Contact Environmental Health and Safety Department

Phone: 470-578-3321

Fax: 470-578-9041

Email: ehs@kennesaw.edu

After Hours:
EHS Emergency#: 678-449-7693
Campus Emergency#: 470-578-6666

Report an environmental hazard or incident using the Incident Report Form.

 

Staff Contact Information

Name
Position
  • Director, Environmental Health and Safety

    sndiritu@kennesaw.edu
    (470) 578-2410
    CP 201D

  • Occupational Health Fire/Safety Coordinator

    alehock1@kennesaw.edu
    (470) 578-2968
    CP 109

  • Senior Research Safety & Biosafety Compliance Officer

    resaw@kennesaw.edu
    (470) 578-4803
    CP 201M

  • Office Manager

    nhiggin2@kennesaw.edu
    (470) 578-6384
    CP 201E

  • Manager, Fire & Life Safety

    singram1@kennesaw.edu
    (470) 578-2954
    OF 140

Meet Our Team

Name
Position
  • Research/Lab Safety Specialist

    galliso5@kennesaw.edu
    (470) 578-3922
    F1 152

    Gabriella Allison is a lab and research safety specialist with over 6 years of experience working in laboratories in both industry and education.

    Gabriella joined the EHS department in October 2022, after spending time as a research specialist at UGA. She holds a Bachelor in Biology from Georgia Southern University.

    Gabriella loves to read horror novels, travel to exotic places and play with animals.

  • Alan Blake

    Fire/Life Safety Specialist

    ablake13@kennesaw.edu
    (470) 578-3321
    CP 109G

    Alan Blake is responsible for Fire Prevention, Protection and Life Safety at Kennesaw State University, across both campuses.  He also provides training and education services in these areas.  

    Alan joined KSU in November of 2020.  His career includes experience in Risk Management, Fire Protection, and Criminal Investigations.  He holds a Bachelors of Science degree from Southern Poly, and a Masters in Public Administration from Valdosta State University.  Alan is also a Certified Safety Professional, CSP.

    In his own time, Alan enjoys gardening, fishing and volunteer activities with his church.

  • Environmental Program Technician

    jbyland@kennesaw.edu
    (470) 578-5068
    F 106

    Jason Byland is responsible for the Stormwater, Asbestos Abatement, and Spill Prevention, Containment, and Control (SPCC) Programs at KSU. 

    He joined KSU in the EHS department in July 2023.

    Jason is California born, but proud to call Georgia home.  He has a bachelor's degree from California State University Northridge.

    Jason is a State Certified Environmental Compliance Inspector with a focus on Wastewater.  Jason also possesses previous experience in Risk Management in the Area of Special Events.

    With appreciation for the Environment and Compassion for KSU, Jason hopes to better his surroundings while experiencing the beautiful outdoors of Georgia.
     

  • Hazardous Materials Technician

    rchris58@kennesaw.edu
    (470) 578-2415
    CP 201Q

    TBA

  • Hazardous Materials Specialist

    jclint11@kennesaw.edu
    (470) 578-2089
    F1 104

    TBA

  • Rodrick Esaw

    Senior Research Safety & Biosafety Compliance Officer

    resaw@kennesaw.edu
    (470) 578-4803
    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 Masters 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.

  • Natalie Higginns

    Office Manager

    nhiggin2@kennesaw.edu
    (470) 578-6384
    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

  • Steve Ingram

    Manager, Fire & Life Safety

    singram1@kennesaw.edu
    (470) 578-2954
    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. Steve's 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 Masters 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.   

  • Alex Lehocky

    Occupational Health Fire/Safety Coordinator

    alehock1@kennesaw.edu
    (470) 578-2968
    CP 109

    Alex Lehocky (La-hock-ee) is the past Director of Environmental Health and Safety.  He is now serving as the Coordinator of Occupational Health and Fire Safety with the responsibility for day-to-day oversight of related programs which are 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 Regents 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 (CIH).  In addition, he is actively involved with a variety of local and national professional groups.

  • Environmental Health Specialist

    dlocklin@kennesaw.edu
    (470) 578-5023
    F1 118

    DeErra Locklin serves as the Environmental Health Specialist here at Kennesaw State University. In this role DeErra handles the Occupational Health Program, the respiratory protection program, the Legionella Prevention Program, and the Indoor Air Quality concerns on the Marietta campus of KSU.

    DeErra joined Kennesaw State University in March of 2023. Prior to joining KSU, she worked at Emory University, for 3 years, as a Research Specialist. She also worked with Georgia State University as a Research Assistant for 1 year. DeErra received her Bachelor of Science in Animal Sciences from Auburn University in 2017. DeErra also received her Master of Public Health in Environmental Epidemiology from Georgia State University in 2022.

    In her spare time, DeErra enjoys caring for her plants, reading, playing games, and spending time with friends and family.

  • Stephen Ndiritu

    Director, Environmental Health and Safety

    sndiritu@kennesaw.edu
    (470) 578-2410
    CP 201D

    Stephen Ndiritu 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.

    Stephen 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.

  • Matthew Rosenberg

    Chemical Safety Specialist

    mrosen14@kennesaw.edu
    (470) 578-7645
    CP 201M

    Matthew Rosenberg joined the department in early 2020 as the Chemical Safety Specialist, where he will support leadership with various elements of the laboratory safety programs associated with research and teaching laboratories.

    Previous to joining EHS, Matthew spent 5 years as a Chemistry Laboratory Coordinator in the KSU Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry where he assisted in facilitating the effective and safe operation of department teaching and research laboratories. In addition to his normal duties as Laboratory Coordinator, he received a Chemical Hygiene Officer certificate from National Registry of Certified Chemists (NRCC) and completed HAZWOPER Site Operations (hazmat emergency spill response) training. As a KSU crisis coordinator, he enjoys the aspect of helping others when emergency arises. Prior to his Laboratory Coordinator position, Matthew was a part-time Instructor for General Chemistry II and Foundations of Chemistry I Laboratories at KSU.

    Matthew received his Bachelor of Science in Chemistry from Kennesaw State University in 2008 and Master of Science in Chemistry from Western Carolina University in 2010. He is an Analytical Chemist with 5 peer-reviewed, published papers in forensic and environmental chemistry.

    In his spare time, Matthew enjoys mountain biking, backpacking, catamaran sailing, kayaking, and golfing.

  • Occupational Safety Specialist

    ashelby5@kennesaw.edu
    (470) 578-3320
    CP 201N

    TBA

  • Dolores Simon-Burgess

    Manager, EHS Programs Training

    dsimonbu@kennesaw.edu
    (470) 578-5929
    CP 101S

    TBA

  • Steven Strake

    Fire & Life Safety Technician

    sstraker@kennesaw.edu
    (470) 578-3321
    CP 201A

    Steven Straker (AJ) rejoined our department in November 2022. Additional information is forthcoming.

  • Terran Terrell

    Environmental Programs Manager

    tterrel7@kennesaw.edu
    (470) 578-5026
    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.

  • Juan Vallecillo Hernandez

    Fire & Life Safety Technician

    jvallec1@kennesaw.edu
    (470) 578-3321
    CP 201A

    TBA