Environmental Services Manager

John is a Licensed Engineering Geologist with over 15 years of experience working in the geotechnical and geo-environmental consulting fields serving clients and projects across northwest Washington. John earned an M.S. in Structural Geology from Western Washington University (2005) and a B.S. in Geology & Geophysics at the University of Wisconsin – Madison (2000). He joined Element Solutions and assumed the management role in 2019 following a career in the geo-environmental consulting and construction testing realms.

John serves clients and project teams in the commercial, municipal, and residential sectors as an LEG by providing expertise in site investigations as well as input for project design elements and construction. John brings to Element a wide range of past experience including conducting and overseeing geotechnical studies, geologic hazard assessments, and stormwater design characterizations, as well as experience with environmental site assessments and samplings. He is dedicated to producing reliable and insightful work to meet project needs while respecting project intent, budget and timeframe limitations.

John has made Bellingham his home for nearly 20 years after relocating from the upper Midwest.  Outside of work he enjoys biking on local trails, growing his own vegetables, camping, and playing music.

Senior Project Geologist

Kevin is a Licensed Geologist and working towards an Engineering Geologist specialty license. He joined the Element team in 2020 after an early career in the geotechnical and construction inspection realm. Kevin received his B.S. in Quantitative Geosciences from Appalachian State University (2014) and his M.S. in Structural Geology from Western Washington University (2017). Kevin’s academic research focused on mapping and interpreting bedrock structures to understand the complex deformational record of the San Juan Islands. Kevin has since focused on gaining career experience as a geological consultant in northwest Washington, with special interest in geotechnical evaluations and geohazard critical area assessments.

Kevin has an abundance of geologic field experience, including hollow-stem auger drilling and push-probe to assess and sample deep soil conditions, logging of test pits, installing monitoring wells for stormwater assessments, and performing geohazard reconnaissance. Kevin has helped manage and successfully complete many Geotechnical Investigations, Critical Area Geohazard Evaluations, and Stormwater Infiltration Assessments.

In his free time, Kevin spends as much time exploring the outdoors as possible. He is an avid mountain biker and snowboarder, and loves to sew bags and backpacks in the dark months of winter. 

Staff Geologist

Joely is a Staff Geologist who recently graduated with her Bachelors's in Geology at Western Washington University (2022). During her undergraduate studies, Joely quickly found engineering geology and hydrogeology to be her primary academic interests. Joely's professional career began as a Field Technician before quickly transitioning into a Staff Geologist role with Element Solutions earlier this year. 

In a short time, Joely has gained experience producing geotechnical evaluations, geologic hazard assessments, stormwater infiltration studies, and environmental site assessments. Joely is continuing to broaden her office and field skills, including test pit and hollow-stem auger subsurface investigations, DCP testing, and ArcGIS mapping. Joely is working towards obtaining her G.I.T. certificate with plans to obtain her L.E.G. in the future. 

When not working, Joely enjoys every second outdoors going skiing, hiking, and camping. 

Senior Geotechnical Engineer

Mr. Balanko has an M.S. degree in geotechnical engineering from the University of Alberta (1968), and is a licensed professional civil engineer in the State of Washington (with inactive professional status in Alberta and BC, Canada). Lorne has over 53 years of geotechnical engineering experience in Canada and the USA, 32 of which were spent working in the Pacific Northwest. He has experience with soils and rock deposits extending from the permafrost and bog conditions of the Arctic, northwestern high alpine terrain, the vast glaciated and sedimentary areas of Canada and the USA, to the marine and tropical areas of the Caribbean and Central America. His vast project experience ranges from major refineries and petrochemical plants, open-pit mining operations, water and waste-water infrastructure, on and offshore marine facilities, rail and roadway transportation projects, to high rise structures and residential developments. This breadth of experience makes Lorne a valuable asset to the Element team for any project needing geotechnical expertise and analysis support.