Â鶹´«Ã½

The Advisory Council for the Department of Geological and Environmental Sciences at Â鶹´«Ã½ advises the department on the formulation of long-term educational plans and ensures that the academic programs meet today's industry needs.

The Council is the oldest active advisory council at Â鶹´«Ã½. The council members are distinguished industry and academic professionals in geosciences and business who have worked throughout the U.S. and the world, all of whom have a strong interest in helping to strengthen and support Geological and Environmental sciences at Â鶹´«Ã½. The council's tasks can be summarized as follows:

• Advise the department regarding curriculum meeting current industry and employment trends.
• Assist in producing environmental and geological sciences graduates who are well-prepared for employment and leadership roles. See our "Recommendations to Applicants in Search of Geosciences Positions."
• Provide guidance to Â鶹´«Ã½s through informal meetings and events.
• Advocate departmental needs and activities to the University administration.
• Collaborate with the University Office of Development and Alumni Relations on fundraising campaigns that support departmental activities.

Advisory COUNCIL officers

• Richard Laton, Ph.D., CPG, PG, CHg, Chair
  Associate Professor of Hydrogeology, University of California at Fullerton
  Phone: (657) 278-7514
  Email: wlaton@fullerton.edu
  Email: wlaton@earthforensics.com
• Sara Pearson, Vice Chair
  DWEHD Source Water Unit Supervisor, Michigan Department of EGLE 
  Phone: (517) 420-3219
  Email: pearsons@michigan.gov
• Mike Kovacich, CPG, LPG (IN), Secretary
  Senior Principal, Geosyntec Consultants, Inc.
  Phone: (734) 794-1564
  Email: Michael.Kovacich@Geosyntec.com

Advisory COUNCIL Members

• Jerry Aiken
  Independent Consultant in Industrial Minerals (rare earth and precious metal)
  Email: j.l.aiken@att.net
• Ricky Becker, Ph.D.
  Professor, University of Toledo
  Phone: (419) 530-4571
  Email: richard.becker@utoledo.edu
• Angel Cuellar, L.P.G., R.G.
  Program Manager, Tetra Tech
  Phone: (734) 213-5043
  Email: angel.cuellar@tetratech.com
• James J. Ferritto Jr. 
  Waste Characterization Specialist, Michigan EGLE
  Phone: (231) 920-5249
  Email: ferrittoj@michigan.gov
• Harold R. Fitch
  President, H. R. Fitch Consulting Services LLC; Retired State Geologist 
  Phone: (517) 515-4528
  Email: hrfitch@hrfconsulting.net
• John Fowler
  Partner, Polaris Energy, Oil and Gas
  Phone: (517) 414-8766
  Email: jhenryfowler@yahoo.com
• Bob Garrison
  Phone: (208) 255-2973
  Email: robert.garrison0827@gmail.com
• Jeff Hawkins
  Vice President/Senior Hydrogeologist, Fishbeck
  Phone: (269) 615-3619
  Email: jhawkins@fishbeck.com
• Joshua Kirschner
  Exploration and Production Manager, Savoy Energy
  Phone: (231) 631-3022
  Email: joshua.kirschner@gmail.com
• Robert LoPiccolo, Ph.D.
  Retired
  Phone: (281) 920-0055
  Email: lopic@att.net
• Diana Morton-Thompson, C.P.G., P.G.
  Retired Member, Earth Resources International, LC 
  Phone: (269) 343-1181
• Kyle Patterson
  President, Rogue Geosciences
  Phone: (281) 740-1351
  Email: kyle.john.patterson@gmail.com
• Lisa Phillips
  Owner/President, Phillips Environmental Consulting Services, Inc.
  Phone: (269) 501-5079
  Email: lphillips@phillipsenv.com
• Thomas Robyn, Ph.D.
  Phone: (303) 909-0173
  Email: tlrobyn@msn.com
• Chris Roth
  Owner/President, Roth Professional Geology, LLC 
  Phone: (727) 741-1794
  Email: rpg@rothpg.org
• Brian Shaw, Ph.D.
  Senior Technical Advisor, Strategic Analysis Incorporated
  Email: brshaw1@aol.com
• Kim Steinmann
  Phone: (269) 870-0370
  Email: klfwks@gmail.com

Emeritus members

• William B. Harrison, III, Ph.D.
  MGRRE Research Director and Emeritus Professor of Geosciences, WMU
  Phone: (269) 387-8691
  Email: william.harrison_iii@wmich.edu
• Thomas Straw, Ph.D.
  Emeritus Professor of Geosciences, WMU
  Email: tstraw@evansville.net
• Thomas C. Kamin
  Independent Petroleum Production Geologist
  Phone: (972) 874-5050
  tckamin@aol.com
• Ronald Parker
  Retired President, Associated Earth Sciences, Inc.
  Phone: (425) 766-6812
  Email: rapman1952@gmail.com

HONORARY members - FRIENDS OF THE DEPARTMENT AND COUNCIL

• Ahmed Murad, Ph.D.
  Dean, College of Sciences, UAE University
  Email: ahmed.murad@uaeu.ac.ae
• Thomas R. Howe
  Geosciences Specialist, Sr., WMU
  Phone: (269) 387-5492
  Email: thomas.r.howe@wmich.edu
• Rennie Kaunda, Ph.D., P.E.
  Assistant Professor, Colorado School of Mines
  Phone: (303) 273-3772
  Email: rkaunda@mines.edu
• Mike Wireman
  Retired National Groundwater Expert, USEPA 
  Phone (303) 547-6045
  Email: graniteridgegw@q.com
• Roger Steininger, Ph.D.
  Phone: (775) 742-6333
  Email: audoctor@aol.com