Course Listing - by Instructor

Jack A. Arias

Biography

Dr. Jack A. Arias was born in Arequipa-Peru and joined EPA R6 in 2003. Dr. Arias is currently an Environmental Scientist and Engineer in the Enforcement and Compliance Assurance Division (ECDWA), where currently assists the Water Enforcement Branch (oil and gas, industrial processes, wastewater, and concentrated feeding animal operations areas) as an inspector, enforcement officer, and technical scientist. In addition, he forms part of the International Partnership Program between EPA and OEFA-Peru, R6 Incident Management Team for Disaster Response, Adjunct professors at the University of Texas Arlington, and R6 Special Emphasis Program Committee.

Dr. Arias holds a PhD in Science in the Environmental Science and Engineering from the University of Texas at El Paso, MS degree in Environmental Science from the University of Texas at El Paso and a BS degree in Biology Conservation in Biological Science from National University of San Agustin Arequipa-Peru. Dr. Arias is an Environmental Scientist with over 25 years of experience in both the university sector and the federal government. He is involved in the oil and gas and an international collaboration to improve Intergovernmental Partnership between Peru (OEFA) and the U.S. EPA Compliance Assurance and Enforcement Division.

He worked with OEJTA as a coordinator of the R6 EJ Showcase Project Initiative in Port Arthur Texas and Tribal Liaison and technical support in Oklahoma. He worked at the RCRA MACT EEE Facility Assessment Section as an inspector, risk assessor, and technical support. He worked as an outreach assistant and coordinator in the EPA R6 Border Outreach Office at El Paso Texas. He taught and worked as a research assistant in Bioremediation and Phytoremediation technologies at the University of Texas at El Paso. He worked as a principal investigator in the Myrmecology studies in the Bamboo Tropical Forest in Peru - University of Utah. He collaborated in various Projects in conservation and tropical wildlife with the Foundation ANAI TALAMANCA COSTA – RICA. He was instructor and research assistant in the University of San Agustin, Arequipa-Peru.

He loves God, his family and authentic friends. He enjoys ministries, kayaking, camping, outdoor adventures, racquetball, soccer, cricket, swimming, and most importantly quality time with God, family and friends.

Tandi received a Master of Science in Industrial Hygiene from the University of Oklahoma and has been in the industry of occupational safety and health since 1991. She is a Certified Safety and Health Official, in both the construction and general industries. As an OSHA Compliance Officer for the State of New Mexico, she participated in the OSHA response to the events on September 11, at the World Trade Center. She has been an OSHA Education Center instructor since 2001.

I was born in Colombia, South America. For most of my life I was educated in an all-female boarding school, at a time when the women of the house were not allowed to go to college, because a blend of boys and girls in the same place was not a choice. All throughout my formative years, reading was required first by my mother at home and then at school. While children in my neighborhood where playing with their friends inside or out of their homes, we were compelled to read and discuss the contents of the books. Since my mother's side of the family produced a line of low and high profile politicians and diplomats, our education, both tutorial and in school, emphasized local and world politics as well as global geography and its socio-economic impact.

Later in my life, in the USA, while studying marketing, I worked at Berlitz to earn extra money. But there was another purpose: to learn their very exclusive and distinct method of teaching that has now become a very popular and no doubt the best way to learn a language - Total Immersion. My love for the language and the great satisfaction of watching the results convinced me that this is what I wanted to do for the rest of my life. Today, and every day, I know I made the right decision, as a number of my private students can now read literature and understand movies made in Spanish, without the help of translations.

Brett Bennett spent 26 years with the Texas Department of Transportation, serving as a construction inspector, and another 6 years as both the instructor and designer of the Inspector Development Program.  After retirement, he chose to continue his mission to educate and prepare the next generation of inspectors with the University of Texas at Arlington's, Extension and Extended Campus.

With expert knowledge of highway construction inspection procedures, Brett has extensive experience in ensuring compliance with industry standards, codes, and regulations. His in-depth understanding of the role of the road inspector has led to the development of workshops that offer valuable opportunities for those in or entering the field.

Biography

Rex is an award-winning trainer/facilitator in the fields of environmental health and safety, and has had the opportunity to work with, educate and coach safety and environmental professionals, students and military personnel both academically and professionally for 15 years. Rex is a seasoned environmental professional with more than 30 years of leadership in the implementation, management and facilitation of complex environmental permitting, compliance and enforcement proceedings at the federal, state and local levels of government. He is also very experienced in the legislative and regulatory processes, and has provided technical comments on several major federal and state environmental rules, and has offered expert testimony before the Texas Senate Natural Resources, and the Texas House of Representatives Environmental Regulation Committees. Rex received his MS in Interdisciplinary Studies (Environmental Engineering, Public Administration and Business) from the University of Texas at Arlington, and his BS in Mechanical Engineering Technology from Texas Tech University. Rex has also been very fortunate to assist in providing educational success and leadership at a number of exceptional educational organizations including the University of Texas at Arlington, and Tarrant County College as well as with a number of private firms. Rex is a Veteran of the United States Navy having served proudly aboard USS Long Beach, CGN-9 where he was the Launcher Captain of the aft Mark 10 "Terrier" Guided Missile Launching System.

Diana L. Lundelius, CHMM

Diana Lundelius is currently a Senior Enforcement Officer at USEPA Region 6 in the Air Enforcement Branch, Chemical Accident Enforcement Section. In addition to completing case investigations, inspections, and judicial/civil enforcement actions, Diana is the air consent decree tracking and alternative monitoring coordinator for Region 6 Air Enforcement. She participates in EPA national air technical work groups, and also assists with State Review Framework audits of Region 6 State air enforcement programs.

She is one of three Lean/Six Sigma Black Belts for Region 6, and, is actively involved in process improvement at EPA. She has 42 years combined experience as an industrial analytical lab chemist and as a multi-media environmental manager, in municipal and federal government, private industry, and as a consultant. She is a widely published author and presenter in the field of industrial regulatory compliance.

Diana has a bachelors degree in biochemistry, is a Certified Hazardous Materials Manager (CHMM), has received state and national awards for her achievements, and, is a Fellow of the Institute of Hazardous Materials Management.

Randy McKechnie, President of RLM Consulting, Inc. Is a Licensed Real Estate Broker for almost 30 years, a Property Tax Consultant, a Trained Professional Mediator, and offers services as an Expert Witness. Contracted as a Brokerage Consultant for Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage, Century 21 Judge Fite, Co., The Seller's Advocate, Fedelius, Buyer's Voice and many other large and small brokerage firms in Texas.

Former president and owner of Century 21 Select (Terrell and Garrett). Former coordinator and current instructor for the University of Texas at Arlington pre-licensing real estate education program. Review editor for Dearborn Financial Publishing, Inc. for the review and editing of Contract Law and Law of Agency texts.

More than 200 hours of Alternative Dispute Resolution services with a greater than 85% success rate. Served as Broker Chairman of the Texas Real Estate Commissions Broker-Lawyer Committee. The committee that provides the real estate industry with all legally drawn contracts, addenda, and notices for promulgation and approval to be used by real estate licensees. Contract educator for Continuing Education Institute, Institute of Real Estate Professionals, University of Texas at Arlington and many other organizations.

You can contact Randy at his website

Donna C. Patterson has been a professor for the Paralegal Program at the University of Texas at Arlington since 2002.

She is a Senior Litigation Paralegal who has worked in many areas of law, including bankruptcy, criminal, family, estate, real estate, employment, appellate, medical malpractice, insurance defense, commercial, and general litigation. She is employed by the law firm Lynn Law, PLLC, where she assists in Labor and Employment Law matters. She also serves as Accounts Manager for Lynn Law.

Mrs. Patterson has:

Written over 200 training presentations on varied topics such as electronic discovery, legal ethics, legal terminology, Texas criminal code, trial preparation, age and sex discrimination, sexual harassment, responsibilities of management, proper conduct in the workplace, the Fair Labor Standards Act, and the Family Medical Leave Act.

Prior to working in the legal field, she was an Arlington business owner and worked in computer systems, computer software, and sales and brokering of computer hardware.

Received her Paralegal Certificate from the University of Texas at Arlington. She is a member of the Texas Bar College, Paralegal Division of the State Bar of Texas.

She currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Fort Worth Paralegal Association as Scholarship Chair. She has served as 2nd Vice President/Membership Chair, Ethics Chair, and Public Relations Chair for the Fort Worth Paralegal Association. She is currently working on a yearly series addressing paralegal ethical pitfalls and solutions entitled "Ethical Emma."

Mrs. Patterson supports local charities, including Arlington Charities, Arlington Life Shelter, The Veterans Hospital, and Legal Aid of Northwest Texas.

Paul Wind is a Battalion Chief with the Picatinny Arsenal Fire & Emergency Services in New Jersey. Paul is a 30-year veteran in Emergency Services where he has served as both a volunteer and career firefighter and holds numerous nationally accredited certifications. He has over 19 years in OSHA Outreach Training with 6 years at UTA. He continues to develop and instruct courses with a discipline in Hazardous Materials, Permit Required Confined Space, Excavation Safety, Firefighter Health & Safety, and Disaster Site Worker. Paul is also a Gulf War Veteran (of the US Air Force) and currently resides in New Jersey with his wife Melissa and his two children.