CEP In Action
Page revised June 2025
CEP In Action Jake Barben
Jake Barben is a Senior Environmental Scientist experienced in conducting wetland delineations; forest stand delineations; landscape inspections; mitigation and vegetation monitoring. He completes data sheets; prepares wetland delineation reports and GIS mapping; calculates environmental impacts; prepares Joint Permit Applications; and completes Critical Area and Tier II documentation. He conducts environmental analyses such as stream assessments, wetland functional assessments, stream impact and mitigation calculators, and RTE plant surveys. Jake completes all wetlands/waterways permitting and leads coordination with regulatory agencies. Jake is experienced in developing landscaping design plans, specifications, and estimates. Jake has managed numerous stream restoration, wetland mitigation, mitigation bank, TMDL, and design build projects through design and construction. Jake is experienced in providing QAQC reviews, tracking project and submittal status, developing scopes, projecting project schedules, and leading client and agency meetings.
Member Profile
Name: Jacob Barben, CEP
Title: Senior Environmental Scientist
CEP Since: 2022
Functional Area: Environmental Planning
Company: Wallace Montgomery
Location: Hunt Valley, MD
Expertise: Wetland and Waterway Permitting and Mitigation
On the Importance of Being a CEP
The CEP credential allows me a way to demonstrate my professional skills and high standards to clients and colleagues.
CEP In Action Joel Cantu
Joel Cantu has been a CEP since 2023. He is currently the Senior Environmental Compliance & Education Manager at SOLV Energy LLC. He supports the company's environmental compliance through the development of various multimedia and in-person training programs.
Member Profile
Name: Joel Cantu, CEP
Title: Senior Environmental Compliance & Training Manager
CEP Since: 2023
Functional Area: Environmental Compliance
Company: SOLV Energy LLC
Location: San Diego, California
Expertise: Subject Matter Expert Construction Environmental Compliance & Remediation, HDD Inadvertent Return Remediation, ESA, MBTA, BGEPA, SWPPP, SPCC, Vegetation Establishment & Invasive Weed Management, Document Compliance, Consultation & Training
On the Importance of Being a CEP
CEP is one of the few environmental organizations accredited by the Council of Engineering & Scientific Specialty Boards. Achieving this designation after completing your degree and obtaining the appropriate experience is essential to demonstrate your expertise. I highly recommend this program to everyone in the environmental industry.
CEP In Action Betty Dehoney
Although retired, Betty stays active in the profession as an ABCEP Board member, is a part-time instructor with the UCSD Extended Studies Program teaching a Project Management for Environmental Professionals class for their environmental certificate program and does some part-time consulting for special projects. In addition to that, Betty volunteers with the California Chapter of AEP on the legislative review committee. She also volunteers for a science museum in San Diego (Fleet Science Center) on the Advisory Board for the Better Education for Women in Science and Engineering (BE WiSE) program which aims to engage female and female-identifying students in grades 7–12 with exciting STEM learning experiences and the Two Scientists Walk into a Bar which is a program to engage adults in a casual setting.
Betty has been responsible for the delivery of complex environmental documents (including NEPA, CEQA, SEPA, ESA, CWA, 106, other state and local regulatory programs, etc.) for major infrastructure programs. Her projects have included large scale water delivery/storage, water resources, habitat conservation programs, wetland restorations programs, transportation, and energy development. With a master’s and bachelor’s in biology, much of Betty’s project experience has focused on creating sustainable solutions for challenges with natural resources.
Although Betty has spent her professional career as a consultant working for environmental companies, she has contributed to the education of our future leaders teaching courses at the University of San Diego for over 10 years and teaching courses at University of California San Diego.
Betty’s activities have been recognized by her peers in many arenas, including recognition from the California Chapter of AEP for Outstanding Contribution to the Environmental Profession: AEP President’s Award, Innovative Chapter Programs. CEQA Initial Study Evaluation; Certificate of Merit recognition for several environmental documents; and Outstanding Chapter Activity – Legislative Committee (Committee Chair). Other recognition includes acknowledgement by the State of California with a Proclamation for the Batiquitos Lagoon Enhancement Project and APA Section Planning Award - Outstanding Planning Project. Serving the environmental professionals is also very important; Betty has served AEP as the chapter lead on the Legislative Review Committee for over 25 years, served on ABCEP Certification Review Board until moving to the Board of Trustees.
Member Profile
Name: Betty Dehoney
Title: CEP Emeritus
CEP Since: 2001
Functional Area: Environmental Documentation
Company: Dehoney Consulting LLC and University of California San Diego
Location: San Diego, CA
Expertise: CEQA, NEPA, ESA, CWA, etc.
On the Importance of Being a CEP
My career has been spent predominantly working for environmental companies that did a bit of engineering ð. Having a third-party accreditation enhanced my credibility when working with PEs.
CEP In Action Andrew Der
With a total of 33 years of experience (25 as a manager) working within the Chesapeake Bay watershed as well as nationally and internationally, Mr. Der is currently executive principal of Andrew T. Der and Associates, LLC practicing in the environmental consulting industry since 2013. Prior to that, and since 2000, he was Director of Environmental Services for two civil engineering firms in the Washington DC/Baltimore, MD metro region. Previously, he completed 18 years of service at the Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) leaving as a manager. He also teaches seminars, publishes industry-related and natural resources articles, an appointed member of industry and advisory committees, and provides expert testimony and media interviews.
Fun fact: One of first participants in the Fulbright Experts Exchange Program’s newly created post-communist bloc Regional Environmental Center for Eastern Europe created with USA support to clean up the environmental impacts of the previous regimes.
Member Profile
Name: Andrew T. Der, CEP
Title: Principal
CEP Since: 2018
Functional Area: Consulting
Company: Andrew T. Der & Associates, LLC
Location: Baltimore, MD
Expertise: Water resource management, compliance, regulation, and NEPA
On the Importance of Being a CEP
Unlike many other professional certifications and recognition which is more discipline-focused and specific, the CEP credential provides me with the opportunity to showcase my accomplishments and knowledge over a broader spectrum of knowledge. Successful environmental professionals need a good handle on multi-disciplined niches at the same time which can be especially challenging, and can otherwise go under-appreciated if not for CEP.
CEP In Action Jim Elliot
Mr. Elliott holds a Bachelor of Science in Environment Management with distinction, a Master of Environmental Policy with honors, Master of Arts in National Security and Strategic Studies with highest distinction from the U.S. Naval War College and a Master of Business Administration. Additionally, he has earned over 75 Coast Guard, State and industry awards and medals, including selection into the Coast Guard’s Leadership Hall of Fame and ADCI Commercial Diving Hall of Fame. Jim is also the recipient of the Dr. Richard J. Kramer CEP Award for Environmental Excellence.
Member Profile
Name: Jim Elliot, CEP
Title: Chief Operating Officer
CEP Since: 2001
Functional Area: Environmental Assessment
Company: T&T Group of Companies
Expertise: Marine Salvage, Environmental Assessment and Response, Marine Firefighting, and Commercial Diving Operations
CEP In Action David Gavin
Member Profile
Name: David J. Gavin, CEP
Title: Office Practice Leader
CEP Since: 2023
Company: TRC Environmental Corporation
Location: Braintree, MA
Expertise: Safety & Industrial Hygiene
On the Importance of Being a CEP
The CEP credential provides me with an additional level credibility that greatly improves client’s perception of expertise and trustworthiness with my daily business interactions.
CEP In Action Obinna Iwuchukwu
Obinna Iwuchukwu holds a master's degree in Sustainability and Environmental Management from Harvard University and a master's degree (MSc) in Environmental Pollution Control from Middlesex University, London, UK. He is a doctorate degree candidate. He is a Chartered Resources and Waste Manager (CRWM/MCIWM) and a licensed Lead Based Paint Risk Assessor. He is the Chief Executive Officer of Redox Environmatics Inc. He oversees environmental projects; waste management, lead risk assessment, circular economy, etc.
Currently, he is overseeing the project implementation and compliance for the EPA Lead and Copper Rule encompassing analysis of all Nashville residential water pipe assets inventory for the Metro Water Service Lead Pipe project. This involves identification of drinking water pipe material type, analysis of the constituents and reporting.
Member Profile
Name: Obinna Iwuchukwu, CEP-IT
Title: Chief Executive Officer
CEP-IT Since: 2017
Functional Area: Environmental Sustainability and Environmental Assessment
Company: Redox Environmatics Inc.
Location: Nashville, Tennessee
Expertise: Waste Management, Circular Economy, Lead Risk Assessment, Phytoremediation, Sustainability, Construction
On the Importance of Being a CEP
The CEP-IT shows the confidence reposed by one's professional peers. Participating in ABCEP activities and the Board of Trustees provides me with unique learning experience and networking opportunities. CEP In Action Elizabeth Johnson
Lead the Environmental Land Stewardship Program
Elizabeth Johnson, CEP since 2007, worked on the Environmental Land Stewardship Program (ELSP) in Orange County Florida. The ELSP applies to an area of land located in southeast Orange County which is about 33,000 acres in size, and is known as the Innovation Way Overlay. The geographical area of the area is generally bounded by State Road 417 on the west, State Road 528 on the north, the Econlockhatchee River on the east, and the Osceola County line on the south. This land area is designated primarily for rural use in the Future Land Use Element and the Future Land Use Map of the Comprehensive Plan. This means that only one house per ten acres could be built.
In 2005, Orange County Mayor Richard Crotty proposed the vision of a regional high-technology corridor linking the University of Central Florida to the Orlando International Airport.
This high technology corridor concept, vital to the economic growth of the greater Orlando metropolitan area and diversification of the region's economic and employment base, requires higher development densities and intensities than can be accomplished with the rural future land uses that were designated for the Innovation Way Overlay.
Although greater density and intensity of development is necessary to achieve the economic goals of the high technology regional corridor, there are substantial areas of ecologically important lands located within the Innovation Way Overlay, and the need for economic diversification and development must be balanced with the protection of the environment.
The vision for the Innovation Way Overlay incorporates the high technology corridor concept and includes protection of ecologically important lands. This balancing of high technology/high value economic development with environmental protection requires innovative urban form, multimodal transportation concepts and infrastructure, and sustainable development practices.
The primary purpose of the ELSP is to provide protection for the area's environmental resources while allowing opportunities for sustainable economic development.
Member Profile
Name: Elizabeth Johnson, CEP
Title: Environmental Programs Administrator
CEP Since: June 2007
Functional Area: Environmental Documentation
Company: Orange County Government
Location: Orlando Florida
Expertise: Wetlands Regulations, Water Quality
On the Importance of Being a CEP
Being part of ABCEP and a CEP has provided me with professional growth opportunities that otherwise may have not been presented.
CEP In Action Gary F. KelmanDuring his 42-year career as an environmental professional, Gary worked as a consultant in water and wastewater engineering, regulated industries, municipalities, and agriculture to protect surface and groundwaters of the State of Maryland and served on the Boards of NAEP and ABCEP. He continues his service as the ABCEP representative to the NAEP Board. Retiring at the end of 2019, he volunteers in Washington DC at the United States Capitol, the Library of Congress, the United States Park Service, and the White House. He also consults with the Potomac Riverkeeper Network. Participating in the environmental profession through NAEP and ABCEP affords access to the experts in the field, growing great friendships, and broadening of knowledge through experiences.
Member Profile
Name: Gary F. Kelman, CEP Emeritus
Title: Retired
CEP Since: 2005
Functional Area: Documentation
Company: JTC Environmental Consultants; State of Maryland
Location: Washington, DC
Expertise: Water/Wastewater Engineering
On the Importance of Being a CEP
The CEP credential has provided an additional “notch” to my belt and provided me with more credence. Proving to a panel of my peers the depth of my knowledge and earning the CEP gives me confidence in knowing that my decisions/determinations hold additional weight. It also opens me up to discussions of what the CEP is. Once people understand the credential, they respect what I say even more.
CEP In Action Douglas Parker
Douglas Parker, CEP since 2009, is currently the Environmental Manager with E.L. Robinson Engineering conducting National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) reviews for transportation projects, building training courses for transportation topics, and writing federal grants for transportation projects. Most recently, he completed one of the first Planning and Environmental Linkages (PEL) studies in West Virginia (http://kyovaipc.org/harvey_road_connector_study.php). He is currently providing document review (draft and final Environmental Impact Statement, Natural Resources Technical Report, Community Impact Assessment, Economic Impact Analysis, Land Use Scenario Assessment, GeoEnvironmental Report, etc.), for the NCDOT project R-2553 US 70 Kinston Bypass – a 21 mile upgrade of US 70 to interstate standards. The project is state funded and the USACE is the lead federal agency. As part of the R-2553 project, he coordinated the creation of the first Burial Treatment Plan in North Carolina that details how the various laws will be properly applied to ensure that any human remains that may be found on the Civil War Wyse Fork Battlefield will be treated respectfully.
Member Profile
Name: Douglas Parker, CEP
Title: Environmental Manager
CEP Since: 2009
Functional Area: Environmental Assessments
Company: E.L. Robinson Engineering
Location: Raleigh, North Carolina
Expertise: UST assessment and remediation, Phase I Environmental Site Assessments, Environmental Condition of Property Reports for Department of Defense, National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) for transportation, former industrial site assessment and remediation
On the Importance of Being a CEP
Being a CEP provides my clients with the confidence that I have the proven expertise to provide the services they need.
CEP In Action Corry Platt
Playing in the mud
Corry Platt, CEP since 2002, works on sediments-related projects across North America. He deals with contaminated, polluted, and clean sediment along with the ecological impacts and practical construction-phase realities. He is the technical lead on the Black River Dredged Material Reuse Facility in Ohio where he's striving for beneficial reuse solutions to the prohibition on open lake disposal in Lake Erie. The leading project objective is to identify cost-efficient methods to dewater dredged sediments making them suitable for incorporation into the recycled soil market - "making spoil into soil." The project is funded through a Healthy Lake Erie grant to the City of Lorain by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources and the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency. Building upon bench tests, an innovative technology pilot study is underway assessing the function of a GeoPool, which he describes as a one-acre above ground swimming pool with a filter fabric liner. Balancing dredge production rates and slurry delivery, polymer dosing, clarified water quality, dewatering and solids consolidation, and residual solids texture, strength, chemical and nutrient concentrations, and invasive plant seed abundances are being tracked as the pilot occurs.
Member Profile
Name: Corry Platt, CEP
Title: Director - Sediments, Coastal & Brownfield Restoration
CEP Since: March 2002
Functional Area: Environmental Documentation
Company: Coldwater Consulting
Location: Raleigh-Durham, North Carolina
Expertise: Sediments, Water Quality, Permitting/Regulatory, Construction
On the Importance of Being a CEP
My CEP credential enabled me to initially receive a promotion, served as assurance to obtain professional liability insurance coverage when I was independent, facilitated teaming opportunities with fellow CEPs, substantiated my KSAs when working in legal proceedings, and provides me ongoing pride from the peer-reviewed endorsement of my KSAs. Being active in ABCEP has broadened my horizons, network, and awe of the inspiring work of our peers.
CEP In Action Heidi Pruess
Lead the State of the Environment Report, Mecklenburg County, NC Project
Mecklenburg County produces a State of the Environment Report biennially. The State of the Environment Report (SOER) has been produced since 1987, initiated as a description of data results. Evolving the SOER to provide data trends and recommendations has been possible due to the cooperation of numerous department staff and the integration of outcome oriented communications. The SOER is a tool for understanding our environmental condition while identifying strategies for ensuring that we have clean air to breathe, clean water to drink, and healthy land on which to live and recreate. We have taken the opportunity, through the SOER, to encourage involvement from our residents and local officials to become a part of helping to make Mecklenburg County a Sustainable Community. In my role as editor of the SOER, I have been able to utilize my network of CEP peers as resources in making this report a successful asset for the Mecklenburg County community.
Member Profile
Name: Heidi Pruess, CEP
Title: Environmental Policy Administrator
CEP Since: 2006
Functional Area: Environmental Operations
Company: Mecklenburg County, Land Use and Environmental Services
Location: Charlotte, NC
Expertise: Environmental Sustainability
On the Importance of Being a CEP
Credible credentialing for environmental professionals in the area of Sustainability is a scarce and valuable asset. Employers seeking to be the best and truly set themselves apart from others will seek out credentialed professionals to be on their staff. Being a CEP has afforded me with a strong code of ethics and credible credential that has ably matched my work with those employers that are seeking the same.
CEP Emeritus In Action Rich Reaves
Stop and smell the flowers
Rich Reaves, CEP since 2014, recently retired from Jacobs, where he worked on natural resources projects across North America. His work focused primarily on Department of Defense and other Federal agency NEPA analyses, wetlands ecology/permitting, and threatened and endangered species issues. He is very interested in native plants and in particular native plants along roadsides. He volunteered to assist the Georgia DNR and DOT in establishing ecologically sensitive areas within transportation rights-of-way to manage these areas to benefit the rare flora growing there.
Member Profile
Name: Rich Reaves, CEP
Title: Senior Ecologist, retired
CEP Since: 2014
Functional Area: Environmental Documentation
Company: Jacobs
Location: Marietta, Georgia
Expertise: NEPA, Threatened and Endangered Species, Wetlands, Permitting/Regulatory
On the Importance of Being a CEP
The CEP credential provided peer-reviewed validation of my capabilities to clients. It also offers a means of giving back to the profession through participation on the ABCEP certification review board and working with folks to further their careers.
CEP In Action Suzie Richert
Member Profile
Name: Suzie Richert, CEP
Title: Director
CEP Since: 2014
Functional Area: Environmental Documentation
Company: Wetland Studies and Solutions, Inc.
Location: Blacksburg, VA
Expertise: NEPA
On the Importance of Being a CEP
The biggest reward is the professional and personal connections I have made with those that also serve on the ABCEP applicant review board.CEP-IT In Action Thangasamy Saminathan
Thangasamy Saminathan, CEP-IT since August 2023, is currently working as an Environmental Resources Analyst in the permitting/section of the West Virginia Department of
Environmental Protection. His major duties at WVDEP are to issue underground injection control permits to industries, review and approve remediation plans, and coordinate the new e-Permit online system. As a researcher, he focuses on phytoremediation for heavy metals and organic pollutants to find out molecular regulators for remediation. He currently serves as a reviewer of many SCI journals for genetics, remediation and molecular biology.
Member Profile
Name: Thangasamy Saminathan, CEP-IT
Title: Environmental Resources Analyst
CEP-IT Since: 2023
Functional Area: Environmental Permitting, Remediation and Research
Company/Agency: West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection
Location: Charleston, West Virginia
Expertise: Plant breeding, genetics, molecular biology, coal mine reclamation, phytoremediation, ePermit system development, review remediation and groundwater protection plans (GPPs), UIC permit writer, site visits and sampling, scientific reviewer of SCI journals.
On the Importance of Being a CEP-IT
Being a CEP-IT provides my employer more confidence that I have expertise in different environmental areas. Also, it gives me an opportunity to explore more environmental career opportunities with more monetary benefits.
CEP In Action Kevin Yue
Kevin is a Senior Environmental Engineer with over 20 years of experience in site assessment and remediation of contaminated facilities, agricultural compliance and sustainability, and water resource management. He has managed and innovated projects that have worked with clients across the country to implement successful remedial strategies, including bioremediation, excavations, mechanical remedial systems, and in-situ chemical oxidation. He currently serves as the technical lead on Brownfields redevelopment and FDEP-managed sites to ensure cost-effective solutions are implemented. In addition to his consulting roles, he has also served as the Lead Engineer for the Big Cypress Basin of the South Florida Water Management District, where he managed flood control and infrastructure projects to ensure the basin's drainage was effective and met stakeholder interests. Mr. Yue has previous experience in implementation of in-situ stabilization applications, conducting and compiling data for EPA-regulated spill prevention, control, and countermeasure (SPCC) plans; providing guidance on feasibility testing of passive water treatment technology; development of remedial investigation and feasibility study work plans; and has served as the engineer of record for petroleum remediation for retail petroleum centers.
In his spare time, he tries to get outdoors and enjoy nature and helping steward the community by being a Trustee for the Corkscrew Regional Ecosystem Watershed Land & Water Trust (CREW Trust), as well as mentor young students through snail mail in the Letters to a Pre-Scientist program. He also spends time with his wife and 3 daughters on a whirlwind of adventures!
Member Profile
Name: Kevin Yue, CEP
Title: Senior Environmental Engineer
CEP Since: 2018
Functional Area: Operations
Company: Stantec
Location: Naples, Florida
Expertise: Contaminant assessment and remediation, water resources, agricultural interests
On the Importance of Being a CEP
The CEP credential provides others with an understanding that I have the experience and training to perform and excel in my industry. It helps me show that I am capable of assisting others with environmental needs and that I am up to date on technical needs, such as emerging contaminants and how they may impact human health and the environment.
