Archives: People

About James S. Atwell

Throughout Jim’s accomplished 50-year career, his work has focused on incorporating clean technologies in solid and hazardous waste management projects, including several at Superfund sites. A state-level leader, Jim has served as board chair at the Maine State Chamber of Commerce, E2Tech, the Efficiency Maine Trust, and the Maine Technology Institute. In 2017, Jim was presented with the Governor’s Award for Environmental Excellence  in recognition of his many lifetime achievements.

Jim received bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Civil Engineering from the University of Maine.

In his free time, Jim applies dogged persistence to improving his golf game.

About Kathryn Balzer

Kathryn manages the front desk  at SME’s headquarters in Cumberland, Maine, where she greets callers and visitors. In addition to managing the office, Kathryn provides key administrative support to SME’s project managers and accounting team to meet the needs of our clients and their projects.

Kathryn joined SME in 2023, bringing experience in administrative support, recordkeeping, bookkeeping, and client relations for environmental and commercial offices. She has over 10 years of experience working in an environmental lab where she honed her high level of organization, analytical skills, and keen eye for detail.  At SME, she uses these skills and experience in data quality assurance and quality control applications.

Kathryn has a bachelor’s degree in biology from the University of Southern Maine where she graduated magna cum laude.

When she is not traveling the United States to fulfill her dream of visiting each state and national park, Kathryn enjoys taking her family on hiking, swimming, and ice skating adventures.

About Brian Bardwell

Brian joined SME in 2017 as a CAD designer/drafter. Since then, his role with the firm has expanded to also include FAA-certified small Unmanned Aircraft System (sUAS) pilot, photogrammetrist, and field technician.

Brian is a graduate of Johnson State College (now known as Northern Vermont University) with an associate degree in architectural and engineering design, and Southern Maine Community College, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in business management.

In his spare time Brian enjoys hiking, skiing, gardening, and being outdoors.

About Patricia Beaulieu

Pat has been with SME for over 30 years. As the lead word processor at SME, her responsibilities include ensuring that outgoing documents adhere to company standards for quality and consistency.

When not working at the keyboard, Pat keeps busy at home in front of a sewing machine making quilts for sale and creating items for Stroudwater Animal Shelter.

About Brandon A. Binette

Brandon joined SME in 2022 with experience in civil and environmental engineering, design, permitting, and construction oversight for public and private projects across northern New England.

He has proven expertise in the design of stormwater management systems and municipal water/sewer works, and in performing hydrological and hydraulic modeling for highway/roadway, coastal, and marine engineering projects.

Brandon is a graduate of the University of Maine at Orono with a B.S. in Civil and Environmental Engineering.

He enjoys being active with bodybuilding, motorsports, snowboarding, hiking, fishing, camping, and hunting.  He also is active in his community through volunteering and coaching.

About Kristy Bishop

Kristy helps clients to become and remain compliant with complex environmental regulations. She has 20 years of experience working with industrial, commercial, institutional, and governmental clients to develop regulatory compliance solutions that are effective and practical.  Kristy has experience with all environmental media and has deep expertise in air quality regulations and permitting, including Prevention of Significant Deterioration and Nonattainment New Source Review for major air permitting projects. She has extensive experience working with clients in the pulp and paper and power generation industries across the country.

Kristy received a bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering from the University of Maine and a master’s degree in Business Administration from the University of Southern Maine.

Kristy enjoys being active with her family in the outdoors and enjoys cycling, hiking, skiing, and spending time at her family camps in the Carrabassett Valley and Rangeley regions.

About John Boilard

John joined SME in 2020, bringing over 35 years of experience in the Industrial Hygiene and Health and Safety field.  He performs Indoor Air Quality and Industrial Hygiene investigations for residential, commercial, and industrial sites, as well as hospitals and governmental facilities.

John has extensive expertise in OSHA regulatory requirements, asbestos surveys, hazard recognition, hazardous material labeling, emergency response procedures, and contamination control techniques. He also has education and experience related to mechanical engineering and drafting; architectural design and drafting; general building construction; metallurgy; health and safety; and industrial hygiene assessment and sampling.

While employed previously by the Department of Defense, John was a registered emergency responder with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and Maine Emergency Management Agency (MEMA).

Outside of work, John enjoys spending time with family and friends, cooking and entertaining, gardening, hiking/biking, attending sporting events, exploring the U.S. and the world, and being “Pop Pop” to his grandson.

johnb@sme-engineers.com

About Mark P. Coleman

Mark joined SME in 2019 as a Certified Indoor Environmentalist (CIE) and building systems technologist. He has more than 25 years of professional experience in environmental management, occupational safety and health, and indoor environmental quality. In addition, he has specialized education and training in commercial and residential architecture and building technology, including building construction and diagnostics.

Mark has extensive expertise and experience in indoor air quality, industrial hygiene, and hazardous material abatement consulting.  His professional knowledge and assessments are highly respected and sought after; he has been called on to provide expert testimony in a number of lawsuits pertaining to mold exposure and property damage. He also has comprehensive expertise in asbestos inspection, testing, and abatement planning, including projects to support schools and governmental clients in complying with the Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act (AHERA).

Outside of his professional career, Mark enjoys time with his family and grandchildren and finds time to enjoy outdoor activities such as skiing, golf, and freshwater sports.

mark@sme-engineers.com

About Mark G. Coleman

Mark joined SME in 2022. He is an information technologies specialist with a passion for data analysis and the development of effective data solutions. Mark plays an integral part in the management of SME’s environmental databases and develops customized web-based products to meet the specialized needs of the firm’s clients.

Mark also has practical experience performing environmental field services, giving him a direct understanding of data composition, client requirements, and data reporting considerations.

He is a graduate of the University of New Hampshire with a bachelor’s degree in Information Systems & Business Analytics.

Outside of work, Mark enjoys outdoor activities such as golfing, boating, camping, and skiing.

About Kimberly Darling

Kim joined SME in 2023, bringing 10 years of professional experience in office management, bookkeeping, and program coordination in commercial and municipal environments.

In her role as a Project Accounts Assistant, Kim provides support in the management of diverse projects at SME, coordinating closely with the project management team and the accounting group to meet the needs of our clients and their projects.

Kim has a bachelor’s degree in Environmental Planning and Policy from the University of Southern Maine and has coordinated municipal initiatives to promote energy efficiency, waste reduction, and environmental conservation.

Kim enjoys all things gardening, hunting, and fishing. Her favorite pastime is sharing her sense of wonder for the natural world with her toddler daughter.