MECC 2026 Speakers
Zach Al-Marhoun, GHD
Matt Arnold, NioCorp
Brittany Barrientos, Stinson
brittany.barrientos@stinson.com
Brittany’s deep understanding of environmental, health and safety laws across the regulatory, transactional and litigation spectrums allows her to find well-rounded and practical solutions to complex issues. She has significant experience assisting clients with environmental, health and safety regulatory requirements arising under the Clean Water Act, Clean Air Act, solid and hazardous waste laws, Superfund, OSHA and PHMSA, as well as state and local environmental laws and regulations. Brittany’s broad experience gives her the ability to issue-spot across media and type of issue, in a way that provides both continuity and efficiency for her clients. She has worked extensively with municipalities and electric-generating utilities, mobile sources, and clients in the chemical, manufacturing and real estate industries. Her journalism background and endless curiosity also serve her well as she navigates FOIA issues, inspections and information requests, and investigations across sectors. Brittany is also a recent graduate of the Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce’s esteemed two-year Centurions Leadership Program, and she is excited to continue to “Learn. Serve. Lead.” in the Community.
Andrew Brought, Spencer Fane
abrought@spencerfane.com
Andrew Brought counsels manufacturers, industrial clients, and businesses with complex environmental and workplace safety / OSHA matters. He currently serves on the firm’s Executive Committee and has held other leadership positions at the firm including co-chair of the Environment and Energy practice group. Andrew has extensive experience helping companies with workplace safety incidents and industrial accidents that involve the intersection of health, safety, and environmental regulations and government agencies including OSHA, the EPA, the U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Board, and the Justice Department. From complex workplace fatalities and injuries to more routine compliance inspections, Andrew is frequently called upon by a variety of industrial sectors to assist in handling crisis management situations, strategic response, and incident investigations. He has a particular focus on chemical accident prevention programs, including EPA’s Risk Management Plan (RMP) program and OSHA’s Process Safety Management (PSM) program and cases involving chemical releases. In connection with his white collar criminal and civil practice, Andrew helps his clients manage and reduce liability through his substantial experience in enforcement matters associated with the Clean Air Act, the Clean Water Act, RCRA, EPCRA, OSHA, and related environmental laws. He also assists his clients by conducting compliance audits and internal investigations as appropriate. And in those situations where win-win outcomes are not achievable, he helps his clients litigate and resolve environmental disputes.
Dru Buntin, MDNR
Dru.Buntin@dnr.mo.gov
Will Calderon, Olsson
wcalderon@olsson.com
William Carr, KDHE
William.J.Carr@ks.gov
William Carr started his tenure in August 2025 as the Director for the Bureau of Water at the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE). The Bureau oversees drinking water, wastewater, and watershed regulatory programs as well as the State Revolving Fund water infrastructure financing programs. Prior to becoming the Bureau Director, he served as program director for the drinking water state revolving fund, and as a chemist in the KDHE radiochemistry laboratory. William has been with the Kansas Department of Health and Environment for 32 years. William was a trustee board member for the Kansas Section of the American Water Works Association from 2018 to 2022 and currently serves as Vice President for the Council of Infrastructure Financing Authorities and has been a member of that Board since 2018.
Victor Cimino, Burns & McDonnell
Andrea Collier, Barr
acollier@barr.com
David Cozad, US EPA
cozad.david@epa.gov
Dave Cozad is the Director of the Enforcement and Compliance Assurance Division for EPA Region 7 in Kansas City. He started in that position in October 2019. Prior to that, he was the Regional Counsel for EPA Region 7 for twelve years, where he was responsible for leading the Region’s 45-person legal office. He recently three six-month temporary details at EPA HQ in Washington, D.C., serving in senior leadership positions during the last two presidential transitions. Dave has been with EPA Region 7 for thirty-one years, and prior to that, he worked with the Department of Justice in Washington D.C., on environmental enforcement matters. Dave has a B.B.A. in Economics from James Madison University and a law degree from the College of William and Mary.
Mackenzie Cremeans, Ph.D., P.G., Geosyntec Consultants
mackenzie.cremeans@geosyntec.com
Mackenzie Cremeans, Ph.D., P.G. is a Senior Hydrogeologist based in Kansas. Mackenzie combines her knowledge of hydrogeologic methods with experience as an in-house expert at a nationally recognized law firm to develop tailored and defensible site assessments, feasibility analyses, remediation solutions, closure strategies, and water resource systems for complex sites, including data center developments. Her work provides clients with the tools to navigate regulatory requirements, project risks, cost allocation, and litigation-related challenges. To advance the state of the practice, Mackenzie contributes to the International Association of Hydrogeologists and serves as International President of the Association for Women Geoscientists Foundation. She regularly publishes on methods for quantifying contaminant fate and transport in complex hydrogeologic environments.
Jason Curry, Finish Empty
Jason@FinishEmpty.com
Jason Curry has spent decades challenging and inspiring individuals, teams, and organizations to rise above average and pursue lasting impact. His messages spark transformation—encouraging people to think differently, lead boldly, and live with nothing left undone.
As the founder of Finish Empty®, Jason has committed his life to equipping others. From boardrooms to locker rooms and classrooms, his influence spans industries and generations—but always returns to one clear mission: helping people live and lead with purpose.
In June of this year, Jason released his debut book, Finish Empty®—a transformative call to live with clarity, courage, and conviction (order here).That same month, he was honored as Life Coach of the Year by AY Magazine, recognizing his impact on personal growth and leadership development throughout the region.
Each year, Jason shares this message with audiences nationwide—speaking at schools, companies, conferences, and stadiums—delivering practical truth that challenges, encourages, and changes lives.
Bill Curtis, Spencer Fane
wcurtis@spencerfane.com
Bill Curtis represents clients in government investigations and environmental litigation related to syndicated conservation easements, carbon and energy credits, and traditional environmental issues. He represents professionals, companies, and investors navigating the confluence of environmental, energy, and tax law by employing deep experience handling high-stakes investigations spearheaded by the DOJ, IRS, EPA, and other state and federal regulators. His individualized approach to client matters and attention to detail allow him to provide clients with solutions tailored to their unique needs and risk profiles.
He uses specialized legal acumen gained from managing complex investigations to identify civil and criminal enforcement risks associated with the creation or use of carbon and energy tax credits to help individuals and businesses obtain favorable outcomes.
In his vast environmental practice, Bill focuses on regulatory enforcement actions related to the sale, use, release, or disposal of potentially hazardous materials, including mercury, PCBs, lead, benzene, and PAHs. He has provided representation in everything from mass torts and class actions to CERCLA matters to environmental citizen suits, working closely with relevant field experts – including hydrologists, toxicologists, epidemiologists, and engineers – to create robust courtroom strategies and strong positions for negotiated settlements.
Aimee D. Guzman Davenport, Stinson
aimee.davenport@stinson.com
Aimee assists public and private clients in resolving environmental, energy and administrative law matters with governmental agencies and third-parties. Aimee’s practice involves a keen understanding of administrative agencies and the legal authority under which they operate in areas of rulemaking, permitting and enforcement. Co-chair of the firm’s Environmental practice group, Aimee works closely with experts in state and federal litigation, she helps clients employ informed strategies to achieve long-term resolutions to meet operational needs. Prior to entering private practice, she served as deputy general counsel to the Missouri Department of Natural Resources where she advised the department in governance, contract, environmental, employment and other matters as assigned. Prior to her time with the department, Aimee served as an attorney for the Missouri Public Service Commission where she advised the commissioners and chief law judge in rate, tariff and complaint cases.
Amie Davidson, Iowa DNR
Brent Dwerlkotte, Shook, Hardy & Bacon
dbdwerlkotte@shb.com
Brent represents companies in their highest-stakes litigation and trials. Brent leverages his extensive experience to help clients navigate complex litigation and trials in state and federal courts and arbitration forums across the country involving: Public and Private Nuisance; Toxic Torts; Product Liability; Class Actions; Environmental Regulations; and Major Industrial Accidents.
In representing clients, he draws on considerable success defending against multi-state, multi-plaintiff litigation, particularly with energy, manufacturing, and chemical company clients. He is especially skilled in cases involving complicated scientific matters related to chemicals.
Andy Ewald, Trinity Consultants
AEwald@trinityconsultants.com
Andy Ewald is a Senior Consultant and Business and Client Development Liaison out of Trinity’s West Des Moines, IA office. He has 12-years of Multimedia Environmental Consulting experience and currently serves the EPA Region VII States. Mr. Ewald provides a unique blend of air quality, water quality, and hazardous waste compliance expertise and is well versed in Leak Detection and Repair (LDAR) program design, implementation, and execution. Mr. Ewald has been heavily focused in RCRA Hazardous Waste Compliance over the past 5-years and has executed various projects including Large Quantity Generator facility audits, development of Contingency Plans, Organic Air Emissions (Subpart AA/BB/CC/J) program applicability analyses and implementation, waste determinations and identification support, waste exemption analyses, episodic generation request assistance, annual reporting, EPA NOV resolutions, and custom training offerings.
Tom Fewless, GHD
Kate Gleeson, KDHE
kate.gleeson@ks.gov
Kate currently serves as the Deputy Director of Environment. Previously, she served as an environmental attorney in the Office of Legal Services before taking on the role of Senior Environmental Attorney in 2018.
Steven Goans, NDWEE
steve.goans@nebraska.gov
Steve Goans is Deputy Director at the Nebraska Department of Water, Energy, and Environment. Steve is responsible for implementation of permitting programs and assisting in compliance issues. Steve has been with the Department for more than 36 years working mostly in water programs and special projects across all divisions. Steve lead the development of the Assessing Wastewater Infrastructure Needs (AWIN) project which helps identify sustainability risks for communities. AWIN is used to make decisions on design, timing, and enforcement as NDEQ administers environmental requirements. Previous to NDEQ Steve worked for a private contractor on military projects around the country.
Steve received a Bachelor of Science in Construction Management from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and has additional education in Civil Engineering at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Steve is a Professional Civil Engineer registered in the State of Nebraska. Steve is board chair of the University of Nebraska Civil and Environmental Advisory Board. Steve is a member of the Nebraska Water Environment Federation, American Society of Civil Engineers, Association of Clean Water Administrators and active in the Environmental Council of States.
Art Goodin, MDNR
arthur.goodin@dnr.mo.gov
Art Goodin was named as Director of the Missouri Department of Natural Resources’ Division of Environmental Quality, in May of 2025.
Art began his career with the Missouri Department of Natural Resources in 2002, as an environmental specialist in the Southeast Regional Office. He worked in water pollution control, spending most of his time on stormwater and land disturbance permitting and inspections. In July 2007, Art joined the department’s Environmental Emergency Response section as an on-scene coordinator in southeast Missouri, working on hazardous materials emergencies, homeland security and emergency management issues. Art left the department in 2011, to work as an environmental manager in the private sector. Art rejoined the department in 2012, and resumed his emergency response duties. In 2014, Art became Chief of the regional office’s Water Pollution unit, where he led the unit’s efforts to improve operational efficiency and increase the impact of its compliance assistance activities. Most recently, Art served as Director of the department’s Southeast Regional Office, located in Poplar Bluff from March 2019 to January of 2022. He holds a bachelor’s degree in general studies and a master’s degree in Public Administration from Southeast Missouri State University.
Cassie Greer, Ramboll
Tom Grever, Shook, Hardy & Bacon
TGREVER@shb.com
Tom counsels and litigates in all aspects of environmental law, including air, water, hazardous waste, Superfund and natural resource damages. He assists clients in negotiating and obtaining environmental permits from state and federal environmental agencies and defending these permits from legal challenges. His practice includes significant focus on Clean Air Act permitting and enforcement, including new source review, Title V operating permits, and hazardous air pollutants. Tom works with clients in a broad range of industries, including utility, cement, agricultural products, mining and chemical manufacturing. Tom’s environmental litigation experience includes successful arguments in federal and state courts of appeal. In addition, Tom counsels clients on occupational health and safety issues and Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) compliance. Tom began his career as an assistant attorney general in the Ohio Attorney General’s environmental enforcement section, representing the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency and the Ohio Department of Natural Resources in civil and criminal enforcement, permit appeals, and development of environmental regulations.
Stephen Hall, Missouri DNR
stephen.hall@dnr.mo.gov
Stephen Hall was appointed staff director of the Air Pollution Control Program on Aug. 25, 2021. Stephen has worked for the department for 24 years; the last 14 years in the Air Program. Most recently, he served as the chief of the program’s Air Quality Analysis Section. Stephen has a Bachelor of Science in Physics and Mathematics and a Master’s in Business Administration.
Brian Hanks, Ramboll
BHANKS@ramboll.com
Brian has over 25 years of experience providing solutions to clients’ remediation and environmental regulatory challenges. He leads Ramboll’s PFAS growth team in the Midwest and co-leads the PFAS legal-sector team for the Americas. Mr. Hanks provides technical support in facility compliance, due diligence, and litigation matters and applies this experience and perspective in his sensitivity to client confidentiality and management of public issues in high-profile projects. He has worked with law firms, participating in the development and support of expert opinions, advising counsel regarding technical matters related to litigation, and has provided support for settlement and trial. He has also worked with counsel on matters to provide technical support in resolving alleged regulatory non-compliance. He has provided client management and design support for a wide range of soil and groundwater remediation projects in Superfund and state-led programs.
Mary Hauner-Davis, Burns & McDonnell
mhauner@burnsmcd.com
Mary Hauner-Davis is the Technical Service Leader and Department Manager for Air Quality at Burns & McDonnell, where she specializes in air permitting, noise control, regulatory compliance and sustainability services. With over 27 years of experience, she has assisted numerous industrial and power facilities with preparing permitting strategies to obtain complex permits and regulatory compliance. She manages a team of air permitting engineers that prepare air permit applications, perform air dispersion modeling studies and prepares analyses regarding air regulatory compliance for clients throughout the United States. She also assists clients with greenhouse gas and ESG evaluation and planning. She graduated from Cornell College with a BA in Chemistry and obtained a masters degree from University of Iowa in Environmental Engineering.
Liane Hetherington-Ward, BASF
liane.hetherington-ward@basf.com
Liane Hetherington-Ward is Senior EHS Specialist II at BASF’s Hannibal facility and serves on the BASF North America Environmental Expert Extended Team. She brings more than 40 years of experience in hazardous and solid waste management, RCRA compliance, environmental training, and regulatory development.
Laura Hines, Evergy
Laura.Hines@evergy.com
Laura Hines is Senior Manager of Environmental Services at Evergy, where she oversees water quality compliance, permitting, and water resource management for the company’s generation fleet. Her work focuses on Clean Water Act compliance, water rights, wastewater permitting, and emerging regulatory issues affecting the utility industry. Laura partners with operations, engineering, legal, and regulatory professionals to develop practical compliance strategies that support both environmental stewardship and reliable energy production. She actively participates in industry and regulatory forums focused on the future of water policy and environmental compliance.
John Hoke, Missouri DNR
john.hoke@dnr.mo.gov
John Hoke is Deputy Director of the Missouri Department of Natural Resources’ Division of Environmental Quality. With more than 20 years of experience, he oversees multiple environmental programs and previously led the Water Protection Program, implementing state and federal clean water and drinking water regulations.
Tom Jacobs, MARC
Brittani Jacobsen, Burns & McDonnell
Paul Jacobson, Spencer Fane
pjacobson@spencerfane.com
Paul helps businesses manage their environmental and workplace safety legal challenges. In the environmental context, Paul helps companies comply with federal and state requirements for all environmental media, navigates site remediation challenges, defends against agency enforcement efforts, and works on a variety of environmental and toxic tort litigation. Paul helps companies with immediate and long-term responses to environmental disasters. Paul also helps clients with California Proposition 65 product labeling requirements.
In the workplace safety context, Paul assists clients with all stages of OSHA inspections and enforcement, and has experience defending inspections involving a wide range of OSHA standards, including Process Safety Management, Permissible Exposure Limits, robotics safety, and more.
Kelsi Leverett, Ph.D., Barr
kleverett@barr.com
Kelsi Leverett, Ph.D., is a Geological Engineer at Barr with experience in environmental investigation, hydrogeology, and regulatory compliance. Her work focuses on evaluating environmental impacts to multiple media, managing emerging contaminants such as PFAS, and developing sustainable solutions for complex environmental challenges. Kelsi partners with industrial, municipal, and private-sector clients to support permitting, site characterization, remediation, and risk management efforts. She specializes in navigating complex datasets and developing practical solutions that set clients up for long-term success and regulatory compliance. She earned her doctorate in 2021 and applies a strong scientific and engineering foundation to help clients navigate risk, compliance, and long-term environmental stewardship.
Earl Lewis, KDHE
Tyler Marshall, Stanley Consultants
marshalltyler@stanleygroup.com
Tyler Marshall, P.E., is a principal environmental engineer and Stanley Consultants’ environmental technical lead. In this role, Tyler is responsible for providing innovative leadership across all aspects of environmental and water resources engineering services and serving as an advocate for emerging environmental areas of focus. He serves as a trusted advisor on several industry and regulatory workgroups for the development and implementation of a range of new environmental initiatives, policies and laws.
Tyler maintains a broad civil and environmental engineering background, including regulatory compliance, environmental planning and design of systems to achieve regulatory goals. He has extensive experience in almost all varieties of NPDES permitting. He has worked with a wide range of facilities and regulators in many states through all phases of the NPDES process.
Jessie Merrigan, Spencer Fane
jmerrigan@spencerfane.com
Jessica Merrigan counsels clients on environmental matters regarding regulatory requirements and represents them in litigation of environmental claims, including contribution claims under the federal Superfund law. She has significant experience helping clients in administrative negotiations with both the Environmental Protection Agency and state agencies, advises them on additional or equivalent state law requirements, and assists clients with facility audits, compliance initiatives and waste reduction programs. Throughout her career, Jessica has worked with clients to monitor the ongoing changes in chemical regulations and implement programs to manage evolving state, local and federal requirements for chemical management, disclosure and research. Jessica also helps clients with environmental issues involved in property redevelopment and real estate transactions. Her work includes review of environmental assessments, evaluation of potential environmental liabilities associated with real estate transactions including those created by CERCLA, and evaluation of eligibility for federal and state Brownfields assistance programs. In addition, she works with clients to transfer and maintain permits, through the completion of appropriate plans and applications and coordination with responsible agencies. Her experience has included national, regional and local projects ranging from single site sales to transactions involving hundreds of millions and up to $2 billion in assets.
Rob Morrison, Barr
rmorrison@barr.com
Rob has over 30 years of experience in water resources & environmental engineering. His background includes water permitting, water quality science, total maximum daily load studies, anti-degradation procedures, and compliance assistance. He has assisted clients with NPDES permit renewals ranging from coal combustion power plants to municipal wastewater treatment facilities. He has led & participated in the design of domestic wastewater & industrial water treatment projects. Rob worked for 24 years at MDNR, where he led RCRA Permits & Corrective Action Section & the Water Pollution Control Branch.
Adam Nanney, Barr
ananney@barr.com
Adam Nanney, P.E. is a Senior Geological Engineer with Barr Engineering Co. With more than 18 years of experience, he specializes in hazardous waste management, permitting, landfill design and closure, environmental remediation, and regulatory compliance. He currently serves as Chairperson of the Missouri Hazardous Waste Management Commission.
Kevin Perry, REGFORM
kperry@regform.org
Kevin is Assistant Director at REGFORM, a Missouri business association focused entirely on State environmental regulations & policies. He is a registered lobbyist & holds a BS degree in biology. He has over 30 years of experience, including work as a biologist at US EPA Office of Water. He sings in the choir at church.
Tonya Read, Terracon
Amy Reed, Burns & McDonnell
Jeff Robichaud, U.S. EPA, Region 7
robichaud.Jeffery@epa.gov
Jeffery Robichaud is a second generation EPA scientist who has worked for the Agency since 1998. He is the Director of the Water Division. After three years with an environmental consulting firm, Jeff joined EPA as an engineer in EPA’s Office of Ground Water and Drinking Water in D.C. In 2001, he moved to Kansas City and has served as Senior Policy Advisor to the Regional Administrator, Chief of the Environmental Assessment and Monitoring Branch, Deputy Director of the Environmental Sciences and Technology Branch, Acting Assistant Regional Administrator, and Deputy Director of the Water, Wetlands, and Pesticides Division. Jeff hails from Redmond, WA and earned his Bachelor of Science in Environmental Systems Engineering from the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia and his Master of Science in Engineering Management from the University of Kansas.
Tim Rogers, NPPD
Kurt Schaefer, MDNR
kurt.schaefer@dnr.mo.gov
Kurt U. Schaefer was named Director of the Missouri Department of Natural Resources in January 2025.
Kurt’s legal career has spanned three decades, including serving as a former state senator and assistant attorney general. He has worked with governmental entities at every level, including all branches of government, state agencies, numerous boards and citizen commissions and political organizations. Kurt served as general counsel and deputy director of the Missouri Department of Natural Resources from 2005-2007. He oversaw the emergency response, environmental remediation and cleanup from the Taum Sauk Reservoir failure, and served as lead counsel in negotiating settlement for the damages and restoration, valued in excess of $170 million. Kurt also served as lead counsel in negotiating state and federally required sewer infrastructure capital improvements with the City of Kansas City and the St. Louis Metropolitan Sewer District, valued in excess of $3 billion and $4.2 billion, respectively.
Kurt earned a Bachelor of Arts in Geography from the University of Missouri, and a Juris Doctor and a Master Studies of Environmental Law from the Vermont Law School.
Janet Scheier, Trinity Consultants
jscheier@trinityconsultants.com
Adam Schnieders, IDNR
adam.schnieders@dnr.iowa.gov
Adam Schnieders has spent more than 25 years working to advance water quality programs at the Iowa Department of Natural Resources. He has coordinated Iowa’s water quality standards, supervised the NPDES permitting program, and played a key leadership role in developing Iowa’s Nutrient Reduction Strategy—a statewide effort uniting point and nonpoint source sectors to reduce nutrient pollution in Iowa’s waters and downstream. He now serves as Water Quality Resource Coordinator, which is responsible for the management and coordination of water quality policies and partnership programs for the DNR.
Dana Skelley, US EPA Region 7
Skelley.Dana@epa.gov
Dana Skelley has been with U.S. EPA Region 7 since 1997, and currently serves as the Director of the Air and Radiation Division. The Air and Radiation Division handles standards implementation, review and approval of state implementation plans, air modeling and monitoring, air toxics, permitting, delegations, indoor air and grants. She began her EPA career with the Office of Regional Counsel and has served in a variety of roles. Dana received a Bachelor of Science in Animal Ecology and Environmental Studies from Iowa State University and a Juris Doctorate from Drake University.
Tom Stiles, HDR
Stacy Stotts, Polsinelli
sstotts@polsinelli.com
Stacy Stotts is a member of the Environmental and Natural Resources group and her practice centers on representing businesses, organizations and individuals in environmental regulatory and administrative matters, enforcement matters, private party suits, compliance counseling, and corporate and property transactions. Stacy strives to provide well-rounded guidance relating to clients’ current legal needs, as well as efficiently identify and mitigate potential complications that might arise down the road.
She has represented clients in the areas of air, water, superfund and hazardous waste law. Her work also includes assisting clients in commenting on proposed agency rulemakings. Her expertise also extends to advising clients on compliance and regulatory obligations in California, including Proposition 65 compliance and obtaining carbon credits.
Linden Terpstra, EHS Support Source
linden@ehssupportsource.com
Linden Terpstra is an accomplished environmental, health, and safety (EHS) professional and passionate entrepreneur with expertise across the EHS world. After building a strong foundation in consulting, Linden later transitioned to experience life in industry, gaining valuable insights into electronics manufacturing and the budding battery recycling industries.
Linden is the founder and CEO of EHS Support Source, an interactive online platform and concierge service that makes it faster and easier for businesses to find and hire EHS third-party experts. EHS Support Source provides industry leaders with a resource to identify local services that align with their unique needs, vet potential providers’ past work performance on similar projects, and streamline the process to identify the most suitable resources.
Maria Vishnevskiy, Geosyntec
mvishnevskiy@geosyntec.com
Roger Walker, REGFORM
rwalker@regform.org
Roger Walker, J.D., LLM (Environmental Law) BS (Journalism/Education). Walker currently serves as the Executive Director of the Regulatory Environmental Group for Missouri (REGFORM) — a business association that has forged positive relationships with State and Federal agencies, in the support of sound science, purposeful regulations, fair funding, meaningful discussion and consensus-building. Walker also serves as a consultant and legal adviser to corporate clients. In 2014, he created and continues to serve as Chair of the annual “Midwest Environmental Compliance Conference.” In 2009, he helped co-found the Missouri Energy Initiative (MEI) and was its Director for four years. Walker has also worked as Of Counsel for a St. Louis law firm, Armstrong Teasdale, taught “Environmental Law” as an Adjunct Instructor at St. Louis University, and clerked for the Missouri Supreme Court.
Doug Watson, KDHE
Jacob Westen, MDNR
jacob.westen@dnr.mo.gov
Jacob Westen was named as General Counsel for the Missouri Department of Natural Resources in March 2021. He is responsible for part of the day-to-day management of the General Counsel’s Office.
Jacob began his career with the department in 2018, serving as the department’s Deputy General Counsel. Before joining the department, Jacob served as the Deputy Staff Counsel for Water and Sewer at the Missouri Public Service Commission. His government service began with the Agriculture and Environment section of the Missouri Attorney General’s Office, where he conducted civil environmental litigation on behalf of the state. He earned the Attorney General’s Award for Best Appellate Brief in 2015, and the Attorney General’s Award for Excellence in Litigation in 2014. Jacob is a graduate of the University of Missouri – Columbia’s School of Law and the Missouri Leadership Academy program.
Dan Wilkus, Evergy
dan.wilkus@evergy.com
Dan is the Director, Environmental Services, for Evergy, Inc. headquartered in Kansas City, Missouri. Dan has over 30 years of regulatory permitting experience both as a consultant and as a member of the electric utility industry. His experience includes overseeing air and water compliance related activities as well as regulatory construction and operating permit projects. Over his career, Dan has worked with numerous electrical and industrial facilities regarding environmental regulatory issues. Dan obtained a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering and a Bachelor of Science in Atmospheric Sciences both from the University of Kansas. He is a licensed Professional Engineer in the State of Kansas.
Kate Yentes, Terracon
Kate.Yentes@terracon.com
Kate Yentes, CHMM, is a Senior Project Manager with Terracon and has more than 20 years of EHS experience across the public, private, and nonprofit sectors. She specializes in environmental compliance, sustainability strategy, hazardous waste management, and water permitting. Kate is an ISO 14001 Lead Auditor and holds wastewater operator certifications in Iowa, Indiana, and Michigan.