Our People

We help clients succeed and communities thrive

At SynTerra, we build relationships with clients and our communities. We immerse ourselves in our clients’ objectives and develop solutions that are practical, economical, and responsible. We ask questions, and most importantly we listen, so that we provide the right resources at the right time. Our professionals are mobile, flexible, and accessible, and every client gets the full benefit of our collective expertise, regardless of project location. Finally, SynTerra remains focused on being good stewards of our clients’ resources, and our environmental resources.

February 11th is International Day of Women in Science

Here at SynTerra, we recognize these incredible women and their achievements in science.

Kaleigh Sims

Kaleigh Sims, resident Toxicologist at SynTerra, is a powerhouse in her Upstate South Carolina community. Kaleigh co-coordinates a Women in STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, the Arts and Mathematics) group called Women in Water Outdoors that promotes connections, professional development, and personal growth for women working in the water industry. Additionally, Kaleigh is a SC adopt-a-stream trainer and a commissioner with the Anderson Soil and water conservation district. She is currently pursuing her PhD in Policy (with an emphasis on Water Resource Policy) from Clemson University. SynTerra is fortunate to have Kaleigh’s talent, and the Upstate certainly benefits from her work in the community.

Carmen Wyatt

Formerly serving with the United States Air Force, SynTerra GIS Analyst Carmen Wyatt is no stranger to embracing challenges, as exemplified by her pursuit of her Masters in Geographic Information Systems Technology and gaining her GISP certification within the course of one year. SynTerra is lucky to have Carmen’s expertise, and she sets a fantastic example of ambition and diligence.

Rong Yu

Dr. Rong Yu, Senior Scientist at SynTerra, recently completed her PhD in Environmental Engineering at Clemson University. Rong’s PhD work focused on characterization of natural and enhanced attenuation of chlorinated solvents in low permeability fractured bedrock aquifer and mathematical modeling of contaminant fate and transport. Alongside her work at SynTerra, Rong also serves as an adjunct professor at the Department of Environmental Engineering and Earth Sciences at Clemson University, and she has been continuously involved in studies on chlorinated ethene remediation at multiple DOD sites.

Julie Bethel

Julie Bethel, Project Scientist, has been pursuing her GIT (geologist in training) certification; in order to gain this certification, Julie had to complete a quantity of geology coursework, which included her BS in Geology from North Carolina State University. She also passed the ASBOG (National Association of State Boards of Geology) exam, which required many hours of study. For Julie, pursuing her GIT is a step toward her end goal of obtaining her professional geologist (PG) license. We celebrate her accomplishment in gaining the GIT and cheer her on as she makes her way toward the PG!

Rachel Phaneuf

Rachel Phaneuf, graduated from Virginia Commonwealth University with a BS in Environmental Studies and Urban Planning. Her experience in environmental consulting includes industrial hygiene, health and safety, due diligence services, stormwater permitting, and regulatory compliance. She has taken courses in industrial ventilation, laboratory management, analytical chemistry, biological monitoring as she is actively pursuing her Certified Industrial Hygienist certification.

Kelly Ferri

Kelly Ferri, Project Scientist at SynTerra, has cultivated her career around meaningful research and complex project management. Prior to joining SynTerra, she spent two years post-undergraduate at Western Carolina University, where she developed and implemented lab research methods for trace metal analysis using inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometry. Additionally, she co-authored a scientific article published in Anthropocene: Hydrologic, Geomorphic, and Stratigraphic Controls on Suspended Sediment Transport Dynamics, Big Harris Creek Restoration Site, NC. At SynTerra, she serves as a project manager for multiple sites, ensuring regulation is interpreted appropriately for over 25 coal ash impoundments.

Rebecca Bass

With 24 years of experience in the environmental consulting field, Rebecca Bass is synTerra’s Data Validation Specialist. She graduated with a BS in Biology from Penn State University and started her career as an environmental laboratory chemist. Her field work experience includes groundwater, surface water, and soil sampling, industrial hygiene air monitoring, wastewater treatment plant sample collection, petroleum facility inspections, petroleum cleanup oversite, CEPSCI inspections, Phase I ESAs, and calibrating and maintaining water quality monitoring equipment. The combination of Rebecca’s laboratory and extensive field experience has enabled her to determine the quality and usability of data.

Lynna Lotrakul

Lynna Lotrakul has been in the field of civil engineering for more than 8 years and have worked on projects in various states from Texas to Virginia. She graduated with a BS from The University of Texas at Austin and is a licensed Professional Engineer in South Carolina, Georgia, Mississippi, and Texas. Her field work experience includes stormwater and wastewater design, erosion and sediment control plan, pump design, site development, and landfill design for industrial sites.

Todd Plating, P.G.

Assessment & Remediation Business Unit Lead

Principal

Todd is a Senior Geologist and Project Manager with 20 years of experience. He serves as a technical lead on assessment and remediation projects. Todd leads multidisciplinary teams that focus on energy production residuals and how legacy products affect groundwater and surface water. His teams conduct comprehensive site assessments and employ new technologies to design remediation solutions.

In a recent project, Todd worked in a metamorphosed fractured bedrock setting. His team combined traditional coring, borehole geophysics, fate and transport modeling, and PHREEQC geochemical modeling to develop and refine a site conceptual model. That model is guiding corrective action planning, remedial design, and implementation.

Todd is licensed as a Professional Geologist in North Carolina and South Carolina. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Geology from Appalachian State University. Todd is a mentor to geologists and scientists at SynTerra.

Kathy Webb, P.G.

Vice President | Principal

Kathy is a leading expert in planning and implementing Brownfields redevelopment initiatives. She’s also a go-to expert for soil and groundwater environmental assessments, remediation, monitoring, and regulatory compliance. Her projects have included source determinations, delineating the footprint of landfills, assessing the generation of landfill gas, assessing the effects of constituents in groundwater, and developing groundwater remediation strategies.

Kathy is licensed as a Professional Geologist in South Carolina, North Carolina, and Alabama. She holds a Master’s degree in Geology from the University of Alabama. She earned Bachelor’s degrees in Marine Science and Geology at Alabama.

Mark Taylor, P.G.

Principal

Mark has worked more than 40 years in natural-resource based industries. His expertise includes mine geology and mine engineering, hydrogeologic and geotechnical investigations, solid and hazardous waste management, and regulatory negotiations. He has published peer-reviewed papers about coal geology, ore geochemistry, mineralogy, and solid waste management. He is a leading expert in mining and environmental permitting for litigation support.

Mark is licensed as a Professional Geologist in South Carolina, Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, and Washington. He serves on the boards of the Upstate Red Cross and Upstate Forever. He served on the South Carolina Board of Registration for Geologists for six years. Mark holds a Master’s degree in Geological Sciences from The University of Michigan and a Bachelor’s degree in Geological Science from Harvard University.

Andrea Kehn, P.E.

Civil & Environmental Engineering Business Unit Lead | Principal

Andrea, leader of our Civil & Environmental Engineering Business Unit, has 28 years of experience in chemical manufacturing and environmental consulting. She leads and supervises staff professionals on multidisciplinary projects for a variety of industrial clients. Andrea’s vast experience and expertise includes: air quality construction and operating permitting; air quality modeling; air permit record-keeping and reporting; Oil Spill Prevention Control and Countermeasures (SPCC) and Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plans (SWPPP); NPDES Permitting; water quality modeling; process safety management; risk management compliance and auditing; and RCRA compliance.

Andrea is registered as a Professional Engineer in South Carolina. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemical Engineering from Michigan Technological University.

Linda Erwin, SHRM-CP, PHR

Director of Business Operations & HR

Linda has more than 12 years of professional HR experience, primarily in the healthcare sector. There, she was responsible for regulatory compliance as well as employee systems and engagement. Prior to her career in human resources, Linda practiced as a Certified Clinical Research Coordinator in the pharmaceutical research industry. She oversaw Phase II through Phase IV clinical trials in asthma and allergy research. She is passionate about employee engagement, leadership development, and continuous improvement.

The Society for Human Resources Management recognizes Linda as a Certified Professional (SHRM-CP). She also holds a Professional in Human Resources (PHR) designation, earned through the Human Resources Certification Institute. Linda is active in the Society for Human Resources Professionals, and she attends local and state HR conferences to stay at the forefront of human resources best practices. Linda studied Human Resources Administration at Greenville Technical College and Western Governors University.

Ruth Albright, P.E.

Vice President | Principal

Ruth has led projects for major industrial facilities throughout the Southeast and beyond. She built her knowledge of environmental regulations and their application to manufacturing operations while working for the second largest chemical manufacturing company in the United States. At SynTerra, she has expanded both her knowledge and reputation working for chemical manufacturing operations of all sizes. She has also worked extensively with other manufacturing operations, including pulp and paper, industrial equipment, pharmaceuticals, food, and automotive parts and assembly. Her experience includes air and wastewater permit compliance, solid and hazardous waste management, solid waste construction permitting, hazardous materials transportation, wastewater treatment systems, air pollution control equipment operations and maintenance, and ambient air monitoring systems.

Ruth is a professional engineer registered in South Carolina, North Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Virginia, Mississippi, Oklahoma, Michigan, Arkansas, and Kentucky. She is an active member of the South Carolina Chamber of Commerce Environmental Technical Committee and serves as the chair of the water subcommittee. She has previously served as the program and committee chair for the Greater Greenville Chamber of Commerce Environmental Affairs committee. She has a Bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering from Clemson University.