Spring 2018 Issue

Recognitions
Kudos/Accolades
I just returned from a few days in your office, working with Tom Fox and Erik
Gessert on the final details of the ITRC LNAPL Update TechReg. I just want to
say thank you for allowing both of these gentlemen to participate so actively in
the team.
I don’t work for ITRC. I’m just a consultant with a long history of participation
on ITRC teams, and a shared passion for its mission. I’ve participated on
several ITRC teams over the years. Mahesh, you may recall that we were on
the MTBE and Other Fuel Oxygenates team together. Based on my
experience with multiple ITRC teams, Erik and Tom really stand out as
exemplary ITRC participants representing a state agency.
As you know, Erik has served as co-leader of the team, and his steady
leadership has been a huge benefit to all involved. Tom has led a critical
subteam, and brings a deeply experienced perspective to the team. They both
demonstrate an impressive grasp of the current technical and regulatory
issues in LNAPL management and remediation. Considering how rapidly the
knowledge in this field has been changing, it shows real professional
commitment on their part.
For the past two years, I’ve worked closely with Erik and Tom on various parts
of the document, and on the upcoming web-based training program. What
really impresses me about both of them is that they possess a rare
combination of technical expertise, affability, and pragmatism.
This week was “crunch time,” with a publication deadline looming. Erik and
Tom invited me and another team member (Tom Palaia of Jacobs) to sit with
them in their office and “hammer out” all of the important final details, with the
aim of making the document as usable and accessible as possible. It was a
tough couple of days, but working with these guys made it as enjoyable as it
was productive.
ITRC has reported that its LNAPL-related documents and training are the most
widely-used products in ITRC’s history, reaching thousands of agency staff,
consultants, problem owners, and other stakeholders. This next iteration of the
LNAPL guidance is bound to have a similarly significant impact. Considering
the number of LNAPL sites in the US, the number of people involved, and the
resources devoted to resolving these issues, the time and expertise that Erik
and Tom have contributed to the team will benefit Colorado, and extend well
beyond, to virtually every other state.
Content
SPRING 2018 NEWSLETTER 10