Location:

1100 Jadwin Ave.
Suite 250
Richland, WA 99352

Our Team


Leadership Team

Steve Airhart

STEVE AIRHART

President, Principal Scientist

Steve Airhart has over 35 years of experience as a geologist/environmental scientist specializing in spill response and cleanup, environmental field characterization, regulatory compliance, hazardous and radioactive waste management, and environmental project design and project management. He has served in a consulting capacity to government contractors and private industry throughout the Pacific Northwest and Alaska and over the past 18 years has functioned as the Freestone’s operations manager and as program manager for firm’s major contracts with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Department of Energy prime contractors, and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Steve’s favorite activity outside of work is outrigger canoe paddling which he has performed competitively since 2003 and now coaches the Tri Cities Outrigger Canoe Club.

Education & Certifications

Bachelor of Arts, Geology – University of Montana, 1985
Oregon Registered Professional Geologist #G1728 (since 1996)
Washington Licensed Geologist #665 (since 2002)

Kira Murray

KIRA MURRAY

Director of Regulatory Planning and Compliance Program

Kira manages and supports several projects for both the Hanford Site and other clients. Some current projects include 200-IA-1 Expedited Remedial Action (Focused Feasibility Study, Proposed Plan, Data Quality Objectives, and Sampling and Analysis Plan), Central Plateau Canyon Complex and Tier 2 Removal Action documentation (EE/CAs, AMs, RAWPs, SAPs, Air Calculations), and Landfill Monitoring at DTG Recycle LPL in Yakima, WA. She has expertise in regulatory compliance (CERCLA removal and remedial action documentation and RCRA permitting), data analysis and verification, and soil and groundwater remediation.

Education & Certifications

Bachelor of Arts, Geology and Environmental Studies – Whitman College, 2014

Kim Schuyler

KIM SCHUYLER, LG

Director of the Site Characterization and Remediation Program

Kim Schuyler has over 14 years of experience specializing in site characterization and remediation. Kim has broad experience with Resource Conservation and Recovery Act and Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act investigation, characterization, and remediation documents. She has led the planning and preparation of data quality objectives summary reports and associated sampling and analysis plans following industry standard guidance documents. She provides data management expertise to support field paperwork generation, technical review of field documentation, sample tracking, data verification, and data quality evaluations. Field experience in wellsite geology includes oversight of borehole drilling, construction of groundwater wells, and collection of soil and groundwater samples. Using her extensive wellsite geology experience, she has trained and mentored field geologists on a variety subsurface drilling methods such as direct-push, air-rotary, sonic, and Becker Hammer. She is responsible for maintaining close client communications; successfully negotiating with regulators; developing and tracking both schedules and associated budgets; and preparing proposals on bid opportunities.

Education & Certifications

Bachelor of Science, Geological Sciences - University of Missouri-Columbia, 2007
Bachelor of Science, Soils, Environmental and Atmospheric Science - University of Missouri-Columbia, 2007
Licensed Geologist – Washington State, license #3188


Experts

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PIPER BENJAMIN

Environmental Scientist

Piper Benjamin is an environmental scientist with 12 years of experience working on Hanford Site remediation documents. She has prepared CERCLA process documents and RCRA permitting documents. Current projects include 200-IA-1 Expedited Remedial Action documents, 200-ZP-1 Sampling and Analysis Instruction Supporting Biodegradation Sampling, and coauthoring plans to support water discharge permits (NPDES) for eight hydroelectric dams in Washington State. Piper worked for two years on a project that simulated fish passage through Kaplan turbines of hydroelectric dams. In addition, she has been trained to surgically implant acoustic and PIT tags into juvenile salmonids and has extensive experience as a fish surgeon and in evaluating the effects of barotrauma.

Education & Certifications

Bachelor of Science, Biology (Fisheries and Wildlife Management) – Eastern Washington University, 2007

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NICOLE COMBS

Geologist

Nicole Combs supports several projects for the Hanford Site. Current projects include Data Quality Objective Systematic Planning Record and Sampling and Analysis Plan (DQO and SAP) for the installation of 22 wells under the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 (AEA) Groundwater Monitoring Plan, Field Summary Report for groundwater monitoring well installation near the 216-A-36B Crib, and the 200-ZP-1 OU Remedial Process Optimization/Remedial Action Objective 2021 Assessment. She also has experience as a field geologist providing geologic support for drilling and well installation, has authored and supported regulatory compliance documents (CERCLA removal and remedial action documentation), and has an expertise in data analysis and verification.

Education & Certifications

Bachelor of Arts, Geosciences and Environmental Studies – Pacific Lutheran University, 2016

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GLORIA CUMMINS

Senior Geologist and Regulatory Specialist

Gloria is a Senior Geologist with 14 years of experience as an Exploration Geologist in the petroleum industry. She has teamed with mining, petroleum, and environmental industry geophysicists and engineers to program geophysical data collection and in-fill well/borehole locations for site characterization prospects/projects utilizing and interpreting existing data.

She has over 25 years of experience in the environmental services industry, Gloria’s experience includes development of National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA), Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA), Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) and Hanford Tri-Party Agreement (TPA) regulatory compliance documents, regulatory issue resolution, and regulator/client interface facilitation. Relevant NEPA experience includes development and document management of NEPA categorical exclusions (CXs), environmental assessments (EAs), supplemental analyses (SAs) and environmental impact statement (EIS) technical information documents, RCRA Part A and Part B Applications, and CERCLA Remedial Investigation/Feasibility Study Work Plans and Reports, for a comprehensive understanding of the regulatory frameworks governing complex site-wide projects in Eastern Washington.

Education & Certifications

Master of Science, Geology – University of South Carolina, 1980
Bachelor of Science, Geology – University of South Carolina, 1978

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KATHY DAVIS

Senior Regulatory Specialist / Geologist

Kathy Davis is a geologist, project manager, and program manager with over 25 years of environmental consulting experience. Her expertise is in permitting, regulatory compliance, hazardous and solid waste management, waste characterization, environmental investigations and assessments, feasibility studies, and remediation. She is experienced in the preparation of RCRA and CERCLA documentation for investigations, characterization, remediation, and closure planning. She is experienced in developing waste characterization and management strategies, including delisting petitions and negotiation of characterization approaches for radioactive and hazardous mixed wastes with complex or uncertain histories.

Education & Certifications

Master of Science, Geology - Northwestern University, 1979
Bachelor of Arts, Geology - University of Rochester, Rochester New York, 1972
Certified, Licensed Geologist

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JOE DEVARY, PhD

Senior Scientist and Project Manager

Joseph Devary, PhD has over 30 years’ experience applying innovative scientific and technological solutions for environmental cleanup, hazardous waste management, and the stewardship of ecological resources. His technical strengths are in soils and groundwater contamination and management of aquifer resources with specialized expertise in sensitivity / uncertainty analysis, geostatistics, subsurface computer modeling, and geographic information systems (GIS) for radionuclide migration in groundwater systems. Additional expertise includes statistical analysis of toxicology studies.

Dr. Devary evaluated the Soil Vapor Extraction system at the 200-PW-1 OU ultimately resulting in the shutdown in this remediation activity since the site was cleaned up. He also managed RCRA groundwater monitoring programs at Hanford Tanks Farms including development of RFI’s and corrective action plans for the SST WMA’s. Additionally, DQOs, Work Plans, and Sample and Analysis Plans were developed as part of these activities. The work involved extensive interactions and negotiations with the USEPA, the Washington State Department of Ecology and regional stakeholders. He led efforts at the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory to win a $10-million DOE contract to manage the Hanford Consolidated Groundwater Monitoring Project (CERCLA, RCRA, and Operations).

Education & Certifications

Doctor of Philosophy, Mathematics (probability) – University of Minnesota, 1975
Bachelor of Arts, Mathematics – Washington State University, 1971

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MARTY DOORNBOS

Environmental Engineer

Marty Doornbos has over 34 years of progressively responsible experience in leadership, management, and technical expertise for major environmental restoration projects involving soil, groundwater, buried waste, and highly contaminated nuclear facilities. His experience includes all aspects of remedial actions, from remedial investigations involving complex site characterization, predictive fate and transport modeling, and feasibility studies through final remedy selection and records of decision. At Freestone, Marty supports CPCCo on the implementation of a new groundwater remediation system at Hanford’s C Farm and A-AX Farms and optimizing the existing groundwater remediation system at Hanford’s B Complex. He is also currently working with the Department of Energy and the regulatory agencies (WA State Department of Ecology and EPA) on finalizing the Remedial Design/Remedial Action Work Plan and developing the Performance Monitoring Plan.

Education & Certifications

Master of Science, Geological Engineering/Hydrogeology – Montana College of Mineral Science and Technology, 1989
Bachelor of Science, Geological Engineering – Montana College of Mineral Science and Technology, 1983
Registered Professional Engineer (Environmental), Idaho No. 8360
Registered Professional Geologist, Idaho No. 690
Project Management Professional, No. 1878355

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BROOKE ENGEL

Lead Field Geologist

Brooke has a geophysical background supported by her undergraduate research in the Stress Evolution of Hawaii's Mauna Loa-Kilauea Volcanic System as well as how Microlites in Rhyolitic Lava Flows Capture Stress-Strain Dynamics. At Freestone, when she is in the field, she specializes in the oversight of borehole drilling, well installation, and site characterization at the Hanford site. In the office, she leads Freestone’s novel Hexavalent Chromium Sensor Project using python programming and technical CrVI analysis in addition to supporting regulatory document work and data verification of laboratory reports.

Education & Certifications

Bachelor of Science, Geology – University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, 2021
Undergraduate Research Certificate, UIUC, 2021

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CARY ERVIN

Senior Engineer

In her 30-year career, Cary has supported multiple environmental permitting, monitoring and cleanup projects, performed material selection for severe operating environments, developed specifications using System Engineering techniques, checked pressure vessel calculations, and supported the design and installation of a vacuum retrieval system to remove wastes from underground storage tanks at the Hanford Site. Two of her most notable projects were the successful RCRA clean closure of a total of 128 chemical agent storage units at the Umatilla Chemical Depot in Umatilla, Oregon. At Freestone, she supports the progression of documents needed to start CERCLA removal actions at 3 “canyon” complexes and the Fast Flux Test Facility on the Hanford Site and is co‑authoring plans to support water discharge permits for 8 hydroelectric dams in Washington State. Cary also models radionuclide air emissions using EPA’s CAP88‑PC software to support Hanford Site CERCLA removal actions.

Education & Certifications

Master of Science, Material Science and Engineering – Washington State University, 1992
Bachelor of Science, Material Science and Engineering – Washington State University, 1990

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SARAH LANDON

Environmental Engineer

Sarah has extensive technical experience at the Hanford site. She tracked waste transfers, sluicing progress, and retrieval of the first C-Farm tanks and compiled Retrieval Data Reports for C Farm. She has been involved with proposals, environmental reporting, Acceptable Knowledge, and technology development. At Freestone, she has provided support on Field SAPs and compilation of DQAs. She supports HNRTC data efforts standardizing data check processes. Sarah is currently involved in Tank Farm Closure for both RCRA and DOE 435.1 including research of historical Tank Farm records.

Education & Certifications

Bachelor of Science, Chemical Engineering - Oregon State University, 2003

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ALEXIS NARANJO

Geologist

As a new geologist at Freestone, Alexis will work on projects at the Hanford site. Prior to joining Freestone, she was a full-time student at Central Washington University. Her final project was focused on zircon separation techniques and evaluating yield efficiency. She has some experience with ArcGIS Pro.

Education & Certifications

Bachelor of Science, Geology – Central Washington University, 2022
Geographic Information Systems Certificate

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TONJA NASH

Office Administrator

Tonja has served as Freestone's Office Administrator since 2006. Attuned to the changing needs of a growing company, Tonja manages day-to-day office communications and functions while also serving as the Human Resources Manager for more than fifty employees at multiple work locations. Tonja is responsible for administering Freestone's timekeeping, payroll, benefits, retirement, and insurance programs. She also serves as the primary point of contact for client invoicing, billing, payments, and Freestone's vehicle fleet.

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PATTY NEWMAN, LG

Geologist/GIS Analyst

Patty Newman is a licensed geologist and GIS analyst with expertise in spatial analysis and developing various 2D and 3D maps, figures, and animations for various hydrogeologic and environmental projects. Her work often includes creating and managing geodatabases, querying and editing spatial data, georeferencing and digitizing raster data, and generating high quality maps and graphics for use in technical reports and presentations. She is proficient in ArcGIS Desktop and ArcGIS Pro. Patty has expertise in hydrogeologic and environmental monitoring, soil and groundwater sampling, field logging and interpretation, and oversight of well completion activities. She has worked as a well-site geologist during drilling, construction, and development of groundwater monitoring wells at numerous project locations in Washington, Oregon, and Alaska. She is also skilled in preparing technical documents and reports that support various projects.

Education & Certifications

Master of Science, Geographic Information Science & Technology (GIST) - University of Southern California, 2019
Bachelor of Science, Geology - Washington State University, 2012
Licensed Geologist – WA #21014007

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JULIE ROBERTSON

Senior Regulatory Specialist / Geologist

Julie Robertson has over 25 years of experience in project management and environmental cleanup, specializing in soil and groundwater remediation, interpretation and application of environmental and safety regulations and requirements, and preparation of cleanup planning and permitting documents. She has successfully brought facilities into compliance with environmental and safety regulations and has developed practical plans for waste management, facility closure, and site cleanup. She has a proven ability to unite teams of supporting contractors, scientists, and engineers to accomplish tasks.

Education & Certifications

Bachelor of Science, Geology - Duke University, 1984

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ASHLEY ROY

Staff Geologist

Ashley supports various projects, either digitizing field forms or running sieve analyses. At Freestone, she primarily will be focused on drilling and well installation on the Hanford site. She has experience with Minerology, Sediments/Stratigraphy and Environmental fields of Geology as well as some mapping experience with ArcGIS.

Education & Certifications

Bachelor of Science, Geological Sciences - Central Washington University, 2022
Geographic Information Systems Certificate, CWU, 2022

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MAI SERKOWSKI

Senior Environmental Engineer

Mai Serkowski is an Environmental Engineer with over 25 years’ experience in environmental compliance and waste management at Hanford. Mai’s strengths include CERCLA process documentation, RCRA permitting documents, NEPA, Pollution Prevention & Waste Minimization, waste management, DOT, and DOE Order 435.1. At Freestone, Mai has served as the Project Manager for an Environmental Document Production Team supporting CHPRC/CPCCo since 2015. Her team has successfully prepared numerous regulatory documents for DOE RL-40/41/42 programs. She has supported the Groundwater Remediation Project and has prepared numerous waste DQO reports, SAPs, Waste Control Plans, and Waste Management Plans for waste site investigation and groundwater remediation. Mai has also served as an ECO while working at Hanford as well as the facility point of contact for inspections and responses to regulatory agency requests, and provided oversight for Hanford Site facilities to ensure that operation and clean-up activities comply with environmental requirements.

Education & Certifications

Bachelor of Science, Chemical Engineering – Oregon State University, 1985

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JESSA SZECSODY

Senior Geologist

Jessa Szecsody is an environmental geoscientist specializing in regulatory compliance and soil and groundwater remediation. She authors and contributes to Resource Conservation and Recovery Act and Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act documents, and enjoys field geology and performing laboratory analysis. Jessa’s field experience includes environmental geology support in China, Canada, Alaska, and the continental USA, including most recently at the Hanford Site. This field experience includes well site geology (including well installation and development), environmental sampling (including sampling in both the vadose and saturated zone), geophysical data collection and analysis, and construction oversight. She has conducted sulfur stable isotope analysis of sediments and developed and conducted uranium reactive transport geochemical experiments in sediments. Jessa also has experience with numerical modeling of data collected during her laboratory experiments and field sampling. Her experience spans from the project planning and execution phase through the synthesis of data to the presentation of results and conclusions.

Most recently, Ms. Szecsody has been supporting the development of Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) and Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) regulatory documents related to Hanford Site activities. Ms. Szecsody has also supported the Long-Term Stewardship Program in the development of institutional controls documents, surveillance and maintenance plans, and other annual reports.

Education & Certifications

Master of Science – Geological Sciences, University of Alabama, 2012
Bachelor of Science – Geology, University of Cincinnati, 2009

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CYNTHIA TABOR

Senior Environmental Scientist

Cynthia Tabor has over 25 years of technical and management experience in environmental field characterization, remediation, restoration, and data management. She has worked with diverse groups of stakeholders to build consensus and achieve successful outcomes with clients and regulators. Her strengths include leading project teams to complete: contractual and regulatory technical documents; laboratory and data management activities; and field sampling efforts. She also excels at developing and streamlining environmental sampling and reporting approaches to ensure data quality and to create efficiencies.

Education & Certifications

Masters in Environmental Science, Hydrogeological Analysis – Miami University, 1990
Bachelor of Arts, Mathematics with a Minor in Statistics – Miami University, 1988