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. Send email.
Eric Florio, Air Quality Business Adviser
Eric Florio joined the BEP as our Air Quality Business Adviser. Eric works out of BEP’s office in Reno and provides air quality assistance statewide under our contract with the Nevada Division of Environmental Protection. 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 Eric.
Eric is a New York native who is new to the West. He has a Masters in Environmental Science from Adelphi University and a J.D. in Environmental Law from Vermont Law School. He previously worked in the energy sector while living in Vermont. Eric brings additional knowledge and experience in the environmental field to our team. Send email
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. Send email.
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 ten years with the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection where she specialized in wastewater treatment and watershed management.
Nancy holds a B.S. in Engineering from Swarthmore College and a Master of Engineering in Environmental Pollution Control from the Pennsylvania State University. She has also completed the Wharton Management Program at the University of Pennsylvania. Send email.