Our Team

Sarah Veselka is an experienced aquatic biologist (20+ years) with a successful track record of managing large complex projects with threatened and endangered species concerns for transportation, energy, utilities, and municipalities. Sarah is a qualified freshwater mussel, fish, crayfish, and macroinvertebrate surveyor and taxonomist. She is a PADI Master Diver with considerable experience in large river, low visibility, and diving including the use of dry suits and full-face mask communications. Sarah appreciates taking on the responsibility for her client’s project success and seeing projects through from start to finish. She also enjoys volunteering for the Women’s Energy Network of West Virginia as the Community Initiatives Director to give back to WV communities and the Freshwater Mollusk Conservation Society as Secretary to support conservation efforts of freshwater mussels and snails.

Emily Grossman has over 12 years of experience conducting freshwater mussel surveys and relocations throughout the Midwest and Appalachia and successfully managed one of the largest known mussel relocation efforts in the country on the Mississippi River. With an Engineering degree focused on water resources, Emily has a unique understanding of the relationship between hydraulics and freshwater mussel habitats. She is a federally permitted mussel biologist specializaing in surveys in AR, IA, IL, KS, MI, MN, MO, and OK.

Laura Sayre has over 20 years of experience in wetland and stream delineation, assessment, and permitting. Laura has successfully performed field delineations and received countless permits for wetland and stream impacts for clients throughout the Midwest, Mid-Atlantic, and Northeast. Laura has worked primarily on energy, utility, commercial, residential, and transportation projects. She also has helped various clients resolve Notices of Violation issued by state and federal regulators. As part of the permitting process, Laura is adept in other local, state, and federal agency coordination; state specific wetland and stream assessments; wetland and stream mitigation; and wetland and stream monitoring.

Kylene Hinerman has over 14 years of management, administrative, and human resources experience in the healthcare, manufacturing, and banking industries. She has a Bachelor’s Degree in Public Relations and has worked on numerous marketing and advertising campaigns. She is enthusiastic about growing and gaining new skills in all of these fields, finding efficient pathways for day to day operations, and taking care of staff and clients. Kylene volunteers for the Northern Virginia Family Services where she assists in giving job seekers the tools, guidance, and confidence to successfully enter or reenter the job market. She values learning from others, genuine connections, paying it forward, and leading with kindness.

Clarissa Lawlis has over 16 years of experience conducting freshwater mussel surveys and relocations throughout much of the Ohio River Valley.  She earned a Bachelor’s degree in Zoology and a Master’s degree in Environment and Natural Resources, both from The Ohio State University.  Her career began as the Collections Manager of the Mollusk Division of the Museum of Biological Diversity and segued into consulting in 2014.  Clarissa is an approved U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service freshwater mussel surveyor and has performed surveys in AL, KY, IN, IL, OH, PA, TN, and WV.

Ben Dunn is an ADCI certified dive supervisor with five years of experience utilizing surface supplied air techniques to collect high quality data for ecological studies related to freshwater mussels. He is a certified dive medical technician and previously served in the United States Army. Ben maintains steadfast adherence to established safety regulations and his practical knowledge of the diving industry enables our team to quickly respond to our client’s needs while maximizing safety and efficiency. He has extensive on the job training in scientific sampling methods for freshwater mussels, fish, and aquatic macroinvertebrates.

Ben Ebert is an ADCI certified diver, tender and dive supervisor with five years of mussel survey and diving experience. Ben has worked across the Eastern United States completing freshwater mussel surveys, relocations, and monitoring efforts. He has logged over 350 working dives including over 150 dives in which he safely and effectively supervised. Ben is also qualified to conduct Group 1 and 3 mussel surveys in the state of Ohio.