They’ve worked on Alaskan fishing boats, are mostly split on the Beatles vs. the Rolling Stones, and they love the work they do. Get to know a little more about the incredible individuals who make up R/M’s Environmental Services Team.

Kaley Simonis

Environmental Team Leader

Years with R/M: 1.5 years.

Years in the environmental services industry: 11 years.

How did you end up on your current career path? When I was a kid, I would go camping with my dad up north in the Boundary Waters. It was there that I first really had the chance to experience the night sky. Seeing the Milky Way, all of the constellations… just the number of stars – I couldn’t believe that existed. And I didn’t understand why I couldn’t see the sky that way all the time, until I eventually learned that it was because someone decided to save that land. I got to have that experience because of land conservation.

I went to college for environmental studies and graduated during the oil and gas boom. My career began as a wetland ecologist/plant ecologist in the oil and gas industry. My main focus was permitting, and in many ways it still is. I navigate the environmental side of a project so our clients can get the permits they need.

What’s the best part of your job? My team. They are just such great people. They’re all motivated in their own ways and excited about their own niche things, but we also complement each other so well as a group. I think everyone on this team is really going places.

What’s one thing you use to do your job that you couldn’t live without? My calendar. My calendar is life. It’s not real until it’s on my calendar!

What do you think differentiates R/M’s environmental team from other firms? Our clients really value our combined permitting, grants, and civil/municipal expertise. This is especially true when dealing with new federal regulations, like the upcoming changes to stream banking and stream restoration. Our clients know we have their best interests at heart and that we are here to help them navigate the ins-and-outs of what can feel like an overwhelming number of ongoing regulatory changes.

Beatles or Rolling Stones? Stones? No, Beatles. Okay I don’t know!

What song is stuck in your head right now? Tongue by Edamame.

Go-to place for food these days? Matsu Ya Sushi Bar & Grill in Steven’s Point, Wisconsin.

Is there anything in particular you’d like our clients to know? Contact us as soon as you start thinking about a project. By reaching out at the concept phase, we can help you avoid potential project issues and make you and your team’s life much easier.

Nicholas Connor, M.S.

Senior Biologist

Years with R/M: 3 years.

Years in the environmental services industry: 10 years.

How did you end up on your current career path? I worked for the National Park Service right after college doing black bear research. I got to travel a ton and spent time in Great Smoky Mountain National Park, Glacier National Park, and Helena National Forest. I also worked on the fishing boats in Alaska as an in-season fishing biologist. Ultimately, the travel got to be a bit much, so I made a major transition and ended up in medical sales. It was horrible! The pay was good, but the work was not for me. So I went back to graduate school and decided to pursue environmental work on the consulting level.

What’s the best part of your job? I get to do stream work on dream projects, and I work with a great team. They would be close friends of mine even if we weren’t working together, and I’ve found that’s a very unique thing to have in a workplace.

What’s one thing you use to do your job that you couldn’t live without? My team.

What do you think differentiates R/M’s environmental team from other firms? We have a real closeness, and we truly value collaboration and mutual respect.

Beatles or Rolling Stones? Stones.

What song is stuck in your head right now? Any number of Taylor Swift songs that my daughter listens to.

Go-to place for food these days? Kyoto in Greenfield, Wisconsin.

Christy M. Poniewaz

Senior Environmental Scientist

Years with R/M: 3 years.

Years in the environmental services industry: 8 years.

How did you end up on your current career path? I grew up in the Scouts and I did a lot of camping and other outdoor activities growing up. As an adult, I’ve always been drawn to the environmental side of things and how practical applications of environmentalism benefit an urban landscape.

What’s the best part of your job? Being a resource for our clients and helping them find project solutions that truly fit their community.

What’s one thing you use to do your job that you couldn’t live without? Coffee.

What do you think differentiates R/M’s environmental team from other firms? Our work-sharing abilities and the general dynamic of our team. We are very focused on supporting each other’s work. It’s all hands on deck.

Beatles or Rolling Stones? Beatles.

What song is stuck in your head right now? Naïve Melody by Talking Heads.

Go-to place for food these days? AppeThai in Brown Deer, Wisconsin.

Theran P. Stautz, PWS

Senior Ecologist

Years with R/M: 2.75 years

Years in the environmental services industry: Almost 20 years.

How did you end up on your current career path? I was originally an engineering major, but then I took engineering level calculus and really hated it, I started exploring other options and landed on forestry. I grew up in the outdoors, camping, hiking, etc., so forestry seemed like it could be a good fit. And it worked out!

What’s the best part of your job? Being outside. During the growing season, I get to be in the field 2-3 days a week.

What’s one thing you use to do your job that you couldn’t live without? The Munsell Soil book

What do you think differentiates R/M’s environmental team from other firms? Our team has a lot of very broad interests, and R/M as a company has embraced that and let us explore those interests. That kind of influence is a really unique thing, and it’s given us a chance to diversify and expand the services we can offer our clients.

Beatles or Rolling Stones? The Grateful Dead.

What song is stuck in your head right now? Levitating by Dua Lipa

Go-to place for food these days? Sal’s Pizza in Sun Prarie, Wisconsin

Tiffany Alkinburgh

Environmental Scientist

Years with R/M: One year.

Years in the environmental services industry: About two years. This is my first full-time role, but I had an internship as a Water Quality Research Assistant for the City of Racine the summer before graduation. I got to drive to different beaches in southeastern Wisconsin every morning to collect water samples from Lake Michigan, it was a great first experience in the industry before graduating!

How did you end up on your current career path? I originally wanted to be a nurse like my mom, I was even in the healthcare apprenticeship program in high school and worked in a pharmacy for five years. After getting some experience in healthcare, I realized that I wanted to try taking some other courses in college before committing to a career. I ended up taking an introduction to environmental studies class and loved it! I always loved being outdoors growing up, so being in the environmental field was a perfect fit!

What’s the best part of your job? Helping clients solve problems alongside my team. Our team is so unique, and we work really well together. It is so great to know that you have people there to lend a helping hand, and to do so with a smile on their face!

What’s one thing you use to do your job that you couldn’t live without? My computer.

Beatles or Rolling Stones? Beatles.

What song is stuck in your head right now? “You Found Yours” by Luke Combs.

Go-to place for food these days? Olde Madrid in Racine. It’s a small Spanish tapas restaurant located downtown. If you ever find yourself in the area for dinner, this is the place to go!

Abby Warwick

Project Engineer

Years with R/M: 1.5 years. I started with R/M as an intern!

Years in the environmental services industry: 1.5 years.

How did you end up on your current career path? That’s a great question! I have always known that I wanted to be in the environmental field. I am passionate about nature and love the creation aspect of engineering. This just felt like the obvious career path for me.

What’s the best part of your job? I love being a part of stream design projects. I find seeing those projects coming to life to be very rewarding.

What’s one thing you use to do your job that you couldn’t live without? My team! I am still early in my professional career so they are great resources. I am still learning so I rely on them for help.

What do you think differentiates R/M’s environmental team from other firms? We have so much diversity in our group! From engineers to environmental scientists, we have it all! We have found that this has allowed us to offer a heightened level of expertise that brings a new perspective to projects. This helps us put out higher-quality work.

Beatles or Rolling Stones? I don’t listen to much of either but I think I’ll choose the Beatles! I definitely know more of their songs than the Stones.

What song is stuck in your head right now? I have been listening to a bunch of different genres lately, but I really like 315 by Russ. That is a really good one!

Go-to place for food these days? This winter I have been really into Pho. Pho 124 on 124 St. in Brookfield, WI.

Is there anything, in particular, you’d like our clients to know? We are an eager team that is so excited to help our clients in any way possible. We are all very passionate about what we do!!