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Bob Van Shura was all about Notre Dame.

Imagine his joy when his daughter, Kerry, was recruited to play lacrosse there.

Kerry McAvoy, Principal at ONE Environmental Group, was part of a nationally ranked Fighting Irish lacrosse team while earning her undergraduate degree in environmental science. While there, Notre Dame made its first-ever appearance in the NCAA Tournament’s Sweet 16 in 2004 followed by a first-ever appearance in the Final Four in 2006.

Bob Van Shura, or “Pops,” as Kerry called him, never missed a game despite living halfway across the country in Bel Air, Maryland.

Bob Van Shura passed away on January 13, 2021, a loss still fresh for Kerry, who is participating in the Notre Dame Women’s Lacrosse Daughters for Dads fundraiser, a virtual 5K held throughout the month of March with proceeds benefitting the Harper Cancer Research Institute. Kerry did not lose her father to cancer, but in addition to believing in the cause, she values its mantra stated by another former player, “Dollars Lead to Research; Research Leads to more Time; More Time is priceless.”

“There’s never enough time with those we love,” she says. “You never think it’s going to happen to you. It might sound cliché, but it’s true.”

Bob Van Shura wasn’t in any way a sad man, so Kerry strives not to be in remembering her dad, who said “every day is Saturday” after retiring from medical sales. He enjoyed golf, showing off his singing and dancing talents, and spending time with his family, both human and canine. 

“He bought his granddaughter a lacrosse stick for Christmas last year; the lacrosse tradition lives on.” “He was my number one fan, and we are all so lucky to have had him as our Pops,” Kerry says.

To register for the Daughters for Dads 5K or to access the donation page, click here.

ONE Senior Project Manager Brad White weathered wicked temperatures and a cold rain at the Publix Atlanta Half Marathon to support a worthy cause, the Kyle Pease Foundation.

The foundation creates awareness and raises funds to promote success for people with disabilities by helping meet their individual needs through sports.

White was among a four-person team that competed in the 13.1-mile event on Feb. 27, a wet, 45-degree morning. Each of the men took turns pushing the wheelchair of 10-year-old Kaitlyn Wright, the daughter of Jeff Wright, a longtime friend of White’s.

Team Kaitlyn raised $1,350 for the Foundation, far exceeding their goal of $700. Several of White’s friends, family, and coworkers at ONE contributed to the fundraiser.

“It’s truly special when your coworkers get involved like that,” White said.

White is an avid runner who often competes in Tough Mudder events but pushing the wheelchair three separate times for a mile, including mile 12, made for a rigorous morning.

“The worst weather I’ve ever run in,” he said. Rain rarely let up during the two hours and 10 minutes it took to complete the race. Pushing the wheelchair was especially challenging on the hills, which often required the four men to work as one unit.

Despite the conditions and clothing that felt as if it weighed 100 pounds by the end of the morning, White left the race inspired by the heavy participation and those who lined the sidewalks to cheer on the runners.

“It was great to see so many people come out with umbrellas and signs,” he said.

The flagship event exceeded its goal, raising $107,369 thanks to 483 donations.

When ONE Environmental Consultant Kaitlynn Bryan-Scaggs took on the Southeast 40 Mile Colorectal Cancer Challenge that benefits the American Cancer Society, it was in honor of her grandmother, Linda, who beat the disease decades ago.

The fundraiser called for walking, running or cycling 40 miles during March 2022. March is Colorectal Cancer Month, which calls attention to the third most common cancer in the United States. Casual conversation among Bryan-Scaggs and her co-workers in ONE’s Charlotte office sparked an idea.

“Why don’t we make it a group thing?” Environmental Consultant Austin Meyer suggested.

The ONE team in the Charlotte office — Meyer, Jenny Tang and Elli Woodward, also environmental consultants; and Founding Principal Eli Holland —joined Bryan-Scaggs, each working to compile 40 miles and soliciting donations to support the cause. Members from ONE’s other offices have contributed.

“We’re keeping each other accountable, and there’s a little friendly competition, too,” said Bryan-Scaggs, who has reached the 16-mile mark by jogging through her neighborhood.

Bryan-Scaggs visits her grandmother, 75 today, several times a month. She’s grateful to have a grandma who beat cancer, and she appreciates the support she received from everyone at ONE.

“We’re a close knit group,” she said. “It makes you feel good when other people have the same idea as you. It adds to the feeling of camaraderie we have here in the Charlotte office.”

To support the fundraiser, visit this link.

PE, LSS, Project Manager

Jason Volker brings 16 years of environmental management and regulatory experience to ONE Environmental Group’s expanding Raleigh, North Carolina, office. He is a Professional Engineer, a Licensed Soil Scientist, a certified Land Application of Residuals Operator and a Surface Irrigation System Operator.

Jason started at ONE in January 2022 and appreciates the culture of teamwork the company fosters. “Folks here are really dedicated and capable, and you’re afforded flexibility in your work and pursuit of business development opportunities,” he said. “It’s a great work environment.”

Jason grew up in Kansas and initially moved to North Carolina to attend college at Appalachian State University. He graduated with a Bachelor of Psychology (Industrial/Organizational) but discovered along the way to that degree that the hard sciences interested him more. He returned to Kansas to earn a Bachelor of Environmental Chemistry from Emporia State University and later was awarded a Master of Soil Science from North Carolina State University, where he graduated with honors.

“I was interested in water quality when I was pursuing my chemistry degree,” Jason said. A job as a wastewater laboratory analyst at Johnston County Public Utilities piqued his interest in land application of residuals and contaminant fate and transport. “During that time, I decided to get my master’s in soil science. I wanted to study the mechanisms in soil that mitigate risks to people.”

An outdoor enthusiast, Jason hiked more than 2,000 miles of the Appalachian Trail over two summers before starting a family. One day he hopes to return to Maine to finish the last part, but for now, he enjoys the North Carolina mountains and beaches with his wife Jennifer, and their sons — Max, 9, and Ellis, 6.

Jason also enjoys playing acoustic guitar and taught himself to play fingerstyle with the help of John Prine CDs.

ONE Environmental Group’s experience in environmental permitting and regulatory compliance can ensure companies that their next renewable energy project comes off without a hitch. Our team’s track record of established professional relationships at the federal, state, and local levels paves the path for efficient permitting required to jumpstart solar construction.

Solar construction sites require routine consulting, inspection, and maintenance, a process ONE can streamline.

While larger industries are often familiar with the permitting requirements necessary for new solar construction, smaller firms might not be. No matter the size of the company, ONE can navigate the permitting process to ensure everything is in place for construction to begin on time.

“Solar construction sites require a lot of permitting,” said ONE Environmental Consultant Jamison Clarke. “One service we provide is regulatory consultation to help the client along in the permit application process. Any permit negotiations or modifications that have to be made, whether it is with the local, state, or federal government, are areas we have expertise in.”

Permitting and plan services provided by ONE include:

• Erosion and Sediment Control Plan
• Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP)
• Spill Prevention Control, Countermeasure (SPCC) Plan
• Environmental Protection Plan
• Environmental Site Assessment (ESA)
• Health and Safety Program
• Pre-Demolition: Well Abandonment, Asbestos/Lead Paint Inspection

Solar sites under construction require an Erosion and Sediment Control Plan and a Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan to be in place. Most sites under development have oil containers on site and require a Spill Prevention Control, Countermeasure (SPCC) Plan.

“ONE boasts several DEQ-certified and NCDOT-certified ESC Inspectors that provide third party Erosion and Sediment Control Audits to ensure compliance with applicable regulations,” Clarke said. “Our team handles erosion and sediment control audits, making sure best management practices are being followed and working properly. We ensure there’s not a risk to resources or any other potential compliance issues that can lead to a setback.” If any deficiencies are observed, ONE can also provide field personnel to complete BMP maintenance and repairs.

In addition to inspections, ONE reviews Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plans and Spill Prevention Control and Countermeasures Plan to ensure that all required documentation is up to date and in compliance.

“We are a second set of eyes,” Clarke said. “Often plans need to be revised and updated, and we make sure that none of these items is overlooked.”

ONE oversees and completes monthly inspections of oil tanks and containers required by 40 CFR  112.7 and can also assist with state requirements, such as Aboveground Storage Tank registrations or Oil Discharge Contingency Plans.

ONE also offers a plethora of additional services, including GIS mapping and drone flyovers/inspections and will work with clients to meet any additional needs that they may have.

ONE can address all the environmental services required for solar construction sites and handle a full range of other complex environmental and health and safety compliance issues that go hand-in-hand with sustainability.

Junior Project Manager

Sheridan Ferrand’s parents used to ask her if they could change the channel once in a while. They grew tired of The Weather Channel.

“That’s all I wanted to watch growing up,” Sheridan says.

Sheridan’s love of atmospheric science laid the foundation for a future related to the environment. She is the newest addition to ONE Environmental Group’s Atlanta office, where she is a Junior Project Manager and Certified Radon Measurement Professional.

“I love that ONE is such a close-knit company, that there’s not a lot of red tape to get your work done,” says Sheridan, whose early focus has been Phase I Environmental Site Assessments. “It’s so nice that everybody is willing to help out.”

Sheridan graduated from Georgia College & State University in 2016 with a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science. She has worked in the environmental consulting industry since March 2017 and spent 3½ years at her previous employer before starting at ONE in January 2022.

Sheridan and her husband, Alex, reside in Martinez, Georgia with their Pembroke Welsh Corgi, Kirby. She has a knack for DIY interior decorating and is an avid reader. And yes, Sheridan remains a wannabe storm chaser, whose fascination with weather patterns and phenomena  dates back to watching the sci-fi flick “The Day After Tomorrow.”

“During high school, I took AP Environmental Science,” she says. “I decided to major in it in college because it encompassed atmospheric science but also allowed me to do other things.”

That turned into the right choice, because in college, Sheridan also developed a love for geology and water quality. Sheridan works remotely for ONE and anticipates traveling regularly for the company.