Our People

Chris Lynch, Director

 

Chris is a nationally recognized expert on small business environmental and energy issues.  Prior to joining UNR’s BEP in January 2011, he launched and managed a similar program for 13 years at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania.  He has served as an adviser to organizations including the Center for the Small Business and the Environment, Environmental Defense Fund, and the Pew Center on Global Climate Change.  Chris also worked at the National Defense Center for Environmental Excellence where he educated defense facilities and contractors on environmental compliance requirements and pollution prevention strategies for meeting those requirements.  Chris provides overall management direction for the Business Environmental Program and its pollution prevention activities. 

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Kat Olson, Hazardous Waste Specialist

Kat is our Hazardous Waste and Pollution Prevention Specialist providing statewide assistance to Nevada businesses on hazardous waste regulatory compliance, pollution prevention strategies, and other sustainability initiatives.

Kat holds a Master’s Degree in Environmental Studies from the University of Montana in Missoula. She has prior regulatory enforcement experience from a variety of governmental agencies including local and federal and is a Registered Environmental Health Specialist with the State of Nevada.

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Griffin Hadlock, Air Quality Specialist

Griffin Hadlock is is an Air Quality Specialist with BEP providing statewide assistance to Nevada’s businesses for air quality permitting and compliance issues and questions.

Griffin was born and raised in Reno, Nevada, and has a passion for exploring Nevada’s wild lands. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Ecohydrology from the University of Nevada, Reno. Griffin has prior experience with local regulatory agencies and is excited to help Nevada’s start-ups and established businesses with all concerns pertaining to air quality.

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Zachary Rice, Air Quality Specialist

Zachary (Zack) Rice is an Air Quality Specialist with BEP.  Zack works out of BEP’s office in Reno and provides statewide air quality assistance.  If you have air quality permitting or compliance questions, especially if you are a new or expanding business needing to determine if you need a permit, get in touch with Zack.

Zack is from Nevada and is committed to serving the community he grew up in. He holds a bachelor’s degree in community health science from the University of Nevada Reno. He has prior regulatory experience from local government agencies and is looking forward to aiding you and your small business.

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Nicolette Weiland, BEP Marketing & Communications Intern

Nicolette Weiland is BEP’s new Marketing & Communications Intern. She is currently attending the University of Nevada Reno, pursuing a Bachelor’s Degree in Marketing with a minor in business analytics and is passionate about the outdoors and our environment! She is helping to provide important regulatory and sustainability information throughout our Nevada community.

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Nancy Crickman, BEP Coordinator

Nancy joined BEP in 2019. An environmental engineer, Nancy managed the Pennsylvania Small Business Development Center’s Environmental Management Assistance Program and Technology Commercialization Services. Prior to joining the PA SBDC, Nancy worked for the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection.

Nancy holds a B.S. in Engineering from Swarthmore College and a Master of Engineering in Environmental Pollution Control from the Pennsylvania State University.   

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