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Board Members Resumes

The Board consists of thirteen members in accordance with Section 3 of the Site Remediation Reform Act (SRRA). The Commissioner of New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (or his designee) serves as Chairman of the Board. The Commissioner has designated the Assistant Commissioner of NJDEP's Site Remediation Program to serve as Chairman. The State Geologist also serves on the Board along with eleven public members, residents of the State, who are appointed by the Governor with the advice and consent of the Senate. The eleven public members, who serve without compensation, are identified in SRRA as follows:

• Six are to be LSRPs.
• Three are to be members of Statewide organizations that promote the protection of the environment, and knowledgeable with respect to issues involving responding to discharges of hazardous substances. One of the three is to be an LSRP.
• One is to be from the business community in the State, and knowledgeable with respect to issues involving responding to discharges of hazardous substances.
• One is to be a member of the academic community, and knowledgeable with respect to issues involving responding to discharges of hazardous substances.

The NJDEP provides staff to assist the Board in performance of its functions and duties.

Soon after the Senate completed its confirmation proceedings for nine of the eleven public Board members, the Board convened on November 15, 2010.

• David Sweeney - Chairman of the Board
• Jorge H. Berkowitz - LSRP
• Philip I. Brilliant - LSRP
• Richard T. Dewling - Business Community Representative
• Lawra Dodge - LSRP
• Joann Held - Environmental Representative
• Christopher J. Motta - LSRP
• Karl W. Muessig - State Geologist
• Mike Pisauro - Environmental Representative
• Constantine Tsentas - LSRP
• Ira Whitman - LSRP

David Sweeney

David Sweeney has been with the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection for the past twenty-two years. He is the Assistant Commissioner of the Site Remediation Program which oversees the investigation and clean up of contaminated sites in New Jersey. He has recently been working on revisions to the Site Remediation Program's Technical Regulations and associated Technical Guidance documents. These efforts are related to implementation of the Licensed Site Remediation Professional program. Prior to this, Mr. Sweeney was the Chief of the Bureau of Emergency Response, a Bureau that responds to all major discharges of oil and hazardous materials in New Jersey. He became Chief of BER in the beginning of 2000. He was the Bureau Chief of a group that provides technical support in the areas of geology and hydrogeology for cases in the Site Remediation Program (November 1993 to December 1999). He worked in the Bureau of State Case Management as a Section Chief and Case Manager overseeing waste site remediation from August 1988 to November 1993. His experience involves complex site remediation cases undertaken in New Jersey including CERCLA, RCRA, ISRA, Spill Act, and Voluntary clean ups.

Prior to working at NJDEP, Mr. Sweeney was employed by the Camden County Health Department for fourteen years. At Camden County he managed environmental programs under the County Environmental Health Act including Emergency Response and was the manager of their environmental laboratory.

Mr. Sweeney's background is in environmental science and public health with a Bachelor’s degree in Natural Science.

Jorge H. Berkowitz, Ph.D., LSRP

Dr. Jorge H. Berkowitz received his Bachelors, Masters, and Doctorate degrees in Environmental Sciences, from Rutgers University in New Brunswick.

Upon completing his Master's degree course work, Dr. Berkowitz joined the faculty of Environmental Sciences at Rutgers in 1970, where he remained until 1980.

Dr. Berkowitz joined the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection in 1980 and remained there until 1989. During this period, Dr. Berkowitz served as the Administrator of the NJDEP's Superfund Program, Director of the Air Quality Program, Director of the Department's Water Resource Management and Protection Program, and briefly as Acting Assistant Commissioner for Environmental Control and Management.

Dr. Berkowitz became an environmental consultant in 1989. He presently is employed by Langan Engineering and Environmental Services, Inc., and is in charge of the environmental component of their Trenton office. As an environmental consultant, Dr. Berkowitz specializes in remediating and redeveloping contaminated sites, regulatory compliance, environmental health and Brownfield Redevelopment. At present, Dr. Berkowitz is working on some of the most notable Brownfield Redevelopment projects in New Jersey. Dr. Berkowitz serves as an expert witness on associated environmental issues. Dr. Berkowitz serves in several capacities as an advisor to the NJDEP and is a member of Boards of Directors and advisory committees for several professional organizations in New Jersey. Dr Berkowitz was instrumental in helping formulate necessary changes to the original Site Remediation Reform Act in order to make the law achieve its desired purpose.

Philip I. Brilliant, CHMM, LSRP

Philip I. Brilliant is the founder of Brilliant Environmental Services, LLC (BES) a full service environmental consulting and contracting firm with offices in Toms River, New Jersey and Bensalem, Pennsylvania. Mr. Brilliant received his Bachelor of Science Degree in International Environmental Studies from Cook College, Rutgers University, his Certified Hazardous Materials Manager (CHMM) from the Institute of Hazardous Materials Management, and his Underground Storage Tank Services License in closure, subsurface evaluation, tank testing and installation from NJDEP.

Mr. Brilliant has had an extensive and distinguished career in the environmental-consulting field since 1988, assisting to grow his own firms from start-ups to multimillion dollar companies providing services to Fortune 100 companies. Well versed in federal and state funding opportunities, Mr. Brilliant has assisted municipalities, developers and non-profit organizations across the country. His well-rounded expertise also includes project management; geologic logging; quality control of field data and data-acquisition techniques; development and implementation of site-specific sampling methodologies for air, soil, and water contaminants; permitting and operation of remedial systems for contaminated air, soil, groundwater, and surface water; and expert litigation support and testimony.

As a lifelong resident of New Jersey, Mr. Brilliant is active in the community as well as business organizations. He is an affiliate member of the Ocean County Board of Realtors, Past-President of the Ocean County Business Association and President of Congregation B’nai Israel, Toms River, New Jersey. He is also a member of the National Groundwater Association, NJ Society of Women Environmental Professionals, NJ Chamber of Commerce, Commerce & Industry Association of NJ/Environmental Business Council and NJ Business & Industry Association.

Richard T. Dewling, Ph.D., P.E

Dr. Richard T. Dewling, P.E., is the founder and CEO of Dewling Associates, Inc. (DAi), which is located in Union, New Jersey. Established in 1993, and staffed by environmental engineers and scientists, the firm provides a range of engineering, technical, and regulatory services associated with CERCLA, RCRA, SARA, CWA, ISRA, and Clean Air Act. Specialized experience includes air pollution control technologies, industrial waste treatment, arbitration, and serving as a court appointed special master and/or expert for hazardous waste site remediation activities, water supply, wastewater, and solid wastes.

Prior to establishing DAi, Dr. Dewling was CEO of Metcalf & Eddy, Inc., a world-wide environmental engineering public company which provided a range of services from treatment process design of water supply, solid wastes, and wastewater facilities, and on-site and off-site remediation of solid and hazardous wastes sites in New Jersey and throughout the United States. 

Dr. Dewling served as Commissioner and, prior to this, as First Deputy Commissioner of the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection during the period 1983-1988. He also served at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and its predecessor Agencies in a number of positions including Regional Administrator, Deputy Regional Administrator, Director, Surveillance and Analysis Division (Region II-New York and New Jersey), and on a national basis where he was Director of R&D, which included responsibility for responding to and remediating spills of oil and hazardous materials into the environment. His experience in this area includes special assignments in Korea, Nigeria, and Brazil as a consultant in industrial and hazardous wastes treatment/remediation.

Dr. Dewling is a registered professional engineer in New Jersey, a licensed wastewater treatment plant operator in New York, and a Diplomate in the American Academy of Environmental Engineers. He received a B.C.E. from Manhattan College, M.C.E. from New York University, and a Ph.D. in Environmental Science from Rutgers University.

Lawra Dodge, P.G., LSRP

Lawra J. Dodge, PG, LSRP is founder and President of Excel Environmental Resources, Inc. (EXCEL), a full-service environmental engineering and consulting firm located in North Brunswick, NJ. She is a graduate of Rutgers University, a licensed Professional Geologist, and a NJ Licensed Site Remediation Professional with 30 years experience as an environmental geologist and environmental consultant.

Ms. Dodge is a recognized expert in Brownfield and contaminated property investigation, remediation, and redevelopment specializing in effective trouble shooting and project turn around to enable redevelopment of contaminated property to proceed. Ms. Dodge specializes in the design and implementation of innovative investigative and remedial action approaches for soil and groundwater, including the use of cutting-edge in-situ treatment technologies, and strategic planning for cost-efficient regulatory compliance with both state and federal regulations.

Ms. Dodge has provided expert consultation to clients to resolve environmental issues associated with environmental insurance coverage, negotiations for tax relief, incorporation of remedial action into redevelopment plans, and reimbursement of investigation and cleanup costs through the Hazardous Discharge Site Remediation Fund (HDSRF), Brownfield Redevelopment Agreements, and the Economic Recovery and Growth (ERG) Grant Program. She serves on the Steering Committee of six Brownfield Development Areas (BDAs) in New Jersey and is a member of the redevelopment team in multiple municipalities across the state.

Joann Held

Joann Held is self-employed as an Air Toxics Analyst after 26 years of service with the Air Quality Program in the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection. She currently works with the Camden Waterfront South Environmental Network, is a member of the New Jersey Environmental Justice Advisory Council and the Alliance of New Jersey Environmental Educators, and is also involved in local sustainability issues. Ms. Held received a BS in Meteorology from St. Louis University and an MS in Air Pollution Control from Harvard School of Public Health. During her time with NJDEP she established the Air Toxics Steering Committee and pioneered the development of air toxic evaluation tools. She was also a founding member of the North East States for Coordinated Air Use Management (NESCAUM) and National Association for Air Quality Administrators (NAAQA) Air Toxic Committees. She has taught short courses for state agency staff on Risk Assessment for Air Toxics, Health Effects of Air Pollution, and Implementation of some of the Maximum Achievable Control Technology (MACT) standards.

Christopher J. Motta, P.G., LSRP

Christopher Motta is a Vice President and project manager and in the Mahwah, New Jersey office of ARCADIS US, an international environmental consulting and engineering firm. Mr. Motta has twenty-seven years of experience managing the investigation and remediation of waste sites on behalf of ARCADIS' industrial clients in New Jersey and New York. His experience includes extensive fieldwork, technical report writing, remedial investigations and feasibility studies, remedial design and remedial action, and regulatory compliance. He manages full-spectrum environmental remediation projects under governmental programs including New Jersey's Industrial Site Recovery Act (ISRA) and the federal Superfund program. Mr. Motta has conducted sedimentation and contamination studies of rivers and estuaries including the Raritan River and Passaic River.

A lifelong resident of New Jersey, Mr. Motta holds a Bachelor of Science degree and a Master of Science degree in geology from Rutgers University. He is certified by the American Institute of Professional Geologists (AIPG) and licensed to practice geology in the State of Pennsylvania.

Karl W. Muessig, Ph.D., P.G.

Karl Muessig is the State Geologist and Director of the New Jersey Geological Survey. Dr. Muessig provides geologic expertise and management support for a broad range of Land Use Management programs within the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection including water quality and quantity, environmental science, and natural resources such as offshore sand for beach replenishment. He coordinates geoscience input to the State Police Office of Emergency Management for its Multihazard Mitigation Plan on earthquakes, landslides, sinkholes, droughts, and abandoned mines, and has served the Governor's Office on offshore energy exploration issues through the US Outer Continent Shelf Policy Committee. Dr. Muessig has served as New Jersey's representative on the National Water Quality Monitoring Council. Past responsibilities include management of the Geological Survey's Water Resources Bureau from 1993 to 1999 and program supervision for the Bureau of Geology from 1986 to 1992 on evaluations of radionuclides in soils, rocks, and water, and disposal of radioactive waste for the New Jersey Low Level Radioactive Waste Siting Board.

As the State Geologist since 2000, Dr. Muessig serves as the point of contact for geoscience related to the environmental and economic interests of New Jersey. His knowledge of the State's geology started with his doctorate studies at Princeton University. In addition, he has worked extensively in the United States and around the world prior to joining the Geological Survey. He represents New Jersey's interests to other states and nations through the Association of American State Geologists and coordinates New Jersey's water monitoring networks under the Cooperative Water Program with the US Geological Survey.

Mike Pisaur0, Esq.

Mike is a licensed attorney and the owner of Law Office of Michael L. Pisauro, Jr. LLC in Pennington, New Jersey. He was admitted to the Bar in both New Jersey and Pennsylvania in 1995. Since founding his firm in 2003 he has focused his practice on representing the interests of businesses and environmental organizations. Mike's environmental practice involves representation of environmental organizations and local groups before land use boards, in court and before state agencies. Since 2004 he has been the registered governmental affairs agent for the New Jersey Environmental Lobby (NJEL).

Mike is a member of the American Bar Association and its sections on Environment, Energy and Resources and Business Law. He is also a member of the Environmental Law Institute and publishes two blogs" "GreenPages NJ" which discusses environmental issues important to NJ and "NJ Business Wise" which discusses legal issues affecting small and mid-sized business owners in NJ. His article "Renewable Energy and Land Use Law" was published in the Summer 2008 issue of the American Bar Association's Natural Resources and Environment Journal.

Constantine Tsentas, P.G., LSRP

Constantine Tsentas is a Senior Associate with PARS Environmental Inc., an integrated consulting firm located in Robbinsville, New Jersey, and offering services in multi-disciplinary environmental consulting, health & safety, industrial hygiene, waste management, wetlands and cultural resources, geotechnical engineering and environmental remediation.

Mr. Tsentas holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Earth Sciences (Geology) from Kean University (Union, NJ) and a Master of Science degree in Geology from Duke University (Durham, NC). He is a Licensed Subsurface Evaluator in New Jersey and a Licensed Professional Geologist in Pennsylvania.

Mr. Tsentas has more than 30 years of experience in environmental project/program management and has managed multi-disciplinary environmental projects in New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Connecticut and several other states. His technical areas of expertise include hydrogeology; remedial investigations; evaluation of remedial technologies; design and implementation of remedial measures; underground storage tank (UST) evaluation/closure; brownfields remediation/redevelopment; due diligence (Phase I and Phase II) site assessments; environmental litigation support; and regulatory negotiations. His work was conducted for public and private sector clients at chemical, petrochemical, pharmaceutical, manufacturing, military, transportation, commercial, retail, and other sites.

Ira L. Whitman, Ph.d., P.E., LSRP

Dr. Whitman is co-founder and Principal of Whitman, an East Brunswick, New Jersey firm dedicated to a multi-disciplinary approach to environmental management. Since 1985, Whitman has performed remediation and investigation at thousands of private, municipal, and Brownfield sites in New Jersey. He is called on for expert reports and testimony on cases pertaining to environmental engineering, regulatory compliance, and professional practice.

Dr. Whitman is a licensed Professional Engineer in six states, including New Jersey. He is Board Certified by the American Academy of Environmental Engineers in the specialties of Hazardous Waste Management and General Environmental Engineering. He holds a Bachelor's Degree from the Cooper Union and a Ph.D. in Environmental Engineering from the Johns Hopkins University.

Dr. Whitman has received the Water Environment Federation's national and New Jersey awards for Professional Advancement of Hazardous Waste Management. He was appointed in 1972 by the Governor of Ohio as the first Director of the State's Environmental Protection Agency and chaired the Ohio Power Siting Commission. He serves on Trenton's Brownfields advisory BEST group and the Board of the Municipal Land Use Center at the College of New Jersey.