Press Releases

WESTON’s Laura Funk Earns Certified Professional Credentials Under Ohio EPA Voluntary Action Program

WEST CHESTER , PA – June 6, 2005 – Laura Funk, Project Manager for the Miamisburg, OH office of Weston Solutions, Inc. (WESTON), has earned Certified Professional status under the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency’s Voluntary Action Program (VAP). As a Certified Professional, Ms. Funk, acting as an extension of the Ohio EPA, has the authority to certify whether properties are cleaned up to the levels required by the program rules. Ms. Funk is one of approximately 100 Certified Professionals in the State of Ohio and the second professional with WESTON to earn the status. Bradford S. White, also of WESTON’s Miamisburg office, has been a Certified Professional since 1996.

Ohio’s VAP was fully implemented in early 1997. The program gives companies a way to investigate possible environmental contamination without significant delays or red tape, clean it up if necessary and receive a promise from the State of Ohio that no more cleanup is needed. The program is a win-win solution for government and industry, easing fears of immense liability and cleanup costs for potential developers, businesses and banks.

For the past seven years, Ms. Funk has supported VAP projects, including the area of northeast downtown Dayton known as Tech Town. Under the project funded by a Clean Ohio Revitalization Grant to the City of Dayton, WESTON is contributing to bring the old Brownfield site, formerly a 8.25-acre General Motors Frigidaire plant, back to productive re-use to property primed for technology-based businesses. Work includes asbestos abatement, environmental assessment, building demolition oversight, regulatory negotiation and closure through the Ohio VAP, economic development assistance, and grant-writing support.

Ms. Funk is a graduate of Ohio University and holds a bachelor’s degree in Environmental Geology. She earned a master’s degree from the University of Findlay in Environmental Health and Safety Management. She has extensive experience directing projects through the Ohio VAP and Clean Ohio Fund Process. WESTON’s commitment to providing environmental solutions and understanding the challenges that face our communities are directly in line with Funk’s goals as a new Certified Professional for the Ohio EPA VAP program.

Weston Solutions, Inc. is an employee-owned leading environment and redevelopment firm, delivering comprehensive solutions to complex problems for industry and government worldwide. The company’s services encompass environmental remediation, redevelopment, and management and compliance. Its emphasis on restoring resource efficiency to its clients’ operations – including land, air, water, facilities, and staff – ensures that clients derive maximum value from their resources.

For more on Ohio’s Voluntary Action Program, visit their Web site at: http://www.epa.state.oh.us/derr/volunt/volunt.html