PPM Simplifies

In this episode of PPM Simplifies, host Todd Perry and Mike Luckett, a Senior Engineer from PPM's Baton Rouge Office, explore effective strategies for managing multiple projects simultaneously. The discussion covers essential skills for multitasking consultants, comparing traditional and modern organizational methods, and techniques for prioritizing tasks while coordinating across departments. Luckett shares practical advice…

In today's episode of PPM Simplifies, Todd Perry welcomes PPM's Chris Sampognaro, Senior Geologist and Project Director in the Monroe, Louisiana office. Todd and Chris explore the critical role of data in environmental remediation and site management. Chris shares insights on how PPM's data is collected, processed, and used to track environmental changes over time.…

The history of gasoline and octane additives mirrors technological advancements, evolving public health knowledge, and environmental awareness. Initially a byproduct of oil refining, gasoline rose to prominence with the invention of the automobile in the late 19th century. As car engines became more powerful, the need for octane additives to prevent engine knocking became paramount.…

In this episode, returning guest Annie McIlwain, Principal and District Manager at PPM Consultants, Inc., delves into the intricate process of due diligence, focusing on the crucial Phase One assessment. Listeners will learn about the distinct challenges posed by older facilities compared to newer construction and how commercial sites like dry cleaners that handle chemicals…

Today Todd welcomes Annie McIlwain back to the podcast. Annie is Principal and District Manager at PPM Consultants, Inc., and is here to discuss ESG (Environmental/Social/Governance) policies. The discussion explores the concept of ESG investing, considering environmental, social, and governance factors alongside financial ones. Younger generations – Millennials and Gen Z – are strong advocates…

On this episode, host Todd Perry speaks with Zane Hood from the PPM Birmingham AL office, about the process and steps required during the purchase of a multiple property portfolio of service/gas stations or convenience stores. You'll hear about the bank's requirements, Phase I & II REC analysis, and calculating your risk tolerance for the…

Today, host Todd Perry speaks with Isaac Smith, Leader of the PPM Mobile AL office, about the EPA's “Multi-Scale Monitoring Project” initiated by Michael Regan in 2021. The conversation delves into the program's history and goals, including the impressive capabilities of the EPA's rapid-deployment detection plane and the GMAP mobile air monitoring vehicle. You'll also…

“Sustainability” – you hear it everywhere, all the time. It's one of the top goals of businesses around the globe. Today, host Todd Perry speaks with Forest Stroud, Staff Geologist at PPM, about how and where sustainability is being implemented in our industry. Key Topics and Takeaways Forest Stroud and path to geology Sustainability –…

We're back on the air after a short hiatus and excited to debut a series called “Environmental Consulting Stories.” Our first episode in the series addresses the importance of due diligence. Host Todd Perry and special guest Mike McCown discuss environmental due diligence in property transactions, sharing stories and insights on assessing environmental risks, the…

In this episode, host Todd Perry welcomes Michael Ellison, Principal/Senior Engineer and District Manager for the PPM Consultants office in Birmingham, Alabama. Michael has three decades of experience in the environmental field ranging from general environmental compliance to soil and groundwater contamination assessments and remedial actions.  Tune in to hear Michael explain how and why…

In this episode, host Todd Perry welcomes Isaac Smith, a PPM Principal, District Manager, and Environmental Compliance Manager in the Spanish Fort office. Isaac has over 20 years of experience in the environmental field, specializing in air permitting and compliance, but his technical experience includes water and waste permitting and compliance, risk management plans, and…

In this episode, host Todd Perry welcomes one of PPM's knowledgeable District Managers, Jared Saterfiel. Jared shares his expertise and tips around soil and groundwater remediation, including a discussion of the different types of contaminants, which types of remediation to use in each situation, and we finish with “Jared's Pick” for his favorite remediation combination. …

Our listeners have expressed an interest in hearing more about emissions modeling, and we heard you. In this episode, host Todd Perry welcomes PPM's Environmental Compliance Manager Corey Gautreaux, from Baton Rouge. Corey explains many of the complexities involved in air modeling for emissions. From permitting to collecting your design data, to modeling worst-case scenarios,…

In this episode, host Todd Perry welcomes PPM Geologist Jacob Pongetti, who works out of the Jackson MS office. Jacob is an expert in utilizing HRSC or High-Resolution Site Characterization tools to receive immediate, real-time data to eliminate (or at least reduce) uncertainty about what's in the subsurface at your sites.  According to the EPA…

In this episode, host Todd Perry welcomes Ben Lightsey, a Biological Engineer out of our PPM  Jackson office.  Ben shares his expertise on identifying, detecting, and correcting vapor intrusion in soil, groundwater, and in its gaseous form entering structures.  Vapor intrusion occurs when there is a migration of vapor-forming chemicals from any subsurface source into…

In this special episode, PPM's Annie McIlwain turns the tables on host Todd Perry, cofounder and Principal of PPM, interviewing him on the topic of release detection for underground Storage Tanks or USTs. You'll hear Todd talk with Annie about why release detections were instituted, the limits allowed by the EPA, different types of tanks…

In this episode, Todd Perry talks to Mike Luckett, Senior Engineer with PPM, about risk assessment as a key part of your process – determining if you've got a risk to human health and the environment and if you need to do anything further in terms of remediation. With three decades of experience in the…

In this episode, Todd Perry talks to Corey Gautreaux, Environmental Compliance Manager at PPM Baton Rouge. You'll hear about the latest updates in air, water, and waste – regulations, new technology, and recommendations. Mr. Gautreaux has fifteen years of experience in the environmental field involved with air permitting and regulatory review. His experience has focused…

Biologist Jordan Harper from the Monroe, Louisiana office joins Todd Perry to talk about some of the fascinating aspects of his job, some tales from the field, and some advice for anyone interested in a career in environmental biology. Key Topics and Takeaways Jordan's journey into environmental biology  Stories from the field – The Pressing…

  Zane Hood joins Todd Perry to discuss what facilities need to know about SPCC Plans. Zane is an engineer, regional manager and principal at PPM.   Key  Topics and Takeaways   SPCC stands for spill, prevention, control and counter measures An SPCC plan means having a plan, training and procedures in place for a spill…

  Trey Hess joins Todd Perry to discuss brownfield re-development and the new Phase I ESA Standard. Trey is the Director of Brownfields and Economic Development at PPM, and is retired from the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality and is an expert in all things Brownfields. At PPM, he emphasizes the importance of finding long-term…

  Jared Saterfiel joins Todd Perry to discuss Per- And Polyfluoroalkyl Substances, known as PFAS. Key Topics and Takeaways PFAS are widely used, long lasting chemicals, components of which break down very slowly over time. They are found in water, air, fish, and soil at locations across the nation and the globe Studies have shown that…

  Isaac Smith, the District Manager of the PPM Mobile office joins the podcast to discuss Stack Testing.   Stack Testing is a procedure for sampling a gas stream from a single sampling location at a facility, unit, or pollution control equipment.   Key Topics and Takeaways Stack Testing is a great tool to sure up…

  Annie McIlwain joins Todd Perry to discuss how organizations are embracing Environmental, Social and Corporate Governance (ESG). Annie is an accomplished engineer and is a District Manager at the PPM Jackson and Tupelo, Mississippi offices.   Key Topics and Takeaways Companies all across the world are embracing ESG, a movement that began roughly 20…

  Jared Saterfiel joins the podcast to discuss Missed Mass in Remediation. Jared is a project manager at PPM with experience in Remediation, Waste, Environmental Compliance, Water Quality, Soil, and Environmental Impact Assessment. Jared defines what Missed Mass is, what the common causes are, and how to avoid it.     Links and Resources  Jared…

Between increased environmental regulations and an overall lower demand for the services, Dry Cleaners aren’t as common as they used to be. That means many old dry cleaning buildings, often in prime real-estate are up for grabs. But this poses an environmental challenge and risk. Mike McCown, a senior geologist at PPM joins the show to…

When building a new facility there a lot of nuances and challenges related to environmental compliance. Thad McCoy specializes in this very topic and joins Todd Perry for this episode of PPM Simplifies. Thad is an engineer at PPM with more than 25 years experience. He has exceptional knowledge of state and federal regulations. He…

On this episode Todd Perry chats with Trey Hess about how to work with Regulators. Trey was once a regulator at Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality and is now a consultant at PPM. Trey has a unique perspective on how companies can best work with regulators. Key Topics and Takeaways Regulators and companies CAN work…

Michael Ellison joins this episode of PPM Simplifies to talk about Remediation with Todd. Michael is an engineer at PPM and has nearly 30 years of experience in the industry. Key Topics and Take-aways  Michael gives some tips on site cleanup and equipment maintenance. As he puts it, you wan to be accurate AND precise …