Meet Our Team

Name

Position

Jeffrey Bernard
Jeffrey Bernard Environmental Programs Manager

Position:
Environmental Programs Manager

Phone: (470) 578-5023
Email: jbernar3@kennesaw.edu
Location: CP 201B

Jeffrey Bernard is responsible for managing all the environmental programs at KSU regulated by the U.S. EPA and the GA Department of Natural Resources except for Hazardous Waste. His most significant duties include tracking our air pollution sources and emissions; managing our oil, gasoline, and diesel sources to prevent spills and be prepared for potential accidents; and evaluating potential sources of asbestos containing materials on our campuses and having them abated as necessary.

Prior to the Kennesaw State and SPSU consolidation, he was responsible for all EHS matters at SPSU and served on the Operational Working Group to merge the EHS functions of the two campuses. With the consolidation, Marietta campus now has a full EHS team with resources and specialists that hadnât been available before.

In addition to his normal duties, Jeff has also served four years on the SPSU Staff Council and has held the positions of Vice Chair and Chair of the Council. He is currently on his second year of a three-year elected term on the KSU Staff Senate and serves as the Secretary.

Jeff joined SPSU in November of 2005, after moving from Massachusetts. Previously, he worked at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, starting as a hazardous waste technician and working up to be the Hazardous Waste Manager. Prior to MIT, Jeff worked with an environmental contractor conducting CERCLA investigations for EPA to evaluate properties for National Priorities List status.

Jeff is a bibliophile and self-avowed geek. He found his wife, Kari, playing online video games (Star Wars Galaxies). She was the reason he moved south from the frozen arctic.
Rodrick Esaw
Rodrick Esaw Laboratory Safety Manager/Biosafety Officer

Position:
Laboratory Safety Manager/Biosafety Officer

Phone: (470) 578-4803
Email: resaw@kennesaw.edu
Location: CP 201M

Rodrick Esaw is the Laboratory Safety Manager and Biosafety Officer for Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) at Kennesaw State University. His roles and responsibilities include the management of safety programs in the areas of laboratory safety, chemical safety, biosafety, laser safety, and all other safety programs associated with research and teaching labs.

Rodrick joined KSU in November 2014 after a 14 year career at Emory University as a Research Safety Specialist. He is originally from Monroe, Louisiana, where he received a Bachelor of Science degree in Toxicology from the University of Louisiana at Monroe. In May 2006, he received a Masterâs of Public Health (MPH) from Emory University.

Rodrick is married and currently has two children. In his spare time, he enjoys music, sports, and spending time with his family.
Therrell Hall
Therrell Hall Chemical Safety Coordinator

Position:
Chemical Safety Coordinator

Phone: (470) 578-7855
Email: thall72@kennesaw.edu
Location: CP 201Q

Therrell Hall is the Chemical Safety Coordinator for Environmental Health& Safety (EHS).

Primary responsibilities consist of Hazardous Waste Management, Universal /Bio Waste Management, Laboratory Inspections/Audits, Eyewash/Shower inspections, Fume Hood inspections. Pick up /transport of hazardous, bio, and universal waste form various laboratories and buildings throughout Kennesaw State University campus.

Therrell attended Tuskegee University where he majored in Biology. Therrell joined EHS team in August, 2013 after working at Morehouse School of Medicine as a Safety Specialist. Prior to working at Morehouse, Therrell has worked at various universities, including Georgia Institute of Technology, University of Virginia, and University of Rochester.

Therrell is a very dedicated team member who thrives on making Kennesaw State University's EHS department one of the best in the United States. He is very excited about the growth and future projects at Kennesaw State University. Therrell put great diligence into ensuring KSU remain in compliance with the ever changing EPA regulations and that each activity is done correctly and safely.

Therrell is married and has two adult children. Therrell enjoys sports of all kinds and was a former college basketball player. He enjoys jazz music, but listens to all categories of music.

Therrell enjoy spending time with family and love the great outdoors. Always willing to assist with the development of community and assisting those seeking help.
Natalie Higgins
Natalie Higgins Office Manager

Position:
Office Manager

Phone: (470) 578-6384
Email: nhiggin2@kennesaw.edu
Location: CP 201E

Natalie is the Office Manager for the Department of Environmental Health & Safety. She joined the staff at KSU in March 2006 as the Administrative Assistant in the Psychology Department. Natalie graduated from Kennesaw State University in May 2010 earning her Bachelors of Science Degree in Interdisciplinary Studies, majoring in Communication and Human Services.

In Aug 2010, she joined the EHS department. She is proud to call herself an alumna. Prior to joining KSU, she worked at Nyack College in the Admissions Office for 2 years
Billie Hunter Barron
Billie Hunter Barron Insurance & Risk Management Specialist

Position:
Insurance & Risk Management Specialist

Phone: (470) 578-2599
Email: bhunterb@kennesaw.edu
Location: CP 109A

Mrs. Hunter-Barron is responsible for handling all insurance related claims involving KSU employees, property and vehicles, whether on campus or off. She also manages the Driver Qualification Program, which includes managing the MVR database & vehicle Operator Training and compliance. She also teaches the Defensive Driving class to employees and students monthly.

Billie joined the staff at KSU in the Insurance & Risk Management department in February 2015. Prior to working at KSU, she worked in the insurance industry for 25 years.

Billie is a lifelong Georgia resident, and is married with 2 children. In her spare time she volunteers at her church and with a non-profit support group.
Stephen Ingram
Stephen Ingram Fire and Life Safety Manager

Position:
Fire and Life Safety Manager

Phone: (470) 578-2954
Email: singram1@kennesaw.edu
Location: OF 140

Steve Ingram is the Fire and Life Manager with the responsibility of managing all the fire and life safety systems as well as the fire and life safety education for the University. Steveâs goal is to provide a safe university for the students, faculty, staff and visitors.

Before joining Kennesaw State University, Steve was an Assistant Chief for the Marietta Fire Department. As an Assistant Chief of Suppression, Steve was responsible for 6 fire stations and their delivery of service to the public. During his career, Steve was assigned to every division in the department and held every rank from Firefighter to Assistant Chief. Steve retired from the City of Marietta in December, 2018 with 30 years of service.

Steve has Mastersâ of Business degree from Reinhardt University, a Bachelor of Science in Public Safety Administration from Grand Canyon University and an Associate of Science in Fire Science from DeKalb College. Steve also holds numerous certifications and is a member of several national organizations.
Eutopia Johnson
Eutopia Johnson Compliance Training Manager

Position:
Compliance Training Manager

Phone: (470) 578-7856
Email: ejohns93@kennesaw.edu
Location: CP 201C

Eutopia Johnson is the Compliance Training Manager for EHS related training at Kennesaw State University. Eutopia is also an Adjunct Professor of Management and teaches in the First Year Programs in University College. She is a certified Online Instructor for KSU. Eutopia enjoys being able to teach students, faculty and staff at KSU. Eutopia began her career with KSU as the Risk Manager in 2010. Eutopia serves as the University's Environmental and Occupational Safety Management System coordinator.

As the coordinator, Eutopia oversees the inspection program, tracks University incidents, manages documents, and works with internal and external stakeholders to meet the needs of the University.

Eutopia is originally from New York City, she's married with three children. Eutopia is currently pursuing a doctorate in Educational Leadership and is scheduled to graduate in 2015.
Vanessa Keel Biggers
Vanessa Keel Biggers Environmental Manager

Position:
Environmental Manager

Phone: (470) 578-2415
Email: vbigger1@kennesaw.edu
Location: CP 201F

Vanessa received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Chemistry, Biology and English from the University of North Alabama.

She worked as a Laboratory Analyst for eleven years at the International Fertilizer Development Center in Muscle Shoals, AL. She served on the first safety committee at IFDC and continued to serve as Chair for two years. She worked as an Applications Specialist and the Applications Laboratory Chemical Hygiene Officer at Eka Chemicals in Marietta, GA for seven years.

Her first full time safety professional position was at the Georgia Institute of Technology where she worked as a Chemical Safety Specialist for almost six years. It was there that she earned her Advanced Safety Certificate from the National Safety Council.

At Kennesaw State University, Vanessa serves as the Environmental Manager with duites in Chemical safety. She is the Campus Right to Know Coordinator and manages the Campus chemical inventory enterprise system. Her duties include managing hazardous and nonhazardous wastes, universal wastes and biowastes as well as working in chemical safety. She is a Toastmaster and holds an Advanced Communicator Silver and an Advanced Leader Bronze in the organization. She has also served KSU in Staff Senate as Treasurer (FY12) and President (FY13).
Alexander Lehocky
Alexander Lehocky Director

Position:
Director

Phone: (470) 578-2968
Email: alehock1@kennesaw.edu
Location: CP 201D

Mr. Lehocky (La-hock-ee) is the Director of Environmental Health and Safety with the responsibility for the overall management, direction and oversight of the University's EHS program which is aimed at ensuring a safe teaching, learning and working environment for KSU students, faculty, staff and visitors.
Before joining Kennesaw State University, Alex worked with the Board of Regentsâ Office of Real Estate & Facilities, and served as the Program Manager for Environmental & Occupational Safety within the Compliance and Operations Group. He provided leadership to all of the University System of Georgia institutions on environmental compliance, industrial hygiene, occupational safety, and due diligence issues.

Alex has over twenty-five years of progressive technical and management experience in industry, higher education, and consulting. His experiences include regulatory compliance, remediation, exposure assessment, risk assessment, indoor air quality, permitting, development of hazardous chemical SOPs, auditing, training, and project management.

Alex has a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry and a Master of Science degree in Environmental Health from the University of Georgia and maintains the designation of a Certified Industrial Hygienist. In addition, he is actively involved with a variety of local and national professional groups.
Janet Nash
Janet Nash Assistant Director, Insurance & Risk Management

Position:
Assistant Director, Insurance & Risk Management

Phone: (470) 578-2460
Email: jhull@kennesaw.edu
Location: CP 109A

Mrs. Nash manages risk management, insurance and claims for all State programs; consults with and assists the campus community and affilated entities to manage risk management, insurance programs and claims through private sector insurers as well as State programs. She manages the State mandated Comprehensive Loss Control Program (CLCP) and works strategically with multiple departments to assure appropriate compliance. Additionally, Janet reviews University contracts and Protecting Minors Programs for compliance and assists campus partners with program compliance, risk management and treatment. Leads and participates in committees for the University level policies, intiatives, processes and procedures.

Janet began her career with Allstate Insurance in 1989. For 12 years, she was Risk Manager for a self-insured group of companies that included automobile rental, dealership, service, commerical property management and leasing. She also worked in risk management nationally for a large, self-insured trucking firm in Atlanta. Subsequently, Janet worked with two independent adjustment firms as an account manager and senior casualty adjuster to assist clients in the creation and administration of risk management programs as well as investigating claims in the field for clients that included DOAS and other government entities throughout the southeast. She significantly increased revenues and client bases for these companies while maintaining a high level of customer service.

Janet earned her B.A. from Kennesaw State University and is a graduate of the National Center for Paralegal Training in Atlanta. She earned her ARM (Associate in Risk Management) diploma and designation from The Insitutes. Janet has maintained her Georgia insurance professional license since 1998.

She is a current member of URMIA (University Risk Management & Insurance Association) and the Southern Loss Association (Executive Board & Past President). Janet is a Georgia native and lives in Kennesaw with her husband, Todd, and her rescue dogs (fur-kids). She is also an enthusiastic Owls Football fan (since 2015) and attends every home game. #GOOWLS
Stephen Ndiritu
Stephen Ndiritu Assistant Director

Position:
Assistant Director

Phone: (470) 578-2410
Email: sndiritu@kennesaw.edu
Location: F1 118

Mr. Ndiritu is the Assistant Director of Environmental Health and Safety with the responsibility for assisting in the overall management, direction and oversight of the University's EHS program which is aimed at ensuring a safe teaching, learning and working environment for KSU students, faculty, staff and visitors.

Mr. Ndiritu has a Master of Science degree in Industrial Hygiene from the University of Central Missouri, a Bachelor of Science degree in Environmental Health from Moi University in Kenya and holds certifications in Industrial Hygiene (CIH) and Safety (CSP).

Before joining Kennesaw State University, Mr. Ndiritu worked as an industrial hygienist for Solvay Advanced Polymer in Alpharetta. He has an excellent background in exposure assessment, program development, Safety Management, Environmental Compliance, IAQ investigations, training and conducting compliance audit and inspections.
Michael O'Reilly
Michael O'Reilly Environmental Health and Safety Technician

Position:
Environmental Health and Safety Technician

Phone: (470) 578-2089
Email: moreill6@kennesaw.edu
Location: CP 201O

Michael O'Reilly Hazardous Material Technician, is responsible for the universal waste accumulated on the Kennesaw campus as well as Marietta. This job includes of picking up recycled batteries, printer cartridges, as well as making sure the eye wash and shower units are in working condition in the science labs on both campuses.

Michael joined the EHS team July of 2017 as a part time employee and is now currently a full time employee as of October 2018. Michael takes his job very seriously to make sure he knows the EPA and OSHA regulations. Prior to Michael joining the EHS team he had volunteered from August 2017-May 2017 picking up the recycled batteries and printer cartridges around both campuses.
Henry Salley
Henry Salley Occupational Safety Manager

Position:
Occupational Safety Manager

Phone: (470) 578-3320
Email: hsalley@kennesaw.edu
Location: CP 201N

Henry Salley, Occupational Safety Manager for EHS, is responsible for overseeing programs related to employer safety here at KSU. The areas of emphasis that are under his umbrella are as follows: Electrical safety, Welding Safety, Powered Industrial Truck Safety, Fall Protection, Construction and Contractor Safety, Machines & Equipment Safety, Control of Hazardous Energy, Cranes & Hoist Safety, Confined Space Safety, Theatre Safety. Henry joined KSU in June of 2014 after serving 6 years as an OSHA Safety Compliance Officer in the State of South Carolina. Henry was born and raised in St. Mathews South Carolina and received his undergraduate education from South Carolina State University in Industrial Technology and is currently in the process of completing his masterâs degree in Transportation, with an emphasis in pedestrian safety, from the same institution. Henry is married to his wife, Reneeâ, and enjoys watching all things sports in his spare time.
Terran Terrell
Terran Terrell Environmental Health Specialist

Position:
Environmental Health Specialist

Phone: (470) 578-5026
Email: tterrel7@kennesaw.edu
Location: CP 201N

Terran Terrell, Environmental Health Specialist, is responsible for the Indoor Environmental Quality Component of the Occupational Safety Program at Kennesaw State University. This includes aspects such as indoor air quality, industrial hygiene, and other public health related issues dealing with Occupation and Environmental Health.

Terran joined the EHS team November of 2011 after previously working for local county and state health departments as an Epidemiologist and Environmental Health Specialist in Georgia and Tennessee. Terran received his Bachelors of Arts degree from the University of Michigan of Ann Arbor, MI and thus went on to receive his Masters in Public Health from Georgia State University.

Terran is very dedicated in making a difference anyway he can to help in the efforts in promoting the growth of Kennesaw State University and ensuring KSU keeps up with this growth in a safe and healthy and. In his spare time Terran is a musician who enjoys playing, writing, and promoting his musical material as well as that of others.