product

Professor White’s 48 years’ experience in the electrical industry and his 25 years of teaching apprentices and CEU courses for electrical contractors, architects and engineers has provided perspectives he enjoys sharing. Professor White has written and revised more than 150 college course syllabi. He transitioned the entire skilled trades catalog of courses from quarter hours to semester hours. Professor White has created and changed numerous college programs of study for associate degrees and various trade certificates. He has taught for IEC Central Ohio, Columbus State Community College, and most recently Midlands Technical College Columbia, South Carolina. He has also been teaching CEU seminars for various training agencies and private companies since 2007. Professor White has a strong understanding of the National Electrical Code and tries to create interactions with seminar attendees. Regarding electrical system design, he has completed more than 100 projects including simple single buildings, multiple occupancy strips, and multi-use buildings.

Mr. Barger’s practice focuses on environmental, land use, natural resources, regulatory, and zoning law. He has experience representing clients both in court and before administrative agencies such as the Ohio EPA and the Ohio Department of Natural Resources. Prior work experience includes employment by companies in the mining and gas industries. Mr. Barger is a member of the National Stone Sand & Gravel Association’s Council of Counsels, the Ohio Aggregates and Industrial Minerals Association, the Ohio Farm Bureau’s Healthy Water Ohio work group, the Ohio Forestry Association, the Ohio Water Resources Advisory Group and the American, Ohio State and Columbus Bar Associations.

John Gardella is a co-owner of CMBG3 Law and a trial attorney with over 19 years of environmental litigation experience and over 75 cases tried to verdict. He is chair of the firm’s PFAS practice group and represents companies in PFAS litigation, including class action, pollution, injury and medical monitoring cases. He represents a defendant in the AFFF MDL, as well as companies involved in PFAS litigation in state and federal courts. For his work in environmental and PFAS related matters, Mr. Gardella was recognized in 2023 as one of the top 20 environmental lawyers in Massachusetts. In addition to his litigation work, Mr. Gardella guides companies through PFAS compliance needs, including compliance with state-level product reporting obligations, TSCA and TRI reporting, and numerous other U.S. federal, state and E.U. specific PFAS regulations. He assists companies with risk assessment efforts related to PFAS, including developing diligence programs internally to minimize future compliance and litigation risks. Mr. Gardella is a frequent speaker and author on the subject of PFAS, and is regularly sought after for his thought leadership by media, including Bloomberg, Wall Street Journal, and the Washington Post.

Dr. Sawyer is a professor with The Ohio State University, School of Earth Sciences. Her main areas of expertise include hydrogeology, surface water-groundwater interactions, and coastal hydrology. Dr. Sawyer and her research group focus on understanding interactions between surface water and groundwater in streams, rivers, estuaries, and coasts. The team also focuses on determining hydrologic controls on the movement of nutrients, contaminants, and heat in watersheds. Dr. Sawyer earned her Ph.D. from the University of Texas-Austin.

Stuart Smith’s interest in ground water (groundwater) dates back to his teenage years when, while pulling and setting pumps for his father’s rural Ohio plumbing business, he literally had the black and brown products of well microorganisms on his hands. Later, that experience led to his pioneering work in the application of biofouling testing methods in groundwater system analysis. He also listened to the water cascading in the rock wells of his Ohio home country and wondered about the flow of water underground. Today, Mr. Smith is one the nation’s foremost experts on the diagnosis and treatment of well problems and performance deterioration, and well and wellfield asset management. He is a Certified Ground Water Professional (CGWP) by the National Ground Water Association, a Registered Geologist with the Commonwealth of Kentucky (he would have an Ohio registration if there were one), and has been consulting in the ground water field since 1983. In addition to his consulting career, he has also worked for the National Water Well Association (now NGWA), developed the curriculum and instructed ground water science and technology at Wright State University (where he developed portions of the WSU IRIS distance-learning hydrogeology training program), and taught biology courses and advised hydrogeological engineering projects at Ohio Northern University. He has spoken on well maintenance and asset management, rehabilitation, and microbiology topics in Argentina, Australia, Belgium, England, Tanzania, Slovenia, Jordan, and throughout North America. In recent years, he has become active in the effort to equip professional water sector capabilities and to develop water supplies in Tanzania and other developing countries. He is currently also a partner in a water management and construction company, Ground+Water Tanzania Ltd. and its Ohio-corporation affiliate Earth Water Services Africa LLC. He is the author or co-author of numerous works, including contributions to well maintenance and rehabilitation practice, most recently in book form, he and Allen Comeskey have contributed Sustainable Wells: Maintenance, Problem Prevention, and Rehabilitation (CRC Press). He is also a coauthor of both the 1992 Australian Drilling Manual and the 1997 edition of its successor, Drilling (CRC Press), a major contributor to AWWA’s Manual M21, Groundwater (two editions) and ASCE’s recent Hydraulics of Wells text, and a principal author-editor of NGWA’s Manual of Water Well Construction Practices, as well as contributing to the Water Well Journal, National Driller, GeoDrilling International and other publications. Mr. Smith earned a Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree with majors in Biology and Earth Science from Wittenberg University in 1977 and a Master of Science (MS) degree from The Ohio State University in 1984.

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.

Attorney – Krugliak, Wilkins, Griffiths & Dougherty – Canfield, OH
Matthew Onest has more than nine years’ experience protecting the interests of manufacturers, businesses of all sizes, property owners, and energy companies in all aspects of civil litigation. He has significant trial experience in many courts in the State of Ohio. Matthew is also a member of the firm’s litigation and appellate practice group and has successfully handled appellate cases before the Ohio Supreme Court, and Ohio’s Fifth, Seventh, Ninth, Eleventh, and Twelfth District Courts of Appeal. Matthew also practices in several federal courts throughout the United States. Though experienced in a wide variety of legal matters, Matthew focuses his practice mainly in energy litigation, business litigation, and real estate litigation.   

Matthew is also a member of the firm’s oil and gas practice group and has successfully represented companies and landowners in many aspects, including civil litigation, arbitration, and administrative proceedings before the Public Utilities Commission and the Ohio Oil and Gas Commission. Matthew has experience negotiating oil and gas contracts and other energy-related agreements, including leases and easements.

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 the architectural profession. He is a licensed architect, attorney and property and casualty insurance agent. 

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.

“Excellence Comes Standard” is the phrase that comes to mind when thinking about Edward L. Littlejohn, Jr. He is constantly working to improve his clients’ experiences with his law firm and raising the bar on the quality of services that his office provides.

Mr. Littlejohn believes that hard-working people deserve unparalleled legal services—especially in difficult times. He learned early on in the practice of law that the more information his clients have, the better decisions they can make. And people who are in the difficult situations need access to information so that they can make a well-informed decision. Focusing on Real Estate, Business, Estate Planning, and Personal Injury has allowed him to become well-versed in each area.

Most people who meet Attorney Edward Littlejohn, ask if he’s related to the “karate guy,” or they wonder why he keeps calling them “sir or ma’am.” Well, it’s his martial arts teaching of Discipline and Respect, which is also something that sets him apart from other attorneys.

Mr. Ockner’s practice focuses primarily on zoning, land use, and real estate litigation, and business litigation. Along with Sheldon Berns, Mr. Ockner has been instrumental in obtaining successful outcomes in several major zoning and land use cases in the Ohio Supreme Court, including Goldberg Companies, Inc. v. Council of the City of Richmond Heights, 81 Ohio St.3d 207, 690 N.E.2d 510 (1998), which reestablished that the United States Supreme Court’s standard for determining the constitutional validity of zoning ordinances set forth in Village of Euclid v. Ambler Realty Co. applied in Ohio; State ex rel. Shemo v. Mayfield Heights, 95 Ohio St.3d 59 (2002), which established that property owners in Ohio may recover compensation from a municipality for the diminution in value of property during the time a municipality has enforced an unconstitutional zoning regulation against the property; State ex rel. Commt. for the Referendum of Ord. No. 3844-02 v. Norris, 99 Ohio St.3d 336 (2003), which overruled the Ohio Supreme Court’s earlier decision in State ex rel. Crossman Communities of Ohio, Inc. v. Greene Cty. Bd. of Elections, 87 Ohio St.3d 132 (1999), with respect to the proper treatment of planned unit developments; State ex rel. Webb v. Bliss, 99 Ohio St.3d 166 (2003); State, ex rel. Shemo v. Mayfield Heights, 93 Ohio St.3d 1 (2001); Shemo v. Mayfield Heights, 88 Ohio St.3d 7 (2000); and Jones v. Chagrin Falls, 77 Ohio St. 456 (1997).

Mr. Ockner has represented numerous local and national property owners and developers regarding zoning and land use issues throughout Ohio. Since the enactment of the Telecommunications Act of 1996, Mr. Ockner has represented numerous national telecommunications companies in the deployment of their wireless telecommunications networks in Ohio, including administrative proceedings and litigation in the Federal and State Courts of Ohio, and in a variety of other disputes pertaining to those companies’ wireless telecommunications sites. Mr. Ockner has also represented several non-profit organizations in their efforts to develop facilities for assisted living, supportive housing, and services for unhoused youth and young adults.

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 the architectural profession. He is a licensed architect, attorney and property and casualty insurance agent. 

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. 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.

Dr. Govind has worked on biological treatment of wastewater for the past 35 years. He has been a principal investigator of research funded by the USEPA, and he has published several papers and presented papers on this topic at National and International Conferences. He founded PRD Tech in 2004 to advance applications of his research for industrial wastewater treatment and NextGen Septic in 2018 to install advanced septic tanks for single family houses and communities. Over 200 such advanced treatment systems are currently operating in Kentucky and Ohio. Recently, Dr. Rakesh Govind has been working with the Government of India and companies in India, US and Europe to advance ultrafine bubble biomedia reactor (UFBBR) Technology which uses nanobubbles of 90% oxygen and a proprietary, high-surface area moving biomedia to reduce treatment time and hence plant size, and achieve 40% energy reduction, over 80% waste sludge production and 30% capital cost reduction compared to current technologies of moving ned bioreactor (MBBR) and membrane bioreactor (MBR) processes. 

Mr. Gregory is a Professor Emeritus of Civil Engineering Technology and former Department Head at Purdue University Northwest in Hammond, Indiana. He is registered as a professional surveyor in Indiana and Illinois and consults as a Project Surveyor at Abonmarche through their Hobart, Indiana office. Mr. Gregory has presented numerous seminars on various land surveying topics to professional land surveyors, surveying technicians, attorneys, title company officials, and real estate professionals through various settings. He is a member of the Indiana Society of Professional Land Surveyors (ISPLS), the Illinois Professional Land Surveyors Association (IPLSA), and the National Society of Professional Surveyors (NSPS). Mr. Gregory previously served on the ISPLS Board of Directors and is a past society president. He currently serves on the Board of Directors of NSPS and chairs the NSPS Education Committee.

Judge Hillyer, Ret. is a Partner with Connolly, Hillyer & Ong, Inc., and Connolly, Hillyer and Welch Title Services. Judge Hillyer is a retired Judge with Tuscarawas County Court, Southern District in Uhrichsville, Ohio. He has more than 45 years of experience in mineral oil and gas law, and is legal counsel for multiple mineral, oil and gas companies.

Ms. Kramb is an architectural historian who has practiced throughout Ohio for over 28 years. She is passionate about history whether working in the Section 106 realm through her consulting business, sitting on state and local preservation boards, volunteering with her local historical society, or serving as a local council member. Ms. Kramb earned her B. A. degree from The Ohio State University and her J.D. degree from Capital University Law School.

Mr. Kuhl’s practice focuses on commercial litigation and real estate litigation, including land use and eminent domain. Mr. Kuhl also represents clients in intellectual property matters, including copyright infringement, Lanham Act actions and trade secret claims. He has tried cases in state and federal courts throughout the country and has represented clients in arbitration proceedings before the American Arbitration Association and the International Centre for Dispute Resolution. Mr. Kuhl received his J.D. magna cum laude from Capital University Law School, where he was a member of the Order of the Curia. He received his B.B.A. from Ohio University where he studied Management Information Systems.

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 the architectural profession. He is a licensed architect, attorney and property and casualty insurance agent. 

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 been 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. 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 the architectural profession. He is a licensed architect, attorney and property and casualty insurance agent. 

Nick Cavalaris Partner, Kohrman Jackson & Krantz LLP
Mr. Cavalaris is an attorney in KJK’s Real Estate practice group. His background emphasizes his work in zoning and land use, general litigation, municipal law and business law. Having obtained a wealth of knowledge and experience throughout his career, he assists his clients through the complexities of the land entitlement process and provides innovative solutions to enable clients to realize their goals in various types of transactions. Beginning his legal career serving as an Assistant City Attorney in Columbus, Ohio, Mr. Cavalaris later entered the private practice of law where he has served as a partner in top tier Columbus law firms. As Corporate Counsel, he has served as General Counsel for a multi-state engineering, architectural and planning firm as well as an industry leading marketing and media firm. Recently, he served as Senior Vice President for a multi-state capital company managing a subsidiary and implementing a nationwide strategy to acquire and develop locations. Since 2015, Mr. Cavalris has served as an adjunct instructor at The Ohio State University teaching business law. Additionally, he has presented a number of government training seminars on behalf of the Ohio Auditor of State and the Ohio Municipal League. Mr. Cavalaris is a member of the Columbus and Ohio State Bar Associations and was elected to two terms as a member of the German Village Society Board of Trustees where he served as Treasurer. Nick received his Juris Doctorate from Loyola University of Chicago School of Law and his Bachelor of Arts from Miami University. 

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 been 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. 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 the architectural profession. He is a licensed architect, attorney and property and casualty insurance agent. 

Mr. Barger’s practice focuses on environmental, land use, natural resources, regulatory, and zoning law. He has experience representing clients both in court and before administrative agencies such as the Ohio EPA and the Ohio Department of Natural Resources. Prior work experience includes employment by companies in the mining and gas industries. Mr. Barger is a member of the National Stone Sand & Gravel Association’s Council of Counsels, the Ohio Aggregates and Industrial Minerals Association, the Ohio Farm Bureau’s Healthy Water Ohio work group, the Ohio Forestry Association, the Ohio Water Resources Advisory Group and the American, Ohio State and Columbus Bar Associations.

Shumaker
A management-side attorney for more than 10 years, Ms. Budzynski counsels clients on day-to-day environmental compliance and other administrative issues at their facilities. Clients draw on the fact she frequently works with Ohio Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), U.S. EPA, and the Ohio River Valley Water Sanitation Commission regarding environmental regulations, thus allowing her to effectively and efficiently advise clients on regulations on both the state and federal levels. She has sought changes to regulations that impact business by providing input to regulatory agencies and, if necessary, appealing the regulations.

John A. Heer Supervising Attorney at Fair Shake Environmental Legal Services in Cleveland, OH 
Mr. Heer has almost 30 years of experience practicing litigation, transactional, regulatory and environmental law, including experience with traditional environmental issues relating to the Clean Water Act, Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA), the Clean Air Act, the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA), the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, the Rodenticide Act (FIFRA), the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA), brownfields, wetlands and stormwater. He also has experience across North America with sustainability and chemical management. He is also a certified ISO 14001:2004 EHS auditor. Mr. Heer earned his J.D. degree, cum laude, from Case Western Reserve University School of Law, where he earned the Lewis F. Powell, Jr. Excellence in Advocacy Award on the National Mock Trial team. He received a B.A. degree in Criminal Justice and Psychology from Indiana University. 

O’Toole McLaughlin Dooley Pecora
Mr. O’Toole is a trial lawyer and senior partner of the law firm O’Toole, McLaughlin, Dooley & Pecora Co., LPA and he has been in practice for 47 years. He has handled a wide variety of civil cases as part of a multi-state practice based on Northern Ohio, concentrating his practice in civil litigation and public sector law, with particular emphasis on water rights litigation, matters involving employment issues, and environmental disputes. He is general counsel for a number of regional rural water authorities, including Northern Ohio Rural Water, Jefferson County Water and Sewer District, and Lorain County Rural Waste Water District. Mr. O’Toole also serves as general counsel for the Ohio Rural Water Association and works with many rural water associations and their general counsel throughout the United States. Mr. O’Toole is recognized as a national authority on 1926(b) litigation under the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act of 1961, and he frequently lectures on the subject throughout the United States. He also serves as special counsel to numerous municipalities and counties throughout Ohio and also to regional water and sewer districts throughout the United States.

Land Solutions, LLC
Ms. Paschke is a principal at Land Solutions, LLC with a focus on environmental resource studies and permitting related to a variety of land development transportation, and infrastructure projects. Ms. Paschke is a senior environmental scientist with a demonstrated history of working in the environmental consulting industry. Skilled in water resource management, environmental awareness, stream restoration, wetlands, permitting and regulatory compliance and NEPA. Ms. Paschke is a strong technical and research professional with a masters of education (M.Ed.) degree focused in Natural Resources Conservation and Research from Gannon University.

Ms. Davis-Maddy is a reputable trial lawyer in the commercial, healthcare, environmental and water law sectors. Although primarily a litigator, she practice is full service—assisting her clients and their needs that span the employment, commercial, real property, regulatory and administrative fields. Ms. Davis-Maddy healthcare practice includes advising physicians and other licensed providers regarding corporate, administrative and litigation issues, while her environmental practice focuses on interacting with state and federal agencies to provide her clients with the outcomes they desire. Most recently, She has obtained favorable results for clients in state and federal licensure and certification actions, including with the Department of Environmental Quality and Oklahoma State Board of Medical Licensure and Supervision. Ms. Davis-Maddy is an accomplished water attorney, regularly assisting clients in asserting, obtaining and protecting their water rights in court or at state agencies. Her clients include small and large municipalities, corporations, landowners and family farmers.

Mr. Harvey is a licensed professional land surveyor with experience in project management with a demonstrated history of working in the civil engineering industry for almost 29 years. He is skilled in highways, subdivisions, ALTA/design surveys, construction, as-builts, and right of way acquisition. Mr. Harvey is a project management professional from Oklahoma State University-Oklahoma City and has primarily worked with utility companies over the past five years to help acquire right of way.

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 the architectural profession. He is a licensed architect, attorney and property and casualty insurance agent. 

Ms. Pence was born and raised in Tulsa and chose to build her law practice in her home town. She has numerous and varied experiences in the legal field from working for multiple judges at the Tulsa County Courthouse prior to attending law school, to working in a medium-sized insurance defense firm, to striking out on her own in 2012 to form a small law firm. Ms. Pence then founded Pence Law Firm as a solo practitioner, which opened its doors on January 1, 2016. She is an active member of the Oklahoma Bar Association and the Tulsa County Bar Association. Ms. Pence is currently serving as the chairperson of the Law School/Mentoring Committee of the Tulsa County Bar Association. She was chosen from applicants throughout the State of Oklahoma to participate in the Oklahoma Leadership Academy for the Oklahoma Bar Association as a rising leader in the legal profession.

Mr. Ward began surveying with his father in 1972 and became the crew chief for an engineering boundary surveying firm in 1984. He was licensed in Colorado in 1989 and in Oklahoma in 2015. Mr. Ward was the lead surveyor for Glenwood Canyon “Hanging Lakes Tunnels”, and I-70 bridge, 1989. In 1990, he was elected Grand County Surveyor which is a role he still has today. He has worked as consultant to the Colorado State Board of Registration for Professional Engineers and Professional Land Surveyors, 1994 to 1998, and has testified to an administrative court judge on behalf of State Board of Registration in several court actions against land surveyors as an expert witness. In addition to this, as a County Surveyor, he was admitted as an expert witness and testified on behalf of Grand County in several lawsuits and admitted as an expert witness in several private surveyor lawsuits. Mr. Ward is currently member of National Society of Professional Surveyors (NSPS) Trig-Star Committee, and he has written all text and coordinated construction of four displays currently at the Four Corners Monument, which describes the history of the survey of the Four Corners Monument, the only place in the U.S. where four States meet, and also where two Indian Reservations meet. Mr. Warren was the recipient of “Key Governor” award for 2010, NSPS and is currently an instructor for PLSC’s “Refresher Course”.

Mr. Speck serves as associate professor and Paralegal Program Coordinator at Tulsa Community College, where he is dedicated to advancing paralegal education and promoting access to justice. Mr. Speck’s academic credentials include a J.D. degree from Southern Illinois University and both B.A. and M.A. degrees in Philosophy from the University of Oklahoma.

In addition to his academic role, Mr. Speck is of counsel at C. Craig Cole & Associates, where he represents clients in state and federal courts, administrative bodies, and arbitration and mediation proceedings. His practice areas encompass commercial and consumer litigation, insurance defense, employment law, contract disputes, premises liability, personal injury, and landlord-tenant matters. Mr. Speck is admitted to practice in Oklahoma, as well as the U.S. District Courts for the Western and Eastern Districts of Oklahoma and the U.S. Bankruptcy Courts for the Western and Northern Districts of Oklahoma. He is an active member of both the Oklahoma County and Oklahoma Bar Associations. Mr. Speck’s scholarly contributions include co-authoring an article on Washington’s limited license legal technicians and their impact on access to justice, published in the Tulsa Lawyer.

Mr. West’s practice encompasses a variety of legal areas including family law, guardian ad litem work, civil litigation, estate planning, and municipal law. Mr. West attended Texas Christian University and graduated summa cum laude with a Bachelor of Science in Political Science and Psychology in 2015. He was a member of the John V. Roach Honors College and the TCU Wesley Foundation. Mr. West worked as an extern at the Oklahoma County District Attorney’s Office before working as a legal intern for NICHOLS | DIXON. He passed the bar in 2018 and became an associate attorney. Mr. West is licensed to practice law in all municipal and state courts, the Western District of Oklahoma, and several tribal courts. He is invested in his legal community and served on the Cleveland County Bar Association Executive Board, including as president for the 2022-2023 term. Mr. West has been named a Super Lawyers Rising Star for 2023 and 2024 following nomination and voting by his peers. He also currently serves on the Board of Governors for the Oklahoma Bar Association.

EMS specializes in assisting property owners to achieve their development due diligence, environmental design and regulatory compliance goals. Areas of performance include: On-Site Waste-Water Treatment, Site & Soils Evaluation, Wetland Delineation & Mitigation, Drainage and a wide range of environmental consulting services. Mr. Sweeney is a board member of the National Onsite Wastewater Recycling Association (NOWRA) and the current Chair of the Technical Practices Committee. He is in the process of starting the Nevada Onsite Sustainable Technology for Recycling Association (NOSTRA). Mr. Sweeney is also a former Board Member of the Oregon Onsite Wastewater Association (O2WA), and Former President of the Washington On-Site Sewage Association (WOSSA).He earned his B.S. degree from Portland State University, Master of Science in Management from Marylhurst University, and his MBA from Veteran Entrepreneurial Training & Resource Network.

Professor Rahmeyer was on the faculty at USU for 31 years and spent 10 years as research faculty at Colorado State University. Professor Rahmeyer is the past Department Head of Civil and Environmental Engineering at USU as well as the senior professor of the Hydraulics and Fluid Mechanics program of the Utah Water Research Laboratory. He also served at USU as the director of the Hydro Composite Modeling Program, the division head of Water Engineering, the interim division head of both the Structures Division and the Transportation Division, and as the Undergraduate Curriculum division head. Professor Rahmeyer is currently working part time as a senior associate for Ayres and associates in Fort Collins Colorado, where his primary role is to conduct national workshops in hydraulics, culvert flow, and urban drainage for the National Hydraulic Institute of FWHA. He is a fellow and lifetime member in the American Society of Civil Engineers. Professor Rahmeyer has been a member of several professional societies, and serve on committees for the American Society of Engineering Educators (ASEE), the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), the International Association of Hydraulic Research (IAHR), the Association of State Dam Safety Officers (ASDSO), the Instrument Society of America (ISA), the American Water Works Association (AWWA), the International Erosion Control Association (IECA), and the American Society of Heating and Refrigeration Association (ASHRAE). He has regularly attended and presented at the annual conferences of ASDSO, ASEE, ASCE, IAHR, ASCE National Department Heads, and the Transportation Research Board (TRB). In the past, he has been a member of the United States Committee on Large Dams (USCOLD) and the International Committee on Large Dams (ICOLD). Over the last several years, Professor Rahmeyer has created and presented a workshop on open channel flow for HalfMoon Education and finished serving on the Bluestone Dam UASCE IEPA and on several 100% DDR review panels for the USACE. He has been on the board of directors for the Utah Floodplain and Storm Water Management Association since 1986. Professor Rahmeyer was a member the 2008 Bettelle “Final Independent Peer Review Report for U.S. Army Corps of Engineers on the Vegetation Policy for Local Flood Damage Reduction Systems” which reviewed many of the guidelines and policies for management of levees, floodwalls, embankment dams, and appurtenant structures. Some of his recent awards include the AHRAE Technical/Symposium Paper Award, the ASHRAE Crosby Field Award for Research, and the South Pacific Division Regional Project Delivery Team Award from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. He has received the Idaho Transportation Department 2012 Excellence in Transportation Award and the 2011 ACEC of Idaho Engineering Excellence Grand Award for the I-84 New York Canal Modeling and Modification. Professor Rahmeyer further received an honorable mention at the 2012 National AECE award ceremonies for his work with the I-84 New York Canal.

Professor Rahmeyer was on the faculty at USU for 31 years and spent 10 years as research faculty at Colorado State University. Professor Rahmeyer is the past Department Head of Civil and Environmental Engineering at USU as well as the senior professor of the Hydraulics and Fluid Mechanics program of the Utah Water Research Laboratory. He also served at USU as the director of the Hydro Composite Modeling Program, the division head of Water Engineering, the interim division head of both the Structures Division and the Transportation Division, and as the Undergraduate Curriculum division head. Professor Rahmeyer is currently working part time as a senior associate for Ayres and associates in Fort Collins Colorado, where his primary role is to conduct national workshops in hydraulics, culvert flow, and urban drainage for the National Hydraulic Institute of FWHA. He is a fellow and lifetime member in the American Society of Civil Engineers. Professor Rahmeyer has been a member of several professional societies, and serve on committees for the American Society of Engineering Educators (ASEE), the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), the International Association of Hydraulic Research (IAHR), the Association of State Dam Safety Officers (ASDSO), the Instrument Society of America (ISA), the American Water Works Association (AWWA), the International Erosion Control Association (IECA), and the American Society of Heating and Refrigeration Association (ASHRAE). He has regularly attended and presented at the annual conferences of ASDSO, ASEE, ASCE, IAHR, ASCE National Department Heads, and the Transportation Research Board (TRB). In the past, he has been a member of the United States Committee on Large Dams (USCOLD) and the International Committee on Large Dams (ICOLD). Over the last several years, Professor Rahmeyer has created and presented a workshop on open channel flow for HalfMoon Education and finished serving on the Bluestone Dam UASCE IEPA and on several 100% DDR review panels for the USACE. He has been on the board of directors for the Utah Floodplain and Storm Water Management Association since 1986. Professor Rahmeyer was a member the 2008 Bettelle “Final Independent Peer Review Report for U.S. Army Corps of Engineers on the Vegetation Policy for Local Flood Damage Reduction Systems” which reviewed many of the guidelines and policies for management of levees, floodwalls, embankment dams, and appurtenant structures. Some of his recent awards include the AHRAE Technical/Symposium Paper Award, the ASHRAE Crosby Field Award for Research, and the South Pacific Division Regional Project Delivery Team Award from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. He has received the Idaho Transportation Department 2012 Excellence in Transportation Award and the 2011 ACEC of Idaho Engineering Excellence Grand Award for the I-84 New York Canal Modeling and Modification. Professor Rahmeyer further received an honorable mention at the 2012 National AECE award ceremonies for his work with the I-84 New York Canal.

Professor Rahmeyer was on the faculty at USU for 31 years and spent 10 years as research faculty at Colorado State University. Professor Rahmeyer is the past Department Head of Civil and Environmental Engineering at USU as well as the senior professor of the Hydraulics and Fluid Mechanics program of the Utah Water Research Laboratory. He also served at USU as the director of the Hydro Composite Modeling Program, the division head of Water Engineering, the interim division head of both the Structures Division and the Transportation Division, and as the Undergraduate Curriculum division head. Professor Rahmeyer is currently working part time as a senior associate for Ayres and associates in Fort Collins Colorado, where his primary role is to conduct national workshops in hydraulics, culvert flow, and urban drainage for the National Hydraulic Institute of FWHA. He is a fellow and lifetime member in the American Society of Civil Engineers. Professor Rahmeyer has been a member of several professional societies, and serve on committees for the American Society of Engineering Educators (ASEE), the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), the International Association of Hydraulic Research (IAHR), the Association of State Dam Safety Officers (ASDSO), the Instrument Society of America (ISA), the American Water Works Association (AWWA), the International Erosion Control Association (IECA), and the American Society of Heating and Refrigeration Association (ASHRAE). He has regularly attended and presented at the annual conferences of ASDSO, ASEE, ASCE, IAHR, ASCE National Department Heads, and the Transportation Research Board (TRB). In the past, he has been a member of the United States Committee on Large Dams (USCOLD) and the International Committee on Large Dams (ICOLD). Over the last several years, Professor Rahmeyer has created and presented a workshop on open channel flow for HalfMoon Education and finished serving on the Bluestone Dam UASCE IEPA and on several 100% DDR review panels for the USACE. He has been on the board of directors for the Utah Floodplain and Storm Water Management Association since 1986. Professor Rahmeyer was a member the 2008 Bettelle “Final Independent Peer Review Report for U.S. Army Corps of Engineers on the Vegetation Policy for Local Flood Damage Reduction Systems” which reviewed many of the guidelines and policies for management of levees, floodwalls, embankment dams, and appurtenant structures. Some of his recent awards include the AHRAE Technical/Symposium Paper Award, the ASHRAE Crosby Field Award for Research, and the South Pacific Division Regional Project Delivery Team Award from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. He has received the Idaho Transportation Department 2012 Excellence in Transportation Award and the 2011 ACEC of Idaho Engineering Excellence Grand Award for the I-84 New York Canal Modeling and Modification. Professor Rahmeyer further received an honorable mention at the 2012 National AECE award ceremonies for his work with the I-84 New York Canal.

Chris Naidu has more than 10 years of experience in drainage and flood control projects throughout New Mexico. His experience includes preparation of drainage management plans (DMP), hydrologic analysis, hydraulic analysis of flood control structures, sediment transport, and scour analysis for unlined arroyos and bridge structures. Using modeling/analysis software, Mr. Naidu produces high quality hydrologic and hydraulic models. He has a proven record of preparing easy-to-understand reports and corresponding maps and figures. He has prepared hydrographs and analyzed storm drains, weirs, pump stations, and detention/surge ponds. Additional skills include preparation of plan specifications, bidding and construction plans, cost estimates, and bidding services. He is familiar with Arc Geographic Information System (ArcGIS); Hydrologic Engineering Center (HEC) Hydrologic Modeling System, HEC Geospatial Hydrologic Modeling Extension (geoHMS0), HEC River Analysis System(HEC-RAS), US Environmental Protection Agency Storm Water Management Model (EPA SWMM), StormCad, and CulvertMaster.

Chris Naidu has more than 10 years of experience in drainage and flood control projects throughout New Mexico. His experience includes preparation of drainage management plans (DMP), hydrologic analysis, hydraulic analysis of flood control structures, sediment transport, and scour analysis for unlined arroyos and bridge structures. Using modeling/analysis software, Mr. Naidu produces high quality hydrologic and hydraulic models. He has a proven record of preparing easy-to-understand reports and corresponding maps and figures. He has prepared hydrographs and analyzed storm drains, weirs, pump stations, and detention/surge ponds. Additional skills include preparation of plan specifications, bidding and construction plans, cost estimates, and bidding services. He is familiar with Arc Geographic Information System (ArcGIS); Hydrologic Engineering Center (HEC) Hydrologic Modeling System, HEC Geospatial Hydrologic Modeling Extension (geoHMS0), HEC River Analysis System(HEC-RAS), US Environmental Protection Agency Storm Water Management Model (EPA SWMM), StormCad, and CulvertMaster.

Mr. Dickinson is one of the world’s leading experts in wastewater and urban drainage modeling. He has 50 years of experience in software development and management of wastewater and stormwater planning and design projects. A principal developer of the industry-standard and FEMA-certified SWMM5 software, he has a distinguished background in computational hydraulics and high-level simulation programming. Mr. Dickinson has a unique combination of proven project engineering expertise; management skills and high-level technical capabilities that is coveted in the stormwater industry. He has an impressive record of leadership, impeccable reputation, a key role in the USEPA Storm Water Management Model (SWMM5) redevelopment program, strong expertise in both numerical methods and hydrology/hydraulics, and in-depth knowledge of the wastewater industry. Mr. Dickinson has worked closely with product development teams and clients, helping communities around the world manage urban runoff and wet weather water quality problems in combined, sanitary and storm sewers and protect the ecological health of our waterways.