2024 EPA Region 5 Radon Stakeholders Meeting
See you in Indiana in 2025!
--------------EPA Region 5 Radon Stakeholders' Meeting Resources 2024--------------
Quiz (only valid for those who attended in person)
Presentations
Welcome and Announcements - Leslie Smith, III, MI EGLE
Consumer Digial Radon Monitor Review - Brian Hanson
U.S. EPA Update & U.S. EPA Region 5 Update - Peggy Bagnoli & Jeanette Marrero
CRCPD Resources, FHFA, HUD - Joshua Kerber, CRCPD E25 Chair
Indoor Environments Association(IEA)/AARST & IEA/AARST Chapters Update - Diane Swecker, IEA Exec. Dir.
Hunting the Source: Tech Intro for Tracking Radon - Chad Robinson, Building Performance Co
Facilitated Workshop - System Optimization Joshua Kerber, Brian Hanson, Chad Robinson
State & Tribal Reports (5 minutes each)
Michigan Les Smith III, MI Dept of Env, Great Lakes, & Energy
Keweenaw Bay Indian Community Teal Sackett
Indiana Paul Krievins, IN Dept of Health
Illinois Robert O’Brien, IEMA-OHS
Minnesota Marc Katz, MN Dept of Health
Leech Lake Johnny Brown, Leech Lake Tribe
Ohio Luke Stoll, Dept of Health
Wisconsin Amanda Koch, WI Dept of Health Services
Bad River Tribe Zakkary Zander, Bad River Tribe
Forest County Potawatomi Community TBD
St. Croix Jamie Thompson (virtual)
Facilitated Workshop - Social Media Marketing - Brian Hanson
EPA Proposed Radon Credentialing Criteria Overview & Discussion - Brian Hanson & Katrin Kral
NRSB 5-minute Update - Nancy Bredhoff, NRSB
NRPP 5-minute Update - Diane Swecker, Exec. Dir. IEA
HUD Radon Policy Overview - Glenn Schroeder
Speaker Bios (as supplied)
Leslie E. Smith, III MI EGLE
Leslie E. Smith, III (Les) is the Indoor Radon Specialist with the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy’s Materials Management Division. Les received his Bachelor of Science Degree in Resource Development from Michigan State University in 1992, at which time he immediately began his environmental career.
During his over 31-year career with the department, he has served in many capacities, including as environmental cleanup project manager, air quality inspector, enforcement coordinator, and environmental assistance liaison and community engagement coordinator. Les currently serves as EGLE’s statewide Indoor Radon Specialist encouraging Michigan residents to test their homes for radioactive radon gas, and to take action to reduce their exposure.
Diane Swecker, IEA Exec Director
Diane is the Executive Director of the Indoor Environments Association (formerly AARST), brings a fresh perspective and a strong dedication to IEA's mission. With 25 years of experience in various leadership positions within technical organizations, Diane has a proven track record in expanding membership, overseeing certifications, advancing standards development, and fostering collaboration among diverse teams.
Teal Sackett, Keweenaw Bay Indian Community
Teal Sackett has worked for the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community (KBIC) for nearly two years and has served as the Air Quality Specialist since November of 2022. Teal graduated in December of 2021 from Michigan Technological University with a dual major in Forestry and Wildlife Ecology & Management. She has since been slowing working on an Applied Ecology Master’s through Michigan Tech. Teal started her professional career as KBIC’s Air Quality Technician and quickly moved on to the Specialist. Though this is not what she went to school for, Teal has found joy in the air quality world.
Teal Sackett has worked for the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community (KBIC) for nearly two years and has served as the Air Quality Specialist since November of 2022. Teal graduated in December of 2021 from Michigan Technological University with a dual major in Forestry and Wildlife Ecology & Management. She has since been slowing working on an Applied Ecology Master’s through Michigan Tech. Teal started her professional career as KBIC’s Air Quality Technician and quickly moved on to the Specialist. Though this is not what she went to school for, Teal has found joy in the air quality world.
Marc Katz, Minnesota Dept of Health
Marc Katz is responsible for planning radon outreach and education activities for the Indoor Air Unit at the Minnesota Department of Health. He has a variety of work experiences including as an Evaluation Coordinator at the University of Minnesota. He grew up in New Jersey and enjoys cross-country skiing, swimming, making sourdough breads, and print making.
Marc Katz is responsible for planning radon outreach and education activities for the Indoor Air Unit at the Minnesota Department of Health. He has a variety of work experiences including as an Evaluation Coordinator at the University of Minnesota. He grew up in New Jersey and enjoys cross-country skiing, swimming, making sourdough breads, and print making.
Johnny Brown, Leech Lake Radon Program
Johnny is the Radon technician for the Leech Lake Radon Program. He’s been working with radon program since 2014. His main goal is to improve indoor air quality by reducing radon in homes in LL community. Johnny does radon testing, mitigation, repairs and maintenance and radon awareness outreach to the leech lake community.
Jennifer Berk, Indiana State Dept of Health
Jennifer Berk is an Environmental Manager, Lead Risk Assessor, and Radon Specialist in the Lead and Healthy Homes Division of the Indiana State Department of Health. With 18 years of public health protection experience, Jennifer has made it a priority to promote, protect, and improve the health and safety of all Indiana residents.
After receiving her bachelor’s degree in public and environmental health from IUPUI, she started working in the public health field as a food protection specialist at the county level. She gained further experience as a compliance professional at IDEM, a permit specialist at INDOT, and a water remediation specialist in the private sector. She has received professional certifications in sediment and erosion control, OSHA HAZWOPER, lead risk assessor, lead inspector, radon measurement professional, and radon mitigation specialist.
Lisa Morris, MPH, Public Health Consultant, Ohio Department of Health
Lisa Morris is a Public Health Consultant with the Ohio Lead Poisoning Prevention Program and Indoor Radon Program at the Ohio Department of Health. Lisa was previously a Health Educator at the Licking County Health Department, before joining the Ohio Department of Health in 2018. She is a licensed radon tester and coordinates the State Indoor Radon Grant for Ohio. Lisa received her bachelor’s in Health Promotion from Morehead State University and her Masters of Public Health from Ohio University.
Amanda Koch (pronounced "cook"), Wisconsin DHS
Amanda Koch started in May 2024 as the new Indoor Air and Radon Program Manager for the Wisconsin Department of Health Services. She comes from a previous position as a Health Educator for Wisconsin’s Hazardous Site Evaluation Program where she conducted public health education and outreach on issues ranging from PFAS to chemical vapor intrusion, and mercury vapor to mold. She holds a Bachelor’s of Science from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and a Master’s in Public Health-Epidemiology from the University of Illinois at Chicago.
Zakkary Zander, Bad River Tribe
Hello, I’m Zakkary Zander. I’m the Tribal Radon Program Manager/ Indoor Air Quality tech at the Bad River Tribe. My degree is in biology which I received from Northland College. I started with the tribe as the wetlands’ specialist, and that is where most of my experience remains. However, I have always had a passion for geology, since it determines which plant communities can live and grow in an area and as we know geology also touches heavily on radon. With that said, I am just starting out in my career as a Radon Professional, with only one year of testing and a couple of certifications under my belt, but I look forward to continuing my journey in this realm.
Hello, I’m Zakkary Zander. I’m the Tribal Radon Program Manager/ Indoor Air Quality tech at the Bad River Tribe. My degree is in biology which I received from Northland College. I started with the tribe as the wetlands’ specialist, and that is where most of my experience remains. However, I have always had a passion for geology, since it determines which plant communities can live and grow in an area and as we know geology also touches heavily on radon. With that said, I am just starting out in my career as a Radon Professional, with only one year of testing and a couple of certifications under my belt, but I look forward to continuing my journey in this realm.
Jamie Thompson, St. Croix Chippewa
Jamie Thompson is the Air Quality Outreach Coordinator for the St. Croix Chippewa Indians of Wisconsin. She works at the St. Croix Tribe’s Environmental/Natural Resource Dept. Jamie has worked for the tribe for 16 years, originally being hired as a Fish and Wildlife Technician and then in the fall of 2017, she transferred to the EPA Clean Air program under the tribes CAA 103 grant. In 2020, she was award SIRG funds and has been testing tribal homes and other tribally owned building since. Jamie received a Bachelor’s of Science degree from the University of Wisconsin: River Falls, in Conservation and double minors in Field Biology and Criminal Justice.
Jamie Thompson is the Air Quality Outreach Coordinator for the St. Croix Chippewa Indians of Wisconsin. She works at the St. Croix Tribe’s Environmental/Natural Resource Dept. Jamie has worked for the tribe for 16 years, originally being hired as a Fish and Wildlife Technician and then in the fall of 2017, she transferred to the EPA Clean Air program under the tribes CAA 103 grant. In 2020, she was award SIRG funds and has been testing tribal homes and other tribally owned building since. Jamie received a Bachelor’s of Science degree from the University of Wisconsin: River Falls, in Conservation and double minors in Field Biology and Criminal Justice.
Katrin Kral, EPA
Katrin Kral is a senior environmental health leader within EPA’s Indoor Environments Program in the Office of Radiation and Indoor Air. She has over 20 years of experience advancing national environmental programs to improve air quality and public health at the US EPA.
Nancy Bredhoff, RTCA & NRSB
Ms. Bredhoff has been active in the radon industry since 1985 when the Radon Testing Corporation of American (RTCA) was incorporated. Nancy was one of the founders of RTCA and has served as President from 1989 to present. RTCA’s testing laboratory, researches, manufactures and distributes a variety of radon test devices, including activated charcoal canisters, liquid scintillation vials, patented electret ion chambers, and continuous radon monitors. Ms. Bredhoff has directed new product development culminating in many patents for state-of-the-art radiation monitors. RTCA’s computerized analytical laboratory processes tens of thousands of radon measurements annually for consumers, government programs and professional radon testers. Under Ms. Bredhoff’s leadership, RTCA has developed and maintains the company’s nationwide network of professional radon testers. She is often invited as a guest speaker at educational seminars and has authored numerous articles about radon. At the 16th National Radon Meeting, Ms. Bredhoff presented, “Proficiency Testing, Calibration and New Device Evaluation, ‘Critical Components for a National Certification Program’” and at the 17th National Radon Meeting, she gave the presentation, “Using the Proficiency Program for Consumer Protection.” Ms. Bredhoff has served as Treasurer of AARST and a Member of the Board of Directors for AARST. Ms. Bredhoff has a BA in Political Science from Barnard College and a MBA from Columbia University Graduate School of Business.
