As a hydrogeologist, geologist, former environmental consultant, oil and gas geologist and environmental attorney, Ben brings over 20 years of legal and consulting experience to assist his clients with getting to closure while controlling cost and risk to the extent possible. He believes that his goal oriented approach to obtaining closure, coupled with his understanding of the science and ability to effectively communicate with regulators and consultants provides great value to his client by increasing efficiencies and working with consultants to identify cost effective and proven remedial options. Throughout his career, he has worked on environmental cleanup matters in various capacities in MI, OH, IN, KS, VA, IA, ND, SD, CO, OK, LA, WI and TX, among other states. He has handled matters involving chlorinated solvents, brine, crude oil, gasoline and diesel, ethanol, liquid fertilizer (ammonia, nitrates, nitrites), formaldehyde and methanol, among others.
While in college, his enthusiasm for the natural environment directed his education towards geology. He spent the next several years pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Geology at CMU in Mt. Pleasant, and then travelled to Wyoming earning a Master’s of Science in Geology and Hydrology. His thesis work there involved geological mapping in the Rattlesnake Hills of central Wyoming where he spent three long months, alone, with rattlesnakes, cattle, and horny toad lizards for his only company.
After several years working as a geologist in Houston, Texas (where he became engaged to his wife), Ben moved back to Michigan to be closer to family and earn his law degree. He now spends his free time teaching his two young sons (ages 6 and 3) how to play sports (and support all things green – Go Spartans), fish and enjoy the outdoors. He and his sons are working on his current personal goal – trying to convince his wife to allow a reptile into the house as a pet! (His wife put her foot down on the idea of a snake for a pet, so Ben and the boys are now rallying for a horny toad lizard or two!)
Ben is a connoisseur of craft beers. In addition to drinking beer, he often takes a stab at brewing his own recipes for family and friends. In what little free time is left, he also dabbles in carpentry, doing mainly the many home improvement projects on his “honey-do” list.
Michigan State University College of Law, JD (Magna Cum Laude), 2008
University of Wyoming, Master of Science in Geology, 2002
Central Michigan University, Bachelor of Science in Environmental Geology and Hydrology (Summa Cum Laude), 1999
The Complete Joy of Homebrewing – by Charlie Papazian
Band of Horses and Ray LaMontagne
Any craft brewery
National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation
Carpentry
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