Moderators

Eugene (Gene) Jones, Executive Director, Southern Waste Information eXchange, Inc.

Gene Jones serves as Executive Director of the Southern Waste Information Exchange (SWIX), a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization which has been operating since 1981 assisting businesses and municipalities with their waste management and remediation issues. 

With over 40 years of experience, Gene specializes in building strategic relationships with waste and remediation firms.  He brings a vast knowledge of various  environmental sectors from organizing and managing conferences such as;

•  the PFAS Forum,

•  the Agricultural Plastics Recycling Conference & Trade Show, 

•  the Waste Conversion Technology Conference & Trade Show, 

• the Southeast Recycling Conference & Trade Show, 

• the New Life for Closed Gas Stations Conference and Exhibition, 

•  the International Symposium on the Redevelopment of Manufactured Gas Plant Sites, 

•  the National Conference on Waste Exchange and Resource Reuse, and 

•  Florida Remediation Conference.

as well as in managing associations such as:

•  Florida Agricultural Plastics Recycling Cooperative

•  Florida BioFuels & BioEnergy Association, Inc., 

•  Recycle Florida Today, Inc.,

•  International Society of Technical & Environmental Professionals, Inc., 

•  Florida Brownfields Association, Inc., and

•  Keep Florida Beautiful, Inc.

Gene is a Martial Arts practitioner and has his 8th degree black belt in Shaolin GoJu and a 5th degree black belt in Nisei GoJu. Gene is also the Author of Instant Self-Esteem: Empowering Self-Confidence and The Mindful Sensei.

Gene is also the inventor of the Soap Bag Saver, which he designed for the reuse of leftover soap bars.  

Howard E. Nelson, Esq., Partner, Head of Environmental Practice, Bilzin Sumberg 

Howard has more than 30 years of experience in environmental law and land development. He represents clients throughout all phases of the development process from site location through permitting and construction, as well as in permit appeals and defense of environmental enforcement matters. Howard represents several notional homebuilders throughout Florida and the eastern United States in pre-acquisition site analysis and post-acquisition remediation. He works closely with a network of environmental professionals, including engineers and planners. He also represents a variety of other types of businesses In contamination assessment and remediation. Howard has extensive experience representing clients in complex wetland matters, including issues related to protected and sensitive wetlands, preservation efforts and enforcement defense.

Dr. Kesavalu M. Bagawandoss, Ph.D., J.D. Industries & Environment Technical Director North America, SGS North America, Inc.

Dr. Doss has spent more than 40 years in the analytical chemistry arena. Dr. Doss’ expertise  spans chemistry, environmental analysis, hydrocarbon chemistry (gas and liquids), forensics,  industrial hygiene laboratory services (American Industrial Hygiene Association [AIHA]  accredited), Air analyses (TO compendium methods), emerging contaminants - PFAS, 6PPD ,  6PPDQ, biota analyses, hazardous waste management, client services, management of  laboratories, laboratory builds, data validation, data management, sampling, laboratory audits  and litigation support.  Dr. Doss received his Juris Doctorate from Southern University Law Center and was a Law  Review Editor. He is licensed to practice law in Louisiana. He earned his Ph.D., Engineering  (Environmental Science) from the University of Oklahoma, his M.S., Chemistry from Wichita  State University and his B.S., Chemistry from Loyola College, University of Madras.

Chad Northington, P.E., Senior Project Manager, Terracon

Mr. Northington is a professional engineer with over twenty years of experience in the environmental field in the areas of site investigation, remediation engineering and construction, project management, and technical assistance.  He received both his undergraduate and graduate degrees in environmental engineering from Michigan Technological University.  Mr. Northington currently serves as a Senior Project Manager for Terracon. In this capacity, he provides technical support for application of soil and groundwater remediation solutions. Mr. Northington works directly with environmental firms and end users to develop turnkey remedial approaches for in situ-applied strategies across a broad spectrum of technology classes.