COMMITTEE & CHAIRS

We encourage our members to get involved in SAEMS. Consider joining one of our committees to help SAEMS inform, educate, and promote environmental management for Southern Arizona.

Contact the appropriate committee chairperson for more information on meetings and events.

Education Committee

The Education Committee oversees the yearly scholarships awarded to University of Arizona students pursuing environmental studies. They promote the scholarship contest through U of A departments with students that would qualify for the scholarship, review the applications, interview finalists, and recommend final scholarship awards based on both merit and financial need.

 

The Education Committee also collaborates with other area government agencies, educational institutions, and nonprofit organizations as determined by the SAEMS board, for impactful environmental education and outreach projects where SAEMS and its members are able to partner to provide direct hands-on assistance and small grants.

BJ Cordova

BJ Cordova

Education Chair | Scholarship Coordinator | Tucson, Arizona
Mr. Cordova has been a SAEMS member for 17 years. He completed his MBA at the University of Arizona Eller College of Management in 2017. He previously served the community through several positions over nearly 16 years at Tucson Clean & Beautiful and worked in the nonprofit and education sector in Arizona for over two decades. He enjoys collaborating with both government and private sector partners as well as nonprofits. He has a strong personal and professional commitment to and involvement in Southern Arizona community improvement, education, and social services organization efforts to improve our region's quality of life.

RCRA Conference Committee

The RCRA Committee organizes and facilitates the SAEMS annual RCRA Seminar. This conference provides environmental professionals with the opportunity to learn the latest RCRA regulatory updates, share industry specific information, and network among environmental professionals and government agencies within Arizona. Proceeds from this conference go directly into the SAEMS student scholarship fund.

Derek Koller

Derek Koller

RCRA Conference Coordinator // Environmental Department Manager at Terracon | Tucson, Arizona
Mr. Koller is the Environmental Department Manager for Terracon in their Tucson, Arizona Office and has been a SAEMS Member since 2008. Mr. Koller served as SAEMS Secretary from 2012 to 2014, as President during the 2015 – 2016 term, and is the currently the SAEMS Historian. Additionally, Mr. Koller has been a member of the SAEMS RCRA Conference for several years and has acted as Conference Coordinator for the last two years, and is active on the SAEMS Social Media Committee. Mr. Koller graduated Magna Cum Laude from the University of Arizona’s College of Public Health with a B.S. in Public Health with a focus on Environmental and Occupational Safety and Health and is working on his Masters in Public Health at the U of A. At home he gets to spend time with his lovely wife Tanya and their three beautiful daughters Alex, Jesse, and Bella and their three male companions: Einstein (dog), Saban (cat and yes, named after the head coach at the University of Alabama), and Cranberry (fish).
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Elizabeth Kasic

Treasurer // Business Development Manager at Turner Laboratories Inc. | Tucson, Arizona
Elizabeth has been in the environmental testing industry for 23 years. She moved to Arizona from Illinois after receiving a BS in Biology from the University of Iowa. She worked for TestAmerica Laboratories for over 22 years and held a number of positions with them including chemist, QA Manager, Laboratory Director as well as Client Services Director. She was most recently an Account Executive for TestAmerica. She is currently the Business Development Manager at Turner Laboratories, Inc and enjoys assisting clients with their analytical testing needs and challenges. She has been active in SAEMS for a number of years and held the Treasure position since November of 2015.

Social Responsibilities Committee

The Trash & Bash Committee periodically performs Wildcat dump cleanups and other clean-ups are also scheduled in partnership with other organizations.

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Vacant

| Tucson, AZ
We are looking for a volunteer to head-up this committee. Please contact SAEMS for more information.

Social Media Committee

SAEMS seeks to better connect out members and promote our accomplishments through developing our presence on social media platforms. The mission of this committee is to produce and promote internet-based materials and resources to showcase the activities and annual scholarship awards of SAEMS to its members and the residents of Southern Arizona. This committee oversees the primary social media outlets, LinkedIn and Facebook.

 

SAEMS is actively looking for a social media committee chair! Please self-nominate or send ideas for potential nominees to info@SAEMS.org with the Subject Line: Social Media Committee Chair Nomination.