Ozarks Profile: Gary Pendergrass, PE

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Tell us about your company.|ret||ret||tab|

Pendergrass Associates is a full-service environmental and geo-technical consulting firm. We handle environmental issues ranging from simple property transaction screens to major hazardous-waste site cleanups, and geotechnical issues ranging from residential foundation stabilization to design and construction of landfills, dams and settling ponds. A significant portion of our work involves expert testimony and litigation support. Our primary clients are utilities, governmental bodies, corporations and law firms.|ret||ret||tab|

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What is your job?|ret||ret||tab|

I oversee all of the work our office performs, serve as principal engineer, and market our services as time permits.|ret||ret||tab|

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What is the biggest challenge for environmental services? |ret||ret||tab|

The biggest challenge on major environmental projects is to find technically sound, cost-effective solutions that are acceptable to all stakeholders: companies, individuals, regulatory agencies and community groups. Successfully overcoming this challenge also provides the greatest personal satisfaction on these projects.|ret||ret||tab|

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What attracted you to the environmental services industry?|ret||ret||tab|

A deep, abiding love for the environment and a belief that solutions exist for all problems.|ret||ret||tab|

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Tell us about your educational/career background.|ret||ret||tab|

I hold a bachelor's degree in environmental geology from (Southwest Missouri State University), and bachelor's and master's degrees in geological engineering from the University of Missouri-Rolla, and am a registered professional engineer in Missouri and Arkansas. I was associated with City Utilities for about 10 years; handling waste disposal, coal supply and water-quality issues. |ret||ret||tab|

In 1984, I was hired by Syntex, and managed major engineering and environmental projects for the corporation for 15 years. The final project I managed for Syntex involved cleanup and restoration of 29 dioxin-contaminated sites in the St. Louis area. One of the sites, Times Beach, was restored to become our newest Missouri park: Route 66 State Park. Following my retirement from Syntex, I founded Pendergrass Associates, bringing together a group of experienced, successful professionals from previous associations.|ret||ret||tab|

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What can you tell us about your family?|ret||ret||tab|

My wife of 22 years, Anita, is a graduate of SMSU and teaches math and Spanish at Reed Middle School. We have two sons. Ben is 20 and Matt is 18. Ben will be a junior at Drury University, where he plays basketball and is majoring in pre-engineering. Matt recently graduated from Kickapoo High School and will be a freshman at Drury majoring in architecture.|ret||ret||tab|

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What hobbies and/or community volunteer work do you pursue?|ret||ret||tab|

My main hobby has been my sons' sports: Ben's basketball games and Matt's soccer matches. I enjoy hiking and camping, and love to play golf, although I am not very good at it. I also enjoy community service and have served on the Watershed Committee of the Ozarks and the Springfield-Greene County Environmental Advisory Board. I am currently serving on the Valley Water Mill Task Force and am active in the Missouri Society of Professional Engineers and Sunrise Rotary Club.|ret||ret||tab|

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If you could choose another career, what would it be?|ret||ret||tab|

If I had to choose another career, I would probably gravitate toward law or architecture two professions for which I have a great deal of respect. I also enjoyed teaching as a graduate assistant at UMR and believe that teaching at the high school or college level would be very rewarding.|ret||ret||tab|

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