Speakers
Welcome
Howard LaFever, P.E., BCEE, Associate | GHD
AAEES Past President
Howard earned his B.S. in Civil Engineering from Clarkson University and his M.S. in Sanitary Engineering & Water Resources Planning from Cornell University. Howard is a licensed Professional Engineer in New York and is a Board Certified Environmental Engineer (BCEE) of the American Academy of Environmental Engineers and Scientists. Howard has over 47 years of experience specializing in wastewater and solid waste services at GHD.
Current Challenges Facing Central New York from a Regulatory Perspective
Matthew Marko, P.E., BCEE, Regional Director | NYSDEC - Region 7
Matthew is a New York State licensed Professional Engineer and an American Academy of Environmental Engineers Board Certified Environmental Engineer (BCEE). He has traveled extensively domestically and internationally serving the environmental needs of public and private clients for over 24 years. In 2008, Matthew was appointed by the New York State Governor to serve as Trustee for the SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry where he continues to serve as Chairman of the Board. He's a graduate of the University at Buffalo. He is well known for his presentations and publications on civic infrastructure, specifically green stormwater infrastructure, and embracing a style of adaptive management.
Protecting Drinking Water from Harmful Algae Blooms
Steve Waldvogel, P.E., Associate | GHD
Seth Jensen, P.E., Director of Municipal Utilities | City of Auburn
Stephen has 20 years of engineering and utility management experience. He has directed a broad range of technical and financial projects including; PPPs, utility consolidations, organizational restructuring, efficiency improvements, regulatory compliance, rate studies, water system design and others. Recently, Stephen has worked intensively with several clients to address harmful algae bloom contamination in their drinking water supply. Due to the nature of public projects, Stephen regularly presents his work at public meetings and works closely with municipal officials. Steve earned his B.S. in Civil Engineering and his M.S. in Environmental Engineering from the University of Buffalo.
Seth received his degree from SUNY Environmental Science and Forestry in Environmental Engineering and has been a practicing professional engineer with the City of Auburn for nearly 10 years. Seth oversees the Wastewater Treatment Facility, Sewer Conveyance and Maintenance Department, Water Filtration Plant, Water Distribution and Maintenance Department, and Hydro Electric Facilities. Seth has a passion for green infrastructure, and under his guidance, the City of Auburn has rehabilitated and repowered two hydroelectric facilities and currently holds the last two remaining FERC licenses to produce hydroelectricity along the river. In addition to directing hydro facility improvement and municipal projects, Seth is immersed in the City's water treatment process. In 2016, microcystin toxin was detected in the City's drinking water. Seth coordinated a rapid response with the City's operators, consulting engineers, and DOH to address harmful algal bloom contamination, and to date, has had success treating microcystin.
Water Utilities of the Future
Geoffrey Miller, P.E., BCEE, Deputy Executive Director | Onondaga County Water Authority (OCWA)
Geoff has over 30 years of experience in Engineering, Public Works Management, and Construction. He is a New York State licensed Professional Engineer and an American Academy of Environmental Engineers Board Certified Environmental Engineer (BCEE). Geoff is responsible for Operation, Treatment, Maintenance, Distribution, Water Quality and Engineering Departments of the Onondaga County Water Authority (OCWA). OCWA operates and maintains two water treatment plants, delivers an average of 37 MGD of water to 500,000 people in five Counties of Central New York, operates and maintains 48 pump stations, 61 tanks and over 2,000 miles of watermains. Geoff earned his B.S. at Clarkson University.
Food Waste to Energy
William Rabbia, Executive Director | Oneida-Herkimer Solid Waste Authority
Mr. Rabbia is the Executive Director of the Oneida-Herkimer Solid Waste Management Authority located in Central New York. Mr. Rabbia has been with the Authority since May 1991. He was appointed Executive Director in March of 2009. Prior to becoming Executive Director, he served as Deputy Executive Director. He is responsible for all Authority functions, including operations at the Authority's Single Stream Recycling Center, Green Waste Composting Facility, three Transfer Stations, Permanent Household Hazardous Waste Collection Facility, Regional Landfill, as well as other Authority properties. In 2011, Mr. Rabbia managed the conversion of the Authority's dual stream recycling center to a single stream operation, including development and rollout of a public education program. He has also overseen construction of the Authority's Landfill and has coordinated that operation since its opening in 2006. He oversees a $26 million annual operating budget, 90 Authority employees, and directs the issuance of revenue bonds. Mr. Rabbia has a B.S. degree in Environmental Science and Planning from SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry, Syracuse, NY. Mr. Rabbia is a SWANA Certified Landfill Manager and Certified NYS Landfill Operator. He currently serves as President of NYS Association for Solid Waste Management. He also is an active member and currently serves as Treasurer of the Mohawk Valley Environmental Information Exchange. William is a graduate of SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry.
Putting the "Great" Back into Great Lake Fisheries
Jim Howe, Director
Nature Conservancy's Central and Western New York Chapter
Anaerobic Digestion of High Strength Wastes: Managing Ammonia Inhibition
Stefan Grimberg, Ph.D., P.E., BCEE, Professor
Clarkson University
Control Phosphorus in Your Watershed: From a Fresh Water Perspective
Jim Cunningham, President | New Water Technologies
Jim Cunningham is President of New Water Technologies, Inc., a corporation that specializes in the management of water and wastewater utilities for municipal and industrial clients in New York State, as well as providing systems performance evaluations throughout the United States, Europe, South America, and the Middle East. NWT is currently responsible for managing over a billion dollars in environmental infrastructure. Jim is a US Air Force water purification veteran, holds a BS degree in Environmental Science, former adjunct professor at SUNY Morrisville-Water and Wastewater programs, training for the US Governmentcommerce department in Washington, DC. Jim has been featured in the NYS Conservationist magazine (Essential Conservationist, January 1983). Jim has published numerous articles for the New York Water Environment Association and is author and co-author of several college textbooks, including Diet or Small Lakes written in conjunction with NYSDEC. Jim is a former President of the Central NY Water Environment Association, past President of the New York State Federation of Lake Associations, and current President of the Madison County Federation of Lake Associations. Jim has been awarded by USEPA for outstanding wastewater facility management, received the Uhl T Mann Award for outstanding wastewater facility management, and recipient of the Linn Enslow Award. Jim received the Dr. William Hatfield Award, which is the highest national award from the Water Environment Federation for outstanding performance and professionalism in the environmental field. Jim currently serves on the NY Water Environment Association Member Education Committee and the Operator Certification Governance Council.
Summary and Adjournement
Peter Radosta, P.E., BCEE, Senior Vice President | Koester Associates, Inc.
Pete is an environmental engineering graduate of Clarkson University and earned a master's degree from Syracuse University. He is a licensed Professional Engineer in New York State and is a Board Certified Environmental Engineer (BCEE) of the American Academy of Environmental Engineers and Scientists. Pete has extensive experience in the design of drinking water and wastewater treatment systems, applying conventional and innovative technologies to meet project-specific needs. Pete holds leadership roles in various professional societies, community organizations, Town government, and his alma mater, serving as National President of the Clarkson Alumni Association. His leadership skills are equally applied in outdoor pursuits, including all-season backcountry activities.