Catherine Beahm
Concord,NH
Summary
Dedicated environmental and chemical engineer seeking a dynamic role that leverages expertise in air quality, process improvement practices, and innovative solutions to drive efficient operation and regulatory implementation. Committed to advancing a career through opportunities that challenge analytical skills and foster professional growth. Adept at collaborating with cross-functional teams to improve outcomes.
Overview
36
36
years of professional experience
Work History
State Implementation Plan Administrator
NH Department of Environmental Services, Air Resources Division
02.2019 - Current
- Facilitated compliance by preparing documentation for revised National Ambient Air Quality Standards.
- Coordinated revisions of state implementation plans and regulations effectively.
- Maintained updated EPA delegation for relevant federal environmental regulations.
- Implemented key SIP actions, including 2025 motor vehicle inspection and maintenance revision and 176A petition for NH to leave Ozone Transport Region.
- Led comprehensive revisions for New Hampshire's Regional Haze Plan and RACT Certification for ozone NAAQS.
Air Permit Programs Manager
NH Department of Environmental Services, Air Resources Division
03.2016 - 02.2019
- Achieved timely permit issuance by coordinating Title V and state programs.
- Established strategic goals to direct air permitting staff effectively.
- Enhanced operational efficiency through comprehensive policy and procedure development.
- Collaborated with SIP Administrator to formulate effective rules and state plans.
- Acted as PFAS Liaison for NHDES PFAS Team in Air Resources Division.
- Managed air issues as primary contact for Saint-Gobain Performance Plastics.
Technical Assistance Specialist
NH Department of Environmental Services, Air Resources Division
06.2010 - 02.2016
- Secured air quality improvements by evaluating applications and issuing state and Title V permits.
- Assessed federal regulations, providing critical comments on their effects for NH.
- Led rulemaking for general state permits, limiting potential to emit and revised application forms to enhance permitting strategies.
- Technical lead in the development and implementation of new and revised regulations through comprehensive outreach and educational materials.
- Facilitated database and online permitting system design, ensuring operational efficiency.
- Supervised interns, assigning tasks and assessing their performance effectively.
Air Pollution Control Engineer
NH Department of Environmental Services, Air Resources Division
04.2009 - 05.2010
- Enhanced air quality by issuing state and Title V permits.
- Evaluated applications for permitting applicability and calculated emissions accurately.
- Guided engineers on regulatory interpretations within the Bureau.
- Conducted site visits to assess permitting applicability and provide assistance.
- Prepared referrals for comprehensive air dispersion modeling assessments.
Air Pollution Control Engineer
NH Department of Environmental Services, Air Resources Division
07.2001 - 01.2002
- Reviewed environmental reports submitted by industrial sources to determine compliance with air permits and all state and federal air quality requirements.
State Permitting Coordinator
NH Department of Environmental Services, Air Resources Division
06.1996 - 09.1999
- Enhanced state permitting program by developing goals, evaluating outcomes, and supervising staff.
- Established rule applicability and compliance policies, streamlining permit review and issuance.
- Reviewed, assigned, and approved draft permits, improving application processing efficiency.
- Contributed to emission reduction strategies, enhancing rules for stationary sources.
- Developed state permit program from initial rule development to full implementation.
Air Pollution Control Engineer
NH Department of Environmental Services, Air Resources Division
12.1994 - 05.1996
- Evaluated new sources for permitting applicability
- Reviewed applications and drafted permits for stationary sources of air pollution, incorporating all state and federal regulations. Testified at public hearings
- Drafted and finalized RACT Orders
- Calculated air pollutant emissions for statewide emission inventory system
- Conducted inspections and site visits of permitted sources for compliance determinations and assistance
- Documented decisions related to tax exemption requests
- Communicated with industrial representatives, environmental consultants, community officials, general public, lawyers, and regional and federal US EPA
Atmospheric Dispersion Modeler
NH Department of Environmental Services, Air Resources Division
01.1994 - 12.1994
- Enhanced air permitting process through effective air dispersion modeling.
- Evaluated consultant modeling analyses for accuracy and compliance.
- Participated in source inspections alongside permitting engineers for active modeling projects.
- Streamlined modeling procedures to improve efficiency and regulatory compliance.
Process Engineer – Digester and Liquor Preparation Areas – Pulp Mill
James River Corporation
12.1992 - 08.1993
Associate Process Engineer – Paper Machine
Champion International Corporation
03.1992 - 11.1992
Assistant Process Engineer – Pulp Mill
Champion International Corporation
06.1991 - 02.1992
Co-Op Student
S.D. Warren Research, A Subsidiary of Scott Paper Company
05.1990 - 08.1990
Co-Op Student
S.D. Warren Research, A Subsidiary of Scott Paper Company
08.1989 - 01.1990
Education
Bachelor of Science - Chemical Engineering
University of Maine
Orono, ME05-1991
Skills
- Implementation of Clean Air Act and NH air regulations
- Expertise in state implementation plan and rule development
- Extensive background in air permitting and compliance
- Collaboration on ARD operating and capital budgets
- Coordination of all ARD Right-to-Know requests
- Special focus on PFAS air emission sources including deposition modeling, stack testing, and control equipment
Timeline
State Implementation Plan Administrator
NH Department of Environmental Services, Air Resources Division
02.2019 - Current
Air Permit Programs Manager
NH Department of Environmental Services, Air Resources Division
03.2016 - 02.2019
Technical Assistance Specialist
NH Department of Environmental Services, Air Resources Division
06.2010 - 02.2016
Air Pollution Control Engineer
NH Department of Environmental Services, Air Resources Division
04.2009 - 05.2010
Air Pollution Control Engineer
NH Department of Environmental Services, Air Resources Division
07.2001 - 01.2002
State Permitting Coordinator
NH Department of Environmental Services, Air Resources Division
06.1996 - 09.1999
Air Pollution Control Engineer
NH Department of Environmental Services, Air Resources Division
12.1994 - 05.1996
Atmospheric Dispersion Modeler
NH Department of Environmental Services, Air Resources Division
01.1994 - 12.1994
Process Engineer – Digester and Liquor Preparation Areas – Pulp Mill
James River Corporation
12.1992 - 08.1993
Associate Process Engineer – Paper Machine
Champion International Corporation
03.1992 - 11.1992
Assistant Process Engineer – Pulp Mill
Champion International Corporation
06.1991 - 02.1992
Co-Op Student
S.D. Warren Research, A Subsidiary of Scott Paper Company
05.1990 - 08.1990
Co-Op Student
S.D. Warren Research, A Subsidiary of Scott Paper Company
08.1989 - 01.1990
Bachelor of Science - Chemical Engineering
University of Maine
Rewards and Recognitions
NHDES Employee of the Year (2025), David S. Chase Award, US EPA Environmental Merit Award Recipient – NHDES PFAS Coordination Team (2018), NHDES Above and Beyond Award – Southern NH PFOA Investigation Team (2016), NHDES Excellence in Customer Service Award (2011)
Professional Development Courses and Workshops
- NH Certified Public Manager (2018)
- NH Certified Public Supervisor (2017)
- US EPA Region I Air Toxic Workshop (2011, 2014 - 2020)
- CIBO Industrial Emissions Control Technology Conferences & Natural Gas Conversion Workshops (2011-2018)
- Toastmaster’s Speechcraft Workshop Graduate (2011)
- LEAN Process Improvement Workshop (2010)