John Kieling (BS Geology, 1991)

Recent Travels: in March 2015 my girl friend and I travelled to Baja California to Cabo Pulmo for snorkeling and to Isla Espiritu Santo for sea kayaking and great snorkeling (highly recommended). We the traversed the peninsula to Todos Santos, great seafood tacos, Hotel California, and made an impromptu visit with Dr. Bob Bentley at his wonderful place. We had a great visit and shared some good CWU memories. When I was in his winter geology trip to the Little Maria Mountains, in the Mojave, he first went to work in his newly acquired property in Todos Santos, which has turned out to be a gem. It was great to see him doing well.

Work history: I started work with the Solid Waste Bureau of the New Mexico Environment Department in 1994 in Santa Fe, permitting and overseeing closure of landfills, transfer stations and compost facilities. After two years, I was hired as an environment scientist with the Hazardous Waste Bureau reviewing technical assessments, investigations and remedies, as well as writing hazardous waste permits. I continued working in the bureau as a geologist, supervisor and program manager over the permitting and corrective action program for about 11 years. In 2010 I was hired as the Bureau Chief of the Hazardous Waste Bureau.

I have been with the Environment Department for more than about 23 years. The bureau consists of about 50 technical staff, many who are geologists. I could not ask for a better group of people to be associated. I enjoy my work due to the challenges and seeing the cleanup progress being made at the facilities we provide oversight. I enjoy the rich history of New Mexico that I get to see frequently on my job.

My experience at CWU Geology and grad school (NMSU) were positive influences in preparing me for my career.