Archives: People

About Erik M. Clapp

Erik leads SME’s Remediation group. He is an expert geologist with 28 years of experience in geologic investigations, specializing in hydrogeology, geochemistry, sediment transport, and geotechnical issues. He has supervised and conducted regional and international research projects for the U.S. Department of Defense, the U.S. Geological Survey, and some of the region’s largest manufacturing companies. Erik is a member of the E2Tech board of directors with a passion for clean energy topics.

He received bachelor’s, master’s, and doctorate degrees in Geology from the University of Vermont.

Erik is an avid off-piste skier, mountain biker, brewer, and lover of live music. Erik currently spends much of his free time in a support role to his teenage children.

About Daniel P. Diffin

Dan is vice president of SME and leads the firm’s Civil Engineering team. He has more than 19 years of experience on a wide variety of civil engineering design and construction management projects for private and public sector clients. He has experience in engineering, design, and construction services for land development projects, commercial and medical site developments, educational campuses, stormwater management and erosion control projects, and local, state, and federal permitting.

Dan received a bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Maine, Orono, and  is LEED AP BD+C certified in sustainable building design and construction. He is also certified by the Maine Department of Transportation as a Local Project Administrator.

Dan is president of the Maine Chapter of the American Council of Engineering Companies and is an active member in a number of other professional organizations, such as the American Society of Civil Engineers and the Association of Watershed & Stormwater Professionals.

He lives in New Gloucester with his wife Meghan and two children and enjoys exploring the outdoors with friends and family.

About Peter M. Maher

Pete co-founded SME with John Sevee in 1985. Together, they’ve guided the company in achieving a reputation as a high-integrity firm that delivers real value to clients. Pete actively oversees all aspects of project planning, coordination, management and execution. In his distinguished career, he’s been a project engineer and manager on many large civil and environmental engineering projects.

He received a bachelor’s degree in Civil and Environmental Engineering from Clarkson University and a master’s degree in Resource Utilization from the University of Maine.

Pete enjoys fly fishing around the world.

About Kevin L. Connolly

Kevin leads SME’s Marietta, Georgia office and has been with the firm since 1998. He is a partner at SME and as a project manager/engineer brings experience in wastewater, stormwater, solid waste, hazardous waste, site investigations and remediation, and environmental compliance and permitting.

Kevin is a registered professional engineer in Maine, Georgia, and North Carolina, and holds a bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI). He is an active member of the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) and the Georgia Association of Water Professionals (GAWP).

Kevin lives in Kennesaw, Georgia with his wife Courtney, and enjoys running, cycling, the outdoors, and Patriots football.

Contact Kevin at connok@sme-engineers.com

About Bruce A. Fowler

Bruce leads SME’s Water Resources team, tapping his 40-plus years of experience in all aspects of water resources exploration, development, permitting, sustainable yield assessment, well redevelopment, aquifer storage and recovery, and management.  His extensive career portfolio includes major projects for public, industrial, and agricultural clients across the U.S., including the country’s largest water utility.

Bruce’s substantial hydrogeological expertise, experience, and innovative thought led to the patented invention of the Packer-Purge System™  (U.S. Patent No. 11,021,937), a highly cost-effective technology for relief well development and restoration. Read more about the application of this technology here.

He has a bachelor’s degree in Geology from Boston University and a master’s degree in Environmental Engineering from the University of Vermont.

About Philip H. Gerhardt

Phil manages SME’s Environmental Compliance team that clients rely on to stay on top of the latest regulatory requirements. Phil’s background includes over 17 years as an environmental engineer and regulatory compliance specialist, focusing on environmental management and permitting services for all media in numerous states.

Phil is a graduate of Yale University with bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Environmental Engineering.

A native of the Philadelphia area, Phil lives in Westbrook, Maine, with his wife, two young children, and dog. The whole family enjoys taking advantage of all the outdoor activities Maine offers, and is generally unnecessarily competitive in all things.

About Lisa J. Jacob

Lisa, an SME principal, is a licensed Professional Geologist with over 25 years of experience in geologic investigations specializing in geophysics, geomorphology, hydrogeology, and geochemistry. She has managed and led environmental investigations that include environmental due diligence, remedial investigations, vapor intrusion investigations, feasibility assessments and corrective measures studies, and remedial design and implementation for national and international industrial clients. Lisa has established herself as a trusted advisor to her clients and is skilled in regulatory interaction/negotiation and public and community relations.

Lisa is a board member of the Geological Society of Maine.

She received a bachelor’s degree in Geology from Smith College and a master’s degree in Geology/Geophysics from Wright State University.

In her free time, Lisa enjoys singing with two Portland-area choirs.

About Matthew W. Muzzy

Matt leads SME’s Geotechnical group. He has more than 40 years of design and construction experience in geotechnical, groundwater and geo-environmental projects. An expert on slope stability and settlement matters, Matt directs projects involving landfills, earthen embankments, dams, levees, and wastewater retention structures, many of which involve significant interaction with regulators.

Matt received a bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Maine and a master’s degree in Civil Engineering from Colorado State University.

A man of many talents, Matt enjoys baking bread for seniors and constructing cabins.

About Brian D. Pierce

Brian has more than 25 years of experience in project management, design and construction oversight of civil and environmental engineering projects. He is responsible for both the technical and supervisory aspects of projects, including client regulatory agency relations, detailed design, permitting, construction, and operations for civil and environmental projects.  Brian also serves as the company’s Chief Engineer in charge of internal project review prior to distribution to clients and regulators.

He has a bachelor’s degree in Civil and Environmental Engineering from the University of Maine and is a Professional Engineer in Maine, Massachusetts, Arizona, Ohio, and Maryland.   Brian is an active member of ASCE and an active board member in the Northern New England Chapter of the Solid Waste Association of North America (SWANA).

Brian enjoys spending time with his family and being on the water fishing.  Brian has been active in his community as a coach and athletic booster.

About Huqiu Zhang

Huqiu (“Hoo-choo”), an SME principal and senior chemist, leads the firm’s Product Stewardship group assisting clients in regulatory compliance and sustainability matters of food packaging and food contact products. She is based in SME’s Park Ridge, IL, office in the greater Chicago area and was instrumental in establishing SME’s regional presence in the Midwest.

Huqiu joined SME in 2020, bringing over 25 years of international experience in regulatory compliance for consumer product chemical safety, food contact, and food packaging. She is recognized internationally for advanced expertise in regulations and approvals, process improvement, and scientific and regulatory affairs, including sustainability and Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR). Huqiu’s experience and knowledge, combined with her diligence and exceptional problem solving skills, consistently contribute to clients’ business growth and risk management.

Huqiu obtained her Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, where she acquired an in-depth knowledge of chemistry and American football.

She enjoys hiking, gardening, reading, and cooking with a fusion of eastern and western cuisines.

Contact Huqiu at huqiu.zhang@sme-engineers.com