EPR is proud to celebrate John Williams, Senior Biologist and Planner, as he marks 10 years with the company. Since joining EPR in 2014, John has been instrumental in our growth, bringing 16 years of expertise to a wide array of projects, including Section 404 and Section 10 permitting, biological studies, and environmental assessments.
His expertise in wetland delineations, endangered species assessments, and mitigation consultations has ensured that our projects meet the highest standards of environmental stewardship.
“It’s imperative that people in my position provide clients with top-notch data and strategies to ensure the projects they pursue are done in a way that has minimal impact on the environment. Being thorough in analysis and assessment is key.”
Beyond his professional achievements, John is an avid nature enthusiast with a particular passion for reptiles and amphibians. He also enjoys photography, playing the guitar, and following Aggie football. John’s commitment to environmental education is also highlighted by his co-authorship of Wild Houston, a book that inspires others to protect local biodiversity.
“Find your niche in the field and be passionate about it.”
At EPR, we believe in nurturing talent and fostering a culture of passion and dedication. As we continue to grow, we remain focused on delivering innovative, sustainable solutions that protect and enhance the environments we serve.
EPR is thrilled to announce Jake Byers, P.E., as our newest Principal. Jake’s dedication to ecosystem restoration and conservation, coupled with his innovative approach to sustainable practices, marks a significant addition to our leadership team.
“I am excited to move into the role of Principal for Ecosystem Planning and Restoration. Our team consists of exceptionally talented and dedicated individuals who inspire me daily. Joining the leadership team is a profound honor and an opportunity to restore ecosystems, enhance agricultural practices, and support biodiversity. Our work is more crucial than ever. I believe in the transformative power of sustainable practices and the positive impact we can make on our natural resources for generations to come.”
Jake Byers is a familiar face at EPR, where he has consistently demonstrated his expertise and passion for environmental stewardship. Since joining the company, Jake has led numerous transformative projects in stream restoration and regenerative agriculture. His work focuses on developing science-based designs and strategies that not only restore degraded landscapes but also promote biodiversity, sequester carbon, and enhance ecosystem services.
– Sonny Kaiser, founding owner and CEO.“Jake embodies the core values of EPR—dedication, expertise, and a passion for environmental stewardship. His leadership is a demonstration of the, “Get It Done” drive that EPR provides, and always at the highest quality we can perform,”
Born and raised in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina, Jake graduated from North Carolina State University with a degree in Biological and Agricultural Engineering. Outside of his professional endeavors, Jake enjoys raising beef cattle, hunting, fishing, hiking, camping, and playing sports with his children. He resides in Weaverville, NC, with his wife and two children.
As EPR’s newest Principal, Jake will continue to provide leadership and vision to our team, ensuring we deliver the highest quality service to our clients. We look forward to the bright future ahead with Jake’s contributions and the continued growth of our leadership team.
EPR is delighted to announce Emmett Perdue, P.E. as our newest Principal and Chief Operating Officer. Emmett’s journey to this role is founded on his dedication to the team and the positive impact he has made on our organization.
“I would like to thank Kevin, Sonny, and Will for honoring and respecting my contributions to EPR through this opportunity. It means quite a bit to me that they recognize my efforts and trust me to help lead the company.”
Emmett Perdue is no stranger to EPR. Since 2014, he has been an integral part of our continued growth and has led multiple complex and rewarding projects. As EPR’s newest Principal, Emmett will continue to provide leadership and vision to staff, and ensure the highest quality service to our clients.
“Emmett not only represents the core values of EPR, but demonstrates the passion for what we do through his leadership and the work that he does. We’re excited for this opportunity at EPR as Emmett moves into his role as Principal and COO. This is an exciting new chapter as we continue to write the story of EPR.” – Sonny Kaiser, founding owner and CEO.
As COO, Emmett will manage the core operations of the firm, working closely with department leads and supervisors to ensure EPR continues to provide the highest level of service in the industry.
“I will continue to do the things I have always done because it’s what I love to do. But more importantly, because of the people I get to do them with. It’s the reason I accepted the offer to personally invest in EPR, to rise into the leadership of the company, and to challenge myself to help make EPR even better.”
Emmett is the first Principal added to EPR’s leadership team since the company’s founding in 2012. We look forward to a bright future with Emmett’s contributions and continued growth of our leadership team.
Erin Bennett celebrates an impressive 10-year milestone with EPR, highlighting a decade of substantial contributions to environmental preservation and restoration. Within her role at EPR as an Environmental Specialist and Water Resources Engineer, Erin’s diverse range of projects includes, encompassing stream and wetland restoration, feasibility analysis for mitigation, agricultural pond initiatives, research endeavors, watershed assessments, and pipeline risk assessments.
Erin’s journey into environmental science was rooted in her childhood experiences. Growing up in the vicinity of the Great Smoky Mountains, she was immersed in the beauty of pristine forests and meandering streams. These early encounters with nature sparked a realization of the need to protect fragile ecosystems. With a natural affinity for math and science, coupled with a love for problem-solving and outdoor adventures, Erin’s path was set in motion.
“I have always loved my math and science classes, problem-solving, and being outside,”
Her interests led her to pursue a degree in biological engineering with a focus on ecological engineering. This academic journey paved the way for a career that aligned her passions with tangible ways to make a positive impact on the environment.
“These ecosystems reduce flooding, clean water, clean air, increase biodiversity and habitat, and provide jobs that impact the world and the environment,”
Outside of work, Erin enjoys a variety of hobbies, including traveling, attending concerts, hula hooping, cooking, and spending time with her loved ones. As we celebrate Erin’s 10th anniversary at EPR, we’re celebrating her milestone commitment that will undoubtedly continue to shape a more sustainable and resilient world for generations to come.
EPR is celebrating Matt Koon’s 10-year anniversary, a milestone that speaks volumes about his dedication to making a positive impact. With over 20 years of expertise in MicroStation and AutoCAD, Matt’s role as an Environmental Technician and CADD Analyst at EPR revolves around a diverse portfolio of projects, including stream and wetland restoration, ecosystem mitigation, and watershed initiatives.
Matt’s journey into the field was driven by his appreciation for the outdoors. With a passion for fishing, hunting, and hiking, he recognized the significance of preserving natural landscapes for future generations. Matt was inspired to embark on a career path that would allow him to contribute meaningfully to the restoration of streams, wetlands, and wildlife habitats.
“When you love the outdoors, the opportunity to actively nurture our natural environments through your work is incredibly exciting,”
Over his tenure at EPR, Matt Koon’s proudest accomplishment has been witnessing the successful completion of restoration projects. EPR projects have restored habitats for a diverse array of fish and wildlife species.
“Seeing a project through from start to finish and knowing that it has provided a home for various species of fish and wildlife is truly rewarding,”
Outside of his role as a steward, Matt Koon enjoys fishing, spending quality time with his family, and enjoying the great outdoors. As we celebrate Matt’s 10 years at EPR, we celebrate his dedication to the ecosystems that have been revitalized, and habitats restored.