EACH MONTH, ENVIROFORENSICS RECOGNIZES TALENTED INDIVIDUALS, LIKE PROJECT MANAGER, SAMANTHA HENDERSON. GET TO KNOW SAMANTHA INSIDE AND OUTSIDE OF ENVIROFORENSICS.
SAMANTHA HENDERSON, PROJECT MANAGER
QUESTION: WHAT’S YOUR BACKGROUND AND CAREER PATH?
ANSWER: I have a B.S. in Geology from IUPUI. At this point in my career, I am focused on learning and developing the basic skills to become a well-rounded environmental professional and manager. I am not sure where this path will take me yet, but I look forward to each step. I have a very analytical and technical brain, so I wouldn’t be surprised if I gravitate toward a specialty in remediation in the future.
Q: HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT BEING RECOGNIZED BY YOUR COWORKERS?
A: I was genuinely surprised to be recognized. At EnviroForensics, we are fortunate to work with so many talented and personable people. Everyone does the best job they can do – they go above and beyond every day. When you work with the “A” team every day, it feels incredibly validating and fulfilling to be seen and appreciated for your unique skills and how you contribute to the team.
Q: WHAT DO YOU ENJOY ABOUT WORKING AT ENVIROFORENSICS?
A: At EnviroForensics, I feel that each person is valued for who they are and not just what strength they can bring to the team. It may sound a bit corny, but I feel like I matter, and I feel valued and respected. Our job is to do whatever needs to be done when it needs to be done. No one is above any job or task, and everyone is treated as equal. Perhaps more importantly, this company truly cares about the science and not just the revenue generated from projects. We don’t take shortcuts and the science is paramount to success.
Q: WHAT IS ONE OF YOUR MOST EXCITING PROJECTS AT ENVIROFORENSICS?
A: The project team just finished an exceedingly complex and dynamic excavation that I had been directing since November 2019. The planning for the job took well over a year, so it was very gratifying and humbling to be chosen and trusted to manage the daily work and ensure its successful implementation. I have learned and grown so much by doing this work! There were constant surprises from unplanned pipelines, colorful and unprecedented soils, to regulatory and landfill delays, but through it all we all pushed forward and tackled all of the challenges as a team to get the job done correctly and efficiently. I am so proud of what we have accomplished! In the end, we removed over 4,000 tons of material at the Site, which is a huge step forward to drive the client’s needs.
Q: WHAT IS YOUR LIFE LIKE OUTSIDE OF ENVIROFORENSICS?
A: My husband and I share a home in Brownsburg with our senior pug/french bulldog. In my free time, I am usually doing some form of house or yard maintenance, socializing with friends, rockhounding, trying new recipes, or just relaxing and spoiling the dog. I love to travel and look forward to being able to do that safely again. I think the best way to get to know someone is to get those little details that make us unique. We all go to work and we all have families, but I think what you do and feel when you are by yourself is very telling. Some quirky facts about me:
- I have a tall torso, so I usually hunch over pretty far when I eat and I end up looking like a straight-up goblin.
- My favorite color is orange. I gush when I see Autumn Blaze maple trees.
- My favorite food is popcorn; Honorable mention to well-seasoned, medium-rare steak.
- Autumn is the absolute best season. I’m always ready to feel that spooky Halloween vibe!
- I weirdly like hosting and planning parties. I often host fancy tea parties and I put a lot of work into making the perfect tiny sandwiches.
