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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!
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!
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