Advisory Council

The Advisory Council for the Department of Geological and Environmental Sciences at Western Michigan University advises the department on the formulation of long-term educational plans and ensures that the academic programs meet today's industry needs.

The Council is the oldest active advisory council at Western Michigan University. The council members are distinguished industry and academic professionals in geosciences and business who have worked throughout the U.S. and the world, all of whom have a strong interest in helping to strengthen and support Geological and Environmental sciences at Western Michigan University. The council's tasks can be summarized as follows:

• Advise the department regarding curriculum meeting current industry and employment trends.
• Assist in producing environmental and geological sciences graduates who are well-prepared for employment and leadership roles. See our "Recommendations to Applicants in Search of Geosciences Positions."
• Provide guidance to students through informal meetings and events.
• Advocate departmental needs and activities to the University administration.
• Collaborate with the University Office of Development and Alumni Relations on fundraising campaigns that support departmental activities.

Advisory COUNCIL officers

• Richard Laton, Ph.D., CPG, PG, CHg, Chair
  Associate Professor of Hydrogeology, University of California at Fullerton
  Phone: (657) 278-7514
  Email: wlaton@fullerton.edu
  Email: wlaton@earthforensics.com
• Sara Pearson, Vice Chair
  DWEHD Source Water Unit Supervisor, Michigan Department of EGLE 
  Phone: (517) 420-3219
  Email: pearsons@michigan.gov
• Mike Kovacich, CPG, LPG (IN), Secretary
  Senior Principal, Geosyntec Consultants, Inc.
  Phone: (734) 794-1564
  Email: Michael.Kovacich@Geosyntec.com

Advisory COUNCIL Members

• Jerry Aiken
  Independent Consultant in Industrial Minerals (rare earth and precious metal)
  Email: j.l.aiken@att.net
• Ricky Becker, Ph.D.
  Professor, University of Toledo
  Phone: (419) 530-4571
  Email: richard.becker@utoledo.edu
• Angel Cuellar, L.P.G., R.G.
  Program Manager, Tetra Tech
  Phone: (734) 213-5043
  Email: angel.cuellar@tetratech.com
• James J. Ferritto Jr.
  Waste Characterization Specialist, Michigan EGLE
  Phone: (231) 920-5249
  Email: ferrittoj@michigan.gov

• Harold R. Fitch
  President, H. R. Fitch Consulting Services LLC; Retired State Geologist 
  Phone: (517) 515-4528
  Email: hrfitch@hrfconsulting.net
• John Fowler
  Partner, Polaris Energy, Oil and Gas
  Phone: (517) 414-8766
  Email: jhenryfowler@yahoo.com
• Bob Garrison
  Phone: (208) 255-2973
  Email: robert.garrison0827@gmail.com
• Jeff Hawkins
  Vice President/Senior Hydrogeologist, Fishbeck
  Phone: (269) 615-3619
  Email: jhawkins@fishbeck.com
• Joshua Kirschner
  Exploration and Production Manager, Savoy Energy
  Phone: (231) 631-3022
  Email: joshua.kirschner@gmail.com
• Robert LoPiccolo, Ph.D.
  Retired
  Phone: (281) 920-0055
  Email: lopic@att.net

• Diana Morton-Thompson, C.P.G., P.G.
  Retired Member, Earth Resources International, LC 
  Phone: (269) 343-1181
• Kyle Patterson
  President, Rogue Geosciences
  Phone: (281) 740-1351
  Email: kyle.john.patterson@gmail.com
• Lisa Phillips
  Owner/President, Phillips Environmental Consulting Services, Inc.
  Phone: (269) 501-5079
  Email: lphillips@phillipsenv.com
• Thomas Robyn, Ph.D.
  Phone: (303) 909-0173
  Email: tlrobyn@msn.com

• Chris Roth
  Owner/President, Roth Professional Geology, LLC 
  Phone: (727) 741-1794
  Email: rpg@rothpg.org
• Brian Shaw, Ph.D.
  Senior Technical Advisor, Strategic Analysis Incorporated
  Email: brshaw1@aol.com
• Kim Steinmann
  Phone: (269) 870-0370
  Email: klfwks@gmail.com

Emeritus members

• William B. Harrison, III, Ph.D.
  MGRRE Research Director and Emeritus Professor of Geosciences, WMU
  Phone: (269) 387-8691
  Email: william.harrison_iii@wmich.edu
• Thomas Straw, Ph.D.
  Emeritus Professor of Geosciences, WMU
  Email: tstraw@evansville.net
• John Yellich, C.P.G.
  Director, Michigan Geological Survey
  Phone: (269) 387-8649
  Email: john.a.yellich@wmich.edu
• Thomas C. Kamin
  Independent Petroleum Production Geologist
  Phone: (972) 874-5050
  tckamin@aol.com
• Ronald Parker
  Retired President, Associated Earth Sciences, Inc.
  Phone: (425) 766-6812
  Email: rapman1952@gmail.com

HONORARY members - FRIENDS OF THE DEPARTMENT AND COUNCIL

• Ahmed Murad, Ph.D.
  Dean, College of Sciences, UAE University
  Email: ahmed.murad@uaeu.ac.ae
• Thomas R. Howe
  Geosciences Specialist, Sr., WMU
  Phone: (269) 387-5492
  Email: thomas.r.howe@wmich.edu
• Rennie Kaunda, Ph.D., P.E.
  Assistant Professor, Colorado School of Mines
  Phone: (303) 273-3772
  Email: rkaunda@mines.edu
• Mike Wireman
  Retired National Groundwater Expert, USEPA 
  Phone (303) 547-6045
  Email: graniteridgegw@q.com
• Roger Steininger, Ph.D.
  Phone: (775) 742-6333
  Email: audoctor@aol.com