About Environmental Consultants

Transforming Risk into Opportunities

As a full service environmental consulting firm, Element is committed to understanding our clients’ goals and providing effective solutions to their environmental management efforts. We’re here to help your projects move forward by safely managing environmental liabilities and risks. Investigating and assessing the fate of hazardous substances released from underground storage tanks, manufacturing or development processes drives us to find the best possible solution to alleviate any environmental impact. Brownfield redevelopment, to include mitigating indoor air quality hazards, protects the public’s health, revitalizes the local economy and places land back into productive use. Remediation and proper management of hazardous materials only strengthen sustainability, by preserving the triple bottom line.

Element’s Core

Element Environmental Solutions is results driven, our team is our engine. Element’s team has over a century’s worth of environmental consulting experience. Our staff has the technical and regulatory expertise to effectively address environmental and regulatory challenges. We’re here to help you safely manage environmental liabilities and risks. At the end of the day, Element’s goal is to protect the public’s health by properly mitigating exposure pathways that will ultimately restore the value of contaminated properties.

More About Our Team

Mark T. Smith, PG

Principal Geologist

Photo of Dan Gensemer

Dan Gensemer

Principal, IAQ

Dave Bertsch

Operations Manager, IAQ

Brooke Hooper-Attig, GIT

Geologist in Training

Robert A. Pfromm, CIH

Technical Manager, IAQ

Andrew Houck

Environmental Scientist

Mark T. Smith, PG

Principal Geologist

Mark is a founding partner of Element. His ability to communicate technical information in a clear and concise manner has allowed him to successfully manage complex environmental projects while leading a motivated team. Mark has a keen business sense that allows him to stay one step ahead of a challenge. His ability to see a project through, by maximizing site utilization and increasing cost-effectiveness has proved beneficial to our clients time and time again. He has over twenty years of experience overseeing and providing environmental geological consulting services to include Act 2 management, environmental risk management, and remedial action services. As an appointed member of the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (PaDEP) Cleanup Standards Scientific Advisory Board (CSSAB), Mark has firsthand experience in developing statewide health standards and determining the appropriate statistically and scientifically valid procedures to be used in the State’s voluntary cleanup program (Act2). In his free time, you’ll most likely find Mark restoring classic American cars. Otherwise, he can be found camping out with his family or hitting the slopes depending on the time of the year.

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Dan Gensemer

Principal, IAQ

Dan, one of the founding partners of Element, is responsible for the growth, stability and direction of our services. Dan’s technical background stands out as you notice his ability to draw you in and shift a conversation between technical jargon to casual talk without skipping a beat. He’s a natural at building strong business relationships and responding to our clients’ needs as they arise. He ensures Element’s projects are carried out efficiently and on time. Quickly after meeting Dan, you’ll realize he’s someone you want on your team. Clients trust that he’ll get the job done right every time. He’s responsive and great at bringing out the best in his team. He’s an industry professional with over twenty-five years of experience in environmental health, specializing in Indoor Air Quality and Hazardous Materials Consulting. He has successfully managed complex multidisciplined projects to include developing asbestos abatement strategies, managing hazardous materials, remediation projects and implementing sound control measures designed to protect the public’s health. Outside of work, Dan is a hard man to track down as he loyally cheers for his daughter at West Chester University Lacrosse games. When he’s in town, you might find Dan perfecting his swing out on the green or reliving his power lifting days at the gym.

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Dave Bertsch

Operations Manager, IAQ

Dave’s keen attention to detail ensures every project is successful and completed on time. Dave’s our indoor air quality hazardous materials expert with over twenty years of experience in the industry. If you’re concerned with lead or asbestos issues, Dave has you covered. He’s a pro at designing abatement projects and churning out specs. He’s excellent at arranging and organizing complex problems to make sure a project is completed on time. He manages and coordinates all IAQ field related services ensuring that IAQ operations are up and running smoothly. Dave’s the one we go to when we need an extra set of eyes or another opinion on a project. He’s always able to find common ground that satisfies both the client’s project needs and meet’s regulatory compliance. Dave winds down by spending time outside, trekking the hills of Berks County or spending a long weekend camping in the great outdoors.

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Brooke Hooper-Attig, GIT

Geologist in Training

Brooke’s ability to absorb complex information quickly ensures all aspects of a project are captured in the field to help deliver a successful project every time. Brooke has been a member of our team since 2013 where she started as an intern as a college student. Upon graduating from Millersville University in 2015 with a B.S. in Geology she was welcomed as a fulltime member of our team. Her attention to detail, outstanding writing skills and ability to learn new tasks has made her a valuable asset to Element. Brooke is well on her way to becoming a Professional Geologist. As a Geologist-in-Training, Brooke is interested in learning all facets of geology to include, but not limited to brownfield redevelopment, hazardous materials investigations, hydrogeology, and water resource protection. Brooke’s primary responsibilities include conducting Phase I and II Environmental Site Assessments, performing soil, groundwater, and vapor intrusion investigations, plume stability analysis, and a variety of field related services.

In her free time, Brooke enjoys hiking with her Dalmatian Max and kayaking around Central PA. You never know, you may catch her at a Baltimore Orioles game if you’re down in Maryland. She’s an advocate for Alzheimer’s research and regularly participates in fundraising activities for the Alzheimer’s Association of Lancaster. She also serves on the board of the Spring Grove Area Scholarship Fund.

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Robert A. Pfromm, CIH

Technical Manager, IAQ

Bob’s drive to protect the public’s health shows in his work. As a Certified Industrial Hygienist, he excels in the field, methodically evaluating any potential indoor air quality (IAQ) concern, be it mold, volatile organic compounds (VOCs) or strange odors. His investigative skills are extraordinary, allowing him to find the root of most IAQ problems before they have the opportunity to cause negative health impacts. Bob’s thirty plus years of experience includes Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ) evaluations, mold and moisture remediation, expert testimony, industrial hygiene surveys and so much more. His recommendations for IAQ improvements are always spot on. He’s able to put your facility’s occupants at ease by laying out the technical details in a calm and collective way. Just ask Bob about mold and you’ll soon find out he knows what he is talking about. Bob is always exploring the world on the weekends, whether he’s raising Monarch butterflies with his youngest son or visiting his oldest at the University of South Carolina.

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Andrew Houck

Environmental Scientist

Andrew’s willingness to learn and his quick response time make him a valuable asset to our team. Andrew often produces results before you assign him a new task. He’s always thinking ahead, contemplating how he can do a better job next time. He takes on many roles, working on anything from Phase I Environmental Site Assessments, IAQ monitoring, hazardous material investigations, abatement oversight and data management support for large-scale industrial sites. Andrew is currently racking up his certifications and licenses to become Element’s next go-to IAQ guy. Andrew is a man with many hobbies, staying on top of indie music, sports and all things science. He knows a thing or two about craft brewing, often visiting the region’s best breweries on the weekends.

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