STRATA-G - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Chief Financial Officer
- Chief Growth Officer
Bob has over 30 years of experience in the environmental and energy industry serving both the government and commercial sectors. He has acted in executive level positions at various companies that provided transportation, waste packaging, treatment and disposal, recycling, technology development, and field services to the nonhazardous, hazardous, and radioactive waste markets. His expertise spans strategic growth, finance, and mergers and acquisitions (M&A).
Previously, Bob was the Executive Vice President of Duratek, a leading radioactive waste management company, where he helped grow the business from $30 million to $300 million in annual revenues through organic growth and acquisitions. After that, Bob served as President of MHF, a specialized environmental transportation business, overseeing the nearly doubling in size of this business. Currently, he is the President of Max Environmental Holdings, a waste treatment, disposal, and transportation business.
Bob obtained his M.B.A. in Finance from the University of Maryland and serves as Strata-G's Chief Financial Officer and Chief Growth Officer, dedicated to working on several Strata-G initiatives aimed at developing organizational and financial growth.
Job Titles:
- Board Advisor
- Member of the Board of Advisors
- Founder and Former President and CEO of Strata - G
Dan Hurst is the Founder and former President and CEO of Strata-G, LLC; a growing team of more than 240 technical professionals who provide engineering, safety, environmental, and project management services to federal, commercial, and utility clients.
Dan has M.S. and B.S. Degrees in Engineering from UT Knoxville, and an Executive Certificate in Management and Leadership from the MIT Sloan School. He has served on the Civil and Environmental Engineering Board of Advisers and the UTK Chancellor's Associates. Dan received the 2020 TN Advanced Energy Business Council Leadership Award, the 2019 TN Veterans Entrepreneur of the Year Award, and the 2015 ETEC Muddy Boot Award for contributions to East Tennessee. He has been recognized by Business Week Magazine for values-based leadership and is a veteran officer of the U.S. Naval Nuclear Power Program, in which he instructed hundreds of future nuclear plant operators.
Dan has chaired the Board of the West Knox Utilities District, and served on other boards including the Tennessee Advanced Energy Business Council, Fairview Technology Center, and East TN Historical Society. Dan currently chairs the Board of Knox Area Rescue Ministries and serves as a Trustee on the King University Board.
Job Titles:
- Business Development Manager
Danielle Cleveland serves as Business Development Manager and has over 30 years of experience in the environmental, engineering, and nuclear industries providing business development support by identifying potential new business opportunities and clients, building strategic partnerships, and developing and implementing strategies to add to the company's success. Danielle has been with Strata-G for eight years, supporting the growth and expansion of the small business in the Department of Energy (DOE) and Department of Defense (DoD), and commercial marketplace. Prior to this, she has provided a wide variety of technical support to government contractors in the role of proposal manager, records manager, and technical writer. She graduated with her B.A. degree in Psychology and English from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville.
Danielle is a member of multiple organizations including the Energy, Technology, and Environmental Business Association (ETEBA), where she currently services on the Advisory Council, as well as the East Tennessee Economic Council (ETEC), and the Oak Ridge Chamber of Commerce (ORCC).
Job Titles:
- Board Advisor
- Member of the Board of Advisors
Darrell has nearly 40 years' experience safely and compliantly administering waste characterization, certification, and management programs. He began his career at the Y-12 National Security Complex and has continuously supported Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) for more than three decades.
Darrell earned his M.S. degree in Environmental Engineering from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville and his B.S. degree in Civil Engineering from Tennessee Technological University. He is a registered Professional Engineer in Tennessee.
He previously served as the Principal Engineer for Strata-G and has served on the Board of Directors for Aid to Distressed Families in Appalachian Counties (ADFAC).
Elliott serves as Senior Program Manager, focusing on Strata-G's Strategic Initiatives aimed at expanding geographic customer base and range of services. He graduated with his B.S. in Engineering Science and Mechanics from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville and has worked as a Project Manager in high value environmental and energy projects for the past 25 years. His experience includes serving as Environmental and Process Engineer at the Y-12 National Security Plant in Oak Ridge, TN, where he performed Clean Water Act permitting, wastewater treatment, and solid waste management. Elliott also served in key roles performing the defense missions at Y-12 to maintain our nations' nuclear stockpile safely.
His recent project involvement includes management of the University of Tennessee's 5 Megawatt Solar Farm, serving as owners' representative of gas utilities with the design and construction of compressed natural gas fueling stations, and prior management of the Strata-G Infrastructure Division, overseeing teams performing construction oversight and project management of complex energy grade projects.
Georgia is delighted to be part of the Strata-G team, partly due to the organization's authentic and distinctive culture of philanthropy.
Strata-G's Outreach Program focuses on providing food, shelter, and education for the less fortunate in our community, as well as supporting environmental stewardship throughout East Tennessee. As Strata-G's Outreach Coordinator, Georgia encourages all employees to get involved and support those in need through the variety of area partnerships Strata-G has created and fosters for this purpose.
Georgia has her Bachelor's in English Literature and is a recent graduate from The University of Tennessee, Knoxville. She has a considerable amount of experience in reading and text analysis, and has explored a variety of literary fields, genres, and writing styles. Some of her areas of study include Romanticism, Art History, and Greek Classics. Georgia currently works for Strata-G, LLC as a technical editor. She applies her skills as a writer to edit, complete, and finalize documents for projects in accordance with the standardized formatting for use by United Cleanup Oak Ridge, LLC (UCOR) and Department of Energy (DOE).
Job Titles:
- Board Advisor
- Member of the Board of Advisors
Dr. Conner has five decades of experience with the Department of Energy and National Nuclear Security Administration and is a career veteran of multiple nuclear projects. His career has taken him to DOE sites across the country - including the Paducah and Portsmouth Gaseous Diffusion Plants, Y-12 National Security Complex, Idaho National Laboratory, Savannah River Site, and Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory. He has received the prestigious University of Tennessee Knoxville Alumni Professional Achievement Award and the Secretary of Energy Award of Achievement. In 2017, Conner was named a Fellow by the American Society for Engineering Management and in 2018 was named a Fellow in the American Institute of Chemical Engineers. Conner serves on the University of Tennessee Nuclear Engineering Board of Advisors and the Oak Ridge American Museum of Science and Energy Foundation Board.
A registered professional engineer in Tennessee and South Carolina, Conner received Bachelor and Master of Science degrees in Chemical Engineering from the University of Tennessee in Knoxville and earned a Doctor of Philosophy degree in Industrial and Systems Engineering from the University of Alabama in Huntsville.
Job Titles:
- Board Advisor
- Member of the Board of Advisors
- University of Tennessee's Women 's Athletic Director Emeritus
Joan Cronan is the University of Tennessee's Women's Athletic Director Emeritus, having served the university for 35 years in a variety of roles focused on strengthening UT and its student athletics. Ms. Cronan is the recipient of numerous national and local awards, and she has been inducted to five Halls of Fame, including the Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame and the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Hall of Champions. A gifted leader, Ms. Cronan is deeply accomplished in development activities. She expanded the UT Women's Athletics Program from 7 to 11 sports, while leading an academic initiative which has resulted in a 98% graduation rate; and she instituted an endowment scholarship program at UT which today represents approximately $5 million.
Ms. Cronan has served on numerous boards of directors, including the Pat Summit Foundation Board, East Tennessee Foundation Board, the Leadership Advisory Board for UT Law School, and the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics. She earned an M.S. in Administration and Supervision and a B.S. in Physical Education and Mathematics from Louisiana State University.
Job Titles:
- Chief Executive Officer
- Member of the Leadership Team
- President
John is President and CEO of Strata-G and is focused primarily on the company's business development and growth. John has a B.S. degree from the University of Delaware and a M.S. degree in Engineering Management from George Washington University where he graduated with commendations.
With over 30 years of experience in the nuclear, petroleum, and environmental fields, John's expertise is in providing strategic regulatory, clean up, and waste management consulting. His career started with Chicago Bridge & Iron working refinery turnarounds before becoming a DOE Federal employee in the new DOE Environmental Management Program. John provided programmatic and technical support to the Fernald, Weldon Spring, and FUSRAP Programs. John developed CERCLA and NEPA decision documents at Jacobs Engineering Group then became the Waste Management Strategy and Integration lead with Bechtel Jacobs Company. He has served as the Waste Acceptance Criteria Manager for the Oak Ridge CERCLA disposal facility, and supported projects in Oak Ridge, Paducah, Portsmouth, Hanford, and various commercial and academic institution sites.
Most recently, John served as the Environmental Management Disposal Facility (EMDF) Project Manager for three years, supporting the United Cleanup Oak Ridge, LLC (UCOR) in their efforts to help maintain DOE's environmental management mission on the Oak Ridge Reservation (ORR).
Job Titles:
- Member of the Leadership Team
- Vice President of Strata - G
- Vice President, Compliance Services
Kevin is a Vice President of Strata-G, leading the organization's Compliance Services Division. He received his B.S. Degree in Geology from Millsaps College and his M.S. degree in Geochemistry from the Colorado School of Mines. Kevin is a registered Professional Geologist with more than 25 years of diverse technical and management experience in public and private sector industries providing expertise in environmental compliance, hazardous and radiological waste management, characterization, profiling, certification, remedial actions, quality control, and geological services. Kevin has also supported alternative energy and energy efficiency projects including carbon footprint assessments.
Kevin recently celebrated 20 years as a Strata-G employee and now lives in Oxford, MS, where he manages the Strata-G Oxford office. Kevin has served as the President of the Rotary Club of Oxford-Ole Miss, advisory committee member for the Upper Tallahatchie River Watershed Education Initiative, and he currently serves as the Secretary of the Mississippi Biomass and Renewable Energy Council.
With over six years of applied business and professional communication experience, Kylie leads the Strata-G communications team in all aspects of corporate communications internal and external to the company. She believes that effective communication practices are integral to achieving success within organizations. As George Bernard Shaw once asserted, "The single greatest problem in communication is the illusion that it has taken place."
Kylie fosters relationships among DOE clientele such as United Cleanup Oak Ridge, LLC (UCOR), Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), and Y-12 National Security Complex employees. Kylie is active in various Oak Ridge community organizations, including the Energy, Technology, and Environmental Business Association (ETEBA), East Tennessee Economic Council (ETEC), and graduated from Leadership Oak Ridge Class of 2023. Her involvement led her to winning the Young Professional of the Year Award from the Oak Ridge Chamber of Commerce (ORCC).
Kylie received her B.S. degree in Communication Studies and M.S. degree in Communication and Information from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. Kylie is presently pursuing her Ph.D. in Communication and Information with a Concentration in Communication Studies. She is expected to graduate in May 2027. Kylie serves as a Business and Professional Communication and Public Speaking Instructor at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, where she is enthusiastic about connecting with others and instructing college students on business, professional, and organizational communication practices.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Leadership Team
- Chief Operating Officer of Strata - G
- Chief Operating Officer, Business Services
- Member of the Leadership Knoxville Class
Leah serves as Chief Operating Officer of Strata-G, leading the organization's Business Services Division. She graduated with her B.S. degree in Marketing from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville.
With more than 25 years of transportation and logistics experience, Leah has served as a former Senior Manager at FedEx Express, provided technical consulting to DOE and commercial clients in the area of logistics, and presently provides clients with GSA contract consulting, while managing Strata-G's administrative and human resources group.
In addition to participation in Strata-G's community outreach programs, Leah is a member of the Leadership Knoxville Class of 2020, past President of the Rotary Club of Farragut, faculty member for the Rotary District Leadership Academy, advisor for the Hardin Valley Academy Interact Club, a UT Chancellor's Associate, President of the Board of Directors for the Southern Appalachian Science and Engineering Fair (SASEF), and a devoted Christian Academy of Knoxville (CAK) and Tennessee Aquatics swim team mom!
Job Titles:
- Mechanical Engineer
- Director, Nuclear Services
Michael Russell is a Mechanical Engineer with over 30 years of technical project management experience in the areas of nuclear operations, engineering, quality assurance (QA) and compliance, regulatory/licensing support, performance improvement, construction, information technology, and software and hardware development. Michael has been supporting the nuclear power, utility, energy, waste, construction, and security industry for over 22 years. He is currently using his extensive program and procedure development experience supporting Department of Energy (DOE) facilities including the Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory (PPPL), and the NNSA Y-12/Pantex Security Complex.
Michael supports ORNL as the lead QA Representative for the new Transformational Challenge Reactor program which integrates multiple directorates and disciplines within the DOE laboratory complex including regulatory, Additive Manufacturing (3D Printing), TRISO fuel and YH Moderator development and novel reactor core design. This task included the development of over 40 plans and procedures including quality assurance program, design control, procurement, and software quality assurance.
Michael obtained his B.S. degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas and serves as the Strata-G Corporate Quality Assurance Manager, Director of Nuclear Services, and Subcontract Project Manager for multiple projects and personnel. Michael's professional experience is matched by his dedication to supporting the Oak Ridge and East Tennessee communities, volunteering and serving in over 15 outreach organizations.
Job Titles:
- Director, Infrastructure Services
- Registered Professional Engineer
Tim is a registered Professional Engineer with 40 years of experience, including project management of planning, design, and construction of multi-million-dollar infrastructure facilities. In addition, he is an experienced project engineer in the areas of facility/site characterization, facility decontamination and decommissioning (D&D), and wastewater treatment. Most of Tim's work has been associated with Department of Energy and National Nuclear Security Administration sites and facilities in Oak Ridge, TN and Paducah, KY.
Tim has a B.S. in Civil Engineering from Tennessee Technological University and an M.S. in Environmental Engineering from the University of Tennessee. He has served previously as President of the East Tennessee Section of American Society of Engineering Management (ASEM) and President of the Oak Ridge Chapter of Tennessee Society of Professional Engineers (TSPE). He currently serves on the Board of the Shred ALS Foundation, a 501(c)3 organization whose mission is to aid families impacted by ALS (also known as Lou Gehrig's disease).
Job Titles:
- Member of the American Society
- Strata - G Corporate Safety and Health Manager
Todd Busch is a Certified Safety Professional (CSP) who earned his M.S. degree in Environmental Health and Safety from the University of Minnesota, Duluth. He has more than 14 years of safety experience in the private and public sectors, including work at Minnesota Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and Nestle Nutrition.
Todd currently works as the Strata-G Corporate Safety and Health Manager while also supporting clients with safety program development and compliance walk-throughs.
Additionally, Todd serves as a member of the American Society of Safety Professionals (ASSP) and enjoys hockey, golf, and spending time with his family.