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.
Rick Brunetti, KDHE
rick.brunetti@ks.gov
Rick Brunetti is the Director of the Bureau of Air for KDHE. He has been in that position for the past 8 years. Prior to his appointment as Director, he served as the District Environmental Administrator for KDHE’s northcentral district office in Salina. Mr. Brunetti currently resides in Topeka with his wife and three children.
Dru Buntin, Missouri DNR
dru.buntin@dnr.mo.gov
Dru is the Director of the Missouri Department of Natural Resources. Dru was named acting director of the Missouri Department of Natural Resources in June 2021. He joined the Missouri Department of Natural Resources as deputy director in May 2017, after serving as executive director for the Upper Mississippi River Basin Association for four years. Prior to his time with the UMRBA, he was deputy director for the Missouri Department of Natural Resources from 2009 to 2012. Since rejoining the Missouri Department of Natural Resources in 2017, Dru has led the agency on important river-related issues, including drought relief and flood recovery. He was also instrumental in leading the department’s Red Tape Reduction efforts, which reduced the regulatory burden on Missouri businesses and citizens.
David Cozad, US EPA
cozad.david@epa.gov
Dave is the Director of the Enforcement and Compliance Assurance Division at US EPA Region 7.
Aimee 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.
Alexandra Dunn, Baker Botts
alexandra.dunn@bakerbotts.com
With over 25 years of practice at the local, state, and federal levels of government, Alexandra Dunn brings to clients an extensive institutional knowledge and keen ability to help solve regulatory problems companies may face. Her deep relationships across the nation and reputation for transparency, fairness, and equity, make her a forceful presence in the most difficult of settings. Alexandra previously served as the Assistant Administrator for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention, in which she led the Agency in the creation of national policies implementing federal laws governing chemicals, pesticides, and pollution prevention. Prior to that, she was the EPA Administrator for New England (Region 1). Drawing upon her agency background, Alexandra provides clients with an “EPA insider” perspective on regulations and management of emerging contaminants, particularly integrated per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFOS/PFAS), and has decades of risk communication and risk management experience to offer clients on chemicals of concern.
Ed Galbraith, Barr
egalbraith@barr.com
Ed Galbraith has over 30 years’ experience in environmental regulatory matters, including two decades with the Missouri DNR, most recently as Director of the Division of Environmental. He now helps manufacturing, mining, power, and municipal clients achieve successful outcomes with their water and hazardous waste compliance challenges, including permitting, compliance assistance, planning, evaluations, and studies.
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 20 years; the last 10 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.
Leo Henning, KDHE
Leo.Henning@ks.gov
Leo G. Henning is the Director of Environment for the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE). He directs all environmental program activities and oversees a staff of approximately 450 employees. Leo has worked for KDHE for 25 years. During his career Leo has directed the Bureau of Environmental Remediation, the Kansas Health and Environmental Laboratory and the Bureau of Environmental Field Services. Mr. Henning received a bachelor and master degree in Geology from Wichita State University and is a licensed professional geologist.
Ryan Russell Kemper, Thompson Coburn
rkemper@thompsoncoburn.com
Ryan has a broad and diverse practice serving clients navigating sophisticated matters related to air, water, land, energy, agriculture, emergency response and climate issues. He serves as a vice-chair of Thompson Coburn’s Environmental Law Group and has successfully handled cases across the country under the full spectrum of federal, state, and local environmental laws and regulations. Ryan has nearly two decades of experience in litigation, regulatory and counseling work. Ryan also counsels clients on climate, ESG, and environmental justice issues. He has handled significant air and climate issues and has advised clients with regard to major source permitting, carbon sequestration, GHG reporting and accounting, and the environmental aspects of government incentive programs for carbon offsets and credits, including clients in the energy sector. Prior to entering private practice, Ryan worked on environment and energy issues as committee staff in the Illinois State Senate and on Capitol Hill.
Matt Leopold, Hunton Andrews Kurth
mleopold@hunton.com
Matt Leopold is a Partner with Hunton Andrews Kurth. He is the former General Counsel for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, former General Counsel for the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, and a former environmental litigator at the U.S. Department of Justice. Matt has experience in an array of major federal environmental statutes, including the Clean Air Act, the Clean Water Act, the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA), the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA), the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA), and the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA), as well as the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and the Endangered Species Act (ESA). While at EPA he worked directly on a number of Clean Air Act rulemakings dealing with GHGs, including the first rule adopting GHG standards for aircraft.
Jim Macy, NDEQ
jim.macy@nebraska.gov
Mr. Macy was appointed Director of the NDEQ in March, 2015. Since then, he has implemented an on-line application and approval process for Construction Stormwater permits and 4 categories of Air Construction permits, reducing the process from months to 1 day. He also has implemented a short-form compliance determination notice that is reviewed at the conclusion of inspections. He has introduced Permit Assistance Visits for new or modified facilities.
Tyler Marshall
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
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.
Kyra Moore, Missouri DNR
kyra.moore@dnr.mo.gov
Kyra began her career with the Missouri Department of Natural Resources in 1999. She has served in different roles within the department, including Deputy Director of the Division of Environmental Quality for nearly four years and Director of the department’s Air Pollution Control Program for seven years. Kyra holds a degree in Chemical Engineering from the University of Missouri – Columbia.
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.
Kevin Perry, REGFORM
kperry@regform.org
Kevin is Assistant Director at REGFORM, a MO business association focused entirely on State environmental regulations & policies. He is a registered lobbyist & holds a BS degree in biology. He has over 20 years of experience, including work as a biologist at US EPA Office of Water. He sings in the choir at church.
Dana Skelley, US EPA Region 7
Skelley.Dana@epa.gov
Dana Skelley serves as the Director of the Air and Radiation Division, U.S. EPA, Region 7. 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, serving 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.
Marnie Stein, Iowa DNR
marnie.stein@dnr.iowa.gov
Marnie Stein is the Supervisor of Title V Operating Permits and Emissions Inventory Section at the Iowa Department of Natural Resources. She has held this position for 2 years, but has over 24 years experience at the DNR, starting as a Title V permit writer. In 2007, Marnie developed the DNR’s annual Iowa statewide greenhouse gas inventory program and later led Iowa’s Clean Power Plan stakeholder group. She also served as the project manager for DNR’s new electronic air permit application system – Iowa EASY Air. She earned her BA degree in Environmental Studies from Central College and is a Certified Program Manager.
Tom Stiles, KDHE
Tom.Stiles@ks.gov
Tom Stiles is currently the Assistant Director of the Bureau of Water at KDHE, overseeing the NPDES permitting, TMDLs, water quality standards and monitoring programs in the Bureau. Stiles is currently co-chair of the Permitting and Compliance Committee of the Association of Clean Water Administrators (ACWA) and previously served as the co-chair for the TMDLs and Watersheds Committee. He is a past chairman of the Interstate Council on Water Policy and the Western States Water Council Water Quality Committee. Stiles received his B.S. in Watershed Science at Colorado State University and his M.S. in Forest Hydrology from the University of Minnesota.
Joseph Stolle, GeoEngineers
jstolle@geoengineers.com
Throughout his career, Joe Stolle has been active in air pre-construction permitting, State Implementation Plan (SIP) coordination, steady and non-steady state dispersion modeling, and emission inventory development. He has worked on numerous minor and major source pre-construction permits, air dispersion modeling studies, and has developed emission inventories for essentially all air pollutants of interest. Additionally, Joe represented industry on several lead SIP revisions including three revisions to the lead SIP in Herculaneum, Missouri and a revision to the lead SIP for the Viburnum trend in Southeast Missouri.
Joseph Tell, KTL
jtell@goktl.com
Joseph combines over 20 years of EHS technical expertise, management strategy, and information technology experience to help large, diverse organizations solve their sustainability and EHS management challenges. In addition to his commercial/industrial clients, Joe has extensive experience working with the federal government. He is intimately familiar with federal sustainability and EHS programs/ requirements and has provided extensive support to various federal agencies throughout his career, including Department of the Interior (DOI); National Institutes of Health (NIH); U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID); U.S. Army, Army National Guard, Army Reserve; U.S. Air Force; and U.S. Navy. He has NIH, DOI, and USAID security clearances. He holds a B.S. in Civil & Environmental Engineering, Northwestern University.
Ed Tormey, Iowa Department of Natural Resources
ed.tormey@dnr.iowa.gov
Ed is Division Administrator of Iowa DNR. He has been with IDNR since 2004. Prior to that, Ed worked in OH, in both public and private sectors. He has over 25 years of experience practicing environmental law. He has a JD from the Univ. of Iowa School of Law.
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.
Chris Wieberg, Missouri DNR
Chris.wieberg@dnr.mo.gov
Chris Wieberg has worked for the Department of Natural Resources since 2004 and has worked for the Water Protection Program in various capacities for the last nine years. Chris was appointed director of the Water Protection Program effective Aug. 1, 2017. Chris began his career with the department as a Soil and Water District Coordinator followed by unit chief with the Wellhead Protection Section prior to joining the Water Protection Program. Chris graduated from Lincoln University and holds a degree in agriculture. In his free time Chris enjoys spending time with his family, hunting, fishing, and raising cattle on his family farm in Maries County.
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.