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Staff
The broadly-trained and accomplished staff at Balance has completed many projects together drawing on their intentionally diverse backgrounds and interests. Link to staff photo.
Technical Staff
Barry Hecht, M.S., P.G., CEG, CHg, REA., Senior Principal more info - email
Shawn Chartrand, M.S., P.G., CEG, Principal, Hydrologist/Geomorphologist more info - email
Mark Woyshner, M.S.Eng., Principal, Hydrogeologist/Hydrologist more info - email
Chris White, M.S., Principal, Water Quality Specialist more info - email
Edward Ballman, P.E., CFM, CPSWQ, Principal, Civil Engineer/Hydrologist more info - email
Jonathan Owens, M.S.Eng., Hydrologist/Engineer more info - email
David Shaw, M.L.A., P.G., Hydrologist/Geologist more info - email
Scott Brown, M.S., Geomorphologist/Hydrologist more info - email
Eric Riedner, P.E., Civil Engineer/Hydrologist more info - email
Benjamin Roberts, PhD, P.E., Hydraulic Engineer more info - email
Colleen Haraden, Marketing Manager / Geologist more info
Colleen Haraden has over 21 years’ experience in the geosciences, with a focus on communication, GIS and data management for the water resources, environmental and public works fields. She manages technically rich projects such as development of project integrative GIS analysis and digital characterizations of the subsurface environment. Colleen thrives on portraying complex concepts and communicating these ideas to interested community members, developing outreach materials and helping to conduct public meetings.
• B.S. Geological Sciences, San Diego State University, 1991
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Gregory Guensch, M.S., P.E., CFM, Water Resources Engineer/Geomorphologist more info - email
Gustavo Porras, B.S., Hydrologist/Geological Engineer more info - email
Mark Strudley, PhD, Geomorphologist/Hydrologist more info - email
Brian Hastings, M.S., P.G., Geomorphologist/Hydrologist more info - email
Sarah Richmond, M.S., Geomorphologist/Hydrologist more info
Ms. Richmond specializes in fluvial geomorphology and surface/groundwater interaction, and uses her research, consulting, and public policy background to solve problems in watershed management and habitat hydrology. She applies field and quantitative analytical skills in sediment-transport and bed-sedimentation studies, investigates surface/groundwater interactions, and designs stream and wetland restoration projects. She installs instrumentation and manages water-quality sampling programs to monitor low-flow and storm conditions and to conduct baseline and post-project evaluations. Her experience monitoring the upper Carmel River following the 2008 Basin Complex Fire demonstrates her active interest in post-fire slope and channel processes and their effects on aquatic habitat.
• M.S. Energy and Resources, University of California, Berkeley, 2009 Concentration in geomorphology
• B.S. Geology, University of California, Santa Barbara, 2004
 - email
Jason Parke, B.S., Hydrologist/Geologist more info - email
Eric Forno, B.S., GIS/Soil Scientist more info - email
Annette Cayot, M.S.,E.I.T., CPSWQ, Engineer/Hydrologist more info - email
Travis Baggett, M.S., Meteorologist/Hydrologist more info - email
Kathleen Thompson, P.E., Engineer/Hydrologist/GIS Analyst more info - email
Collin Strasenburgh, B.S., Hydrologist more info - email
Anne Senter, M.Sc., Geomorphologist/Hydrologist more info
Ms. Senter specializes in watershed hydrology, fluvial geomorphology, and the geomorphic implications of large wood at all spatial and temporal scales. She assesses sediment sources in the field, models sediment and salt transport using conventional and custom software, simulates flood and baseflow hydrology, and designs stream and wetland restorations. Anne’s experience includes using advanced 2D hydrodynamic simulations in ArcGIS to develop site-specific solutions to evaluate project effects or to design restoration and channel-stability elements. She reviews modeling, both through field calibration -- often using high-water marks or customized remote sensing -- and through sensitivity analyses. Much of her modeling quantifies the stability of logjams and engineered log structures, as well as the fate-and-transport of large wood in channels.
• PhD. Cand., Watershed Hydrology specializing in Fluvial Geomorphology, UC Davis, expected 2012
• M.Sc., Watershed Hydrology specializing in Fluvial Geomorphology, UC Davis, 2008
• B.Sc., Environmental Studies, Earth System Science, San Francisco State University, 2005
 - email
Eric Donaldson, M.S., Gemorphologist/Hydrologist more info
Mr. Donaldson specializes in hillslope and fluvial geomorphology, and solves hydrologic problems of water-based ecosystems. He has 9 years of experience in collecting and analyzing topographic, hydrologic, and geomorphic data, for fluvial, estuarine, and coastal restoration projects using advanced surveying and remote-sensing instrumentation applied to GIS platforms. He measures flows of all types, sediment transport under storm conditions, instruments and interprets surface/groundwater interactions. Most of his work is for restoration planning and design, and to assess the success of constructed restoration projects. Other projects are related to flood protection or water rights. Mr. Donaldson strives to communicate complex and nuanced geomorphic and engineering concept in clear, meaningful terms so clients and community members can proceed with making decisions.
• B.A. Geology, Whitman College, Walla Walla, Washington, 2003
• M.S. Geosciences, San Francisco State University, San Francisco, California, 2011
- email
Erik Moreno, B.S., E.I.T., Engineer/Hydrologist more info
Mr. Moreno provides a primary firm-wide civil and hydraulic engineering role that involves stormwater drainage analyses, stream and river restoration, fish passage enhancements, and drafting construction documents, specifications, and cost estimates. He also participates in field investigations related to site evaluations, flow gaging, and construction activities. His areas of expertise include AutoCAD drafting, hydraulic and hydrologic calculations and modeling, river restoration design, stormwater analyses and design, and field data collection.
• Registered Engineer In Training (CA)
• B.S. Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of California, Davis, 2010
 - email

Support Staff
Leslie Mack, Business/Personnel Manager more info
Leslie Mack has applied her background in Communications and Public Relations to effectively administer Balances broad business management needs while concurrently administering the firms benefits and personnel management strategies.
• B.A. Communications, Sonoma State University, 1997
 - email
Michael ONeil, M.F.A., M.C.S.E., Network Administrator more info
Michael ONeil has over 15 years of network administrator and web developer experience. He provides technical support, maintenance, and security for all network and web related activities.
• M.F.A. Academy of Art University, San Francisco, 2000
• M.C.S.E. Bellevue Community College, 1999
• B.A. University of Redlands, Redlands, 1998
 - email
Rachel Boitano, Accounts Manager more info
Rachel Boitano has over 20 years experience in the bookkeeping field. At Balance she assists project managers with project coordination which includes contract and insurance administration, budget tracking and fiscal support.
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Jacob Zimmerman, MA, Administrative Assisstant more info
• B.F.A. in Jazz Saxophone Performance from The New England Conservatory of Music, Boston, 2008
• M.A. in Composition from Mills College, Oakland, 2010
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We pride ourselves at Balance in having a company culture that fosters a collegial work place and a commitment to our community. Some staff are active with non-profit groups or pursue their own research as a service to their communities. A number of these projects are multi-year or long-term efforts. - more info


© 2012 Balance Hydrologics, Inc. For use solely to characterize qualifications that our staff can apply to their projects.