Browse Speakers

ERIC WEBER, Sales - McCoy Seminars

Eric J. Weber Vice President and Owner; McCoy and Associates, Inc. Environmental Regulatory Analysis and Training Strategic Planning Project and Staff Management

Print Biography

ERIK CHENG, Hazardous Materials Specialist I - Los Angeles County Fire

Erik Cheng Hazardous Materials Specialist III Los Angeles County Fire Health Hazmat Division Review documents and Hazardous Materials Business Plans in the California Environmental Reporting System (CERS) Interpret, explain, and enforce hazardous materials and waste control laws and regulations Regulatory oversight of the following Certified Unified Program Agencies (CUPA) programs (includes complex sites with multiple program elements): Hazardous materials and waste control, tiered permitting, hazardous waste recycling, and aboveground storage tanks (APSA) Analyze data from samples for hazardous waste determination Conduct inspections and investigations at PBR facilities and annual reauthorized their tiered permitting operations Provide technical guidance and assistance to staff

Print Biography

ERIKA MICHELOTTI, Sr. Environmental Scientist - CalEPA

Erika Michelotti is a senior scientist with CalEPA Unified Program. Her main role is as a subject matter expert in the development of CERS NextGen and other IT projects within Unified Program. She has experience as an environmental consultant, senior CUPA inspector, Fire Code Inspector, and Hazardous Materials Program Manager. A fun fact about her is that she has multiple alpaca and knows how to spin their fiber into yarn.

Print Biography

ERIN NEAL, Environmental Scientist - DTSC

Erin Neal is an Environmental Scientist with the Department of Toxic Substances Control, Office of Criminal Investigations. Her current responsibilities include conducting facility inspections and site investigations focused on violations of the Hazardous Waste Control Law.

Print Biography

ERNIE HERNANDEZ, Supervising Hazmat Specialist - Los Angeles County Fire

Ernie Hernandez is a Supervising Hazardous Materials Specialist with the Los Angeles County Fire Department, Health Hazardous Materials Division, Emergency Operations Section. Ernies' 23 years of experience include 2 years as a field chemist for the hazardous waste services industry; 5 years working as an emergency response contractor for the U.S. EPA Region 9 Superfund Technical Assessment and Response Team; and 16 years of CUPA inspections and Emergency response for LA Co. Fire. Ernie is a certified CSTI instructor. He holds a master degree in chemical engineering from Cal State University Long Beach and two bachelor degrees in chemistry and environmental science from Whittier College.

Print Biography

FAITH FRIEND, Environmental Scientist - DTSC

Faith Friend Environmental Scientist with the Department of Toxic Substances Control, Office of Criminal Investigations. OCI is charged primarily with investigating alleged criminal violations of the Hazardous Waste Control Law and routinely pursues a wide range of both felony and misdemeanor cases. The most serious of these cases involve midnight dumping or other unlawful disposal of hazardous waste, transportation of hazardous waste to un-permitted facilities, and the storage or treatment of hazardous wastes that creates a danger to the public and the environment from release, fire and/or explosion. OCI coordinates multi-media environmental investigations with other Cal/EPA agencies, routinely participates with regional, State, and federal task forces, and interfaces with other enforcement and prosecutorial agencies such as the Offices of the Attorney General and United States Attorney, District Attorneys offices and Circuit Prosecutors.

Print Biography

FARIBA KHALEDAN, Supervising Hazardous Materials Specialist - Los Angeles County Fire

Fariba Khaledan is currently the Investigations Unit Supervising Hazardous Materials Specialist with the Health Hazardous Materials Division of the Los Angeles County Fire Department. She oversees and coordinates all formal enforcement action, including criminal environmental investigations and administrative enforcement orders for the Division. She is a member of the federal and local environmental strike force committees and is the chair of the Southern CA Enforcement TAG.

Print Biography

FATIMA IBRAHIM, Senior Consultant - Jensen Hughes

Fatima Ibrahim is a senior fire protection and hazardous materials consultant at Jensen Hughes (Los Angeles office). Primarily works with high hazard facilities to assess the extent of fire, reactivity, and health hazards of chemicals through the lens of building and fire codes and OSHA regulations. She has a background in chemical hazard analysis, special hazards protection, combustible dust, and the occupational safety of industrial processes.

Print Biography

FREDERICK CHUN, Assistant Fire Marshal - Santa Clara City Fire Dept

Frederick Chun, Assistant Fire Marshal, Santa Clara City Fire Department

Print Biography

GARETT CHAN, Environmental Scientist - CalEPA

My name is Garett Chan and I'm an Environmental Scientist at CalEPA, specifically within the HMBP/CalARP group. I evaluate CUPAs on their program through reviewing their program information and oversight inspections.

Print Biography

GARY DIEWALD, Consultant - Antea Group

Gary Diewald, Consultant, Antea Group, Spill and Response Plans Service Line Leader. I am responsible for management of SPCC, FRP and Tank Inspection service offerings for our company environmental compliance practice. I have supported industries such as technology, railroad, manufacturing, chemical, energy, risk and financial.

Print Biography

GARY LUCKS, Principal Attorney - Bay Law Group LLP

Gary Lucks Principal Attorney Beyond Compliance Law Mr. Gary Lucks JD, CPEA is a principal environmental attorney and scientist with deep expertise in environmental, health, and safety (EHS) law, legislative affairs, and sustainability strategy.

Print Biography

GEOFF KNIGHT, Principal Engineer - Yorke Engineering

Geoff Knight, Principal Scientist at Yorke Engineering, LLC, an environmental consulting firm.

Print Biography

GEORGE GIGOUNAS, Partner - OTHER

I am the Co-Chair of the US Environmental Practice at DLA Piper. I focus my practice on resolving environmental and product-related litigation, enforcement and compliance issues for clients with industrial, manufacturing, and product-based businesses. I build on a strong background in environmental science, a familiarity with the technical, chemical and mechanical processes involved in industrial operations, and an understanding of the geophysical and toxicity issues arising with hazardous wastes, toxic exposures and environmental remediations. I draw my litigation skills from a background involving advocacy for industrial entities, manufacturers, oil businesses, and insurance, consumer and pharmaceutical product firms. I have defended numerous government enforcement actions and complex civil lawsuits under federal CERCLA and RCRA laws and related state laws. I advise on compliance with product safety laws and regulations, particularly regarding California laws. I also help clients ascertain and monitor their regulatory compliance, develop testing programs, implement required certifications and handle enforcement actions or litigation under federal and state laws.

Print Biography

GLENN WARNER, Sr. Env. Scientist - Cal Fire - OSFM

Glenn Warner works as a Senior Environmental Scientist in the Office of the State Fire Marshal CUPA Program (APSA)

Print Biography

GRACE POLING, Account Manager - Encamp

My name is Grace Poling and I'm an Account Manager at Encamp. Encamp has software and services to help customers save time and create an efficient process to meet environmental regulatory needs. I work with potential and current customers to scope out what that looks like for their Environmental team and set up a partnership.

Print Biography

GRANT MINER, Specialist - Consulting

Grant Miner is President of HazTAC Inc., a hazardous materials training and consulting firm. He is also the lead California consultant for Lutz & Associates, a consulting hazardous materials specialist with EnviroServices Inc., and an instructor with Baker Rescue Service Inc. Previously he worked at the University of California, the Anaheim Fire Department, and the Fullerton Fire Department.

Print Biography

GREG BRESHEARS, Senior Hazardous Materials Specialist (Retired) - Retired

Since August of 2022, Greg has been a consultant to the State Water Board's UST Leak Prevention Program, assisting with updating California's UST Regulations (California Code of Regulations, Title 23, Div. 3, Ch. 16). In March of 2021, Greg retired from the County of Santa Clara as a Senior Hazardous Materials Specialist, with 27 years experience performing compliance inspections. He was the Program Senior responsible for developing and coordinating the CUPAs UST Program. Greg has overseen numerous UST installation, retrofit and closure projects and enforcement actions. He is a past Co-Chair of the Bay Area UST Technical Advisory Group (TAG), and has served as a member of several state-wide technical work groups including the California Leak Management (CALM) Work Group, Tanks in Basements Work Group, CERS Regulator User Group, CERS Change Management Committee, CERS 3.0 Work Group, and CERS UST Violation Library Subgroup. He managed the Unidocs website and was the Unidocs document coordinator. He represented Californias local agencies at the 2002 UST National Conference. In 2019 the Water Board awarded him a Certificate of Appreciation for his contributions toward development and improvement of the UST Program.

Print Biography

GREGORY JENKINS, Consultant SME - US EPA START Weston Sol

Greg Jenkins is a U.S. EPA Region 9 Contractor for the Maui Wildfire Response who served as the SME that developed and managed the removal, render safe, and transportation for reclamation process for all lithium-ion batteries in association with fire damaged residential and commercial properties and electric/hybrid vehicles. After a 32 year fire service career, Greg retired from the Maui County Fire Department as a Captain and Specialist on their HazMat Response Company. Upon retirement from the fire service, Greg went to work for Matson Navigation as a HazMat Specialist on the Dangerous Goods Team within the Safety, Quality, Environment and Security Division. At Matson, Greg was responsible for daily audits of shipping papers for hazardous cargo and was special assigned to hazmat and fire incident emergency management on Matson vessels and shoreside facilities, lithium-ion battery risk mitigation and training, SME on the loading and discharge of explosives, and Lithium-ion battery SME to the World Shipping Council and other government and non-government organizations. Greg is the Founder and CEO of High Hazard Management, LLC, a firm specializing in consulting and training on HazMat response, management, and transportation-shipping; disaster response; Lithium-ion battery risk m

Print Biography

HASTI JAVID, CalEPA Enforcement Officer - CalEPA

Hasti Javid is the CalEPA Enforcement Officer assigned to the Office of the Secretary's enforcement team. Under the direction of the Deputy Secretary for Law Enforcement and Counsel, Hasti is responsible for planning, coordinating, and implementing several CalEPA-wide enforcement efforts, including the CalEPA Enforcement Training Program, the CalEPA Environmental Complaint System, and coordinating environmental crimes enforcement related to illegal cannabis activities.

Print Biography