KELLY HARDEN
Wylie
Summary
Dynamic leader with over 25 years of experience in the environmental laboratory sector, committed to advancing organizational missions. Recognized for fostering a collaborative team environment and excelling in analytical problem-solving, with exceptional customer relations and relationship-building skills. Proven ability to leverage independent decision-making and sound judgment to drive company success. Passionate about enhancing employee engagement through effective training, monitoring, and morale-boosting initiatives that elevate overall performance.
Overview
27
27
years of professional experience
Work History
Laboratory Manager
North Texas Municipal Water District
09.2005 - Current
- Coordinates all of the various functions, activities, and projects of the laboratory
- Responsible for the adherence to both TNI and TCEQ regulations
- Oversees TCEQ audits and responses
- Liaison between the laboratory, other NTMWD departments, and executive management
- Forecast, implement, and oversees a $4 million annual laboratory budget
- Develops bid specification for external laboratory support including laboratory supplies/equipment and subcontract lab services
- Reviews and oversees implementation of all laboratory procedural documentations in accordance to TNI requirements
- Manages, trains and motivates laboratory staff to continuously improve knowledge and skills in the environmental field.
- Verifies data integrity, accuracy and turn around times
- Oversees laboratory personnel issues, such as interviewing, employee reviews, hiring and disciplinary actions
- Promotes positive customer experience and productivity through day-to-day communication with various NTMWD departments and customer cities
- Assists with the development and implementation of new policies and methods designed to bolster productivity and improve analytical integrity
- Laboratory Technical Director in both chemistry and biology
- Fills in for various management and department supervisors in their absence
- Has worked up through laboratory departments from entry-level laboratory technician, to chemist, to instrumentation supervisor, laboratory operations manager, and now laboratory manager
Environmental Chemist
City of Dallas - Water Utilities
03.2005 - 09.2005
- Part of analytical team responsible for the daily analysis of environmental samples using various approved EPA methods
- Helped in the development of analytical methods and SOP
- Helped with the purchase and implementation of metals analysis by ICP-MS
Environmental Chemist
ERMI Environmental Laboratories
12.2002 - 11.2004
- Coordinated and performed analytical tests to comply with TNI Standards
- Part of inorganic metals department
- Repaired, calibrated, and safely operated laboratory equipment to reduce costly instrument downtime.
- Developed laboratory testing programs and data analysis while adhering to SOPs, ECOs, batch records and work instructions.
Research Assistant
Stephen F. Austin State University
01.2002 - 12.2002
- Assisted Dr. Paul Steinbach with research and development of an AC plasma reactor used for the destruction of hazardous waste and the production of useful gases
Laboratory Technician
Advanced Analytical Labs
05.1999 - 12.2002
- Performed environmental testing on water, soil, coal and fuel oil using various methods
Education
Bachelor of Science - Chemistry
Stephen F. Austin State University
Nacogdoches, TX01.2002
Skills
- Extensive experience in environmental laboratory operations
- Skilled in performing in-house inorganic analysis tasks
- Instrumentation: ICP-MS, ICP-OES, IC, Cold Vapor AA, HPLC, TOC, Spectrometer
- Effective verbal communication
- Project planning, implementation, management, and reporting
- Skilled in LIMS (25 years experience)
- Self-motivated
- Team management
- Public speaking
- Report writing
- Operational improvement
- Budget development
- Interpersonal and written communication
- Extremely organized
- Staff training/development
- Methodology implementation
- Regulatory compliance
- Customer service
- Employee supervision
Accomplishments
- TWUA’s 2012 Outstanding laboratory technician
- Served as vice president of North Texas Laboratory Analyst Section, TWUA
Timeline
Laboratory Manager
North Texas Municipal Water District
09.2005 - Current
Environmental Chemist
City of Dallas - Water Utilities
03.2005 - 09.2005
Environmental Chemist
ERMI Environmental Laboratories
12.2002 - 11.2004
Research Assistant
Stephen F. Austin State University
01.2002 - 12.2002
Laboratory Technician
Advanced Analytical Labs
05.1999 - 12.2002
Bachelor of Science - Chemistry
Stephen F. Austin State University