Company
Staff
The real key to our success is our staff! All of our employees are truly dedicated to achieving customer satisfaction. Whether through producing accurate and timely analytical data, providing sampling supplies on-site with short notice, answering client questions or resolving a challenging indoor air quality concern, our staff is always focused on your success.
Aaron DeWees
Aaron has been with Absolute Resource Associates since 1999, and has directly contributed to the success of the business on many levels. Starting as an intern in the extractions department during his college days at the University of New Hampshire, Aaron's hard work, dedication and comprehensive understanding of day-to-day operations have led him to his current position as Acting Laboratory Director. Along with his responsibilities of analyzing samples, Aaron is also accountable for researching and implementing new methods and technologies as the environmental testing field evolves. Aaron has extensive hands-on experience using GC/MS, GC/ECD, GC/FID, ion chromatography, ICP, cold vapor AA methodology, as well as various wet chemistry techniques. Aaron is the "Captain" of the lab, and has become known for finding creative solutions to every challenge brought to his attention. The company would not have developed with such success without Aaron's inspirational insight, guidance and "can do" attitude.
In his free time, Aaron can be found running 5K road races with his wife Cathy, camping with the family, snowshoeing, brewing tasty ales and working on home improvement projects.
Geoff Sylvester
Geoff joined Absolute Resource Associates in 2001, and is currently the Manager of our Indoor Air Quality division, overseeing all of our field activities. Geoff performs assessments, collects samples, and provides recommendations for eliminating problems and concerns related to indoor air quality.
Geoff has a long and growing list of licenses to perform authoritative mold, lead paint and asbestos investigations in New Hampshire and several surrounding states. His credentials include: Council-certified Indoor Environmental Consultant (CIEC), ACAC Certified Microbial Investigator, State Licensed Asbestos Consultant, Lead Investigator, and Certified Monitor & Analyst in five states. Geoff is a specialist, and has vast experience performing investigations in both residential and commercial buildings for Sick Building Syndrome, Building Related Illness, Asbestos, Lead, and microbial contaminants such as mold and bacteria.
In his spare time Geoff enjoys spending as much time as he can with his wife and two young daughters. Geoff is a former NH all state wide receiver, who tore up the field during his high school football days at Souhegan High School in Amherst, NH. Geoff can still be seen playing semi-pro football in Manchester, NH.
Jen Guerette
Jen has a BS in General Biology with a Minor in Environmental Conservation from the University of New Hampshire, and has been with Absolute Resource Associates since 2001. She started here as an analyst in the organics area of the lab, running a GC/MS. This job allowed her to gain a tremendous amount of experience in understanding the lab operations and quality control procedures. Presently, Jen oversees the day to day customer service activities and QA/QC program in the lab. She enjoys helping our customers, providing you with clear guidance and answers to your questions. Jen is a great listener and will help you understand your options, with both our environmental lab services and indoor air quality concerns. She provides the solid link between our customers and the staff.
Jen is passionate about maintaining our high standards of quality and keeps that priority at the top of the list in everything we do. Best of all, when Jen says she will get you an answer, you can count on her to follow through! Outside of work, Jen spends much of her time with family. She loves being a mom and is very proud of her son, Ryan. She enjoys outdoor activities such as camping, hiking and mountain biking.
Jen Zaffini
Jennifer graduated from the University of New Hampshire in 2004 with a degree in bio-chemistry, and joined the Absolute Resource Associates team in May of 2006. Since then she has learned and mastered most of the analyses that we perform. Jen began her environmental lab journey with the analysis of diesel range organics by GC-FID and has since covered everything from PCB/Pesticides, VOCs, anions, bacteria and various wet chemistry analyses. You name it and Jen has had some part in the analysis.
As the Assistant Lab Director, Jen is responsible for making sure that each and every report and requested analyses move smoothly thorough the laboratory. She is constantly working with the analysts to make sure all data generated is of the highest quality and in the requested time frame. If any area of the lab is particularly busy, she is always willing to jump in and lend a helping hand. When she gets a chance to escape the lab, Jen loves dancing and team sports, playing everything from dodge ball to softball.
Kathleen A. Feldman, PhD, CIH
Dr. Feldman holds a PhD in Microbiology. She is a Board Certified Industrial Hygienist, a Board Certified Microbial Consultant and considered an expert in Microbiology Services, including assessments of bacterial, fungal and toxin contamination of indoor and outdoor environments in an effort to improve public and worker health.
Dr. Feldman’s twenty plus years working in Industrial Hygiene has included thousands of microbial assessment projects of both residential and commercial facilities. Dr. Feldman received a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Rhode Island, a Master’s of Science degree in Microbiology from the University of Connecticut and a PhD in Microbiology from Purdue University.
Dr. Feldman is currently the President of the Connecticut Valley Branch of the American Society for Microbiology (ASM) and a member of the National ASM. She is a member of the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH), American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA), and the American Indoor Air Quality Council (AmIAQC). She is a Certified Industrial Hygienist (CIH) with the American Board of Industrial Hygiene (ABIH), and a Certified Microbial Consultant (CMC) with the AmIAQC.
Jean Gennaro
Jean joined Absolute Resource Associates in early 2010 as the Director of Marketing. Jean studied Communications at the University of New Hampshire, graduating with honors in 1990. An award-winning video producer and writer, Jean has more than 20 years of experience working in the media industry. Her experience includes news, advertising, cable television, and corporate marketing. She has written and edited content for several local websites, and was the primary editor for Guy Sylvester’s recent book, titled “Mold: Myth or Monster?” Jean’s creativity and broad experience are a welcome addition to the ARA team.
Alison Keith
Alison received her bachelor's degree in Marine Biology from the University of New England, and started working for Absolute Resource Associates in May, 2006 as an organics extraction technician. As part of the Laboratory Services team, Alison prepares and extracts semi-volatile solids and waters, including DRO, PAH, ABN, PCB, and Pesticides. Alison has always had a strong interest in environmental science and laboratory work, and is particularly proud of her role in helping to implement the methods using microwave technology. These green procedures not only help reduce the environmental impact of the extraction process, but also improve turn-around time. When Alison isn't at work, she enjoys reading and spending time with family and friends.
Ann M. Plante-Alexander
Ann joined Absolute Resource Associates in August, 2002, and is in charge of all Wet Lab Chemistry for the Laboratory Services Division. Ann is also the Hazardous Waste Coordinator, and is responsible for safe and legal care and disposal of all hazardous waste for the facility.
Beth Spead
Beth earned a BS in Soil Science from the University of New Hampshire in 1974 and later worked for the US Forest Service as a Soil Scientist in the White Mt. National Forest. After an extended "sabbatical" as an unapologetic full time mom for their 5 children, Beth joined Absolute Resource Associates in 2002 as an analyst, and is now our Primary Metals Analyst. In that role Beth is responsible for metals preparation and digestion, operating the ICP-OES on which most trace and heavy metals are analyzed, and has transitioned from performing Cold Vapor AA Mercury analyses to a new and improved and highly sensitive Mercury Analyzer. Other tasks include responsibility for TCLP and Flashpoint/Ignitability determinations for waste disposal characterization. When not in the lab, Beth can be found singing with internationally renowned women's acappella chorus "Sounds of the Seacoast," and serving in several church ministries. But Beth's greatest delight is spending time with her husband, children and 10 grandchildren.
Jane Borkland
Jane has been with Absolute Resource Associates since October 2006. When she's not logging in water and soil samples, she uses her education in small business management to assist in the marketing, promotion and administrative needs of ARA. Her familiarity with our clients' needs and her ability to manage the details makes her an excellent resource for customer service and dependable communication. Jane has proven to be an invaluable asset to her coworkers and our customers. Always looking for ways to enhance the business and quality of our work, Jane is committed to our clients and the well-being of the environment. In her free time, Jane enjoys spending time with her friends and family, her two cats and her Great Pyrenees.
Joanne King
Joanne graduated from the University of New Hampshire with a BS in Biology. She is a valuable member of the Absolute Resource Associates team, splitting her time between Sample Receiving and Courier Services. Her past experiences includes three years working as a water quality program coordinator for a local non-profit, as a research technician in Boston, and as an analyst in a drinking water quality lab. In her spare time, Joanne enjoys reading, knitting, and most of all hiking, biking and spending as much time as possible in the great outdoors, especially on the Maine coast.
Kyle Barnett
Kyle Graduated from Keene State College with a Bachelor of Science in Safety Studies with a primary focus on Environmental Health and Safety. He joined Absolute Resource Associates in 2010, and currently works in our Indoor Air Quality division. Kyle works very closely with Geoff Sylvester in the field conducting indoor air quality assessments and sample collections. He also spends time in the Laboratory helping with Log-in and other associated tasks. Kyle is working toward his CIH (Certified Industrial Hygienist) certification, while focusing on asbestos, mold, and indoor air quality. Kyle is an avid Volkswagen and supermoto enthusiast, and in his spare time he enjoys working on cars, motorcycles, playing lacrosse, cooking, art, and music. He is a former captain for the Keene State College lacrosse team, and still plays in tournaments and leagues throughout New England.
Lawrence Maciejewski
Larry graduated from Keene State College in 1987 with a Bachelor of Science in biology, and joined the Absolute Resource Associates team in 2004. He started out in extractions, and soon after moved into volatile organic compound analysis. Larry says that the challenge of managing a timely delivery of data to the end user, from the time we receive a set of samples through the preparation to the evaluation of information, is what has kept things interesting and motivating. Outside of work, Larry enjoys a variety of outdoor activities, such as camping, hiking, puttering in the garden, or just taking in the great views that nature has to offer.
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