ARCADIS (EURONEXT: ARCAD), the international consulting, design and engineering company, announced today that Helene Merkel has joined the company as a the Director of Federal Planning & Permitting. She will be located in ARCADIS’ Baltimore, MD office.
Merkel has extensive and diverse expertise in natural resources management, environmental and urban planning, hazardous waste management, and policy analysis. Her technical experience also includes providing instruction for Low Impact Development Workshops across the country; performing preliminary assessments and site inspections under the Federal Superfund program; shaping policy and developing national guidance for the Federal Site Assessment Program under the Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act; managing the NEPA process for such clients as the Army, Coast Guard, and state highway departments, as well as conducting land use and socioeconomic studies to support the development of NEPA documents; and environmental permitting
“Helene’s experience with Federal Agencies is a great compliment to our existing capabilities and will position ARCADIS to win more Federal contracts,” stated Dirk Applegate, ARCADIS VP.
Merkel was previously the Director of Natural and Cultural Resources for Michael Baker Jr., Inc. where she was responsible for developing their NEPA, natural, and cultural resources staff and capabilities strategic and business planning, and expanding business opportunities in the public sector. Her professional experience includes serving as the Client Service Manager for the U.S. Army Environmental Center (now known as the U.S. Army Environmental Command), and serving as the Program Manager for the Army’s Chesapeake Bay Program, National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), Conservation Programs. She also managed the Army’s Regional Environmental Office (REO) Program for the northern (Edgewood, MD), southern (Atlanta, GA), and western (Denver, CO) regions..
Merkel received her Bachelor’s Degree in Urban Studies, Environmental Planning, from the University of Maryland, and holds a Master’s Degree in Urban and Regional Planning (M.U.R.P.), from George Washington University. Her professional affiliations include leadership roles with the National Association of Environmental Professionals (NAEP) and the Western Shore Conservancy. She is also active in the Society of American Military Engineers (SAME), Baltimore Post, and the National Military Fish and Wildlife Association. She was a member of Virginia's Low Impact Development Task Force, the Rural Tier Focus Group for the update of the Bowie and Vicinity Master Plan, and the Environmental Focus Group for the development of Prince Georges County's Green Infrastructure Plan.
ARCADIS is an international company providing consultancy, engineering and management services in infrastructure, environment and facilities, to enhance mobility, sustainability and quality of life. ARCADIS develops, designs, implements, maintains and operates projects for companies and governments. With more than 13,000 employees and over $2 billion in gross revenue, the company has an extensive international network that is supported by strong local market positions.
