David Grachen Email & Phone Number

Atlanta, Georgia, United States

Utilizing my environmental expertise and national experience to pursue new business opportunities in the transportation, energy, Federal, and other market sectors. Continuing to use my NEPA, Environmental Justice, Section 106, and Section 4(f) expertise to expedite transportation project development and delivery. Continuing to develop and deliver environmental training for State DOTs, environmental consultants, and others involved in the development of transportation projects requiring NEPA… Show more Utilizing my environmental expertise and national experience to pursue new business opportunities in the transportation, energy, Federal, and other market sectors. Continuing to use my NEPA, Environmental Justice, Section 106, and Section 4(f) expertise to expedite transportation project development and delivery. Continuing to develop and deliver environmental training for State DOTs, environmental consultants, and others involved in the development of transportation projects requiring NEPA compliance.David GrachenAssociate Director, Client Development Edwards Pitman Environmental, a Braun Intertec company 2700 Cumberland Parkway, Suite 300 Atlanta, Georgia 30339 678-591-3782 mobile dgrachen@edwards-pitman.com www.edwards-pitman.com Show less

Provide training, technical assistance, technology deployment, and guidance to FHWA Divisions, State DOTs, and other customers throughout the country regarding the interpretation and application of environmental laws, regulations, and policies related to the Federal-aid highway program. Participate on FHWA Headquarters workgroups to develop national policy, regulations, guidance, and other materials to aid environmental compliance for the Federal-aid highway program. Work cooperatively and… Show more Provide training, technical assistance, technology deployment, and guidance to FHWA Divisions, State DOTs, and other customers throughout the country regarding the interpretation and application of environmental laws, regulations, and policies related to the Federal-aid highway program. Participate on FHWA Headquarters workgroups to develop national policy, regulations, guidance, and other materials to aid environmental compliance for the Federal-aid highway program. Work cooperatively and build coalitions with the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Organization, Transportation Research Board, and other transportation and environmental organizations through participation in subcommittees and workgroups to enhance project delivery and environmental compliance initiatives. Develop and make numerous presentations each year on various environmental subjects at Regional and National transportation and environmental conferences or in response to a request from a transportation customer. Develop and deliver environmental training for State DOTs and consultants in NEPA and Section 4(f) compliance areas. I received my National Highway Institute (NHI) instructor certification in 2001. I received my NHI Master Trainer certification in 2007 and have conducted numerous observations of other potential NHI instructors to evaluate and certify them to teach NHI courses. Since 2005, I have served as the lead Resource Center representative on multi-office FHWA teams conducting compliance audits of eight State DOT’s that have assumed federal environmental decision-making authority from FHWA under the NEPA Assignment Program. While serving as the Audit Team Leader, I am responsible for developing the scope of the audit, assigning tasks to audit team members, and managing workloads, schedules, and deliverables to ensure the timely completion of the audit. Show less

Atlanta, Georgia, United States

Managed a multi-disciplinary staff of engineers, planners, environmental specialists, and realty specialists who were responsible for providing stewardship and oversight of the $1B/year Federal-aid highway program in Georgia. Restructured the existing staff and reassigned duties to increase productivity; recruited new employees to supplement existing staff; developed mentoring and coaching processes to facilitate employee development; conducted employee performance appraisals; resolved employee… Show more Managed a multi-disciplinary staff of engineers, planners, environmental specialists, and realty specialists who were responsible for providing stewardship and oversight of the $1B/year Federal-aid highway program in Georgia. Restructured the existing staff and reassigned duties to increase productivity; recruited new employees to supplement existing staff; developed mentoring and coaching processes to facilitate employee development; conducted employee performance appraisals; resolved employee performance and conduct issues; and recognized outstanding employees with performance awards. Conducted risk assessment and developed strategic plans using the shared unit performance planning system to support agency goals and objectives. Improved the effectiveness and integrity of the Federal-aid program delivery process in Georgia by using risk-based oversight and value-added stewardship techniques. Facilitated increased interagency and stakeholder involvement, built cohesive partnerships with the Georgia DOT and others, developed interagency agreements with external partners, and implemented programmatic approaches to streamline the environmental review process in several areas including, Section 106, tribal consultation, endangered species, environmental justice, and public involvement. As a result of my leadership, the State DOT Environmental Division was transformed from a reactive and regulatory mindset to a proactive and environmental stewardship mindset. This is evidenced by the environmental awards received by Georgia during my tenure as Project Development Manager including: National Partnership for Highway Quality Making a Difference Bronze Award for Partnering in 2004; American Association of State and Local History Award of Merit in 2004; FHWA Exemplary Ecosystems Award in 2004; National Association of Environmental Professionals Environmental Excellence Award for Public Involvement in 2003; and the Coastal American Spirit of Teamwork Award in 2002. Show less

Atlanta, Georgia, United States

Accepted a newly created position resulting from reorganization of the FHWA Georgia Division Office to consolidate environmental program responsibilities. Provided statewide oversight to ensure that Federal-aid highway projects were developed in accordance with all applicable environmental laws, regulations, and policies. Interpreted Federal, State, and local environmental laws, regulations and policies and applied interpretations to resolve complex project situations. Assessed the human and… Show more Accepted a newly created position resulting from reorganization of the FHWA Georgia Division Office to consolidate environmental program responsibilities. Provided statewide oversight to ensure that Federal-aid highway projects were developed in accordance with all applicable environmental laws, regulations, and policies. Interpreted Federal, State, and local environmental laws, regulations and policies and applied interpretations to resolve complex project situations. Assessed the human and natural environmental impacts resulting from proposed transportation projects and made decisions that balanced environmental impacts and transportation needs during NEPA document review. Reviewed and approved all categorical exclusions, environmental assessments, and environmental impacts statements for proposed Federal-aid projects in Georgia. Worked closely with Georgia Division and FHWA Headquarters air quality specialist to address the complexities of advancing projects under the lapsing Transportation Improvement Plan and air quality conformity grandfathering provisions that started in Atlanta in 1998. Provided technical assistance, guidance, and training to State DOT personnel, environmental consultants, local government project sponsors and other Federal, State, and local agency partners on environmental laws, like NEPA, National Historic Preservation Act, Endangered Species Act, Clean Water Act, Clean Air Act, and Section 4(f). Obtained National Highway Institute (NHI) Instructor Certification in July 2001 and taught environmental courses in NEPA, environmental justice, Section 4(f), and public involvement throughout the country for NHI. Show less

Atlanta, Georgia, United States

Ensured proper administration of multi-million dollar full-oversight Interstate widening and reconstruction projects in a 63-county area in Southwest Georgia. Made project-level decisions based on my evaluation of transportation needs, planning, design, finance, construction, safety, intelligent transportation systems, maintenance, and environmental issues. Served as the on-camera spokesperson and coordinator for all FHWA Georgia Division marketing and public relations activities during the… Show more Ensured proper administration of multi-million dollar full-oversight Interstate widening and reconstruction projects in a 63-county area in Southwest Georgia. Made project-level decisions based on my evaluation of transportation needs, planning, design, finance, construction, safety, intelligent transportation systems, maintenance, and environmental issues. Served as the on-camera spokesperson and coordinator for all FHWA Georgia Division marketing and public relations activities during the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta. Show less

Atlanta, Georgia, United States

Provided guidance and technical assistance to the Georgia DOT and others to ensure the development and administration of a research program in accordance with FHWA regulations. Wrote articles that were published in FHWA Research Newsletter publications. Provided oversight for numerous other Division activities and programs including the local technical assistance program, congestion mitigation air quality, strategic highway research program, geographic information systems, high occupancy… Show more Provided guidance and technical assistance to the Georgia DOT and others to ensure the development and administration of a research program in accordance with FHWA regulations. Wrote articles that were published in FHWA Research Newsletter publications. Provided oversight for numerous other Division activities and programs including the local technical assistance program, congestion mitigation air quality, strategic highway research program, geographic information systems, high occupancy vehicle, and intelligent transportation systems program. Show less

United States

Completed four 6-month engineering and construction related assignments in FHWA offices throughout the country including: Assistant Transportation Engineer in Kentucky Division; Construction Inspector on Baltimore-Washington Parkway for Eastern Federal Lands; Assistant Transportation Engineer on Central Artery Project in Boston; and Assistant Transportation Engineer in Georgia Division. These assignments were part of the 2-year FHWA Highway Engineer Training Program which provided a diversity… Show more Completed four 6-month engineering and construction related assignments in FHWA offices throughout the country including: Assistant Transportation Engineer in Kentucky Division; Construction Inspector on Baltimore-Washington Parkway for Eastern Federal Lands; Assistant Transportation Engineer on Central Artery Project in Boston; and Assistant Transportation Engineer in Georgia Division. These assignments were part of the 2-year FHWA Highway Engineer Training Program which provided a diversity of experiences and a solid foundation for my FHWA career. Show less

Washington Dc-Baltimore Area

Conducted asphalt and concrete testing at state-of-the-art research center. Evaluated experimental equipment; collected and analyzed data; prepared reports; and provided computer graphics and editorial support for research report and technical paper publication. Supervised contracted laboratory technicians, graduate research fellowship students, and highway engineer training program candidates. Conducted laboratory tours for numerous groups ranging from local elementary schools to foreign… Show more Conducted asphalt and concrete testing at state-of-the-art research center. Evaluated experimental equipment; collected and analyzed data; prepared reports; and provided computer graphics and editorial support for research report and technical paper publication. Supervised contracted laboratory technicians, graduate research fellowship students, and highway engineer training program candidates. Conducted laboratory tours for numerous groups ranging from local elementary schools to foreign engineers requiring communication through interpreters. Show less

Washington Dc-Baltimore Area

Conducted asphalt and concrete testing at state-of-the-art research center as a contracted employee for FHWA. Evaluated experimental equipment; collected and analyzed data; prepared reports; and provided computer graphics and editorial support for research report and technical paper publication.

Monroeville, Pennsylvania, United States

Conducted air quality and respirator testing to monitor exposure levels of steel plant employees in accordance with the Occupational Safety and Health (OSHA) requirements as a contract employee for U. S. Steel Corporation. Collected and analyzed data and prepared reports summarizing testing results for the laboratory manager.

Bachelor Of Science - Bs, Civil Engineering

Associate Of Science - As, Civil Engineering