About ESI

- Environmental Partner - designed for adoption by a broad range of organizations interested in developing a systematic approach to improving their environmental performance or strengthening existing programs.
- Rising Environmental Steward - designed for facilities with a mature environmental management system and measurable goals.
- Environmental Steward - designed for facilities with a history of commitment to exemplary environmental performance beyond what is required by law and that have demonstrated leadership. Requires aggressive goals, community involvement, integration of the EMS into core business functions, and demonstration of going beyond compliance.
- Set and make progress toward environmental performance goals and/or show progress on implementing and maintaining an EMS,
- Demonstrate continued commitment to meet and go beyond compliance, and
- Submit the required annual report in a timely fashion.
- Review all applicants to ESI for compliance;
- Perform compliance checks on five-year renewals;
- Provide technical guidance on regulatory issues; and
- Review applications for Partner and make recommendations to the DEQ Secretary about participation.
- Establish ground rules for discussions including addressing potential conflict of interest issues;
- Review program materials;
- Review applications meeting minimum requirements and recommend Rising Environmental Stewards and Environmental Stewards;
- Make recommendations for additional incentives to the DEQ Secretary as identified;
- Review program effectiveness and make any recommended changes to the DEQ Secretary.
- Undertake any other duties assigned to them by the DEQ Secretary.
Staff
Scott Fister is an Environmental Program Consultant and ESI coach. Graduating in 2005 from Miami University in Ohio with a Bachelor of Arts with double major of Geography as well as Urban and Regional Planning. Prior to working for the state as ESI co-manager from 2012-15 Scott had two internships with the Student Conservation Association and helped create the sustainability programs for Kiawah Island Golf Resort for five years. In 2015, Scott left state government to work for Caterpillar on its EHS team, gaining experience in environmental regulations in a manufacturing setting, returning to DEACS in November of 2019. To contact Scott, call (919) 707-8129 or email at scott.fister@ncdenr.gov.
T. Keyes McGee Jr. is an Environmental Engineer and ESI coach. Keyes has a Bachelor of Science degree in Environmental Engineering from North Carolina State University and has been an employee with State of North Carolina for 16 years. To contact Keyes, call (919) 707-8134 or email keyes.mcgee@ncdenr.gov.
Ron Pridgeon is an Environmental Engineer and ESI coach. Ron holds an Bachelor of Science degree in Industrial Engineering from North Carolina State University. He serves the NC Business and Industrial Sectors working to promote Waste Management, Pollution Prevention and Continuous Improvement. In his current position, he acts an ESI coach and offers technical assistance via the DEQ toll-free hotline. Ron joined North Carolina State Government in 1991. To contact Ron, call (919) 707-8143 or email ron.pridgeon@ncdenr.gov.
Lisa G. Shanklin is an Environmental Chemist and ESI coach, and has been in the environmental field for more than 25 years. She began her career a contractor to the Environmental Protection Agency, developing stationary sources test methods for several industrial sectors. As an NCDEQ employee, Lisa worked in the Division of Air Quality on mobile source inventories and the Air Awareness campaign. Lisa has a degree in Chemistry and English from East Carolina University. To contact Lisa, call (919) 707-8142 or email lisa.shanklin@ncdenr.gov.
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