Environmental International

Specialty: Environmental management systems, ISO 14000, natural resource damage assessment, sustainable development, facilitation and community outreach
President: Valerie Lee
2002 revenue: N/A
Projected 2003 revenue: N/A

The easing of federal environmental laws and regulations may someday take a bite out of business for firms like Environmental International, but so far, that day hasn’t come.

“We’re seeing a huge change because of the Bush administration, no doubt about that,” said Tom Meyer, the firm’s senior environmental manager.

Business is up this year for the 12-member Seattle-based firm following a bit of a slowdown in 2001 and 2002, but Meyer thinks regulatory changes could become a challenge.

“On the brighter side of things,” he said, “awareness about the environment and anthropogenic impacts upon it, and how to avert them with a more sustainable approach — we think that’s growing.”

Environmental International applies a team approach to its varied disciplines, which includes environmental management systems (EMS), corporate environmental strategy, pollution prevention, natural resource damage assessment and community outreach. The firm views sustainable development work as a growth area.

Meyer’s own cross-disciplinary background in business, hydrogeology and environmental data management system design is par for the course at the firm, where projects require not just technical expertise, but expertise in policy, strategy, facilitation and public outreach as well.

President Valerie Lee holds graduate degrees in civil engineering and law.

“We have found that the best way to add value to operations is apply the whole staff,” Meyer said.

Current projects include a $5 million, multi-year EMS contract with the U.S. Navy, and a brownfield development for the city of Aberdeen. Public projects make up around half of the firm’s revenue.

Projects have taken Environmental International around the world over its nine-year existence, including biodiversity assessments in several former Soviet republics, pest management in Paraguay, sustainability research in South Africa and natural resource protection in Japan.