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.
Kat Olson, Hazardous Waste Specialist
Kat is our new 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.
Zachary Rice, Air Quality Specialist
Zachary (Zack) Rice joined the BEP as an Air Quality Specialists. Zack works out of BEP’s office in Reno and provides air quality assistance statewide under our contracts with the Nevada Division of Environmental Protection and the Washoe County Health District’s Air Quality Management Division. 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.
Brianna Andrews, BEP Marketing & Communications InternMeet
Brianna (Bri) Andrews is BEP’s new Marketing & Communications Intern. Bri is a student at the University of Nevada, Reno pursuing a Bachelor’s of Science in Marketing with an emphasis in Entrepreneurship. She has a strong interest in sustainability and a passion for preserving the environment.
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.