Laura Kirby
Raleigh,NC
Summary
Dynamic professional with over 18 years of experience in the energy sector, environmental consulting, and mining, which provides a strong foundation in managing diverse teams with varying skills and technical expertise. A commitment to effective collaboration and operational efficiency drives the pursuit of realistic outcomes with high standards. Recognized for identifying and cultivating individual strengths, alongside expertise in strategic planning and process improvement. Adaptable to evolving organizational needs ensures consistent alignment with business objectives and enhances overall team performance.
Overview
21
21
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Senior PGO Permitting Manager
Duke Energy
08.2023 - Current
- Permitting for Transmission Projects which includes Erosion Control, NPDES, Army Corps Section 10 and Individual Permits, Special Use Permit support, floodplain, riparian buffer, and others.
- PM role for Corporate PGO Permitting Audit #324002 which included preparing a new Permitting Framework Document (SOP) and updated process improvements to streamline permitting across Duke Energy regions. Deliverables were approved by Audit and associated audit PlantView entries were closed out early.
- Was elected to give training to the Project Management group to showcase how Permitting integrates into the overall project process.
- Currently leading the initiative to add language to the Permitting Framework SOP Document.
- Asked by DEP Manager of Project Management to be the representative from Permitting and Siting Cross-Departmental group called DEP PGO Training Group.
- Improved DEP Permitting participation in tracking key performance indicators (KPIs) for DEP achieving higher KPI performance percentages and lower Deficiency Ratios.
- Developed strategic plans to optimize resource allocation.
- Streamlined communication between departments, enhancing collaboration on projects.
- Accomplished multiple tasks within established timeframes.
- Resolved staff member conflicts, actively listening to concerns and finding appropriate middle ground.
- Streamlined workflows by identifying bottlenecks in existing systems and implementing appropriate solutions.
Senior Project Manager
Stantec Consulting Services
01.2022 - 08.2023
- Project work included DOEE Benchmark Compliance and NPDES compliance for PEPCO Holdings, Inc. and Exelon Corporation, environmental compliance for Duke Energy, Environmental Assessments and Permitting, successfully secured several EPA Brownfield Grants, managed Virginia DEQ
- Led cross-functional teams to successfully deliver complex projects on time and within budget.
- Developed project plans, timelines, and resource allocations to optimize workflow efficiency.
- Mentored junior project managers, fostering professional development and enhancing team performance (Teams of 10+).
- Implemented process improvements that increased project delivery speed and reduced costs.
- Coordinated with stakeholders to ensure alignment of project goals with organizational objectives.
- Analyzed project risks and developed mitigation strategies to minimize impact on deliverables.
- Facilitated regular status meetings, ensuring clear communication among team members and stakeholders.
- Utilized project management software to track progress, manage resources, and report outcomes effectively.
- Maintained schedules to meet key milestones at every project phase.
Adjunct Faculty
Wytheville Community College
09.2015 - 01.2022
- Taught Continuing Education courses on Project Management, Preventative and Predictive Maintenance, and Process Improvement.
- Classes ranged from 5 to 15 students.
Senior Project Manager
Hill Top Contractors and EnviroCheck of Virginia
10.2013 - 01.2022
- Managing and performing fieldwork and report writing of Phase I and Phase II Environmental Site Assessments.
- Assist in preparation of Section 8 of Underground Injection Control permits.
- Assist in preparing permits for mining and oil/gas companies (state and federal) and manage a range of technical environmental situations for mining companies (some through attorney coordination).
- Prepare mapping with GIS and CAD programming.
- Manage Commonwealth of Virginia Underground Storage Tank and State Lead program sites in coordination with Virginia Department of Environmental Quality.
- Perform fieldwork and report writing of Clean Water Act (CWA) related plans, as well as air calculations for industrial facilities.
- Complete proposals and cost estimates for both transactional and remediation jobs.
- Developed and implemented project management methodologies to enhance efficiency and effectiveness.
- Established strong client relationships, ensuring alignment on project objectives and deliverables.
Project Manager/Project Scientist
Cardno MM&A, Inc.
01.2008 - 10.2013
- Work as a Project Scientist/Manager for environmental, engineering and energy consulting firm.
- Managed and perform fieldwork and report writing of Phase I and Phase II Environmental Site Assessments for industrial, commercial, and residential facilities including large energy/mining companies; experience ranges from typical small projects in urbanized areas to tracts of land exceeding 50,000 acres.
- Perform water and soil sampling and coordination with laboratories and various state agencies.
- Assess, interpret, and report on laboratory findings for hydrologic studies quality and quantity studies, including petroleum contamination, PERC contamination, lead contamination, PCB contamination, fly ash sites, etc.
- Assist in preparing permits for mining and oil/gas companies (state and federal) and manage a range of technical environmental situations for mining companies.
- Lead in sustainability initiative for large energy company. Tasks included research and presentation of sustainable energy initiatives and website development. Energy related report writing and economic assessment to validate sustainability and economic business sense of proposed operations.
- Conduct hydrologic studies for area water providers and various coal/oil and gas companies.
- Manage Commonwealth of Virginia Underground Storage Tank and State Lead program sites in coordination with Virginia Department of Environmental Quality.
- Perform fieldwork and report writing of Clean Water Act (CWA) related plans, as well as air calculations for industrial facilities.
- Assist in preparation of NEPA, viewshed management, tribal and historic resource protection.
- Assist with Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) facility reporting; performed Voluntary Remediation Program (VRP) facility fieldwork.
- Complete proposals and cost estimates for both transactional and remediation jobs.
- Perform mold assessments.
- Perform stream and wetland delineation for permitting of mining and industrial properties.
- Perform large-scale background water quality testing for mining permit application.
- Assisted with hydrologic studies for water quality and quantity related problems.
- Performed field work and report writing for remediation of large fly ash site in Pennsylvania.
- Performed emergency response management and field work for AEP, VDOT, several railroads, and trucking companies.
- Gained knowledge of assisting in preparation for expert testimony in water quality and quantity related issues.
Staff Environmental Scientist
ECS Mid-Atlantic, LLC
05.2007 - 01.2008
- Performed Phase I and Phase II Environmental Site Assessments.
- Performed NEPA permitting for cell phone tower siting projects.
- Prepared air compliance permitting reports and calculations for asphalt companies.
- Performed fieldwork for mold assessments, wetland delineation, soil and water sampling.
Isotopic Geochemistry Lab Assistant
The University of Virginia
01.2005 - 05.2007
- Prepared and processed dehydrated fish samples through a mass spectrometer to support a study analyzing the feminization of fish populations.
- Assisted in technical writeup of findings from sample processing.
Education
Master of Science - Mining Engineering
Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University
Blacksburg, Virginia12.2013
Bachelor of Science - Environmental Sciences
The University of Virginia
Charlottesville, Virginia05.2007
Skills
- Strong technical knowledge of the environmental and permitting field
- Collaborative team management
- Effective time management
- Decision-making
- Complex Problem-solving
- Verbal and written communication
- Staff management
- Documentation and reporting
Certification
- Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response (HAZWOPER) 40 hour training
- Mining Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) Annual Refresher Training
- Rosgen courses: Level I. Applied Fluvial Geomorphology and Level II. River Morphology and Applications
- Indoor Air Quality and Industrial Hygiene 8-hour training
Publications:
- “A Review of Subsidence Prediction and Control Methodologies in the USA – Experiences and New Developments” submitted to the peer reviewed AIMS 2012 conference proceedings, May 30-31, 2012, Aachen, pp. 13-23.
- “Application of Subsidence Prediction Methodologies for Sizing Barrier Pillars for Stream Protection in Appalachia” submitted to the Symposium on Environmental Considerations in Energy Production, SME, April 14-18, 2013, Charleston, West Virginia and was published in pp. 319-335.
- “Exploring Benthic Impairment and Total Dissolved Solids in the Dumps Creek Watershed” submitted to the Symposium on Environmental Considerations in Energy Production, SME, April 14-18, 2013, Charleston, West Virginia and was published in pp. 362-370.
Publications
- “A Review of Subsidence Prediction and Control Methodologies in the USA – Experiences and New Developments” submitted to the peer reviewed AIMS 2012 conference proceedings, May 30-31, 2012, Aachen, pp. 13-23.
- “Application of Subsidence Prediction Methodologies for Sizing Barrier Pillars for Stream Protection in Appalachia,” SME Symposium, 2013.
- “Exploring Benthic Impairment and Total Dissolved Solids in the Dumps Creek Watershed,” SME Symposium, 2013.
Timeline
Senior PGO Permitting Manager
Duke Energy
08.2023 - Current
Senior Project Manager
Stantec Consulting Services
01.2022 - 08.2023
Adjunct Faculty
Wytheville Community College
09.2015 - 01.2022
Senior Project Manager
Hill Top Contractors and EnviroCheck of Virginia
10.2013 - 01.2022
Project Manager/Project Scientist
Cardno MM&A, Inc.
01.2008 - 10.2013
Staff Environmental Scientist
ECS Mid-Atlantic, LLC
05.2007 - 01.2008
Isotopic Geochemistry Lab Assistant
The University of Virginia
01.2005 - 05.2007
Master of Science - Mining Engineering
Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University
Bachelor of Science - Environmental Sciences
The University of Virginia