China Announces Ban On Raw Minerals To The U.S.
December 4, 2024
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Founded in 1996 by a former aggregate mining professional, Westward has evolved from a small, locally focused environmental and engineering consulting firm into a leading provider of engineering, geology and geosciences, ecology and natural resource management, surveying and permitting, and health and safety consulting services. Inspired by their shared passion for exceptional customer service, our founders sought to create a company that benefits employees, clients, and communities alike.
Westward provides consulting services to a wide array of clients, including industrial, regulatory, municipalities, commercial enterprises, private companies, and environmental organizations. Our core values form the bedrock of our organization: we prioritize family, uphold integrity, embrace hard work, foster trust, and champion teamwork. These fundamental core values guide all our actions, fueling our dedication to excellence, ethical conduct, and the cultivation of enduring relationships.
Just as the founders’ ethics, hard work, and integrity laid the groundwork for this successful business venture, Westward’s collaborative approach and commitment to excellence continues to drive our growth and success.
Westward develops and delivers cost-effective, comprehensive solutions for our clients by applying best practices with emerging technologies and innovations. Our team values integrity and respect in every client relationship, aiming for outcomes that support both industry and environmental stewardship.
Tommy Mathews, PG, REM, CESCO, CAPM is President and founder of Westward. He is a Registered Professional Geoscientist (PG) and Registered Environmental Manager (REM). Mr. Mathews works as an expert on land use issues and as a liaison between industry and community groups and has testified numerous times before the Texas Legislature. He frequently serves on stakeholder and taskforce groups at the state and national level working on various environmental issues that impact industry. Tommy serves on the Environmental Committees of the National Stone Sand and Gravel Association, Associated General Contractors of Texas, and the Texas Aggregate and Concrete Association. He is active at St. Helena’s Episcopal Church in Boerne, on sits on numerous local community boards including the Boerne Kendall County Economic Development Corporation and Visit Boerne, where he currently serves as a Director/Vice Chairman. Mr. Mathews holds Professional Geoscientist/Geologist licenses in Texas, Arkansas, Mississippi, Wyoming, and Louisiana. Mr. Mathews earned a B.A. in Geology from Trinity University in San Antonio.
Gary Nicholls, PE, is Executive VP and COO for Westward. He is a professional engineer with more than 40 years’ experience in construction, aggregates, and construction material industries. As the head of the firm’s engineering and permitting/compliance departments, Mr. Nicholls and his team work with organizations to provide turn-key civil and environmental engineering designs. In addition to his engineering role, Mr. Nicholls oversees the company’s air permitting, Edwards Aquifer protection and spill prevention control/countermeasure plans. Gary has served as an expert witness in air emissions permitting, water quality and land use cases in Texas. He has also worked with the TCEQ Edwards Aquifer Protection Program providing professional direction, and the Lower Colorado River Authority, helping develop their technical guidelines related to quarry operations. Gary is the Chairman of the Texas Asphalt Pavement Association Sustainability and Permitting Committee and has filled that role for many years. Mr. Nicholls is a graduate of Trinity University, where he earned a B.S. in Engineering Science, and is a Registered Professional Engineer in the states of California, Texas, Arkansas, Oklahoma, and Louisiana.
Curt Campbell, PE, CFM, LEED AP ND, is a civil engineer with a primary focus on industrial land development. As Senior Vice President at Westward, Mr. Campbell provides oversight of all engineering, natural resource, and geology projects. His experience includes floodplain analysis, hydrology & hydraulics, public water systems, federal/state/local permitting, groundwater analysis, impoundment design, roadway design, 404 permitting, and mine planning. Curt specializes in the John Graves Scenic River Way Permit, TCEQ Edwards Aquifer Permitting, and site design for industrial facilities. He holds licenses to practice engineering in Texas, New Mexico, Georgia, Florida, Utah, Colorado, Arizona, North Carolina, and South Carolina. He is also a Certified Floodplain Manager with the Texas Floodplain Management Association and is a LEED Accredited Professional in Neighborhood Development with the U.S. Green Building Council. He currently serves on the board of directors for the Cow Creek Groundwater Conservation District, Groundwater Management Area 9, is a representative on the South-Central Texas Regional Water Planning Group, and is former president of the American Society of Civil Engineers, San Antonio chapter. Mr. Campbell received his B.S. and M.S. from Texas Tech University in Engineering and Architecture. He also holds a Master’s Degree from the University of Florida in Systems Ecology and Ecological Engineering.
Melissa Fitts is an environmental consultant and specializes in permitting and regulatory relations in the construction, aggregates, and construction materials industries. As Vice President at Westward, Mrs. Fitts manages the company’s permitting and compliance projects. With her extensive knowledge in air permitting regulations and strategy, she provides creative solutions for the construction and mining industries. She actively manages air permit application processing, ensures environmental compliance, calculates emissions, models air dispersion, coordinates public notices, participates in public meetings/hearings, utilizes computer-aided drafting (CAD), and generates sitemaps and flow diagrams. She is also responsible for project management, coordination, tracking, and correspondence with clients as well as the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ). In addition, Mrs. Fitts serves on the Allied Board of Directors for the Texas Aggregates and Concrete Association. She is a graduate of Baylor University and holds a B.S. in Mathematics and Computer Science.
Michelle M. Lee, PG, RM-SME, is a senior geologist at Westward who brings extensive expertise to her role. As a Registered Professional Geoscientist (PG) and a Registered Member (RM) of the Society for Mining, Metallurgy, and Exploration (SME), she specializes in designing and executing diverse subsurface exploration initiatives for mining and environmental projects. With over 35 years of experience in the industry, Mrs. Lee has conducted numerous field investigations across various states in the U.S., as well as in Argentina, Mexico, Cayman Islands, and Puerto Rico, focusing on aggregates and industrial minerals. She is a frequent author and presenter, contributing valuable insights through professional articles and presentations. Beyond her professional activities, Michelle is deeply committed to community outreach in Boerne, Texas. Her professional credentials include PG licenses in Texas, Arkansas, Louisiana, Alabama, and Wyoming. Mrs. Lee earned her B.S. in Geology from West Texas State University (renamed West Texas A&M, 1992).
Matt Bellos, REM, CESSWI, CESCO has more than twenty years of experience in the construction materials, aggregate, and environmental consulting industries. Matt’s primary responsibilities include project management, environmental compliance, managing site inspections, Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plans (SWP3), Phase I & II ESAs, soil and water sampling, environmental audits, Aggregate Production Operations (APOs), waste compliance, tank registrations, NSPS OOO testing, stack test coordination, air permit compliance, researching and gathering field data for various types of environmental studies and preparation of required documentation. He is responsible for correspondence with clients, various governing agencies, and the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ). Matt is a graduate of Texas State University and holds a B.S. in Resource and Environmental Studies.
Vance Houy, P.E., is a civil engineer with over 18 years of extensive experience in the industry and was recently appointed Vice President of Engineering. His expertise lies in planning, innovative design, and oversight of diverse commercial, industrial, and residential projects. Vance excels in developing comprehensive infrastructure solutions encompassing roads, site grading, utility distribution, drainage systems, and advanced stormwater management plans. His strategic approach and creative problem-solving skills ensure efficient project execution and sustainable development practices. Vance holds a B.S. in Civil Engineering from Texas A&M University.
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