Conference Speaker Bios
Walid Alali
East Tennessee State University
Professor
423-251-7754
Dr. Walid Alali is a Professor Infectious Disease Epidemiology in the Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology of College of Public Health at East Tennessee State University. His academic interests are in One Health approach to zoonotic diseases.
Jeffrey Barrie
Tennessee Environmental Council
CEO
615-438-5060
Jeffrey has devoted his 32-year career to advancing sustainability. He began this journey in 1993 upon graduating from UCLA with a B.A. Honors degree in Geography and Environmental Studies. Jeffrey steered his love of filmmaking toward the cause of environmental solutions and sustainability, and he produced numerous award-winning eco-documentaries about environmental solutions. The most notable documentary was Kilowatt Ours which has been distributed globally since 2008. Jeffrey's sweet spot lies in leveraging effective documentary storytelling, combined with grassroots organizing and public strategies to lead to positive changes in the world. Jeffrey has worked for TEC since 2014 and has served as CEO since 2019.
Ken Barry
Civil & Environmental Consultants, Inc.
Principal
865-804-1481
Ken Barry, PE, BC WRE, F ASCE is a Principal with Civil & Environmental Consultants, Inc. in Knoxville. He has over 40 years of experience in civil, water resource, and environmental engineering projects. He has a BS Civil Engineering from Tenn Tech & a MS Environmental Engineering from Clemson.
Jejal Bathi
University of Tennessee at Chattanooga
Professor
423-425-2789
Dr. Bathi is a faculty member of civil engineering at UT Chattanooga. He has over 20 years of experience in research, engineering, and teaching with a primary focus on stormwater management.
Claudia Bible Tolson
Civil & Environmental Consultants, Inc.
Project Consultant
865-314-1173
Claudia is a part of CEC Knoxville's water resources group. She has earned a BS and MS degree from the University of Tennessee's Civil & Environmental Engineering Department. Her work includes 1D and 2D hydraulic modeling; FEMA NFIP permitting; and stormwater system planning, analysis, and design.
Lyndon Bussel
City of McMinnville
Public Works Director
931-414-2077
Lyndon Bussell is the Director of Public Works for the City of McMinnville. Through grant funding, Lyndon is leading multiple stormwater projects that combine water quality, quantity, and education into interactive parks. Also, he has created the stormwater utility for the city that is up for vote.
Ben Butler
Civil & Environmental Consultants, Inc.
Project Manager
615-477-0600
Ben Butler recently joined CEC and has 9 years of industry experience. His expertise includes hydrologic and hydraulic modeling, complex drainage basin analysis, floodplain management, and BMP design. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Civil Engineering from The University of Alabama.
Jennifer Byrd
CDM Smith
Remediation Engineer
770-313-5807
Jennifer is a remediation engineer with 22 years of experience specializing in assessment and remediation of emerging contaminants including PFAS and 1,4-dioxane.
Janey Camp
University of Memphis
Research Professor, Civil Engineering
615-500-9960
Dr. Camp is a licensed civil engineer, a certified GIS Professional, and certified floodplain manager in the state of Tennessee. Dr. Camp’s research utilizes tools and models to address today’s challenging issues related to infrastructure management and community resilience.
Michael Cooper
RK&K
Project Delivery Leader - Water Resources
772-559-1330
Michael is a professional engineer and PM with nearly 20 years of experience in H&H modeling, watershed analyses, and stormwater design. He holds a B.S. degree in Civil Engineering from Florida Institute of Technology and a M.S. degree in Engineering Management from the University of Arkansas.
Christina Davis
WSP
Senior Water Resources Planner
919-767-1097
Christina Davis is a Senior Water Resources Planner with WSP. She supports municipal clients with MS4 permit compliance, program planning, and GIS services.
Jacob Dorman
Contech Engineered Solutions
Regulatory Manager
757-374-4321
Jacob Dorman is a Regulatory Manager for Contech Engineered Solutions. He holds a BS in Environmental Science from Lynchburg College in Lynchburg, VA, co-chairs the TNSA SCM Committee, and serves on the Board of Directors for the Stormwater Equipment Manufacturers Association (SWEMA).
Garrett Ferry
University of Tennessee
Stormwater Manager at the University of Tennessee Knoxville
University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture
University of Tennessee Space Institute in Tullahoma.
865-805-4007
19 years of Stormwater and Natural Resource Management Experience
Grew up in Norris Tennessee
Graduate of the University of Tennessee in Biosystems Engineering and Soil Science
Roger Fields
City of Alcoa
Stormwater Coordinator
865-380-4888
Roger Fields graduated from Alcoa High School and went on to graduate from ETSU with a BS in Environmental Health. He has worked in ground water protection, in the private sector, spent 16 years as a building commissioner and has been at the City of Alcoa for the last 9 years.
Brooke Fleeman
WaterWays
Director of Operations
615-390-8009
Brooke Fleeman, a LMU graduate with a BS in Environmental Science, is passionate environmental educator and project coordinator. As Director of Operations at WaterWays, she blends her love for nature with conservation, fostering community awareness to drive positive change.
Ryan Forte
City of Gallatin
Stormwater Project Manager
615-670-9256
Ryan is a Project Manager in the Stormwater Division for the City of Gallatin. He specializes in plans review for all types of development, focusing on green design. Whether a contractor, engineer, developer, or citizen, Ryan works effectively with many people daily to help Gallatin grow positively.
Benjamin Fowler
TERRAIN360
Chief Research Officer
404-625-0534
Ben is the Chief Research Officer for TERRAIN360 which provides 360-imagery solutions and asset management for natural resource managers and digital experiences for recreationists.
G. Dodd Galbreath
Lipscomb University
Director of Graduate and Professional Programming Institute for Sustainable Practice
615-812-6546
In 2007, Dodd Galbreath was invited to found the Institute for Sustainable Practice, the Southeast's first comprehensive academic sustainability program. Professor Galbreath has studied sustainability applications in the United States, Canada, China, and Europe. Five Nashville mayors and three Tennessee governors from different political parties have appointed him to various leadership roles and advisory committees. As a former state policy executive, he led the planning and implementation of one of the nation’s first state wetlands conservation plans, a state environmental justice plan, and six innovative laws to protect Tennessee’s water resources. He currently chairs the Tennessee Board of Water Quality, Oil and Gas, representing environmental interests. He has received two statewide leadership awards and the Robert Sparks Walker Lifetime Achievement Award.
Christine Guy-Baker
Civil and Environmental Consultants, Inc.
Project Manager
615-516-9006
Christine Guy-Baker has been working for Civil and Environmental Consultants, Inc. for over 7 years. Her focus has been within the water resources field including experience with MS4 NPDES compliance services, plan review, SCM design, capital improvement projects, and floodplain management.
Mary Halley
WSP
Municipal Stormwater Consultant
865-414-0642
Mary Halley has been a consultant since 1997. She’s survived dial-up internet, fax machines, Y2K, and the time when a "work life balance" was not a thing. Her coffee is stronger, her patience weaker. If one more person says “let’s circle back” she may actually pivot – straight into retirement.
Rosy Harpe
WaterWays
Sustainable Landscape Ecologist
After graduating with honors in Ecology & Evolutionary Biology at the University of Tennessee Knoxville. Her love and knowledge of native plants has been an amazing asset to our programs, and her energy and enthusiasm is evident whether she is digging and planning streambank repair workshops.
Jon Hathaway
University of Tennessee – Knoxville
Professor
865-974-6058
Jon Hathaway is a Professor at the University of Tennessee specializing in the areas of urban hydrology and water quality. He is the Chair of the national ASCE-EWRI Urban Water Resources Research Council, and has worked in stormwater management for the past 20 years.
Cynthia Hernandez
Tennessee Environmental Council
Tree Program Manager
615-756-9613
As a proud Tennessee native, Cynthia is passionate about improving the state's environment. A 2015 graduate of VSCC in Environmental Science, she founded the Level 2 Paris Powers Memorial Arboretum. She currently serves on Nashville's Metro Tree Advisory Committee and the City of Dickson’s Tree Board. Since 2016, she has had the honor of coordinating Tennessee Tree Day statewide events, resulting in over one million native trees planted. She fosters a legacy of sustainability, leading the way for a brighter future for all.
Pete Hill
Environmental Policy Innovation Center
Senior Policy Advisor, Green Infrastructure
202-841-7752
Pete has worked on green infrastructure for most of his career. As a consultant, he helped municipalities and nonprofit organizations with watershed planning and training related to GI. He has also worked for the DC gov't for many years, managing stormwater and stream/wetland restoration projects.
Jeremy Hooper
TDEC Division of Solid Waste Management
Program Administrator
615-686-7847
Jeremy Hooper serves as a Program Administrator in TDEC's Division of Solid Waste Management (Division). In this role, he serves as his Division’s Emergency Services Coordinator where he’s been leading and supporting major Hurricane Helene cleanup efforts in northeast Tennessee.
Michael Hunt
Nashville Metro Water Services
Program Manager
615-533-0324
Michael Hunt is with Metro Water Services’ (MWS) Stormwater Division. Michael has been employed by Metro Nashville and involved with Metro’s MS4 NPDES Permit compliance activities for almost 30 years and has been manager of MWS’s “Stormwater Quality Group” for 25+ years.
Dennis Irwin
Knox County
Water Quality Inspector
865-215-5372
AS Degree in Construction Engineering from State Technical Institute at Knoxville
31 years with Knox County Engineering Department
Positions:
Hydrologist: Responded to drainage complaints.
Construction Inspector: Inspected construction sites for compliance with approved Design Plans and Erosion Control.
Water Quality Inspector: Inspect permanent stormwater sites to ensure they are being properly maintained and are functional.
Project Manager: Oversee stormwater work on sites that we contract out to private vendors.
Ryan Jackwood
Harpeth Conservancy
Director of Watershed Science
615-790-9767
Ryan provides strategic direction for science-based programs and restoration priorities. Ryan earned a B.S. from Ohio State University and an M.S. and Ph.D. from the University of Toledo researching harmful algal blooms on Lake Erie. He was awarded the TWF’s 2024 Water Conservationist of the Year.
Sarah Jenson
Bradley County
Stormwater Coordinator
423-457-0004
Sarah became the Bradley County Stormwater Coordinator in June, 2021. With a very limited budget; she began linking arms with others in an effort to build a robust and sustainable Community Education Program.
Gretchen Judkins
Metro Water Services
Environmental Compliance Officer
gretchen.judkins@nashville.gov
615-906-6325
Gretchen Judkins earned her bachelor’s from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga and currently works for Metro Water Services in Nashville, TN. She inspects industrial facilities that hold NPDES permits with TDEC and is the public education coordinator for Nashville’s MS4 permit.
Albert Key
Deeproot Green Infrastructure, LLC
Vice President
917-991-3121
Mr. Key has been involved in the green industry for over 30 years as an owner of DeepRoot Green Infrastructure, LLC. He is the co-inventor of the Silva Cell ® and has received several patents for inventions that address trees and stormwater management in the urban setting.
Eric Kuehler
Metro Water Services
Lead Arborist
615-862-4733
Eric Kuehler is Lead Arborist for Metro Water Services where he manages Nashville’s street trees to mitigate stormwater runoff and provide other environmental co-benefits. Eric retired from USDA Forest Service after 25 years where he studied the impacts of urban trees on stormwater runoff.
Andy Landrum
City of Murfreesboro
Project Inspector
615-848-3200
As project inspector of stormwater treatment facilities, Andy has overseen the construction of countless stormwater control measures in Murfreesboro. Currently, he heads up the post construction inspection and maintenance program where he ensures proper function of these controls.
Alasdair MacLeod
Knox County Engineering & Public Works
Civil Plans Reviewer
Alasdair.MacLeod@KnoxCounty.org
865-215-5859
Alasdair MacLeod is in his 2nd year with Knox Co. EPW. Alasdair has worked as a contractor/horticulturalist for the Dollywood Company, the State of Florida, and a business owner specializing in environmental restoration projects including stream, wetland, and coastal projects in TN, NC, GA and FL.
Christopher Marlow
Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation
Environmental Manager 3
334-663-4044
Christopher Marlow holds a Ph.D. in Geophysics and manages technical operations for TDEC’s SWIG program, overseeing ARP- and BIL-funded water infrastructure projects across Tennessee. His background includes seismic hazard research with a focus on applied geophysics and fault interpretation.
Patrick McMahon
CEC
Principal
865-776-3602
Patrick McMahon is a PE with more than 20 years of experience in water resources-related engineering projects. His expertise includes hydrologic & 1, 2, and 3-dimensional hydraulic modeling, sediment transport, stream restoration, fish passage analyses, dam removal and bedload transport modeling.
Adam Meadors
City of Mt. Juliet
Deputy Utility Director
615-773-7957
Adam has worked with City of Mt. Juliet since 2004 serving in Public Works, Stormwater, and Utilities Divisions. Alumni of MTSU. Girl Dad and Volunteer Fan.
Mark Miller
AquaShield, Inc.
Senior Research Scientist
423-443-1184
Mark has 19 years of experience as Sr. Research Scientist for AquaShield working on product development, regulatory affairs, and testing. He is on the Chattanooga Stormwater Regulations Board. He has an M.S. in Geology from Centenary College in Shreveport and a B.A. in Geology from UT Knoxville.
Amesha Morris
Acorn EnviroComply LLC
Stormwater Knowledge Manager
254-291-5465
Amesha Morris is a stormwater professional with 15 years of experience working across municipal, construction, and industrial sectors. Amesha supports and empowers stormwater and environmental compliance professionals while helping organizations become environmentally responsible neighbors.
Lucia Noya
RK&K
Director, Water Resources Environmental
410-462-9257
Lucia Noya, Water Resources Director at RK&K, has 30 years’ experience in water resources and ecological restoration projects. She specializes in planning, design, construction document development, and MS4 programming, with expertise in stormwater management and flood mitigation.
Van Oldham
EverGreen Infrastructure
Owner/Operator
615-633-1353
Van graduated from Tennessee Tech in 2003 with a degree in Civil and Environmental Engineering. He moved to Maine in 2007 and began working in design of water quality and quantity systems. After several years, Van returned to TN to raise a family and start his company.
Dudley Orr
OHM Advisors
Principal in Charge
828-735-0947
Dudley brings 35 years of civil construction and business administration experience. He specializes in urban, rural, and regional projects across the U.S. Before joining OHM Advisors, Dudley served as a VP and CCO, overseeing complex projects and operations within the civil construction sector.
Glen Payton
Contech Engineered Solutions, LLC
Senior Stormwater Consultant
804-937-3228
Senior Stormwater Consultant for Contech, Glen is a member of TNSA and ASCE-GA chapter. He is a Professional Engineer registered in Virginia and lives in Atlanta. His education includes Bachelor of Science - Chemical Engineering from Washington University-St. Louis and MBA from Lehigh University.
Mike Perkins
Barge Design Solutions
Project Engineer – Stormwater
615-252-4206
Mike Perkins holds a B.S. in Biosystems Engineering from Clemson University and an M.S. in Civil Engineering from Purdue University. With 7 years at Barge Design Solutions, he specializes in stormwater projects, including masterplan modeling, stream relocations, and levee modifications.
Allyson Perrigan
Tennessee Environmental Council
Statewide Engagement Coordinator
615-248-6500
Growing up in the valley of the Smoky Mountains, Allyson has a deeply rooted love for the environment. While actively learning, she is continuously seeking adventure for all that mother nature has to offer. Allyson is an alumni of Carson Newman University and Middle Tennessee State University, receiving a B.S in Geology and a minor in Environmental Sustainability and Technology. She is dedicated to bringing her passion for nature to the community of Tennesseans, and sharing the importance of conservation and continuous care for the environment.
Jenn Pickering
University of Memphis
Research Assistant Professor
As a Sediment Routing Systems Researcher, Dr. Pickering's research is focused on addressing challenges related to sedimentary basins and reservoirs worldwide. Dr. Pickering also holds a 72-hour Permaculture Design certification.
Emma Pitts
RK&K
Engineer I - Water Resources
Emma is a water resources engineer with experience in management, hydraulic stream modeling utilizing HEC-RAS software, and technical writing / report deliverable preparation. Emma holds a B.S. degree in Biological & Agricultural Engineering from Texas A&M University.
Catherine Price
Cumberland River Compact
Division Manager, Education and Engagement
catherine.price@cumberlandrivercompact.org
615-837-1151
Catherine Price is the Education and Engagement Division Manager for the Cumberland River Compact. In this role, she has worked with ten Middle Tennessee municipalities to support their stormwater education programs for the public, employees, and the development community.
Maria Price
City of Chattanooga
Public Works Assistant City Engineer
423-643-5961
Maria is a registered Professional Engineer in TN & VA with a B.S. in Civil & Environmental Engineering from Tennessee Technological University. She has a diverse background in transmission engineering, environmental & construction activities, utility project management, multi-discipline project management and code enforcement. Maria has employment history with TVA, TDOT, several private firms and currently utilizes her talents for the City of Chattanooga as the City's first female Assistant City Engineer for Public Works. She is very active in American Society of Civil Engineers and was named ASCE TN Section Government Engineer of the Year in 2017, received 2020 Engineers’ Week People to People Award, received the 2024 ASCE TN Section Daniel B. Barge, Jr. Award for Distinguished Service, is on the Southeast Stormwater Association board and is the Past-Chair of the Tennessee ASCE Environmental & Water Resources Institute (EWRI). She is the Creator & Director of the Chattanooga Development Symposium, is very active in Girl Scouts and enjoys spending time with her family, board games, off-roading, muscle cars, cooking and geeking out about stormwater.
Hannah Riether
TDEC
Environmental Consultant III
615-487-4141
Hannah Riether is a Civil Engineer for TDEC division of water resources, she works in the engineering services unit for stormwater and safe dams program areas. She has 8 years of professional experience, ranging from transportation, stormwater, environmental remediation, site design, and dams.
James Robert
Dearman
OHM Advisors
Client Representative
James.Dearman@ohm-advisors.com
256-513-1579
James Robert is a Professional Engineer serving as client representative, project manager, and transportation team lead at OHM Advisors since 2021. He has twelve years of experience in civil engineering and forestry. He graduated from Auburn University where he studied Biosystems Engineering.
Joshua Rogers
City of Chattanooga
Water Quality Supervisor
423-643-5813
Joshua Rogers is a Water Quality Supervisor with over 15 years of stormwater experience in the City of Chattanooga's Department of Public Works. He joined the City after earning his masters in wildlife and fisheries with a focus in hydrology from the University of Tennessee. As an outdoor enthusiast, he has great appreciation for the impact he is able to have in helping protect the creation that we've all been given to enjoy.
Lyn Rutherford
City of Chattanooga
Natural Resources Supervisor
615-945-3086
Lyn Rutherford is a Natural Resources Supervisor for the City of Chattanooga. She uses native plants to manage stormwater in municipal bioretention, riparian buffers, naturalized basins, and wetlands. In the past she has worked in wild lands management, wildlife conservation, and fine gardening.
Philip Scheuerman
East Tennessee State University
Profesor
Dr. Phillip Scheuerman came to the ETSU College of Public and Allied Health in 1986 and currently serves as a Professor in the Department of Environmental and Occupational Health and Safety Sciences as director of the Environmental Health Sciences laboratory. Scheuerman was the Chair of the Department of Environmental Health for 12 years. Scheuerman’s research has focused on water quality and human exposure to toxic chemicals and pathogens via water. *He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in microbiology, a Master of Science, and a Doctor of Philosophy degree in environmental engineering sciences from the University of Florida in
Gainesville.
Danielle Schwanke
RK&K
Water Resources Engineer
252-876-7699
Danielle Schwanke, Water Resources Engineer at RK&K, has 6 years’ experience in stormwater master planning, MS4/TMDL compliance and asset management, drainage design, erosion and sediment control, construction oversight and inspection, and post-construction stormwater management facility design.
Ian Simpson
University of Tennesee
Research Assistant Professor
440-334-7655
Dr. Ian Simpson is a Research Assistant Professor for the Tennessee Water Resources Research Center at the University of Tennessee. Ian’s ambitions are to practically relate his research objectives with stormwater management strategies so that novel findings can easily be adopted and implemented.
Alan Sparkman
Tennesee Concrete Association
Executive Director
615-975-6696
Alan has served as Executive Director of the Tennessee Concrete Association since 1998. He is a Certified Association Executive, a LEED AP and holds an MBA. Alan was a 2004 receipient of the Kodak American Greenways Award, the 2010 TN Sustainability Award, and the 2016 ACI Sustainability Award.
Will Stallard
City of Kingsport- Utilities Department
Civil Engineer
423-224-2921
Graduated University of Virginia 1986 - BSCE
Served 20 years in Navy as Submarine Officer
Landscape and Lawncare business owner for 13 years
City of Kingsport Utility Engineer since 2019 (Stormwater since 2021)
Currently on TNSA, SESWA and NMSA Boards
Dana Stayer
StormTrap
Regulatory Specialist
614-800-5386
Dana, a Regulatory Specialist at StormTrap, manages regulatory approvals and assists regulators and consultants with SCMs. Active in stormwater organizations across the Eastern US, she educates the public on stormwater management. Dana holds a B.S. in Civil Engineering from Valparaiso University.
Jonathan Stem
Rutherford County Stormwater
Stormwater Coordinator
615-898-7730
I’m Jonathan Stem, Stormwater Coordinator for Rutherford County. Born and raised in Murfreesboro, I’ve worked in stormwater for 3 years collectively. I love hiking, fishing, and Tennessee’s natural beauty, and I’m passionate about protecting water and aquatic environments for the future.
JJ Thornton
Civil and Environmental Consultants
Project Manager
432-237-9542
JJ graduated from TTU and has 9 years of professional experience in consulting. His focus has been H&H modeling, stormwater management, watershed management, hydraulic design of bridges/culverts, EPSC, plans review, cost estimating, and technical writing.
Chris Tolleson
GMC
Project Manager
432-237-9542
Chris is a water resources engineer for GMC Network out of Savannah, Georgia.
Josh Upham
City of Murfreesboro, Water Resources Department
MS4 Program Coordinator
615-848-3200
Josh is a long-time employee of the City of Murfreesboro, Stormwater Program where he currently serves as program coordinator. During his time with the city, he participated in watershed management and pollution reduction strategies. Josh enjoys hiking with his family and reading.
Adrian Ward
Barge Design Solutions
Engineering Manager
931-212-2481
Adrian holds a B.S. from Tennessee Tech and an M.S. from the University of Tennessee. He is Director of Stormwater Solutions, leading the firm’s stormwater practice in master planning, natural channel design, and flood mitigation.
Janette Wolf
Civil & Environmental Consultants, Inc.
Vice President
615-476-3222
Janette is a Vice President with CEC. Her primary interest area is stormwater compliance. She has extensive experience with water quality permitting, SWPPP development, inspections, compliance audits, ordinance and resolution development.