Freese and Nichols Hires Jason Steele, Expanding Environmental Expertise Across the Southeast
Freese and Nichols has significantly expanded its expertise on environmental issues facing public and private clients with the addition of Jason Steele, PWS, in North Carolina.
A Senior Environmental Scientist based in Winston-Salem, Steele has spent more than 13 years managing projects involving stream and wetland restoration, environmental compliance and other natural resources-related work. He also is skilled in geomorphology, threatened species assessments and permitting.
“Jason’s diverse background and experience developing solutions for cities, state and federal agencies, the Army Corps of Engineers and transportation departments can benefit clients in North Carolina and across the Southeast,” said Mike Wayts, Freese and Nichols’ North Carolina Division Manager.
In addition to the insight that comes from leading multidisciplinary teams, Steele brings the data-driven perspective of an academic researcher: he’s finishing his Ph.D. at Virginia Tech in forestry with a focus on ecosystem restoration.
Steele’s expertise in establishing and managing a mitigation bank also can benefit clients across all the regions Freese and Nichols serves. Mitigation banks, which offer public and private property owners a mechanism to restore wetlands, streams or other sensitive natural areas then sell mitigation credits, are increasingly being explored as a conservation tool.
Steele is certified as a Professional Wetland Scientist by the Society of Wetland Scientists. He received a master’s degree in forestry from Virginia Tech and a bachelor’s in biology from West Virginia University. And he served eight years in the U.S. Army, including a combat tour in Afghanistan.