hearing Board in cases involving litigation of solid waste, clean water, environmental remediation, and sewage planning. His cases resulted in tens of millions of dollars of environmental remediation and civil penalties throughout Pennsylvania. In the private sector, Mr. Siegel has worked with businesses on both environmental and energy issues. He’s helped companies in real estate transactions navigate environmental issues, worked with municipalities on stormwater and sewage issues, and has assisted companies and other entities in addressing DEP and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency enforcement actions. He’s also worked with out-of-state gas pipeline owners and contractors to help them comply with Pennsylvania environmental requirements and defended them in DEP enforcement actions. Mr. Siegel is also a trained mediator. In addition to his time at the DEP, he has worked in federal government positions at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry in Atlanta and with the Department of Energy’s Pacific Northwest Laboratory in Washington state. Mr. Siegel is a prolific speaker at professional gatherings throughout Pennsylvania on environmental topics including Pennsylvania’s Environmental Rights Amendment, Pennsylvania’s voluntary cleanup program, Chesapeake Bay and clean water issues, and municipal stormwater requirements. He also co-authored the chapter on Pennsylvania’s Land Recycling and Environmental Remediation Standards Act (Act 2) in Pennsylvania Environmental Law & Practice, 10th Edition. His professional environmental experience has led him to leadership positions with a multitude of nonprofit organizations both in central Pennsylvania and throughout the Mid-Atlantic. He’s also a former member of the Board of School Directors for the Lower Dauphin School District. Mr. Siegel earned his J.D. degree from Temple University Beasley School of Law.  

Ms. Verville joined Sand County Foundation in 2021 to lead a regenerative agriculture initiative in Wisconsin’s Lake Michigan Basin. She works with farmer-led groups to achieve water quality and climate resiliency goals. She previously served as a research project manager and safety lead for the Soil Health Partnership, a project of the National Corn Growers Association. Prior to that, she worked as a crop specialist, and as a deputy conservation warden for the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. Based in Wautoma, Wis. she plays an active role in Sand County Foundation projects across the Great Lakes and Mississippi River basins.

Mr. Brook is a professional land surveyor with experience surveying from the Bay Area to Tahoe, focusing on boundary surveying. Outside of contracted work, Mr. Brook provides a free daily test prep question to help prepare aspiring surveyors for licensure tests, and to keep licensed surveyors sharp. He is passionate about informing and educating the public on the intricacies and issues associated with boundary disputes whenever the opportunity arises. Outside of the surveying realm, you can find Mr. Brook enjoying outdoor activities such as rafting and skiing.

Ms. Lichman, Ph.D., has an extensive and successful record representing airports, municipalities, developers, and other public and private clients in litigation and administrative proceedings under Federal Aviation statutes such as the Airline Deregulation Act and Airport Noise and Capacity Act; the California Public Utilities Code governing land use in airport environs (Aeronautics Act); and federal and state environmental statutes including the National Environmental Policy Act, the Federal Clean Air Act, the Federal Clean Water Act, the California Environmental Quality Act, and the California Coastal Act. She has also successfully represented clients in litigation involving land use issues such as inverse condemnation, development agreements and specific plan amendments. Dr. Lichman holds a doctorate in Urban and Regional Planning.

Mr. McKinley has been the managing partner at Freeland McKinley & McKinley since 2011, His trial court and appellate experience spans 40 years in easement law, eminent domain and inverse condemnation, real property, construction defect, real estate broker liability, land use, agreed boundaries, and adverse possession. Mr. McKinley is admitted to practice before all courts in the State of California and is a member of the California State Bar Association.  

Mr. Wance is a shareholder and former chair of Buchalter’s Land Use Practice Group. He has built a cross-disciplinary practice involving land use and entitlements, water resources, environmental compliance, natural resources, and public law through the representation of both public agencies and private businesses throughout California. Mr. Wance has handled all aspects of these substantive areas, from advising clients regarding the applicability of the law, to guiding clients through a permitting or entitlement process, or defending clients subject to enforcement actions. He successfully represented businesses and public agencies in sophisticated financial, real estate, water resource, environmental compliance, and land development matters in court and before administrative agencies. Mr. Wance’s land use and entitlement background includes representation of residential developers, public entities, major industrial facilities, and other commercial businesses in all phases of project development before local and state agencies, city councils, and county board of supervisors. He has assisted clients in obtaining development and environmental permits and project approvals for power plants, schools, mixed-use, and industrial development projects.

Mr. Dax has been practicing law since 1978 focused on energy regulation and environmental permitting. His practice and client base has evolved with the dramatic shifts the energy industry has experienced over those four and a half decades. Mr. Dax has extensive experience in energy infrastructure development and regulation, environmental permitting and compliance, administrative law, local land use law, contract negotiation, government procurement, and appellate litigation. He is active in licensing renewable electricity generation, transmission and storage facilities and counseling developers, large energy consumers, investors and lenders in the energy and utility industries on regulatory and commercial strategies and compliance issues. Mr. Dax appears before federal, state, and municipal agencies with responsibility for energy regulation and environmental protection, and local land use control as well as in New York State and federal courts. After graduating from Columbia Law School he served as an assistant counsel to the New York State Public Service Commission and as an assistant counsel in the Office of Counsel to New York Governor Hugh Carey. He has been in private practice since 1983 and a partner in Hodgson Russ LLP since 2021.

Mr. Lang is a partner with Couch White LLP. He assists clients in matters before state and federal energy regulatory agencies and involving utilities and electric system operators, energy procurement options, generation development and siting, asset divestiture and acquisition, and other energy-related transactions. His clients include the City of New York, State University of New York, University of Massachusetts, Cornell University, numerous Fortune 500 companies, generation owners and developers, financial institutions, and other individuals and companies participating in energy markets. Prior to joining Couch White, Mr. Lang worked for the New York State Department of Public Service as a managing attorney and before that, as an assistant counsel. While with DPS, he successfully defended the New York State Public Service Commission in court challenges to PSC decisions, led staff teams in numerous rate cases, was instrumental in maximizing the value received by New York ratepayers from the divestiture of the New York public utilities’ nuclear, fossil-fueled, and hydroelectric generating facilities, and routinely advised the PSC on policy and other issues.

Sam M. Laniado is a partner with Read and Laniado, LLP. He graduated from New York University School of Law in 1976. He joined the staff of the NYS Department of Public Service (NYSDPS) in September 1976. Mr. Laniado represented Staff in environmental, transmission, and power plant siting proceedings pursuant to Articles VII and VIII of the PSL, the investigation of the extended outage at Consolidated Edison’s Indian Point II Generating Station, and the development of phase-in ratemaking principles to be applied when nuclear power plants were scheduled to enter rate base. His duties also included directly advising the NYSDPS on a wide range of legal, regulatory and environmental issues. Furthermore, he provided representation of the NYS Public Service Commission and the NY Board on Electric Generation Siting and the Environment in appellate litigation proceedings (Article 78 of the Civil Practice Law and Rules). Mr. Laniado also represented the Staff in cases involving electric rates as well as gas, telephone and water rate cases. He left the NYSDPS for private practice in December 1983. Mr. Laniado leads the Firm’s power plant and transmission line siting practice.

Zachary Perdek is an attorney with Read and Laniado, LLP. Mr. Perdek has represented clients before state and federal administrative agencies, including the New York State Public Service Commission, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, the New York Independent System Operator, and New York State and federal courts. He is active in administrative proceedings in matters involving the permitting and siting of renewable energy projects, gas and electric rate proceedings, cost- and market-based rate design, and regulation of competitive wholesale electricity suppliers. During his time in law school, Mr. Perdek served as the editor-in-chief of the Syracuse University Journal of International Law and Commerce, and as a member of the Class Act Committee. Mr. Perdek has had legal internships with NYSDEC Region 7 and the New York State Office of the Attorney General Environmental Protection Bureau, where he familiarized himself with New York State’s environmental regulatory regime, wrote enforcement petitions, and engaged in settlement deliberations. He graduated from Syracuse University College of Law with a J.D. and graduated from the State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry with a Master of Professional Studies in Natural Resources Management.

Mr. Pond is a partner with Barclay Damon LLP. A former trial attorney in the Antitrust Division of the US Department of Justice, he primarily concentrates his practice on the interplay between regulation and competition in energy markets. Mr. Pond represents electric and gas utilities, pipeline companies, generators, and marketers in administrative proceedings before the NY Public Service Commission (PSC) and the US Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) as well as in commercial matters and proceedings before the NY Independent System Operator, Inc. (NYISO). He assists generators and transmission providers in connection with the siting of new facilities under Articles 7 and 10 of the Public Service Law and also advises generators, pipeline companies, and commercial landowners in obtaining lightened regulation from the PSC. He also obtains approvals for transfers of assets and ownership interests under the Public Service Law, counsels retail energy service providers in matters before the PSC, and assists electric-power marketers in obtaining market-based rate authority from FERC and in complying with FERC’s evolving regulatory requirements for market-based rate authority.

Mr. Lewandowski is senior counsel with Husch Blackwell. He guides clients on compliance issues regarding surface and groundwater and remediation of contaminated properties. With experience in aligning the clean water laws of Wisconsin with Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) guidelines, Mr. Lewandowski understands the subtleties of state regulations covering surface and groundwater. He has the unique ability to handle client matters in courts, administrative agencies and legislatures. Though he generally collaborates with private sector clients, he also successfully defended a rural county in Wisconsin in a Superfund contribution action. Mr. Lewandowski defends businesses in state and federal enforcement actions, including citizens’ suits and federal criminal enforcements. He earned his B.A. degree, cum laude, from Ripon College and his J.D. degree from the University of Wisconsin Law School.

Ms. Murn is an attorney with Axley Attorneys and a member of the Business Practice Group at Axley. Ms. Murn focuses her practice primarily on commercial real estate, business, and estate and succession planning, as well as catering to the unique legal needs of family-owned businesses. Attorney Murn’s other areas of practice, including commercial real estate, land use, construction law, riparian rights, and general business practice, allow her to serve clients with a full 360-degree approach to asset protection, business strategy and conveyance of real estate. She represents business owners of all kinds both in their everyday dealings as well as when they are buying or selling commercial real estate or developing land. Ms. Murn also represents a number of commercial construction companies with a nationwide presence. Her experience working with local municipalities gives her a leg-up on representing business owners or those looking to purchase and develop real estate. Ms. Murn earned her B.A. degree, cum laude, from Marquette University and her J.D. degree, cum laude, from Marquette University Law School.

Mr. Sorenson is a shareholder with von Briesen & Roper, S.C. and has more than 35 years of experience helping clients with a wide range of legal issues. He provides counsel on corporate law, business succession planning and estate planning. Mr. Sorenson also represents municipalities, and with regard to real estate he counsels on land use, zoning, smart growth, water front litigation and nonmetallic mining. He is a Fond du Lac County Court Commissioner and serves as a mediator and arbitrator in real estate and labor disputes. Widely known and respected by his peers, he has served in many capacities with the State Bar of Wisconsin, including terms as president (1997-1998) and Secretary (1994-1996), as well as chairing several of their Standing Committees, including the Finance, Solo and Small Firm, Communications, Convention and Entertainment Committees. He was also president of the National Conference of Bar Presidents (2007-2008) and a member of the American Bar Association House of Delegates. Mr. Sorenson is a member of the Oshkosh Area Community Foundation Board and the Green Lake County/Ripon Area Foundation Board. He is the past President of the Ripon Main Street Development Board of Directors and an adjunct professor of Business and Politics and Government at Ripon College. Mr. Sorenson is a member of the Board of Directors for the Green Lake Festival of Music and Badger Boys State. Mr. Sorenson is a frequent lecturer on legal ethics, real estate law and waterfront rights. He served as chairman of the Board of Directors for Community Health Network (CHN) and remains active in health care organizations.

Mr. Ella is a shareholder at Fafinksi, Mark & Johnson in Eden Prairie, Minnesota. He has represented individuals, private businesses, non-profits, associations, charter schools, universities, and counties in dozens of defamation lawsuits in state and federal district court and on appeal. He has presented numerous continuing education seminars on the topic of defamation and is the author of several articles on the topic of defamation for legal publications. He also specializes in all aspects of employment law, business law, and commercial litigation, with an emphasis on defamation, employment defense, and insurance defense. Mr. Ella is certified by the Minnesota State Bar Association as a Labor and Employment Law Specialist. He is also certified as an Information Privacy Professional (CIPP/US) by the International Association of Privacy Professionals (IAPP). He served as a public member of the Minnesota Board of Medical Practice from 2010 to 2018 and as a member and chair of the Minnesota State Board of Legal Certification. He attended high school in Wisconsin, obtained his B.A. degree from Tufts University and graduated from the University of Minnesota School of Law in 1994. He is admitted to practice in Minnesota, Iowa and the Western and Eastern Districts of Wisconsin.

Mr. Gold is an attorney with Fox & Fox S.C. Mr. Gold handles legal matters and litigation (including trial work) involving employment discrimination, commercial litigation, retaliation, job harassment, civil rights, whistle-blowing, unlawful discharge, False Claims Act/Qui Tam, securities/investment claims, fraud, contract and defamation claims – primarily in Wisconsin and the Chicago metropolitan/Northern Illinois area, and elsewhere too. He is a member of the American, Chicago and Wisconsin State Bar Associations. Mr. Gold earned his B.A. degree, cum laude, from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and his J.D. degree from Illinois Institute of Technology Chicago-Kent College of Law.

Ms. Kirtley is the Silha Professor of Media Ethics and Law and director of the Silha Center at the Hubbard School of Journalism and Mass Communication at the University of Minnesota. She is also an affiliated faculty member at the University of Minnesota Law School. She was a Fulbright Scholar teaching U.S. media law and ethics at the University of Latvia in Riga in 2016, and was Executive Director of The Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press in Washington, DC for 14 years. A member of the New York, District of Columbia, and Virginia bars, her J.D. degree is from Vanderbilt University Law School.

Mr. Spahn is a shareholder with Godfrey Kahn. His practice focuses on complex commercial litigation, corporate compliance and internal investigations. He helps businesses and organizations resolve disputes, often leading investigations that are necessary to gather facts and address issues before efficiently reaching a resolution. Mr. Spahn has assisted clients through both complex litigation as well as government enforcement actions. His experience is not limited to one subject area or issue. He has handled banking and financial services litigation, antitrust, insurance, employment and trade secret misappropriation matters. His work includes successfully defending against a multimillion dollar trade secret misappropriation case, a breach of contract claim brought against members of a failed investment vehicle, fraudulent transfer claims related to loans allegedly involved in a Ponzi scheme, and a wrongful termination Title VII case. Additionally, a significant part of Mr. Spahn’s practice focuses on government investigations and corporate compliance issues. He routinely advises clients with respect to compliance policies including anti-bribery and corruption policies, supplier codes of conduct, and protocols for addressing and responding to government subpoenas and civil investigative demands. Mr. Spahn has been involved in numerous internal investigations working for municipalities, nonprofit organizations and corporate boards of directors and audit committees on issues ranging from employment matters to securities and corporate governance issues. In representing corporate clients, he has worked with federal and state law enforcement when appropriate on fraud and trade secret misappropriation cases. Before joining the firm in 2011, Mr. Spahn practiced law for more than three years in Washington, D.C. He is licensed in Wisconsin, Illinois and Washington, D.C. He also has a significant background working in Wisconsin government and politics. Prior to law school, Mr. Spahn worked for U.S. Senator Herb Kohl where he oversaw federal appropriation and grant requests, handled constituent services and managed Senator Kohl’s district schedule. He earned his B.A. degree from the University of Wisconsin- Madison, and his J.D. degree, cum laude, from the University of Wisconsin Law School.

Dr. Robert Ahl works as a Geospatial Systems Specialist in the USDA Forest Service|Lands, Minerals, and Geology|Automated Lands Program. He has an extensive natural resource background, with application of geographic information systems and remote sensing to assess and model vegetation characteristics, water yield, and wildlife habitat. In recent years he has also obtained remote pilot certification and manages a remote sensing services agreement with the University of Montana. In the Automated Lands Program, he helps manage a team of contractors that focus on Land Status Record System data development and maintenance, with emphasis on creating spatial representations of right-of-way, land adjustment case boundaries, and other administratively or congressionally
designated changes to land status. He is also a manager of the Program’s National Geospatial Data Asset – the Proclaimed Forest boundary dataset and provides program support for the Title Claims and Encroachment Management System (TCEMS). In collaboration with his team members, he also helps develop mapping templates for the Legislative Map Tool, and Special Uses Map Tool.

Mr. Barowsky works for the Bureau of Land Management and manages their national land surveying services for Federally recognized tribes and is a licensed land surveyor in Alaska, Arizona, Tennessee, and Texas. He has worked as a land surveyor, planner, real estate specialist, and investigator.

Mr. Matthews is the USFS Regional Land Surveyor for Region 6 and has been responsible for program development and oversight for the Boundary and Title Management Program in the Pacific Northwest for the last year and a half. Most of his earlier career was spent working in the private and public sector.

Mr. McDonald currently works as the Public Land Survey System Dataset Manger for the Bureau of Land Management headquarters’ office, and he is a licensed land surveyor in Arizona. He has worked as a cadastral surveyor, for BLM for over 14 years plus nine years a private surveyor for utilities companies, and the private sector.

Ms. Olson has been a land surveyor in the private sector, the gold mines and with the government for 10 years total; with the USFS for 5 years. She has also worked as an adjunct professor and faculty advisor for land survey student competitions at Great Basin College in Elko, Nevada since 2015.

Mr. Price is the Chief Land Surveyor at USDA Forest Service Headquarters in Washington D.C. He obtained his MBA degree from Alaska Pacific University, BS degree in Technology Management from Utah Valley University and AAS in Land Surveying from Salt Lake Community College.

Mr. Ryan started his BLM Career in 2009 as a realty and cadastral aide in Sacramento, California. He then worked in various field offices, holding positions in the Realty, Minerals, NEPA and Project Management programs. He currently oversees the Land Tenure program for the Northern California Districts where there are over 20 active land acquisition cases.

Mr. Clase holds a bachelor’s degree in Urban Planning from the University of Cincinnati’s School of Design, Architecture, Art and Planning and a master’s degree in Public Administration from The Ohio State University’s School of Public Policy and Management. With expansive professional experience, he has previously employed as a public employee in city, village, township and county governments throughout Delaware and Union counties. As an experienced public official, Mr. Clase established the business in 2013 with the primary mission of helping clients to develop a local quality of life through smart growth and sustainable planning. Today, he has brought together a team of professionals who provide start to finish assistance on client projects. Mr. Clase is a member of the American Institute of Certified Planners. He has also served as a member of regional planning commissions, public works committees, public safety committees, appeals board, zoning commission, health board, transit board, along with various other boards and committees. Since, 2013, Plan 4 Land has been focused on providing high-quality, professional land use planning and public policy assistance to local governments, small businesses and land owners. The company uses the expertise of those trained as, or who have served as, local government officials and small business owners, executives and managers to help provide assistance in the fields of conservation, development, policy and zoning. Plan 4 Land strives to blend conservation and development to better the quality of life for its clients. With a focus on conservation development, the firm strives to educate clients on the success of Randall Arendt’s vision for a farm village that provides smart growth opportunities as published in Rural by Design. 

Mr. Newell is the owner of Blue Church Surveys in central Ohio. Some of his projects include boundary, topographic, construction, and ALTA surveys. Mr. Newell has also served as project manager and survey manager for a regional survey and design firm in Columbus, Ohio. He has previously had experience as an instructor for Sinclair Community College. Mr. Newell received his received his undergraduate studies from Ohio State University. Mr. Newell is responsible for project management of Surveying and GPS projects. This work includes coordination with clients to manage client needs and expectations, and the daily coordination and supervision of full-time survey crews and office technical staff. These responsibilities include work assignments, schedule compliance, cost compliance, and quality assurance. Mr. Newell has been a licensed professional surveyor for 34 years, with more than 45 years of surveying experience and specializes in surveys that involve large engineering design applications. He routinely supervises American Land Title Surveys (ALTA), right-of-way, property description and resolution, construction staking, topographic, photo control, utility, geodetic control, and global positioning system (GPS) control. Mr. Newell has completed certification of OSHA-Approved Competent Person in Construction and 40-Hour Health and Safety to allow him to work on OSHA-classified hazardous sites.

Mr. Pempus has been a risk manager for more than 18 years, with experience in architecture, engineering, land use, law and professional liability insurance, and a unique and well-rounded background in the construction industry. Prior to risk management, he has 25 years of experience in the practice of architecture and engineering, and as an adjunct professor teaching professional practice courses at the undergraduate and graduate levels for the last 37 years. As a Fellow of the American Institute of Architects and AIA National Ethics Council 2021 chair, he has demonstrated his impact on architectural profession. He is a licensed architect, attorney and property and casualty insurance agent.

Mr. Davis has over 15 years of experience in the Geothermal Resource and Environmental Consulting Industries. He specializes in resource exploration and development project management, well test planning and implementation, sampling of gases, liquids, and vapors, and 3-D conceptual model development as they pertain to resource evaluation and project due diligence. Mr. Davis has participated in all stages of geothermal project development including early-stage exploration, well-field development, and long-term reservoir management. His broad work experience across multiple disciplines in 15+ years with Geologica provides a practical understanding of all facets of geothermal resource development including geology, geophysics, geochemistry, conceptual modeling, well targeting and design, reservoir engineering, and conceptual power plant design. Mr. Davis has worked on geothermal projects in all stages of development in the Western US, Turkey, Central America, Eastern Europe, the South Pacific, Southeast Asia, East Africa, and the Caribbean.

After serving in the US Navy nuclear power field, Jay Egg began a career in mechanical design engineering & contracting. Now, as an expert consultant, Jay sits on several technical code committees internationally; notably the technical committee for the IAPMO Uniform Mechanical Code. Jay has co-authored two McGraw-Hill Textbooks focused on geothermal HVAC technologies and continues to write curriculum and lecture on the merits of Clean Heating and Cooling technologies.

Ms. Egg is a social media marketing consultant with a passion for writing and researching. She has overseen the social media accounts for multiple private and corporate organizations and is constantly learning new ways to understand and optimize demographic outreach and form beneficial business connections through social networking for her clients.

Mr. Johnson’s responsibility is to provide subsurface insights for the environmental impacts on groundwater from thermal exchange, and construction. His role as an environmental scientist includes hydrogeologic assessment, geochemical analysis, spatial analysis, pollutant dispersion modeling, environmental and permitting analysis, and economic assessment. Mr. Johnson’s experience includes environmental analysis for geothermal district energy systems, enterprise geodatabase management, and contaminant surveys.

Ms. Martin is a graduate student attending the Iceland School of Energy studying Sustainable Energy Engineering with a specialization in Geothermal. At the University of Colorado Boulder, she earned her bachelor’s in Environmental Engineering focusing on water resources and sanitation. Access to clean water and energy is critical. In her career, Ms. Martin hopes to combine her disciplines and design infrastructure for a sustainable future.

Mr. Knaak has been practicing law for nearly 45 years in Minnesota and 30 in Wisconsin and Colorado. He is the head of Municipal and Real Estate Development Law with Northstar Law Group. Mr. Knaak has tried cases and argued appeals throughout the country in both State and Federal Courts. For nearly that whole period he has been a city attorney. Past clients include the Minnesota cities of Fridley, Maplewood, Lake Elmo, Newport and Afton. He is currently city attorney for Ramsey and Taylors Falls, Minnesota, and continues to represent private clients on a variety of matters. Mr. Knaak also has considerable experience in litigation involving title insurance claims and title insurance. He served ten years in the Minnesota Senate, representing a district in the northeastern suburbs of the Twin Cities. Mr. Knaak was Special Counsel to the Minnesota Secretary of State in redistricting litigation and was lead counsel on the Senator Norm Coleman election recount. He is a frequent commentator on Twin City news programs on political matters and is a frequent guest political panelist of the Twin Cities Public Television Almanac program. Mr. Knaak also regularly teaches in national seminars on municipal law and has published a number of essays and articles on various topics. His article “Using Development Agreements to Further Environmental Ends: A Case Study” will be published this summer in the ABA’s Probate and Real Property Section magazine. Mr. Knaak earned his B.A. degree, summa cum laude, from John’s University, and his J.D. degree from the University of Minnesota Law School.

Ms. Land is a shareholder with LeVander, Gillen & Miller P.A. She concentrates her practice on municipal and governmental law, real estate and land use, and development. Ms. Land serves as city attorney for the cities of Cottage Grove, Stillwater, Hastings and Randolph. She is also general counsel to the South Metro Fire Department, a full-time joint fire department serving the cities of West St. Paul and South St. Paul. As a city attorney, Ms. Land has experience in several areas of municipal law including open meeting law, data practices, ordinances, employment, problem properties, land use, zoning/planning, economic development, residential development, public improvement projects, and all the issues that cities face on a daily basis. Ms. Land attended law school at William Mitchell College of Law in St. Paul, Minnesota, where she received her juris doctorate degree with honors. Before this, she received a bachelor’s degree in English and Spanish at Augustana College in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Ms. Land has been admitted to the bar in Minnesota, Wisconsin, and U.S. District Court District of Minnesota. She is a regular speaker at the Minnesota Association of City Attorneys’ annual conferences as well as at several other government organizations, speaking around the state on the topics surrounding general planning and zoning. Ms. Land volunteers her time atz Trinity Lutheran Church on various committees and is actively involved in We Do Feet, a program that collects and donates furniture and household items to those in need.

Mr. Lindgren is a licensed land surveyor in Minnesota, North Dakota, and South Dakota, and he has more than 20 years of professional experience in surveying and right of way. He has planned, directed and executed large- and small-scale surveys including freight and light rail projects, DOT corridors, and residential/commercial sites ranging in size from less than an acre to 300 acres. He has worked for small and medium-sized firms and served clients in the public and private sectors. He started his own firm in 2019 and performs surveys primarily in Minnesota.

Ms. Villari is a licensed land surveyor with Cornerstone Land Surveying in Stillwater, Minnesota. She has over 30 years of experience in a variety of survey practices and has served as president of the Minnesota Society of Professional Land Surveyors and local land surveying societies.

Mr. Vogel is a land surveyor with LHB, Inc.; past chair of the Minnesota Board of Architects, Engineers, Land Surveyors, Landscape Architects and Geoscientists (AELSLAGID); past president of the Minnesota Society of Professional Surveyors (MSPS) and president of his local Arrowhead Chapter of MSPS. He earned his bachelor of science degree in Chemistry at the University of Minnesota in 1991 with additional education in land surveying from Metropolitan State College of Denver, Colorado. He has taught survey coursework at both Lake Superior College as well as the University of Minnesota and enjoys helping better the understandings of the role of land surveyors in today’s society.

Mr. Hanrahan has more than 47 years of industry experience. In addition to presentations in Canada, Taiwan and the Dominican Republic, he has also presented at the national level for many organizations, including the International Erosion Control Association, the Land Improvement Contractors of America, the Geotechnical Fabrics Institute, the National Working Waterfront Network, and the American Water Works Association. Mr. Hanrahan’s articles have been published in many magazines, including Erosion Control, Land & Water, Geosynthetics, and Landscape Architect & Specifier News. He has produced webinars for the International Erosion Control Association, the International Association of Hydroseeding Professionals, the New York State Society of Professional Engineers, and Forester University. Mr. Hanrahan has also served as a guest lecturer at the University of Mississippi, Ohio Northern University, University of New England, and Vermont Technical College. He has also been active in industry organizations. He was national president of the International Management Council in 1991-92 and served four terms as president of the Northeast Chapter of the International Erosion Control Association. Mr. Hanrahan is also a member of the Senior Advisory Committee of Envirocert. He has developed and delivered training events throughout his career. From 2008 to the present, he has organized coastal erosion control training events up and down the New England Coast, with multiple seminars in Maine, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Connecticut. Event co-sponsors for these events have included the Maine Department of Environmental Protection, Maine Sea Grant, the Rhode Island Coastal Management Council, the University of Rhode Island Coastal Resources Center, Connecticut College, and Connecticut Sea Grant. Mr. Hanrahan has also assisted with the development of erosion control standards with the Illinois Tollway Authority, and the State Departments of Transportation in New Hampshire, Vermont, Maine, Oklahoma, Missouri, Arkansas, and Illinois.

Mr. Murphy has a broad practice grounded in all types of real estate matters. His litigation practice focuses on property law, including disputes involving title and boundary issues, easements, adverse possession and prescriptive easements; public and private road issues; title insurance claims; land use, zoning and Act 250; construction, condemnation and tax appeals. In the course of his practice, Mr. Murphy has represented landowners, developers, municipalities and neighborhood groups in matters before the United States District Court for the District of Vermont, the Vermont Supreme Court, Vermont Superior Courts, the Vermont Environmental Court, the Vermont Environmental Board, the Water Resources Board, multiple Act 250 District Environmental Commissions, and various municipal zoning and planning boards. His transactional practice focuses on representing property owners and developers to establish and manage their operating entities; to acquire, finance, permit, manage, lease and/or sell (including “1031 exchanges”) a wide variety of commercial, residential, hotel, recreational, office and shopping center properties; and to establish condominiums and common interest communities.

Ms. Narigon works as the legal counsel for the Department of Environmental Conversation’s Drinking Water & Groundwater Protection Division (DWGPD). She graduated with her J.D. degree from Vermont Law School in 2022, with a focus in energy law. Her role with the DWGPD involves creating and revising rules and regulations, and working with state and federal entities to develop approaches to contaminants of emerging concern within a water context. In particular, she works extensively with the Safe Drinking Water Act.

Mr. Patch is the Agriculture Climate and Land Use Policy Manager at the Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets (VAAFM). VAAFM facilitates, supports and encourages the growth and viability of agriculture in Vermont while protecting the working landscape, human health, animal health, plant health, consumers and the environment. Mr. Patch is the VAAFM designee to the Vermont Climate Council, Vermont Housing and Conservation Board, and the Current Use Advisory Board.

Mrs. Bannan, her responsibilities encompass evaluating federal grants and historical property titles while optimizing the company’s utilization and return on real property assets. Prior to her tenure at Union Pacific, she practiced as an oil and gas title attorney, specializing in federal title and compliance matters. She continues to offer her expertise to clients and collaborates with various law firms on special projects. Mrs. Bannan holds the distinguished role of incoming president for the Energy & Natural Resource Council of the Wyoming Bar Association, reflecting her deep commitment to education, community service, and volunteering. Mrs. Bannan holds an MBA degree from Regis University and a JD degree from the University of Wyoming. She is a registered professional landman and maintains an active membership in both the AAPL (American Association of Professional Landmen) and the WAPL (Wyoming Association of Professional Landmen), where she contributes to the scholarship committee. Mrs. Bannan’s dedication to education extends to her prior role as an adjunct professor at the University of Wyoming School of Energy Resources. During this time, she developed and instructed two new undergraduate core courses: “Introduction to Land Management” and “Senior Registered Landman Capstone” as part of the AAPL-certified Professional Land Management/Energy Management program.

Bettencourt, director at Fairfield & Woods, P.C., is an environmental, public land use, and natural resources attorney with over a decade of experience working on federal and state land issues in various states including in Colorado, Wyoming, North Dakota, Arizona, and Utah. She works with local governments, grazing associations, ranchers, and natural resource producers early on in the federal land use planning, permit, or project approval process to ensure clients’ interests are protected, they are building an appropriate administrative record for appeal, and that they are working cooperatively with the federal and state agencies involved in the decision-making process. She works closely with her clients to find legal, political, and practical solutions. This also includes advising clients and helping them obtain the necessary permits to graze livestock on federal land, to gain access to and across federal land, and for other special uses on federal land. When necessary, Ms. Bettencourt handles the related environmental and land use litigation involving the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), the Federal Land Policy and Management Act (FLPMA), the Endangered Species Act, the Clean Water Act (CWA), the Wild Free-Roaming Horses and Burros Act, the Wilderness Act, and the Mineral Leasing Act. She also has experience with Quiet Title Act litigation against the United States over title disputes to County roads, R.S. 2477 rights-of-way, and mineral and royalty interest on and across federal land.

Mr. Smith has more than three decades of experience as an attorney, in which he has successfully handled a number of complex water disputes, land use disputes, takings claims, and other issues. He has argued over 30 appeals to the Utah Supreme Court. Mr. Smith has represented public and private parties in takings claims arising from land use decisions, represented numerous water users in successful settlement of instream flow claims on the San Rafael River, and won appeals for municipalities and water entities before the Utah and New Mexico Supreme Courts. His most notable projects include securing the water rights for Duchesne City through an act of Congress, successfully entitling and securing water rights for a multimillion-dollar resort in Kane County, and creating the first municipal natural gas utility in Utah. He is licensed to practice in Utah, Wyoming, and the District of Columbia. Mr. Smith earned his B.A. degree, magna cum laude, from Bringham Young University, and his J.D. degree, cum laude, from Bringham Young University.

Mr. Stump provides water rights and water resources planning and engineering expertise to public, mining, energy, and agricultural clients throughout Wyoming. Mr. Stump has led many successful teams completing diverse water infrastructure projects, meeting client needs while addressing regulatory requirements. Prior to joining HDR he served as North Platte coordinator for the Wyoming State Engineer’s Office and served with the Water Quality Division of the Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality.