Sara Meyer, Associate Partner, ERM
Sara Meyer is an ERM Associate Partner and has 15+ years of experience on the federal Emergency Planning and Community Right to Know Act (EPCRA) Section 313 Toxic Release Inventory (TRI) Reporting Program; Sara is a senior reviewer and assists with running ERM's national TRI Program Team. Her expertise includes performing TRI Program applicability evaluations for individual facilities and national portfolios, preparing TRI threshold/release calculations and reports for a multitude of business sectors and complexity of operations, developing and implementing TRI compliance programs at the facility and portfolio levels, and backfiling and resolving EPCRA violations under the United States Environmental Protection Agency’s (US EPA) Audit Policies. She also provides TRI training based on her years of experience with a multitude of scenarios and unique applicability situations.

Kathleen Sellers, PE, Technical Partner, ERM
Kate Sellers, a Technical Partner at ERM, uses her training as an engineer and chemist to lead teams that help clients to untangle issues associated with PFAS in products in order to manage potential business risks.  Kate is currently based in Massachusetts but grew up spending time with family in Louisville and welcomes this opportunity to speak with Chamber of Commerce members.  Kate is working with clients in various sectors to compile information and develop reports on PFAS under TSCA. The webinar will reflect that practical experience.  She has also explored PFAS challenges in her writing and teaching. Kate co-authored the book “Emerging Contaminants: Anticipating Developments” (CRC Press, 2019) and teaches the course “Toxics in Consumer Products” at the Harvard University Extension School.

Kate Shanks, Sr. Vice President of Public Affairs, Kentucky Chamber
Kate Shanks is Senior Vice President of Public Affairs for the Kentucky Chamber. She focuses her work on energy, environment, small business, and competitiveness issues. She is a lifelong resident of Kentucky and earned both a Bachelor of Science in Natural Resource Conservation and Management and a Master of Public Administration from the University of Kentucky. Prior to joining the Chamber, Kate spent nearly 12 years working for state agencies focused on energy and environmental policy and regulation and has held multiple positions relating to communications, outreach, policy analysis and design, and legislative affairs.

Chris Wenczel, Director/Hydrogeologist/Technical Advisor, ERM
Chris Wenczel is a Director/Hydrogeologist/Technical Advisor and member of ERM’s Liability Portfolio Management and Remediation Group in the Melville New York office. He received his degrees from SUNY Oneonta in 1985 (BS Geology) and Adelphi University in 1990 (MS Earth Sciences/Hydrogeology. Mr. Wenczel has 38 years of diversified experience in the environmental consulting/engineering field specializing in hydrogeology, hazardous waste management/remediation, and water supply. He currently focuses his core practice on hydrogeology and being a subject matter expert for PFAS. He is currently directing investigation and remediation of PFAS impacts to environmental media for confidential private sector clients in Kentucky, New York and in Europe.  He is a NY State licensed Professional Geologist, has served as President of the Long Island Association of Professional Geologists (LIAPG) since 2016, and is also Vice-President of the NY State Council of Professional Geologists (NYSCPG).