PRESIDENT
Dan Childress
southeast Operations manager, kemron
Dan was born in Tennessee and grew up across the Southeast. He received his BA in Environmental Science from the University of Virginia, where he also played football (Wahoowa!). Over his 14+ years in the environmental profession, Dan has led oil spill cleanup teams on the Gulf Coast, worked as a federal contractor for the EPA, conducted site visits across the Southeast and Caribbean, and currently serves as the SE Operations Manager with KEMRON. When he’s not working (or running after his two small children), you’ll find Dan tinkering with unnecessary home improvements or getting in over his head on the next woodworking project. A perfect Saturday includes an early round of golf, an afternoon at one of Atlanta’s kid-friendly breweries with his family, and a glass of wine over dinner with his wife, Laura.
IMMEDIATE PAST PRESIDENT
Diana Gu
ecologist, HDR
Diana graduated from the University of Florida in 2014 with a BS in Natural Resource Conservation, BA in Political Science, and a minor in Sustainability Studies. She has 3 years of experience in field biology working in the Southeast and Pacific Northwest for agencies such as the BLM and USFWS and 4 years of experience in environmental consulting. At Atkins, Diana worked as an in-house and support services ecologist for GDOT projects. Currently, Diana works at HDR specializing in transportation projects while supporting hydropower, solar power, and rail environmental surveys and permitting. Prior to her environmental consulting career, Diana conducted boat surveys of piscivorous colonial waterbirds along the Columbia River in Washington, led sea turtle nesting surveys and nest productivity assessments at Hobe Sound National Wildlife Refuge in Florida, and conducted vegetation surveys for the Sage Grouse Initiative in Idaho. In her spare time Diana enjoys playing video games with her cat Leopold, playing music with her friends, biking, meditating, and making pasta.
VICE PRESIDENT / naep chapter representative
Lauren Schramm
NEPA manager, Pond
Originally from Northern Vermont, Lauren holds a Bachelor's degree from Alfred University (NY) and earned her MS from Clemson University. Lauren embarked on her career in a Texas freshwater mussel lab before relocating to Atlanta in 2017. As a project manager, she successfully led a team of scientists specializing in NEPA work for cell towers across 29 states. Lauren has since transitioned to working with additional lead agencies and Pond and Company, where she currently serves as the manager of a NEPA team. In her free time, Lauren manages a mini farm, indulges in painting, hand-building ceramic art, and dedicates time to volunteering.
TREASURER
Jake Dohm
Environmental Scientist, GHD
Jake was raised in the Washington DC area and has lived in the Metro Atlanta area for nearly 20 years. He completed his college studies in Ecology and Environmental Science at the University of Maine in 2012 and has been working in the environmental services industry ever since. Jake’s environmental career has concentrated on managing projects across the southeast ranging from environmental remediation, industrial hygiene, environmental due diligence, and safety. When he’s not serving his clients, Jake is spending time with his wife and four children (soon to be five in April!) enjoying camping, hiking, and working in his garden.
Newsletter Director
Alanna James
Senior Ecologist, Georgia department of transportation
Born & raised in Connecticut, Alanna relocated to Georgia with her family and graduated from Georgia Gwinnett College with a BS in Environmental Science in 2018. Alanna currently works as a Senior Ecologist for the Georgia Department of Transportation. She has experience collecting groundwater & surface water samples, protected species surveys, & wetland and stream delineations. In her downtime, Alanna enjoys spending time with her husband & their two dogs, Scooby & MoMo.
MEMBERSHIP DIRECTOR
Lillian Ondus
Archaeologist, vhb
Lillian grew up in South Carolina and graduated from the University of South Carolina in 2017 with a BA in Anthropology and a minor in Environmental Studies. She also holds an MA in Anthropology from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She works for VHB as a support services archaeologist at the Georgia Department of Transportation. From a young age, Lillian has participated in archaeological excavations all over the East Coast and is trained in all phases of archaeological survey. Additionally, she has three years of experience coordinating regulatory compliance efforts with federal, state, municipal, and tribal agencies. Outside of work, Lillian can be found baking, thrifting, gardening, and exploring with her dog, Scout.
secretary
Sam Roberts, AICP
Community Planner, National Park Service
Sam was born and raised in Spokane, Washington, and ended up in Atlanta with stops in Portland, Oregon, and Tucson, Arizona along the way. He received a Master of Urban and Regional Planning degree from Portland State University in 2017. Sam previously worked as a planning consultant with a focus on analyzing the land use and environmental effects associated with large infrastructure projects and helping shepherd these projects through federal, state, and local approval processes. He currently works as a Community Planner with the National Park Service in the Land and Water Conservation Fund; helping conserve, expand, and establish park and recreational lands throughout the eastern U.S. When he’s not working, Sam can be found biking, kayaking, snowboarding, road tripping, rooting for Seattle sports teams, or exploring Atlanta.
SCHOLARSHIP DIRECTOR
Alexis C. Harris
Environmental Compliance Specialist, City of Atlanta
Atlanta native Alexis C. Harris knew from a very young age that environmentalism was her passion. She earned her Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies in Environmental Science with a focus in Urban Ecology and Sustainable Development from Georgia State University in 2017. Since then, Alexis gained experience as a Natural Resource Scientist, conducting wetland delineations and endangered species surveys. She continued her work as an Environmental Scientist by working on Phase I & II projects as well as industrial hygiene projects during her time as a Certified Radon Professional. Alexis currently works for the City of Atlanta, Department of Grants and Community Development as an Environmental Compliance Specialist conducting environmental reviews under U.S. HUD regulation. Alexis enjoys food festivals, traveling, bowling, and dedicating time to her organization, Black Girl, Green Earth - a social organization geared towards environmental education amongst Black girls!
social DIRECTOR
Samantha Woerle
Junior support services ecologist, r2t
Originally from PA, Samantha attended Florida Southern College. She currently works for R2T, Inc. as a Junior Support Services Ecologist at the Georgia Department of Transportation. In her free time, Samantha loves being outside hiking a new trail or walking the BeltLine. She also enjoys developing her artistic side, hosting board game nights, exploring new restaurants, and traveling.
At-Large Board Members
Katie Templeton
Biologist, TTL
A native of Tennessee, Katie brings three years of experience in animal management (carnivores), working in zoological settings. She received her MS in Environmental Science and BS in Wildlife Biology. In 2023, Katie joined TTL, Inc. as a Biologist in Atlanta, Georgia. She supports various environmental consulting projects concentrating on wetlands delineation, threatened and endangered species surveys (focusing on bats), and groundwater sampling methods. On the weekends, Katie enjoys exploring Atlanta with friends, reading, and spending time with her dog, Rhea.
Paige Green
environmental Scientist, Pond
Paige Green is an environmental scientist based in the Atlanta Metropolitan Area. She graduated Magna Cum Laude from North Carolina State University in 2019 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Natural Resources, concentrating in Ecosystem Assessment with academic minors in Geology and Applied Ecology. Out of her eight years of combined experience working in lab, field, and office settings within forestry and environmental disciplines, Paige has spent over four years in the environmental consulting world as an ecologist and NEPA analyst. In 2021, she began her time at Pond & Company as an ecologist, with responsibilities including WOTUS delineation, GPS operation, spatial data processing in GIS, and technical reporting and permitting in accordance with regulations including the Clean Water Act, Endangered Species Act, Georgia Erosion and Sedimentation Control Act, and more. Since August 2022, Paige has served on the GDOT Support Services contract as a NEPA analyst. In this role, Paige is responsible for identifying NEPA resources, managing project schedules, tracking specialist studies, and producing NEPA documents for an average of 50 projects concurrently. Paige’s background of working with public and private clients across the southeastern US brings a diverse array of experience that informs her work as an environmental scientist.
Ben Sadler
ecologist, vhb
Ben is a lifelong nature geek currently working as a staff Ecologist at VHB. He has 5 years of experience in the environmental consulting field performing 404 wetlands delineations and threatened & endangered species habitat assessments across the southeastern US and spent prior years in varied seasonal field biologist postings at the Georgia Department of Natural Resources. He attended undergraduate at The University of The South: Sewanee where he received a B.S. in Ecology and Biodiversity, and also published works on Plethodontid salamander ecology in the Cumberland Plateau. Ben is an avid observer/appreciator of birds, insects, amphibians, reptiles, and fungus, and will converse on the subjects ad nauseum when provided the chance.
Robyn Susemihl
Environmental Studies technical services leader, burns & McDonnell
Robyn is the Environmental Studies Technical Services Leader for Burns & McDonnell’s Environmental Services Global Practice. With over 20 years of experience navigating the environmental regulatory and permitting landscape, she has honed her NEPA and project management skills to effectively guide her colleagues and clients through challenging projects from concept to completion. When she’s not busy with environmental work, Robyn enjoys “glamping” with her family. It’s the perfect way to blend her love of nature with a bit of comfort and adventure.