Joe Kephart (BS Environmental Geology, 2005)

Currently I'm living in Boardman, Oregon. I'm employed with Waste Management as the Environmental Engineer for Columbia Ridge Landfill and Recycling Center (municipal solid waste landfill), and Chemical Waste Management of the Northwest (hazardous waste landfill) near Arlington, Oregon. I conduct environmental monitoring events including groundwater investigation, drinking water analysis, air emission calculations, leachate accumulation, and landfill gas destruction for both facilities. I work on environmentally-associated construction projects that include lining systems for waste and surface impoundments, landfill gas well field development, leachate system collection and leak detection systems, decontamination surfaces, etc. In the near future, I will be directly involved in the development of a new gas to energy program. We will be installing an onsite facility designed to power electrical generation units from the combustion of landfill methane. Totally cool!

My experiences at CWU provided me with the fortitude and strength to develop professionally and broaden the horizons of my knowledge. The professionals that I learned from helped me to establish my confidence and willingness to accept any future challenges that I am presented with.

I still spend time fishing the local water ways and camping with my dog Thomas. My wife Patricia and I are searching for a new home somewhere within reasonable commuting distance to my job. We have been enjoying exploring north central Oregon and look forward to visiting the John Day fossil beds.