Rob Young

Rob Young is a Professional Geologist (PG) with more than 28 years of environmental and management consulting experience. He is well-versed in federal and state regulations, as well as the necessary guidance for a number of regulated solid waste and hazardous waste locations throughout the country— from former military bases to RCRA and federal Superfund sites.

Expertise: Rob specializes in groundwater monitoring, particularly as it relates to permitting and site remediation. He has worked as a consultant to the US EPA for over 30 years and has provided environmental consulting expertise at sites in over 40 different states, including some high-visibility CERCLA and RCRA cases. Rob is also a frequent instructor for federal and state environmental agencies on solid and hazardous waste issues and corrective action and quality assurance techniques, and he has made several public presentations on a variety of environmental topics.

Key Experience: With a BS in geology and a minor in chemistry, Rob has a strong background in CERCLA, RCRA, and TSCA site identification, investigation, and remediation. He has trained federal, state, and industrial clients on various aspects of technical guidance and regulatory programs. One of his most unusual work assignments involved conducting a RCRA inspection at a medium-security prison, which was both intimidating and enlightening. He also led a number of initiatives on a large industrial site with over 100 years of complex contamination and PFAS, organizing a cohesive plan for remediation, operation, and maintenance.

Professional Insight: Rob believes one of the biggest obstacles to a better environment is the increasing competition for public and private money, driven by factors like an aging workforce and infrastructure, differing opinions on the impact of chemicals on humans and the environment,, and a complex world political structure. He notes that both companies and government agencies are asked to do more with less compared to previous decades, which strains the resources available for environmental projects.Personal Interests: Rob enjoys spending time with his two children and grandchild, playing guitar, and writing songs. He also likes walking, biking, and watching Bears, White Sox, and Blackhawks games.