Christopher, being a third generation Buckeye, attended Ohio State for his undergraduate studies, where he pursued a degree in biological engineering with a minor in biomedical engineering. Biological engineering encompasses the study of all life, so Christopher decided to focus on biological engineering because it encompasses a wide range of anything from microorganisms to human life. In his final year of college, he took a class on remediation and learned how many different approaches there are to environmental issues which sparked a long-term passion and interest in the environment. With a focus on the environmental aspect of the field, Christopher’s career at Heritage Environmental Services (HES) as an environmental engineer perfectly aligns all these interests.
In pursuing additional studies at Purdue University, Christopher further cultivated his interest in sustainability by studying environmental and ecological engineering. “The program at Purdue was unique because it incorporated industrial ecology alongside traditional environmental engineering,” Christopher said. The exposure to different perspectives made him realize that sustainability cannot be limited to a single definition. To him, sustainability encompasses various aspects ranging from profitability to ensuring the wellbeing of everything in the world. Christopher realized that although many companies express interest in sustainability, they do not often have dedicated positions focused on sustainability. Sustainability roles are often integrated into more overarching positions. This is what originally got him interested in the Heritage group, where sustainability is emphasized and evident through their environmental services business.
“Sustainability is truly at the heart of Heritage. It is very clear that what we are doing at Heritage is especially important, you feel like you have an impact on your career field, as well as the environment.’’
Christopher considers himself extremely fortunate to be selective when choosing a long-term career. He acknowledges that not everyone has the same opportunities he was afforded and understands the practicality of entering the workforce immediately. However, he encourages
interns and young professionals to continue searching for positions that genuinely interest them. He also emphasizes the importance of being open to change if they are not in a position that sparks curiosity and passion.
Christopher’s role at Heritage involves a wide range of responsibilities and tasks. He spends a significant portion of his time on data analysis, project management, consulting, and compliance. He is also responsible for calculating the company’s carbon footprint. Additionally,
Christopher coordinates emergency response efforts for customers including chemical spills, oil spills, firefighting and PFAS releases.
“If you are a good fit for Heritage, they will find something that you both enjoy and that you will succeed on. And they will bet on you to succeed. So that’s how Heritage bets on someone. They find something for them that works, even if they do not get it 100% right on the first strike.”