Our People

Keystone Environmental is full of smart, driven people who care a lot more about getting the work done, and the relationships we build with our clients. Our people truly become a valuable extension of our clients’ teams. As a result, our people are a primary reason our clients would recommend Keystone Environmental to others.

Our “one team” attitude breaks down silos and helps us engage equally effectively from the office to the front line. Our collaborative working style emphasizes teamwork, trust, and tolerance for diverging opinions. People tell us we are down-to-earth, approachable and fun. We work hard, but we don’t take ourselves too seriously. We enjoy what we do and we laugh a lot…most often at ourselves. It feels different to work with us.

Our Culture

Having a career at Keystone Environmental is more than just about working hard for our clients and the environment, meeting deadlines and client needs. Our corporate structure has been designed in a way that provides career path progression and regular sustainable career growth.

We also believe in taking care of ourselves, and we also believe there is always time to have a laugh and a bit of fun! While we believe in having a good time, Keystone Environmental’s overall health and safety is paramount. We promote occupational health and safety to protect our employees from work-related risks to their health, safety, and well-being. By giving employees the tools to be safer in all their day to day tasks, we ensure everyone’s overall safety whether in the field or in the office.

Our LEADERSHIP TEAM

Keystone Environmental is proud to be 100% employee-owned and led by our skilled management team that provides quality service to our clients, fosters a supportive work environment for our staff, and gives back to the communities in which we work.

Meet the Leadership Team and Shareholders of Keystone Environmental.

RAMINDER GREWAL
President
Shareholder

Christina Chan
Project Engineer, Engineering
Shareholder

DEEPTI SHARDA
Chief Financial Officer

JASON CHRISTENSEN
Senior Engineer, Engineering
Shareholder

JEFF MUIR
Director, Ontario Operations
Shareholder

JEREMY NILSON
Project Manager, Biological Services
Shareholder

KEREE ORSO
Department Head, Contaminated Sites
Shareholder

KEVIN WONG
Department Head, Contaminated Sites
Shareholder

MICHAEL FARNSWORTH
Senior Project Manager, Contaminated Sites
Shareholder

RAY BERTANI
Chief Operating Officer

RICHARD JOHNS
Department Head, Engineering
Shareholder

RICHARD WELLS
Director, Government Services
Shareholder

Sumeet Dogra
Project Manager, Contaminated Sites
Shareholder

WARREN APPLETON
Department Head, Biological Services
Shareholder

Raminder Grewal

P. Eng., President | Shareholder

Mr. Raminder Grewal has over 20 years of experience and provides senior level expertise, project management and cost control for the performance of detailed site investigations, remediation planning and design, human health and ecological risk assessments, and acquisition due diligence assessment. He also assists clients in negotiations with local, provincial and federal regulators and approving agencies, conducts public information meetings and provides expert and second opinion services.

Following graduation from the University of British Columbia with a degree in Geological Engineering (Environmental and Geotechnical) in 1998, he continued his formal education completing his Certificate in Project Management in 2006.

Since 1998, he has held a variety of progressively senior positions in the environmental engineering consulting industry, culminating in project management roles and management of the contaminated sites departments. During this period, he designed contaminated sites investigations and remediation plans.

In January 2007, Mr. Raminder Grewal became a partner and in 2013, President at Keystone Environmental Ltd. Mr. Raminder Grewal was appointed to the Roster of Approved Professional under the provisions of the BC Environment Management Act in the capacity of a Standards Assessment Specialist in 2009.

Christina Chan

P. Eng., Project Engineer / Team Lead | Shareholder

Ms. Chan is a civil environmental engineer with sixteen years' experience in the field. Her primary work experience focuses on design and construction of industrial wastewater treatment plants, managing wastewater treatment plant operations and maintenance, and developing innovative solutions for wastewater treatment and waste management.

Her main project work focuses on wastewater systems analyses to determine options for optimization – to make the system more economically and practically efficient, to identify upstream inputs that could cause out of compliance discharge, and to work on upgrades to improve the overall system so the discharge meets the regulatory requirements.

In addition to working as the environmental advisor to clients, her project work includes water quality assessment for landfills, stormwater management including catchment area calculations and infrastructure design, erosion and sediment control designs, design and build of wetlands remedial systems, regulatory permitting for construction dewatering, and designed and managed remedial chemical injections to treat dissolved arsenic in groundwater.

Ms. Chan is involved in research and development on projects, as innovative solutions are required to solve practical operational problems. She has recently applied for a patent for a new sludge geobag for treatment system solid waste, and is now primarily focused on renewable energy and alternative solid waste handling/disposal for the rail transportation industry.

Ms. Chan is a team lead for the Engineering Department.

Deepti Sharda

CPA, CGA, ACCA, Chief Financial Officer | Shareholder

Deepti Sharda is a CPA with extensive experience in finance, management, accounting, and tax. She has broad expertise gained through experience with a wide range of clients and industries in public accounting in the UK, Canada and US.

Deepti directs all accounting, consolidations, budgeting and profit planning for the subsidiary and its profit centres She also works closely with the company’s tax, treasury, and legal staffs on related matters. She participates in negotiations with outside contractors, financiers, and customers and provide liaison for internal and independent auditors.

Having a master degree in computer science, she has in-depth knowledge of ERP systems and has worked with many complex softwares Including Oracle, Navision, Great Plains and campusvue.

In public accounting, she successfully managed several engagements including pharmaceutical companies, restaurants, Property management , Professional Services / Consultants and manufacturing clients, among others. Decreased tax burned for many clients by restructuring revenue recognition policies and using a wide variety of tax credits.

Jason Christensen

P. Eng., Senior Engineer | Shareholder

Mr. Jason Christensen has greater than 16 years of experience in the environmental field and provides engineering expertise in contaminated sites remediation, environmental engineering and wastewater treatment. His role includes being the senior technical reviewer and manager for projects that entail remediation option evaluation, remediation plan preparation, remediation system design, wastewater treatment design and operation, and permitting. He has managed the design of numerous remediation programs and the construction and installation of treatment and remediation systems.

He is a registered professional engineer in BC and Alberta, and an Approved Professional with CSAP in BC.

Jeff Muir

B. Sc., P.Geo. (Ltd.), QPESA, Director of Ontario Operations | Shareholder

Jeff is a senior consultant with over 21 years of experience in environmental site assessments, risk assessment, risk management, remediation, site closures and contaminant hydrogeological investigations. As a senior consultant, Jeff most recently served as the Vice President of Environmental for an Ontario based consultancy firm for the past nine years. Jeff was responsible for the growth and leadership of a team of 16 environmental professionals and was accountable for the overall strategic path of the environmental department.

Jeff is an Earth Scientist graduate of Brock University, St. Catharines University and is a licensed Professional Geoscientist in Ontario (P. Geo. Ltd.) as well as a recognized Qualified Person for Environmental Site Assessment (QP-ESA) with numerous Record of Site Condition (RSC) filings. Jeff has managed environmental assessment and remediation projects on high profile and complex sites for numerous major private clients in the Oil, Mining and Processing Industries; Development and Property Investment Industry; and numerous Provincial and Federal Government Departments throughout Ontario, Western Canada, and Atlantic Canada.

Jeff’s technical expertise is focused on detailed phased environmental site assessments; risk assessment and management; evaluation of remedial/risk management (RRMs) options; development and implementation of RRM plans; Permitting; Environmental Compliance; Records of Site Conditions; Excess Soils Management; Site Closures; among other services.

As a senior consultant, Jeff is a technical focused consultant, with a strong emphasis on maintaining long term relationships with clients and assisting clients with their technical regulatory and due diligence needs, developing and implementing remedial and risk management strategies which ultimately result in the successful management of their environmental risks.

Jeremy Nilson

R.P.Bio., P.Biol., Project Manager | Shareholder

Mr. Jeremy Nilson is a Registered Professional Biologist in BC with extensive experience in environmental consulting including watercourse assessment, aquatic impact assessment and mitigation, restoration and enhancement, regulatory permitting, instream works monitoring, erosion and sediment control monitoring, and environmental management.

Jeremy is knowledgeable of federal, provincial, and municipal environmental policy, legislation, and practices particularly in the context of the intersection of aquatic and riparian habitat management. He has extensive experience working with multiple stakeholders and/or regulators on complex projects. He has assessed environmental impacts of development as related to aquatic and riparian habitats, environmentally sensitive areas and features, and other ecological habitat values.

Jeremy has experience in writing and delivering reports that meet or address federal, provincial, and regional environmental regulatory requirements including environmental assessments with mitigation and offsetting. He is very experienced with respect to stream and riparian construction monitoring including designing to best environmental standards, mitigation of impacts by pre-planning and active management during works, and implementation of best management practices and industry standards.

Keree Orso

M.Sc., R.P.Bio., Department Head, Contaminated Sites | Shareholder

Keree has been employed by Keystone Environmental Ltd. since 2003. Between 2003 and 2008 she performed more than 200 Preliminary Site Investigations to determine the potential, degree and extent of site contamination in soil, groundwater and soil vapour for residential, institutional, commercial, and industrial sites. She has been involved in investigation and remediation projects for commercial and industrial sites across the province of BC. As the lead site supervisor of these projects she has been responsible for researching site histories, understanding facility operations and the handling and disposal of constituents of concern, collecting soil and groundwater samples for laboratory analysis, collecting hydrogeologic data including slug tests, directing remediation activities and reporting.

In 2009, Keree commenced with the management of projects and since then has managed over 500 site investigations and remediations with complex contamination such as former sawmills, diesel generating stations, wood treatment facilities, service stations, fill material sites and dry cleaners. In her capacity as project manager, she has also been responsible for Detailed Site Investigations, physical remediation, risk assessment, permit applications through the Ministry of Environment and the municipal governments, cost estimates, contractor and project scheduling and weekly progress and cost reporting.

In 2016, Keree became co-Department Head of the Contaminated Sites team. She has over 16 years of experience and provides senior level expertise and project management for the performance of detailed site investigations, remediation planning and design, human health and ecological risk assessments, and acquisition due diligence assessment. Keree has sound knowledge of the Contaminated Sites Regulation and the Environmental Management Act, and has been successful in obtaining Permit Releases, Water Use Determinations, Area Wide Fill Determinations, Certificate of Compliance, and Final Determinations for her clients

Kevin Wong

P. Eng., Department Head, Contaminated Sites | Shareholder

Mr. Kevin Wong is the Department Head for Keystone Environmental Ltd.’s Contaminated Sites team. Mr. Wong has over 12 years of experience and provides senior level expertise and project management for the performance of detailed site investigations, remediation planning and design, human health and ecological risk assessments, and acquisition due diligence assessment. He also assists clients in negotiations with local and provincial regulators and approving agencies, and provides second opinion services.

Mr. Kevin Wong graduated from the University of Waterloo with a degree in Environmental Engineering in 2004. From 2004 to 2008, Mr. Wong has been involved investigative and remediation projects including field supervision (during test pitting, borehole drilling/monitoring well installation, underground storage tank removals, remedial excavations, and the installation of barrier wall remediation systems), the collection and selection of soil and groundwater samples for laboratory analysis, and the interpretation of data and analytical results.

Since 2008, Mr. Wong has held a variety of progressively senior positions in the environmental engineering consulting industry, culminating in project management roles and management of the contaminated sites department. During this period, he designed contaminated sites investigations and remediation plans.

In 2015, Mr. Wong was appointed to the Roster of Approved Professional under the provisions of the BC Environment Management Act in the capacity of a Standards Assessment Specialist.

Michael Farnsworth

B.Sc., P.Ag., Senior Project Manager | Shareholder

Michael has been employed in the environmental profession since 2000. He has over 20 years of experience in the assessment, management and remediation of industrial, commercial and undeveloped properties for clients including First Nations, Federal and Provincial government agencies, developers, property managers, petrochemical companies and real estate organizations in Ontario, Alberta and British Columbia.

Michael has conducted over 500 Preliminary Site Investigations, Detailed Site Investigations (DSI) and remediation on various properties ranging from rural/urban residential properties to multiple building industrial facilities.

Over the course of his career in British Columbia, Michael has successfully secured over 30 Certificates of Compliance, Ministry Releases, and Preliminary Determinations with the BC Ministry of Environment since 2007.

In the capacity of Senior Project Manager, Michael is responsible for proposal development, management of project budget, allocation of technical personnel, adherence to project schedule, communication with the client, regulatory liaison and report reviews.

Ray Bertani

Chief Operating Officer

Ray Bertani started with Keystone Environmental in June of 2010 as the “HR/Operations Manager. In his current role of Chief Operating Officer (COO) he is responsible for managing all Human Resources and Operational aspects of the Company. In collaboration with the company’s President, Department Heads and Board of Directors, he participates in developing Operational and Human Resources systems and strategies and implements these efforts across the organization in a manner that will allow Keystone Environmental to continue to grow and fulfill its goals of becoming both the supplier of choice and employer of choice in the Environmental Consulting Industry.

Ray has over 20 years of progressive experience in Human Resources and Operations Management having held senior positions in several small and medium sized firms in multiple industries including, Engineering, Construction, Steel Fabrication, Hospitality and of course Environmental Consulting.

During his 20 plus year career Ray has successfully negotiated multiple Collective Bargaining agreements on behalf of employers, designed corporate compensation structures, designed and implemented performance management systems, developed and delivered supervisory and leadership training programs and has lead the integration of five separate companies into one company after a series of mergers and acquisitions.

Ray graduated with Honours from the Human Resources Program at the British Columbia Institute of Technology in 2002 and is a member of the Chartered Professionals in Human Resources of British Columbia.

Richard Johns

M.Sc., P.Eng., Department Head, Engineering | Shareholder

Richard thrives on managing challenging projects and meeting the needs of the client and the environment. As the department head of engineering and a senior engineer with over 20 years of experience in environmental consulting, he has designed innovative solutions that account for environmental, social, and economic factors; and achieve a client’s objectives.

He prides himself on his relationships with clients and his understanding of their business. He is a creative, adaptable decision maker who provides practical plans to resolve straight forward or complex environmental challenges.

Richard maintains long term relationships with clients in the transport, industrial, forestry and public sectors, providing environmental management planning, expertise in remedial technologies, a depth of knowledge of the BC regulatory process, and strong leadership skills.

Richard provides senior technical review and consultation for remedial option evaluations, process design, tenders, bid process, and system installation. And, as a published professional in the areas of wastewater treatment and contaminated site management, Richard presents at local and international conference and is sought out for his technical and project management skills.

Richard believes strongly in continuing professional development and has continued to attend seminars and courses to keep his environmental knowledge at the forefront of his field. He completed his Master degree in Environment and Management from Royal Roads University, which allows him to introduce the most recent sustainable management practices to clients. He is focused on understanding clients’ objectives, providing sustainable management systems to meet the objectives and protecting the environment.

Richard Wells

P. Eng., CSAP, Director of Government Services | Shareholder

Mr. Richard Wells is a Senior Environmental Remediation Engineer with a background in environmental process chemistry. His primary areas of technical expertise include the assessment and remediation of contaminated soil, bedrock and groundwater, surface water. He is skilled in the management of site investigations, interpretation of environmental data, and in the development and implementation of remedial action plans for contaminated sites.

Mr. Wells is knowledgeable of contaminant transport phenomena including non-aqueous phase, dissolved phase, and gaseous phase flow; phase partitioning processes; dispersion in water and air; and attenuation. He has worked with property owners, regulators, municipalities, and other stakeholders to develop and implement remedial strategies which result in responsible management of environmental risks. He has hands-on experience with state-of-the-art air, soil and water treatment technologies and has developed site specific, risk based restoration criteria for management of a variety of organic and inorganic contaminants.

Mr. Wells has designed and supervised the installation of numerous in-situ treatment systems and in-situ chemical oxidation systems. As a contaminated site approved professional he has obtained or recommended numerous regulatory instruments and releases for former gas station sites, as well as former commercial and industrial sites. The regulatory instruments include soil relocation agreements, determinations and certificates of compliance. He has also been the ministry approved professional contact for a number of high risk sites.

Sumeet Dogra

B.A.Sc., P.Eng. CSAP, Project Manager | Shareholder

Mr. Dogra has a Bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering from the University of British Columbia, and is registered as a Professional Engineer with the Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of British Columbia, and registered as a numerical Approved Professional with the Contaminated Sites Approved Professional Society.

Mr. Dogra has been employed in the environmental profession since 2008. Over this period, Mr. Dogra has completed numerous Stage 1 and 2 Preliminary Site Investigations (PSI), Detailed Site Investigations (DSI) for the delineation of soil, groundwater and vapour contamination, confirmation of remediation and remediation options evaluation for various residential, commercial and industrial sites across British Columbia.

Mr. Dogra is a self-motivated, resourceful and focused Project Manager with solid understanding in fluid mechanics, thermodynamics, water and air pollution control and environmental chemistry. His experience also includes budget management, designing investigation and confirmation of remediation plans, preparing reports and application documents for Legal Instruments for site(s) and providing training to junior colleagues.

Warren Appleton

R.P.Bio., Department Head, Biological Services | Shareholder

Mr. Warren Appleton is a senior project manager biologist in Keystone Environmental Ltd.’s Biological Services department. He is registered and in good standing in British Columbia as a professional biologist with the College of Applied Biology. He practices as a Qualified Environmental Professional (QEP) in the following disciplines: freshwater stream assessments, marine biophysical survey and impact assessments, marine and terrestrial habitat enhancement design, terrestrial vegetation surveys, species at risk assessments in British Columbia, disposal at sea permitting, and erosion and sediment control. Warren is experienced as a senior biologist and project manager in providing environmental consulting services to developers in British Columbia who wish to obtain development permit for commercial, industrial, or residential developments. He has completed projects and is familiar with municipal requirements in numerous municipalities in the Lower Mainland, Sea-to-Sky corridor, and Vancouver Island.