Contact Information

Phone: 470.578.3321
Fax: 470.578.9041
Email: ehs@kennesaw.edu

After Hours
EHS Emergency#: 678.449.7693

Campus Emergency#: 470.578.6666

 

Meet Our Team

 

 

Name
Position

  • Jeffrey Bernard

    Jeffrey Bernard EnvironmentalHealth Specialist

    jeffPosition:
    EnvironmentalHealth Specialist

    Phone: (470) 578-5023
    Email: jbernar3@kennesaw.edu
    Location: F1 118


    Jeffrey Bernard is responsible for managing all the non-waste 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 hadn’t 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.

     

  • Alan Blake

    Alan Blake Fire & Life Safety Specialist

    Alan BlakePosition:
    Fire & Life Safety Specialist

    Phone: (470) 578-3321
    Email: ablake13@kennesaw.edu
    Location: CP 201A


    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 experiecence 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.

  • Rodrick Esaw

    Rodrick Esaw Sr. Research Safety & Biosafety Compliance Officer

    esawPosition:
    Sr. Research Safety & Biosafety Compliance 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 Master’s 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.

  • Buck Harris III

    Buck Harris III Risk Management Coordinator

    Buck Harris, IIIPosition:
    Risk Management Coordinator

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


    Buck, joined the EHS team in early 2020 as the Risk Management Coordinator. His first position with KSU was as a purchasing agent in the Office of Fiscal Services in 2008. After two years, he became the Business Manger for the Department of Student Life where he served in the position for over nine years.

    Prior to joining KSU, Buck worked as a procurement specialist and safety coordinator at both Kennedy Space Center, Florida and Stennis Space Center, Mississippi for many years. Additionally, he worked as a subcontractor for the US Army as a Safety Supervisor/Inspector at both Fort McPherson and Fort Gillem, Georgia.

    Buck holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Organizational Management from Warner University, Lake Wales, Florida.

    A resident of Kennesaw, enjoys hiking, (favorite trial is Iron Hill at Red Top), biking and swimming.

  • Natalie Higgins

    Natalie Higgins Office Manager

    NataliePosition:
    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 & Claims Analyst

    Billie Hunter BarronPosition:
    Insurance & Claims Analyst

    Phone: (470) 578-3089
    Email: bhunterb@kennesaw.edu
    Location: CP 109A


    Billie 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

    Steve IngramPosition:
    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. 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.   

  • Mitchell Josephson

    Mitchell Josephson Sr. Hazardous Material Specialist

    Position:
    Sr. Hazardous Material Specialist

    Phone: (470) 578-7855
    Email: mjosep39@kennesaw.edu
    Location: CP 201Q


    Mitch Josephson joined the university in December 2019.  He is responsible for the hazardous materials and waste for the Kennesaw and Marietta campuses.

    Prior to joining the university, Mitch was responsible for the hazardous materials and wasteprograms for a children's health care system in Minnesota for approximately 15 years.  He also holds the designation of a Certified Hazardous Materials Manager (CHMM).

  • Vanessa Keel Biggers

    Vanessa Keel Biggers Sr. Environmental Programs Manager

    vanessaPosition:
    Sr. Environmental Programs Manager

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


    Vanessa Keel Biggers is responsible for all of the environmental programs at KSU.  She 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 duties 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).

  • Alex Lehocky

    Alex Lehocky Occupational Health & Fire Safety Coordinator

    AlexPosition:
    Occupational Health & Fire Safety Coordinator

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

  • Janet Nash

    Janet Nash Assistant Director, Insurance & Risk Management

    Janet NashPosition:
    Assistant Director, Insurance & Risk Management

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


    Janet 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 Director

    StevenPosition:
    Director

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

  • Michael O'Reilly

    Michael O'Reilly Hazardous Materials Technician

    Michael OPosition:
    Hazardous Materials 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.

  • Matthew Rosenberg

    Matthew Rosenberg Chemical Safety Specialist

    Matthew RosenbergPosition:
    Chemical Safety Specialist

    Phone: (470) 578-7645
    Email: mrosen14@kennesaw.edu
    Location: CP 201O


     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, catamaran sailing, kayaking, and golfing.

  • Steven Straker

    Steven Straker Fire & Life Safety Technician

    Position:
    Fire & Life Safety Technician

    Phone: (470) 578-6620
    Email: sstraker@kennesaw.edu
    Location: CP 211


    Steven Straker (AJ) joined our department in November 2019 after an assignment in the University InformationTechnology System's department.  Additional information is forthcoming.

  • Terran Terrell

    Terran Terrell Environmental Health Specialist

    terranPosition:
    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.

  • Juan Vallecillo Hernandez

    Juan Vallecillo Hernandez Fire & Life Safety Technician

    Position:
    Fire & Life Safety Technician

    Phone: (470) 578-3321
    Email: jvallec1@kennesaw.edu
    Location: CP 201A


    TBD

 

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