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Bidding Farewell to an Environmental Powerhouse

1/4/2021

21 Comments

 
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After 28 years of service with NTH, Brad Venman is embarking on a new adventure - retirement.  As we celebrate this well-earned milestone with Brad, we reflect upon his career and contributions to the success of NTH. 

Before joining us in 1992, Brad held the position of Chief of the Waste Characterization & Land Application Unit in the MDNR (subsequently known as the MDEQ and now EGLE). During his career with NTH, Brad has stayed actively involved in many of the State’s environmental compliance initiatives. With a couple years left on his appointment to the Environmental Permit Review Commission as well as EGLE’s Response Activity Review Panel and The Solid Waste & Sustainability Advisory Panel, Brad will continue to contribute his expertise.

Highly regarded by industry and regulatory peers, his experience and technical prowess have earned Brad recognition as one of the most informed environmental professionals in Michigan. He has been an invaluable regulatory and technical resource for staff, during his tenure at NTH. 

Because he helped craft many of Michigan’s current environmental regulations while employed with MDNR/MDEQ/EGLE, Brad was able to provide meaningful interpretation of rules and statutes to help clients address complex permitting and compliance issues across all industries we serve. 

Articulated by colleague, Jeff Jaros, “Brad’s relationship with staff and leadership at the State’s environmental department was one formed on respect. While Brad worked with many of the staff prior to his years at NTH, it is the respect these professionals had for Brad that fostered the relationship mutually beneficial for NTH and our clients. His ability to respectfully disagree with agency staff, advocate for clients and articulate his interpretation by providing background and context on the rules is a sheer talent.”

Colleagues across the NTH organization shared these comments about Brad’s contributions:

“When asked about a particular rule or statute, Brad knew its history, who was involved, and how it might change in the future.” Alan Erickson

“I always could count on Brad to answer my environmental regulatory questions with diligence, tact, and a keen ability to track down all of the references and cross-references to make sure we could inform the client of the most practical solution to meet environmental regulatory requirements.” Dave Lutz

“Air Quality Group’s secret weapon! On numerous occasions, his expertise paid dividends to the outcome of our projects.” Rhiana Dornbos

“I have always relied on Brad to provide context regarding the drivers affecting regulatory language so that we can best assist our clients with compliance. I could always count on him to dig into the details of a problem, research the issue, understand why it is occurring and suggest alternate solutions. Brad’s education, expertise and knowledge of toxicology and epidemiology has allowed me to be a better consultant by helping me better understand analytical data, methods and procedures.” Jeff Jaros

Brad’s contributions extend far beyond knowing regulations. His genial nature and ease with which he discussed complicated issues made Brad an invaluable member of the NTH team. Leading by example, using his excellent character, smarts, and charm, he demonstrated how to keep a client. He could wrap up an audit by often giving clients bad news, but in such a firm but gentle way that clients wanted to solve the problem and welcome NTH back for more next year. Shared eloquently by colleague, Rick Burns, “Brad is the consummate professional and gentleman, and the epitome of class and grace.” 

A resolute team player, Brad was always very approachable and offered great advice in a humble manner. He willingly offered help, even on short notice or with demanding clients. In the many emergency situations where his help was needed, Brad would readily “jump in” to assist, day or night, even from his prized UP cabin while on vacation, often travelling several miles out-of-the-way to find a decent cell signal to join project calls or virtual meetings.

“Brad’s reputation as a technical expert in so many environmental programs allowed him to form strong relationships grounded in trust. His legacy lives on in those who were privileged to receive technical guidance, mentorship and friendship during his nearly 30 years with NTH.”  Jeff Jaros

Brad, we hope that you will enjoy a well-deserved retirement.  You will be missed.

Please leave a comment below if you have a special memory, funny story or just something nice to say and we will be packaging the comments up for Brad to take with him!
21 Comments
David R. Lutz
1/5/2021 09:38:00 am

Congratulations, Brad on a well-earned retirement! Your expertise in environmental regulations has been invaluable to me for many years and I knew I could always count on your guidance and professionalism. Cheers to you and all the best on your next adventures!

Reply
Christopher Occhipinti
1/5/2021 12:20:35 pm

It was a pleasure working with you Brad. Thanks for being a great role model as a consultant and as a human being! Congrats, and good luck on your future endeavors!

Reply
Zeerak Paydawy
1/5/2021 07:21:31 pm

I will be missing the early morning coffee talk and great professional. I do remeber Edward Waldecker said to me the Retirement is when you stop living at work and start working at living.Enjoy your Freedom and unlimited weekend. Congratulation on your Retirement.

Reply
Mary Mello
1/6/2021 08:19:19 am

Congratulations Brad! Thank you for being a team player that could always be counted on. Your expertise has been a tremendous asset to NTH. You will be greatly missed. I wish you the best! Enjoy your retirement!

Reply
Matthew Germane link
1/7/2021 01:10:08 pm

While I've only known you for a few years (but knew of you for decades!), I want to wish you well in retirement. It was historic to share the spotlight with you on the first subcommittee of the Env. Permit Review Committee.

Reply
Melanie Linn
1/11/2021 10:37:39 am

Congratulations on your retirement Brad! Best of luck to you!

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Bhushan Modi
1/11/2021 10:39:43 am

Working with you was such a pleasure. I always appreciated your insight on deciphering complex environmental regulations and making it simple and easy to understand. I still have not figured out those statistical background calculations for heavy metals so be prepared for occasional phone calls. Thank you for being a helpful coworker and a good friend. You will be greatly missed. Best wishes for a very happy retirement. Keep in touch!

Reply
Pamela Golden
1/11/2021 10:46:22 am

Congratulations Brad on your retirement. Wishing you much success and fun for this next chapter or your life. Enjoy. You will be missed.

Reply
Charlie Roarty
1/11/2021 10:52:54 am

Brad,
Thanks for your guidance every time this geotechnical guy wandered out of his lane and needed help. Enjoy your retirement!

Reply
Karyn Rekuc
1/11/2021 11:52:39 am

Congratulations on your retirement Brad!! It was a pleasure getting to know you and I always enjoyed our 'healthy talks'. Wishing you all the best and many new adventures!

Reply
Lauren Fabry
1/11/2021 01:07:32 pm

Congratulations on your retirement! Best wishes!

Reply
Cassie Massey
1/11/2021 03:51:59 pm

Brad,

I really enjoyed working with you, it truly was a pleasure!

I am so excited for you to start this new journey. I know it may be a little scary, but it's more likely fear of the unknown! Just remember, that "life begins just outside your comfort zone."

Best of luck! :)

Reply
Patti Bowman
1/12/2021 04:42:18 am

Congratulations on your retirement, Brad Best wishes for an amazing future, filled with health, happiness and adventure!

Reply
Anthony Sinatra
1/12/2021 08:01:16 am

Congratulations on your retirement. Best of luck to you!

Reply
Ben Naber
2/23/2021 01:24:08 pm

Happy Retirement Brad! Your dedication to NTH inspired us all. Wishing you all the best in the years to come!

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George Mansour
2/23/2021 01:24:16 pm

Congratulations on your retirement, Brad! Best of luck and I hope you enjoy spending time with your loved ones!

Reply
Sam Yaldo
2/23/2021 01:28:14 pm

Congratulations on your retirement - well deserved. You were go to guy to help with environmental issues that we faced in our projects and were able to resolve them no matter how complex they were. We will certainly miss you. Enjoy.

Reply
Judi McInerney
2/23/2021 02:44:24 pm

Congratulations Brad! The wisdom and integrity that you displayed as you addressed environmental matters was truly admirable. I will miss our discussions about public health issues as well as those involving U of M sports. Enjoy your retirement a.k.a. your never-ending weekend! Wishing you good health and good times. And always - Go Blue!

Reply
April
2/23/2021 03:47:40 pm

Some people know how to bring out the best in others. You are this type of person! Thank you for the many years of working with you. Best wishes and good luck!

Reply
Keith Swaffar
2/24/2021 10:40:30 am

Brad:

I still remember the first time meeting you. It was for the Porterfield Wilson Marina project and you were still with MDEQ. I was impressed then as now with how practical you were in developing solutions to issues that were common sense and could be understood and agreed to with the clients and the regulatory authorities.

Best wishes for a very long retirement. You will be missed personally and professionally.

Reply
Karen
3/24/2021 10:31:55 am

Congratulations Brad!

I will miss your knowledge and expertise, but most of all the lively conversations we had about life. Thank you for always taking the time to answer a question no matter how busy, offering support, and helping when needed.

Good luck! Have fun crossing off those items of your bucket list!

Reply



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