Speakers

Below you will find the biographies for the speakers at the Michigan Onsite Wastewater Conference.

Matt Allen, Michigan EGLE

Matt Allen is the Enforcement Unit Supervisor with the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy. Prior to coming to EGLE, Matt worked for 14 years at the Ottawa County Department of Public Health in various roles from food safety to supervisor for the field team. He is originally from Texas and has come to love the hunting, fishing, and other outdoor opportunities that Michigan has to offer.

Jim Barnwell, Gerrish-Lyon Utility Authority

Jim Barnwell received his bachelor’s from MSU and worked with a number of consulting firms focused on municipal engineering, land development and planning. In addition, he served as a municipal engineer for several municipalities. He was also a director of public works for a municipality which included oversight of the water and wastewater facilities, streets, storm sewers , parks operation and other city operations. He has held professional engineering licenses in Michigan and three other states.

Bindu Bhakta, MSU Extension

Bindu Bhakta is a Natural Resources Educator with Michigan State University Extension, based in Oakland County. She is a member of the MSU Extension Center for Lakes and Streams. Her main responsibilities include developing online and in-person educational programs for adults and youth that are delivered locally and statewide on a variety of topics including the conservation of Michigan ecosystems and natural communities, inland lakes and the importance of natural shorelines, and onsite wastewater. Across Michigan, she also coordinates the Michigan Conservation Stewards Program, which empowers individuals with the knowledge and skills needed to make a difference in their local communities. Bindu earned her Master’s Degree from Cornell University in the Department of Floriculture and Ornamental Horticulture in 2001, and a double Bachelor’s Degree from University of Michigan in 1995 in Natural Resource Management (School of Natural Resources) and Anthropology-Zoology (School of Literature, Science and Arts).

Noelle Bowman, Washtenaw County Health Department

Noelle Bowman, REHS, has worked for the Washtenaw County Health Department as a Sanitarian since 2019. She has a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Michigan. Noelle has worked in Water Resources, Food, and Pool programs previously. In addition to working in the TOS program, she also handles the Type II well program.

Shannon Briggs, Michigan EGLE

Shannon Briggs is a toxicologist with the Water Resources Division of Michigan EGLE, where she assists local health departments to monitor beaches and identify sources of contamination that cause beach closures. She is a member of the Great Lakes Beach Association.

Casey Clement, Health Department of Northwest Michigan

Casey Clement, REHS, is a graduate of the Environmental Health program at Central Michigan University and has worked at the Health Department of Northwest Michigan since 2014. She is currently an Environmental Health Coordinator and oversees several programs, including Time of Transfers.

Charles Culton, MTA Safety Center

Charles Culton has been a safety specialist with the MTA Safety Center providing training and information on both state and federal motor carrier safety regulations. Prior to his employment with the MTA Safety Center he worked for Lansing Community College in their Continuing Education/Community Education Department.. From 1972 to his retirement in 2002 he was employed as a Motor Carrier Officer and commander with the Michigan State Police serving in Detroit, Pontiac, New Baltimore, Paw Paw and Headquarters. In his 30 year career with the Michigan State Police he held the rank of Officer, Sergeant, Lieutenant (District Commander) and Inspector (Asst. Division Commander) specializing in motor carrier enforcement and regulations. He was the technical expert for the Michigan House and Senate on commercial vehicle regulations and safety. He's a graduate of Northwestern University School of Police Staff and Command and was awarded the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administrations Leadership Award and the Michigan Traffic Safety Commissions Award of Excellence.

Arthur Davis, Rich Earth Institute

Arthur Davis holds a B.A. in Geology and Environmental Studies from Oberlin College and has been working with alternative sanitation systems since 2013, and at the Rich Earth Institute since 2017. He has also worked as an R&D engineer at Rich Earth’s spinoff company Brightwater Tools. Arthur directs Rich Earth’s community-scale urine recycling program, permits & installs residential & public urine collection systems, coordinates a portable toilet service, and works on technical & agricultural research projects.

Derek Deland, NSF

Derek DeLand is the Environmental Health Programs Manager in NSF’s Government Affairs Division. In this role he serves as a point of contact for local and state regulatory agencies and provides support with respect to NSF standards, certifications, and services. Derek came to NSF after 19 years at a local health department in Michigan where he served as a sanitarian and Environmental Health Director overseeing food safety, drinking water, onsite wastewater, and various other programs. He received his MPH with an environmental health concentration from the University of Illinois-Springfield and is a credentialed REHS/RS.

Marissa DiCicco, Washtenaw County Health Department

Marissa DiCicco has worked for the Washtenaw County Health Department as a Sanitarian since 2021. They have a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree from Oakland University and previously worked in Public Health / Communicable Disease at Oakland County. In addition to working in the TOS program, they also work in the onsite well and septi programs.

Sean Egan, Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity

Sean’s focus at LEO is on Labor, primarily overseeing MIOSHA, Workers Disability and Compensation Agency, the Bureau of Employment Relations, and the Wage & Hour Division. Sean was in the Navy and after his service served an apprenticeship and became a Journeyman Electrician through the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW). In 2007, he was elected as the head of the Local Union representing construction electricians, manufacturing, broadcasting, and electrical motor service industries. Most recently he served as General Counsel to IBEW Local 876 which represents working people in energy, construction, government, utility, line clearance, and other industries. Sean earned a Bachelor of Business Administration with a concentration in finance from Davenport University, and a Juris Doctor (JD) from Thomas M. Cooley Law School.

Marisa Faraldo, Michigan EGLE

Marisa has a Bachelor of Science in Geology and a Master of Science in Environmental Health. Both degrees were received from Old Dominion University. She also an REHS/RS with the National Environmental Health Association. She previously worked at Kent County Health Department as a general sanitarian before coming to Michigan Department of EGLE as an Environmental Quality Analyst in the Onsite Wastewater Program in 2021.

Casey Fiedler, Michigan Septic

Casey runs Michigan Septic with partner Matt Gustafson and is heavily involved with onsite education. Casey sits on the board for the Michigan Septic Tank Association, Wastewater Education, and actively integrates with the education arm of the National Association of Wastewater Technicians. These days Michigan Septic, based in Mason, MI, covers everything - inspections, installations, design, and operations and maintenance of onsite septic systems.

Mark Gross

Mark Gross is a civil engineer with more than 40 years of experience in water and wastewater projects for small communities. Dr. Gross has served as a teacher, researcher, and designer in the Civil/Environmental Engineering area. Following a career as a professor at the University of Arkansas, Dr. Gross managed the training department for an equipment manufacturer for decentralized wastewater systems providing workshops and training programs around the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and Ireland. After serving as a training manager, Dr. Gross worked with consulting engineering firms serving western Arkansas, Eastern Oklahoma, and Northern Texas. He is currently working part-time with a Washington D.C. firm on two U.S. EPA-funded projects - the Closing America's Wastewater Access Gap Initiative and the Get the Lead Out Initiative. Dr. Gross is a Registered Professional Engineer in Arkansas, Missouri, Tennessee, Oregon, and Virginia.

Mark Hansel, Oakland County Health Division

Mark Hansell is a Program Chief for the Oakland County Health Division. He has been very involved the county’s inland beach monitoring program for the past 23 seasons and is a partner to the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy in advancing rapid method and source tracking technology for inland lakes. Oakland County has nearly 250 known beaches.

Sara Heathman, Michigan EGLE

Sara Heathman graduated from Michigan Technological University with a Bachelor’s in Forestry. Sara worked for the Western UP Health Department as a Sanitarian, Operations Supervisor, and Environmental Health Director and joined EGLE in June of 2024 as part of the Onsite Wastewater and Septage programs. Sara is licensed in Wisconsin as a Septage Hauler and Certified Soil Tester and is also a licensed REHS/RS through NEHA and on the Board of Directors for MEHA.

Brad Laskosky, Michigan EGLE

Brad Laskosky is an Enforcement Analyst with the Enforcement Unit within EGLE’s Drinking Water and Environmental Health Division. He acts as a case manager for escalated enforcement cases, criminal investigations, and civil/administrative litigation actions. Prior to joining EGLE, Brad served as Military Police in the United States Marine Corps where he investigated cases ranging from minor theft to narcotics possession as well as conducted security operations in both the United States and overseas. Brad holds a B.S. in Geographic Information Systems from Northern Michigan University and a M.S. in Environmental Policy and Management from American Military University.

Jacob Lesniak, Michigan EGLE

Jacob Lesniak is an EGLE Septage Program staff member in the Drinking Water and Environmental Health Division. He has a BS in Environmental Science from Lake Superior State University concentrating in Policy, Management, and Conservation. His past experiences include 5 years with District Health Department #10 working in onsite wastewater and well permitting/inspections, campground inspections, pool inspections, MDHHS licensed facility inspections, complaint investigations, soil evaluations, mortgage evaluations, and PFAS management

Sam Lines, Concrete Sealants, Inc.

Sam Lines is the Engineering Manager for Concrete Sealants, Inc. Sam began his precast concrete career in 1990 as a project designer for Hartford Concrete Products in Indiana. Later, he was promoted to Quality Engineer and eventually Quality and Safety Director. Joining Concrete Sealants in 2005, Sam brings his experience in precast to the industry by providing technical support, plant visits, and education to precast plants around the United States. Sam holds a Master of Business Administration degree from Indiana Wesleyan University, and he is a certified Lean Six Sigma Master Black Belt. Sam’s research interests include concrete durability and effective leadership. Sam is the Chair of ASTM C27 for Precast Concrete, and an active member of ASTM C13 for Concrete Pipe and ASTM C09 for Concrete and Aggregates. He also actively serves as a voting member on committees 125, 201, and 241 of the American Concrete Institute (ACI). Sam is a past board member of the National Precast Concrete Association where he is currently a member of the Engineering and Technology Committee and instructor for PQS III–Leadership.

Mathew Lippincott

Mathew Lippincott is a technical writer who has worked on building mechanical codes and policies for ecological sanitation since 2010. Mathew led writing of the Recode Model Code, IAPMO/ANSI WE Stand chapter on composting and urine diverting toilets, and the proposed International Plumbing Code (IPC) appendix on urine diversion, which recently received committee approval for the 2027 IPC. Mathew is currently working with the Asset Team as a part of the NSF Convergence Accelerator.

Benjamin Love, Michigan EGLE

Benjamin Love is an EGLE Septage Program staff member in the Drinking Water and Environmental Health Division. He has a B.S. in Environmental Science from LSSU. He has experience as an AmeriCorps member in the 'Armed to Farm' Program, onsite wastewater and water permitting experience as an Environmental Health Sanitarian at BHSJCHA, and as a municipal water and wastewater utilities GIS Technician.

Dr. Nancy Love, University of Michigan

Dr. Nancy Love is the JoAnn Silverstein Distinguished University Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering at the University Michigan. In collaboration with her students, Dr. Love's research is focused on understanding how engineering design and operation of water systems influence sustainability and access to healthy water services, and on advancing methods to achieve a circular nutrient economy. A licensed professional engineer and board certified environmental engineer, her group's core work is centered on identifying and translating fundamental understanding into practical solutions for water utilities, communities, and water-based businesses.

Dr. Mark Luttenton, Grand Valley State University R.B. Annis Water Resources Institute

Dr. Luttenton is a professor in the Department of Biology at Grand Valley State University and director of the R.B. Annis Water Resources Institute. He received his Bachelor's degree from Central Michigan University, his Master's degree from the University of Wisconsin - LaCrosse and his Ph.D. from Bowling Green State University.

Anne Mitchell, Michigan EGLE

Anne Mitchell graduated from Michigan State University in 2014 with a master’s degree in public health and toxicology, after graduating, Anne worked for the Ingham County Health Department as a registered sanitarian within the Land and Water Program for seven years, and began working for EGLE in October of 2023 as the Program Manager for the Septic Replacement Loan Program.

Will Pitylak, Apex Septic and Excavating, Inc.

Will Pitylak is the owner of Apex Septic and Excavating, Inc., a wastewater system installer, located near Charlotte, MI. Apex is one of two wastewater system contractors that have been chosen by Ingham County for the installation of systems funded under the ARPA program.

Dr. Wenjing Ren, MSU

Wenjing Ren, received her PhD degree from Auburn University in August 2023, and then joined Dr. Joan Rose’s lab at MSU where she has conducted postdoc research. Her doctoral work focused on a better understanding of microbial source tracking markers for the identification of fecal pollution sources in environmental waters. Her current research at MSU focuses on beach monitoring and Microbial Source Tracking projects. She’s also working on wastewater surveillance projects using qPCR and droplet digital PCR (ddPCR) and is working to better understand water quality issues in order to develop solutions to mitigate public health risks.

Kristine Rendon, Michigan EGLE

Jeffrey Ross graduated from Indiana University with a B.S. in Public Affairs. Prior to working for EGLE’s Onsite
Wastewater Management Unit, he was a general sanitarian for the Kent County Health Department and an
Environmental Health Specialist in Maricopa County, Arizona reviewing residential, non-residential, and
alternative onsite wastewater treatment system plans as well as conducting inspections.

Jeffrey Ross, Michigan EGLE

Tanya Rule, Michigan EGLE

Tanya Rule is the Environmental Manager of the Onsite Wastewater Management Unit for the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy. Tanya has a graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree from Northern Michigan University. Prior to joining EGLE in January of 2024, Tanya served her community for 24 years as a Registered Sanitarian and an Environmental Health Director of a local public health department in Michigan. Tanya has a true passion for protecting public health and the environment and enjoys working to provide solutions for wastewater treatment.

Dr. Hayley Smith

Dr. Hayley Joyell Smith is an educator focused on water and wastewater systems. She has a background in soils, hydrology, and social systems around decision-making. Hayley is a Board Director to PHLUSH (Public Hygiene Lets Us Stay Human), a non-profit that advocates for public restrooms and toilet system designs that promote healthy communities. Smith is part of the Asset Team and focuses on the public outreach and professional skills development aspects of the project.

Larry Stephens, Stephens Consulting

Larry has spent over 50 years now in the onsite wastewater treatment industry, first as a state regulator for 12 years and then as the owner of Stephens Consulting Services, PC for the last 40 years. Stephens Consulting Services is a design engineering company located in Haslett, MI. Onsite wastewater treatment systems, both large and small, have become his focus and specialty. Larry holds a B.S. in Civil Engineering from Michigan State University and a Masters of Engineering from the University of Florida. He is a registered professional engineer in Michigan and Ohio. Larry is active and has held leadership positions in both the Michigan Onsite Wastewater Recycling Association and the National Onsite Wastewater Recycling Association.

Mike Stephens, Guardian Wastewater

Mike works for Guardian Wastewater, formerly known as SCS Systems, LLC. He has been in the wastewater industry for 24 years, working in operations, maintenance, inspection, and product management. Recently, he spent 2 ½ years as the Wastewater Product Manager for Valley Farms Supply & Milan Supply Company. He received his Bachelor of Business Administration from Grand Rapids Baptist College (now Cornerstone University). He is a licensed wastewater operator with the State of Michigan.

Eric Valentine, American Manufacturing Company, Inc.

Eric is a national sales manager for American Manufacturing Company, Inc.

Regina Young, Michigan EGLE

Regina serves as an Environmental Quality Analyst with the EGLE, Drinking Water and Environmental Health Division, Environmental Health Programs Unit, Onsite Wastewater Management Unit. Prior to joining EGLE in 2019, Regina served her community for thirty (30) plus years as a Registered Sanitarian, supervisor, and director in the Environmental Health Division of a local public health department. Regina seeks to share her enthusiasm in onsite wastewater management for the betterment of Michigan’s residents and visitors.

Dervin Witmer, Dig-It Excavating, Inc. and Pump that Septic

Dervin Witmer worked for his family’s third-generation motor sales and repair facility in Pennsylvania for 10 years. He founded Dig-It Excavating, Inc. in 2005 and expanded with a septic service division, Pump That Septic, including septic maintenance and evaluations, camera scoping, line jetting and full system installation and repairs. They will be celebrating the 20^th anniversary of the company in 2025. Dervin is also an executive board Member of Michigan Septic Tank Association.

MSU Extension Septic System Education