MEET THE TEAM / ENVIRONMENTAL CONSTRUCTION DIVISION – MANAGEMENT TEAM
Zack Frankian
Division Manager
ABOUT ZACK
Career professional with a passion for preserving and reestablishing natural ecosystems. Zack is accomplished in Natural Resource Management and Environmental Construction while specializing in reforestation, wetland restoration, stabilization, erosion and sediment controls, and Green Infrastructure practices.
Zack joined the Empire team full-time in 2017 after obtaining his Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science from UMBC.
PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATIONS
- ISA Certified Arborist MA-6522A
- MD Tree Expert License # 002189
- Pesticide Applicator Certified MD-83920 (2,5,6), VA-149642-C (2,5-A,6), DC-25935 (3-A,5,6)
- MD Professional Fertilizer Applicator PFA #1973
- LCA Landscape Industry Certified (CLT)
- National Green Infrastructure Certified (NGICP) #00189
- SHA/MDE Erosion & Sediment Control Certified Yellow Card #25441441 / RPC 011873
- DEP LID Stormwater Facility Maintenance Contractor
- CPR, AED and First Aid
John Pettey
Project Manager
ABOUT JOHN
John is a career professional in the stream restoration construction business. His misfortune in a position not being renewed, soon became Empire’s fortunate hire! John has the demeanor, skills and experience that we could not pass on and he soon became a much-needed addition to our superintendent crew. Since then, he has gained valuable knowledge in how Empire runs as well as horticulturally which rounds out his experience to become a valued member of our project management team. We are excited to have him on the Empire team!
PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATIONS
- ROSGEN Applied Fluvial Geomorphology and River Morphology and Applications Training
- MOT TTCMTC, Temporary Traffic Control Manager Training Certified
- MOT ATSSA Flagger Certified
- SHA/MDE Erosion & Sediment Control Certified Yellow Card # 57175462 / RPC 011667
- OSHA 30
Geritt Rapp
Project Manager
ABOUT GERITT
Geritt joined Empire as an intern in the spring of 2019 following his high school graduation. He quickly became the ‘go-to’ rather than the ‘go-for’ intern due to his technological prowess and ability to learn quickly. His detail orientated mindset, coupled with his organizational skills, and willingness to create new means and methods allowed him to move up quickly in the project management team. To date Geritt has taken on one of the largest projects in Empire’s history, and with Geritt’s drive and dedication to learning as much as he possibly can, Empire is excited to have him grow right along with the company.
PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATIONS
- SHA/MDE Erosion & Sediment Control Certified Yellow Card #25433239 / RPC 010758
Keli Stambaugh
Project Manager
ABOUT KELI
Keli is our newest addition to the management team, and we are happy to add her experience and knowledge of our industry to the ever-growing nature of the company! She has prior stormwater maintenance and construction program and project experience with many of the companies that we commonly do business with. And in addition, she has obtained her Project Management Professional (PMP ®) certification as well as being certified and instructing for the Chesapeake Bay Landscape Professional team. With her love of hiking and trees she makes a great addition!
PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATIONS
- PMP ® Project Management Professional
- Chesapeake Bay Landscape Professional, I & II, Maintenance Instructor
- Anne Arundel County Master Watershed Steward
- SHA/MDE Erosion & Sediment Control Certified Yellow # 65209977 / RPC 024378
- OSHA-30 Certified
- First Aid and CPR Certified
Steven McCauley
Project Superintendent
ABOUT STEVEN
Steven has been working in the Environmental Restoration industry for 10 years. He joined the Empire team in 2015 as a laborer and has worked his way up to Foreman and now Project Superintendent. His love for the outdoors and passion for the environment make him an excellent fit for Empire. Steven is a friendly, knowledgeable, and honest person who knows how to communicate with crews, clients, and contractors to make sure the job is done safely and per the specifications. With his positive, hardworking attitude, Steven continues to grow and develop his skills every day.
PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATIONS
- MD Tree Expert License #2270
- DEP LID Stormwater Facility Maintenance Contractor
- SHA/MDE Erosion & Sediment Control Certified Yellow Card #25441450 / RPC 004459
- CPR, AED and First Aid
- OSHA 30
Phil Ponta
Project Superintendent
ABOUT PHIL
Phil found an opportunity at Empire and sold himself as a leader who brings people together for a common goal. A trait that has helped him tremendously in his transition to Empire. He is well versed in the aspects of any landscape job with a specialty in non-native invasive species removal and has proven to be a detail oriented and driven employee. We are looking forward to his continued success and growth with Empire.
PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATIONS
- Pesticide Applicator Certified MD-93502 (3-A), VA-158695-C (3-A)
- SHA/MDE Erosion & Sediment Control Certified RPC 021749
- OSHA 10
Ben Cote
Project Superintendent
ABOUT BEN
Ben has a passion for being outside and working hard and after many years as a Nursery Associate and Landscape Foreman he was recruited to come to Empire. After 3 years he proved that he was more than a Foreman and ready to take on more responsibility. His new role as a Superintendent in our Environmental Construction division has so far, been a natural fit and we are excited to see him excel.
PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATIONS
- SHA/MDE Erosion & Sediment Control Certified RPC 022697
- MOT TTCMTC, Temporary Traffic Control Manager Training Certified
- MD Department of Agriculture Registered Pesticide Technician
- DEP LID Stormwater Facility Maintenance Contractor
- CPR, AED and First Aid
Roy Novoa
Project Superintendent
ABOUT ROY
Roy has been with Empire for over 3 years and has continued to perform at a level that has him respected by not only his peers, but inspectors, safety personnel and general contractors such as the Maryland Transit Authority. He came in as a foreman who worked on line-clearing operations with a regional tree company and fit right in as a foreman of one of our construction crews. His focus on doing the job correctly the first time, communication skills and being bilingual, has accelerated him to the superintendent role.
PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATIONS
- MOT TTCMTC,
- Temporary Traffic Control Manager Training Certified
- SHA/MDE Erosion & Sediment Control Certified RPC 022760
- CPR, AED and First Aid
- OSHA 10
MEET THE TEAM / ENVIRONMENTAL CONSTRUCTION DIVISION
Edwin Solano
Foreman
Hector Solano
Foreman
Alejandro Nolazco
Foreman
Sam Benjamin
Foreman
Ernesto Iraheta
Foreman
Moris Cruz
Foreman
Carlos Hernandez
Foreman
Jose O Cruz
Foreman
Crisoforo Rojas
Foreman
William Dimas
Foreman