Kansas Environmental Conference Presentations

2022 KEC Speakers

Alex Richards

Site Restoration Project Manager, Remediation Section

Alex Richards received her BS Geology from California State University – Bakersfield, and her MS Geology from The University of Alabama. She is a Kansas licensed professional geologist. Prior to coming to KDHE, she worked for Vaquero Energy, an independent oil producer in Bakersfield, CA, and then worked as a teaching assistant and NCAA tutor during graduate school at the University of Alabama. She has worked at KDHE in the State Cooperative Program for 5 ½ years and is the unit manager for the Site Restoration Unit. In her spare time, she enjoys working out, cooking, and spending time with her preschooler.

Amy Seeds

Environmental Specialist

Amy Seeds has been an environmental specialist with the Bureau of Air for five years.  She works with MACT, NESHAP, and NSPS regulations.

Amy Thompson

Section Chief, Compliance and Aid-to-Local Section, BWM

Amy Thompson is the Chief of Compliance and Aid-to-Local Section with the Bureau of Waste Management (BWM) at KDHE.  She was a solid and hazardous waste regulatory and compliance specialist in the Bureau of Environmental Field Services based out of the Northeast district office with KDHE for over five years. She has a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Studies from the University of Kansas and spent the first several years of her career in public service. She started her career with KDHE in 2015 as an intern for the BWM.

Bill Heimann

Professional Geologist, Bureau of Environmental Remediation

Bill Heimann works at the KDHE Northwest District Office in Hays as a Licensed Geologist (KS), 1994 to present, in the KDHE Remedial Program.  Bill holds a master’s degree in geology from Fort Hays State University in 1987. Duties include the petroleum storage tank regulatory program, spills response and a variety of other remediation projects in NW KS.

Brittany Frost

Project Manager - Voluntary Cleanup and Property Redevelopment Program

Brittany Frost is a project manager in the Voluntary Cleanup and Property Redevelopment Program (VCPRP) with KDHE. She has been with KDHE in the VCPRP for 5 ½ years. She has worked temporarily with several other programs in the Bureau of Environmental Remediation. Prior to her work at KDHE, Brittany worked in nuclear waste management research and development, stormwater modelling, fish behavior modelling, climate change and environmental justice advocacy. Brittany graduated in 2011 with a B.A in environmental studies, with a minor in biology from Eastern University, and in 2017 with a M.S.E. in civil/environmental engineering from the Catholic University of America.

Bryce Zirfas

Site Assessment, Orphan Sites and Surface Mining Units

Bryce Zirfas received his BS in Biology from Emporia State University in 2015. He has worked at KDHE since 2016 in the Site Assessment, Orphan Sites and Surface Mining Units. He is currently a project manager for the Cherokee County Superfund site and Surface Mining Unit.

Cathy Tucker-Vogel

Section Chief, Public Water Supply Section, KDHE

Cathy is the Public Water Supply section chief at the KDHE with 30 years of water sector work experience in the State of Kansas. As section chief, Cathy oversees drinking water, portions of the state revolving fund (SRF), and water operator certification programs.  This includes permitting and oversight of approximately 980 water utilities serving a population of 2.8 million and the licensing of approximately 2,000 water operators. Prior to appointment as section chief, she was chief of the Capacity Development and Enforcement Unit in the Public Water Supply Section.  

Cathy is past president of the Association of State Drinking Water Administrators (ASDWA).  She is also the chairperson of the ASDWA Small Systems Committee and serves on the ASDWA PFAS, LCRR, and Cybersecurity workgroups. She has served on numerous EPA planning committees and workgroups at the regional and national levels. 

Charles J. Neslund

Scientific Officer and PFAS Practice Leader

Charles (Chuck) Neslund is the scientific officer for Eurofins Lancaster Laboratories Environment Testing, and PFAS Practice Leader for Eurofins Environment Testing US.  Chuck has worked in environmental analytical chemistry for over 37 years and works out of the Lancaster, PA location. He is a subject matter expert in HRMS analysis and PFAS analysis. He is responsible for identifying and framing trends in analytical testing and equipment.  Chuck initiates new methodology and directs research and development.  He has a B.S. in Chemistry from the University of Pittsburgh (1982) and two years of graduate study credits in Organic Chemistry from the University of Pittsburgh (1982-1984).

He is a member of the American Chemical Society (ACS), Chromatography Forum of Delaware Valley (CFDV), Air & Waste Management Association (AWMA), Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry (SETAC), and Sediment Management Workgroup (SMWG).

Christine Mennicke

Technical Support Section Chief

Christine Mennicke oversees regulation and guidance document development for the Kansas Solid and Hazardous Waste Programs. She has worked for KDHE since 1994; two years in the Bureau of Environmental Remediation and the last 26 years in the Bureau of Waste Management. She has Master of Science degree in geology from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and maintains a professional geologist license in Kansas.

Dan Wells

Northwest District Environmental Administrator

Dan Wells is the Northwest District Environmental Administrator for KDHE in Hays.  He has a bachelor’s degree in geology and has worked for KDHE for 28 years. 

Dane Boring

Policy Planning and Standards Unit Chief, KDHE Bureau of Water

Dane Boring supervises the Policy Planning & Standards Unit within KDHE’s Bureau of Water. He takes a leading role in multiple Clean Water Act programs including Water Quality Standards, the 303(d) Impaired Waters List, and Total Maximum Daily Loads. His experience with the Clean Water Act from the role of state governments has spanned his entire career.

Delbert Smith

KDHE Spills Coordinator

Delbert is a graduate of Emporia State with a B.S. in Chemistry.  He has been with KDHE as the spills coordinator for the past three years.  Prior to working with KDHE, Delbert spent roughly 10 years with the Kansas Department of Agriculture Laboratory as the Pesticide Laboratory Supervisor, and 16 years as an analytical chemist in the environmental analysis field.

Douglas Watson

Chief, Air Monitoring and Planning Section

Doug has been employed as an Environmental Scientist/Meteorologist in the Bureau of Air of the Kansas Department of Health and Environment since March 1999. He is currently the Chief of the Air Monitoring and Planning Section. He has been heavily involved in the atmospheric modeling and planning areas of ozone, particulate matter and regional haze in the State of Kansas. Doug received his degree in Atmospheric Science from the University of Kansas.

Erich Glave

Director, Bureau of Environmental Field Services

Erich Glave is the Director of the Bureau of Environmental Field Services with KDHE. He has been with KDHE for 15 years starting as an inspector in 2007. Glave is a graduate of St. Edward's University in Austin, Texas. His hobbies are hiking, kayaking and gardening.

Heather Merritt

Professional Environmental Engineering Supervisor

Heather Merritt is a licensed professional engineer. She worked as a permit manager in the solid waste landfills unit for five years before becoming unit chief last year. Before joining the Bureau of Waste management, she worked for an architectural consulting firm and as a release manager for augmented reality applications.

Jaime Gaggero

Water Deputy Division Director, EPA Region 7

Jaime Gaggero is the deputy director for the Water Division at EPA Region 7.  She has held this position since January of 2022.  Prior to becoming the deputy, she served as the branch supervisor for the Watersheds and Grants Branch responsible for overseeing the Clean Water Act Section 319 program, 404 program and 401 program. Jaime worked for KDHE for almost 20 years prior to joining Environmental Protection Agency .  Jaime has a bachelor’s degree in environmental policy and a master’s degree in public administration, both from the University of Kansas.

Janet Stanek

KDHE Secretary

Janet Stanek is the secretary of KDHE, appointed by Governor Laura Kelly. KDHE has three divisions, including Health, Environment, and Health Care Finance, which includes the Medicaid program (KanCare) and the State Employee Health Benefits Plan, where Stanek previously served as the director.

Stanek holds a graduate certificate in population health from Thomas Jefferson University, an MBA from Alfred University (NY) and a Bachelor of Science degree in health information management from the State University of New York Polytechnic Institute, Utica, New York. She is also a fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives and the Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society and is a registered health information administrator. 

Prior to her role with the State Employee Health Benefits Plan, Stanek spent more than 35 years in various healthcare leadership positions in Pennsylvania, western New York and Kansas, including 21 years of her career at Stormont Vail Health Topeka where she last served as chief operating officer and senior vice president. While with Stormont Vail, she oversaw a wide array of clinical and non-clinical functions and departments, as well as the strategic selection and rollout of a sophisticated electronic health record system across the region. Her most recent work involved focusing on population health, accountable care organization development and the transition to value-based care delivery.

Stanek has served as the chair of the Kansas Health Institute Board of Directors. 

Jayson Prentice

Chief, Environmental Data & Projects 

Jayson Prentice is the Chief of the Environmental Data and Projects group within the Bureau of Air. He oversees the bureau environmental databases including Kansas Environmental Information Management System (KEIMS) and State and Local Emissions Inventory System (SLEIS) alongside being a lead for the Flint Hills Smoke Management Plan. His roles also include air toxics, emissions inventories, environmental justice, special purpose monitoring, quality assurance, quality improvement, and other projects. Jayson has a bachelor's degree in Atmospheric Science from Iowa State University and received Certified Public Manager credentials from the University of Kansas. 

Jeffery (Jeff) Hughley

Office of the Regional Administrator, Senior Advisor for Community Outreach

Jeffery Hughley was appointed as Senior Advisor for Community Outreach in Region 7. He’s an incredible support to the regions efforts in engaging with communities and stakeholders as we tackle the agency’s priorities addressing environmental justice and climate change, as well as the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.

Jeff holds an Executive master’s in business administration degree from Rockhurst University. He was previously a captain with the Kansas City, Missouri Police Department, where he has served his community with distinction for more than 16 years. His various roles within the department included community engagement with stakeholders at the federal, state, and municipal levels. During his tenure as an officer he was a gubernatorial appointee to the Missouri Peace Officers Standard and Training Commission. In addition to his service with the Kansas City, Missouri Police Department. Jeff worked closely with U.S. Representative Emanuel Cleaver II (MO-5) providing security coordination and community relations services. He and his wife, Khara, reside in Lee’s Summit with their three children. He is a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc., is a participant in the Centurions leadership development program, and is an active member of the St. James United Methodist Church. He enjoys spending time with his family traveling, cooking, and fishing.

Jim Kowach

Operations Manager, Salina Public Works

Jim Kowach holds a bachelor’s degree in Science in Engineering from the Colorado School of Mines, a master’s degree from Kansas University in Public Administration, and is a Licensed Professional Engineer in Kansas. He is responsible for the operation of the following work units in Salina: Streets, Traffic Control, Flood Control, Sanitation, Household Hazardous Waste, Recycling, Solid Waste Municipal Landfill, and the Central Garage. Jim has over 35 years experience managing highway, transportation, and public works offices in Kansas.

Joel Billinger

Chief, Solid Waste Processing Unit

Joel Billinger graduated with a degree in chemical engineering from the University of Kansas. Since then he has worked with the Bureau of Waste Management for over five years. Joel briefly worked for the landfills unit and is now the unit chief for the solid waste processing unit.

John Colclazier

Program Manager, Environmental Finance Center, WSU

John joined the Environmental Finance Center in 2018 as a graduate research assistant and accepted a fulltime position with the Center in 2019. He works on regional and national projects that focus on the many facets to small water and wastewater systems, asset management, sustainable materials management, affordability, and financial sustainability.  John has a Master of Public Administration with certificates in Public Finance and City and County Management. He also holds a Bachelor of Political Science from Fort Hays State University.

Julie Coleman

Director, Bureau of Waste Management

Julie Coleman is the director of the Bureau of Waste Management within KDHE. She has worked for KDHE since 1988, holding positions in four different bureaus. Julie serves as vice president of the Kansas Land Trust. Julie received her bachelor's and master’s degrees in biology from Wichita State University.

Leo G. Henning

KDHE Deputy Secretary and Director of Environment

Leo G. Henning was appointed as the Deputy Secretary and Director of Environment for the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) in February of 2018.  In that capacity, he directs all environmental program activities and oversees a staff of approximately 440 employees.  

Henning has worked for KDHE for 29 years.  During this time, he has directed the Bureau of Environmental Remediation that houses all the environmental cleanup programs, the Bureau of Environmental Field Services that performs emergency response and facility inspections and the Kansas Health and Environmental Laboratory that carries out all the environmental and health testing.  

Mr. Henning received a bachelor's and master’s degree in geology from Wichita State University and is a licensed professional geologist.

Maura O'Halloran

Chief, Hazardous Waste Permits Section

Maura O’Halloran is a licensed geologist who has been with KDHE since 1993. She worked in the Bureau of Environmental Remediation’s Storage Tank, Orphan Sites, Site Assessment and State Cooperative programs before moving to the Bureau of Waste Management Hazardous Waste Permitting Section in 2019.

Mindy Bowman

Chief, KDHE Bureau of Waste Management

Mindy Bowman has been the KDHE Bureau of Waste Management Solid Waste Permitting Section Chief since 2019.  She is a licensed professional engineer in the State of Kansas.   Previously, she worked for the KDHE Bureau of Air for 25 years in a variety of positions.  She has also worked in manufacturing.

Nancy Larson

Director, K-State Pollution Prevention Institute

Nancy Larson is the director of the K-State Pollution Prevention Institute and has more than 30 years of experience working in the public and environmental health arena. Her current position allows her to provide pollution prevention (P2) and regulatory compliance technical assistance to Kansas industries, small businesses, and communities. Nancy serves as an executive and active member of several boards including the solid waste planning board, the pollution prevention roundtable and national small business environmental assistance program. One of the best parts of her position is meeting and working with state and local partners like all of you!

Peyton Witham

Environmental Specialist, BER

Peyton Witham received her BS in Biology from Pittsburg State University in 2020. She has worked in the Dry-cleaning/Superfund Unit for 1.5 years and is a project manager for the Cherokee County Superfund Site and the NRD coordinator for the State of Kansas.

Randy Carlson

Bureau of Environmental Remediation

Randy Carlson has a BS in geology from Kansas State University, an MS in geology from the University of Alaska – Fairbanks, a PhD in geology from the University of Kansas and is a Kansas licensed professional geologist.   He has worked at KDHE for 29 years in various programs in the Bureau of Environmental Remediation.

Ray Slattery, P.E.

Director of Engineering Services - City of Dodge City

Ray Slattery has been with the City of Dodge City for 28 plus years and for the past 11 years he has been the director of Engineering Services. Ray and his wife Brandi have two grown daughters and a son who graduated from DCHS this past May.  They also have a grandson and granddaughter. Ray and his brother manage the family farm that has been in the family since 1898.

Robert Gavin

Compliance and Data Management Unit Chief, BOW

Rob is currently the compliance and data management unit chief in the Public Drinking Water Section of the KDHE Bureau of Water. He has been with the KDHE for over 17 years. Prior to joining KDHE, he worked for over 20 years with private consulting engineering firms specializing in drinking water & wastewater treatment, geotechnical investigations, environmental site characterization and remediation. Rob is a Kansas Licensed Professional Geologist and is providing specialized compliance assistance to small community water systems concerning well construction, aquifer contamination and other drinking water compliance issues. He is the author of the New Kansas Lead Service Line Inventory Spreadsheet which will be required to be electronically submitted by all Kansas Community and Non-Transient Public Water Systems.

Sitney Day

Site Restoration Project Manager, Remediation Section

Sitney Day received her BS in geology with a minor in physics from Southern Illinois University Carbondale in 2019. Prior to coming to KDHE, she worked for the state of Georgia EPD in agricultural water well permitting and compliance and as a research assistant in her undergrad. She has worked in the State Cooperative Program for 1 ½ years and is a project manager for the Site Restoration Unit. In her spare time, she is a swim lesson coordinator for the local YMCA, enjoys upcycling projects, and relaxing with her cats.  

Stephanie Pfannenstiel

LUST / Investigation Unit Manager, Storage Tank Section, KDHE

Stephanie earned her BS in Geology at the University of Kansas.  She is a licensed geologist who has worked for the KDHE in the Storage Tank Section since 2001. She began her career with KDHE as a project manager in the LUST/Investigation Unit overseeing site investigations, tank removals, soil excavations, probing activities, and risk-based corrective action site closures. In 2016, she became the LUST/Investigation Unit Manager and provides program management for AST, UST & Federal LUST sites.

Todd Moore, Ph.D.

Associate Professor & Chair, Department of Geosciences
Fort Hays State University

Todd Moore received a Ph.D. from the Department of Geography at Texas State University where he focused on climate and environmental science. He served as an assistance and associate professor in the Department of Geography and Environmental Planning at Towson University in Maryland between 2013 and 2019. In 2019, Todd began serving as an associate professor and the chairperson of the Department of Geosciences at Fort Hays State University.

Tom Stiles

Director, Bureau of Water

Tom Stiles has overseen the Bureau of Water (BOW), administering the Clean Water Act and the Safe Drinking Water Act in Kansas, since May 2019.  Prior to that, he was BOW assistant director for three years and has been with KDHE since 1998 and Kansas government since 1982.   Stiles holds a B.S. in Watershed Science from Colorado State University and a M.S. in Forest Hydrology from the University of Minnesota. He is currently the past president of the Association of Clean Water Administrators (ACWA).

Tony Stahl

Section Chief, Watershed Monitoring, Assessment, and Science Section

Tony Stahl is an environmental program administrator in the Bureau of Water within KDHE.  Tony has been with KDHE for the past 26 years.  Tony is currently the section chief in the Watershed Monitoring, Assessment, and Science Section (WMAS) where he is responsible for supervising the work of employees assigned to the agency’s lake and wetland, fish tissue contaminant, targeted and probabilistic stream chemistry and biology, and compliance and use attainability analysis programs that monitor and analyze the state’s surface water quality. The WMAS Section also manages the Harmful Algal Bloom (HAB) Response Program.  Tony is a graduate of Fort Hays State University, with a B.S. degree in Biology.

William Carr

Assistant Director, Bureau of Water

William Carr holds a bachelor’s degree in chemistry and has been with KDHE for 29 years.  He currently serves as the assistant director for the Bureau of Water which oversees drinking water, wastewater, and watershed regulatory programs as well as the State Revolving Fund water infrastructure financing programs.  William has been a trustee board member for the Kansas Section of the American Water Works Association and a member of the board of directors for the Council of Infrastructure Financing Authorities since 2018.