Impact Sciences is pleased to welcome the newest member of our team, Brett Pomeroy, who joined the firm as an Associate Principal. Brett brings more than 17 years of professional experience in the environmental planning field, which includes the founding of his own environmental consulting firm. Brett focuses on environmental compliance pursuant to CEQA/NEPA and has extensive experience in the preparation of technical studies associated with air quality, greenhouse gases, community noise and vibration, human health risk assessments, and shade/shadow graphic presentations. He possesses a broad understanding of environmental and regulatory issues that affect land development in California and has conducted studies for residential and mixed-use development projects, commercial office complexes, educational/institutional campus plans, shopping malls, and regional entertainment and sporting facilities. As Impact Sciences welcomes Brett to the team, we conducted a Q&A to get to know him better:
What does your role at Impact Sciences entail?
I work directly with the principals of the firm to develop new business, manage our largest and most high-profile projects and clients, and mentor and train junior staff. I also handle the management and preparation of various environmental documentation related to CEQA/NEPA, and I am the firm’s leader of technical analyses associated with air quality, greenhouse gases, noise and vibration, and human health risk assessments.
How did you get involved in environmental planning?
My original interest while an undergraduate student at Loyola Marymount University was to become a doctor and thus my major for more than three years was Biology/Pre-Med. However, by my fourth year, I had changed my mind on medical school and switched majors to Natural Science. A requirement for this degree was to gain an internship in a related field, and I found my way to Christopher A. Joseph & Associates as an Intern/Research Assistant in 2004. This experience introduced me to the environmental planning field, and I quickly became interested.
What is the highlight of your career so far?
In 2013, with a little over nine years of experience, I started my own environmental consulting business (Pomeroy Environmental Services). Naturally, this was a huge undertaking and my entrepreneurial spirit was put to the test. With a little over 8 years of running my own successful business, I can say with certainty that it has been the highlight of my career thus far. Though, I’m excited to bring these experiences to the Impact Sciences team, and I look forward to continued growth in the next chapter of my career.
What is the best career lesson you’ve learned so far?
Let your faith be bigger than your fear. Fear can sometimes be paralyzing and prevent us from taking risks. But I have learned through experience that if I don’t take risks and push forward, then I will not grow. Growth is born out of attempts, not necessarily out of results.
What do you see on the horizon in the industry?
I see the continued emphasis on smart growth, sustainability, human health, and water resources as key issues moving forward.
What would you do for a career if you didn’t work in environmental planning?
I really love sports and have always had an interest in medicine. In a perfect world, I’d love to be a team doctor for a professional sports franchise – perhaps an orthopedic surgeon, working with the best athletes in the world.
What do you like to do when you aren’t working?
I love spending time with my three kids and watching them grow. Again, as I also love sports, I really enjoy playing and teaching them anything sports related.
What’s a fun fact about you that most people do not know?
I was born in a car! Yes, this is true – and maybe explains some key issues! [Brett laughs] Even though I am the youngest of three kids, apparently my parents arrived a touch late to the hospital. My Dad parked the car and ran inside the hospital to get help, and when he and the medical staff came back outside, there I was!
Where’s your favorite place in the world?
I really love being on a golf course. In addition to the obvious (it’s a sport!), I love that golf is outdoors, has great scenery, is a great place to get know others, and it teaches you etiquette and respect for others. After all, we are all living this life together!
To learn more about all things CEQA, connect with Brett at bpomeroy@impactsciences.com or (213) 935-1901.
Brett Pomeroy, Associate Principal, has more than 17 years of professional experience in the environmental planning field with an emphasis in environmental compliance pursuant to CEQA and the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). Brett possesses a strong technical background and has provided quantitative analytical modeling support for air quality, GHG, health risk assessments, noise and vibration, and shade/shadow impact analyses for several complex and multi -faceted projects using industry accepted modeling software. Specifically, Brett has experience with AERMOD and ISC air dispersion modeling systems, CalEEMod, URBEMIS, CALINE4-based model, noise modeling based on the Federal Highway Administration’s Traffic Noise Model (TNM), and the Amethyst Shadow Calculator. In addition to providing technical support, Brett conducts environmental analyses for a wide array of environmental issues, conducting land use surveys, ambient noise monitoring, site photography, general environmental research and document management. Brett’s experience includes preparing and managing environmental documentation for both private- and public-sector clients. He has provided environmental analyses to support several types of environmental documents including Categorical Exemptions, Initial Studies, Negative Declarations (NDs), Mitigated Negative Declarations (MNDs), Mitigation Monitoring & Reporting Programs (MMRPs), Environmental Impact Reports (EIRs), and addendums.
Kara Yates Hines, Director of Operations and Publications Manager, leads operations at Impact Sciences and oversees the production and publication of all environmental documents. She has more than 14 years of combined experience in publishing, quality control coordination, science and public health technical writing and editorial review, and digital marketing methodologies. As the primary manager for document production, Kara implements the firm’s operational processes and manages the document publishing flow, including QA/QC review, graphic design, formatting, and visual layout. She leads in-house production of CEQA/NEPA reports, including booklet assembly and digital productions. With a unique understanding of both the CEQA review process and best practices in publishing technically complex documents, Kara ensures the firm’s environmental reports are publicly accessible, easy to read and understand, well organized, and visually appealing. Kara has a masters degree in Publishing from The George Washington University and a bachelors degree in English from Spelman College. She is a member of the Association of Environmental Planners (Los Angeles Chapter).
Martha Lira, Chief Financial Officer, oversees all aspects of Impact Sciences’ finances, including the development and management of budgets, preparation of financial statements, and all other financial reporting to the firm’s Chief Operating Officer. Martha brings to Impact Sciences over 25 years of business management experience in the public, private, and nonprofit sectors. Prior to joining Impact Sciences, Martha worked for a women-owned CPA firm as a staff accountant, managing small business accounts and tax filing requirements.
Lynn Kaufman, Associate Principal, has more than 25 years of experience in both the management and preparation of environmental review documents pursuant to CEQA and NEPA for clients in both the public and private sector. Ms. Kaufman has written numerous CEQA analyses for high profile and environmentally sensitive projects in both urban and rural settings, and acts as a day-to-day contact for in-house and agency staff, subconsultants, and applicants, providing valuable insight to identify environmental constraints and feasible mitigation measures.
Douglas Kim, AICP, Managing Principal, oversees Northern California environmental services for Impact Sciences. His 30-year career includes political, policy, and technical expertise in transportation, air quality, and land use planning. Mr. Kim has prepared and reviewed CEQA and NEPA documents for land use and transportation projects and authored guidance documents on how to perform air quality analyses for two air pollution control districts. He has performed noise, vibration, climate change, and traffic impact analyses for over 100 CEQA environmental analyses throughout California. Mr. Kim has developed long- and short-range multi-modal transportation plans, including performing alternatives analyses, and managing technical modeling. He has managed preparation of air quality plans, developed air quality regulations, climate action plans, and performed air quality analysis and dispersion modeling for land use plans and development projects throughout the state.
John R. Anderson, M.A., M.Phil., is Associate Principal for the Northern California-Oakland office. With more than 30 years of experience, John brings to Impact Sciences extensive knowledge of the regulatory, environmental health and safety, and environmental planning industries. He has a long track record for managing large environmental programs and projects across North America. Most recently, John has focused his attention on the Corrections, Education, Energy and Water planning and compliance markets. In California, he has managed the Environmental Planning Program for the Los Angeles Unified School District; prepared Program EIRs for various water authorities and school districts; performed due diligence for public and private sector clients in real estate and corporate acquisitions; and has been retained as an expert witness in relation to school, transportation, and remediation projects. John has a seasoned familiarity with project management, staff development, and financial and administrative management. He’s provided strategic leadership for projects in the areas of CEQA/NEPA environmental impact reporting, risk management, preliminary endangerment assessments, Phase I and follow-on invasive site investigations, litigation support, QA/QC programs, public participation programs, and site safety programs. Impact Sciences is proud to have John as a vital member of our firm.
Jessica Kirchner, AICP, President, also serves as the Managing Principal for the firm. Jessica’s corporate responsibilities include contract compliance and financial management with an eye toward strategic growth. Jessica has more than two decades of project work in CEQA/NEPA compliance and places an emphasis on meeting client needs and providing real-world solutions to common CEQA pitfalls. A hands-on owner, Jessica frequently serves in multiple roles on projects, including contract and project manager, as well as conducting and writing environmental analyses all while overseeing the firm’s most high-profile clients, revenue and growth of the firm. With a background in journalism, Jessica’s emphasis on clear, concise documents that are not overly complicated has become a company hallmark, along with the ability to deliver projects on unbelievably tight deadlines. She is highly skilled at taking technical documents and concepts and translating them into reader-friendly concepts.