David DeSha
Hixson
Summary
My environmental career dates back to 1986, when I started working with a company that would eventually be acquired by Clean Harbors in 2012. I am a dynamic environmental compliance leader with extensive experience at Clean Harbors, Inc., excelling in regulatory compliance and stakeholder engagement. Proven track record in driving innovative solutions and enhancing cross-functional collaboration, resulting in improved compliance metrics and successful project completions. Adept at data analysis and fostering high-performing teams to achieve organizational goals. My goal and objective is to resume my environmental career with the leader in the environmental services' industry.
Overview
25
25
years of professional experience
Work History
Director Environmental Compliance
Clean Harbors, Inc.
Norwell
11.2020 - 04.2025
- Led the company's Central Compliance, Permitting, and Reporting Group.
- Ensured compliance with all relevant regulations, policies and procedures.
- Coordinated with regulatory bodies to ensure compliance with laws and standards.
- Delegated work to staff, setting priorities and goals.
- Developed and implemented strategic plans to ensure organizational goals were met.
- Oversaw strategic planning and implementation to ensure organizational goals were met.
- Led cross-functional teams in the development of innovative solutions to complex problems.
- Led cross-functional teams to drive project completion within deadlines.
- Promoted a culture of innovation and encouraged staff to contribute ideas.
- Facilitated professional development programs to build a high-performing team.
- Partnered with staff to create professional development plans to support personal and business growth.
- Cultivated relationships with stakeholders to secure support and funding for key initiatives.
- Coordinated activities with other departments to expedite work and improve collaboration.
- Cultivated strong relationships with internal company departments and managers by responding promptly to inquiries, requests for permitting and/or reporting, or complaints.
- Negotiated agreements with external partners such as contractors or consultants.
- Provided leadership, insight and mentoring to newly hired employees to supply knowledge of various company programs.
- Conducted environmental and other permitting and reporting as needed.
Senior Environmental Compliance Manager
Clean Harbors, Inc.
Norwell
01.2012 - 11.2020
- Maintained current knowledge of applicable federal, state and local laws related to environmental compliance.
- Investigated potential violations of environmental regulations and reported findings to senior management.
- Performed inspections at multiple company sites in many states as well as Puerto Rico periodically in order to verify that all environmental and safety regulations and protocols are being followed.
- Tracked changes in relevant legislation impacting company operations and ensured appropriate adjustments were made to comply with these changes.
- Assisted in the development of standard operating procedures related to various aspects of environmental compliance, such as hazardous waste handling and disposal practices.
- Provided technical guidance on a variety of environmental compliance issues, including air quality, water quality, hazardous waste management and stormwater management.
- Provided training sessions for employees on proper methods for minimizing adverse impacts on the environment from their daily activities.
- Monitored and evaluated environmental performance data to identify areas of non-compliance with applicable regulations.
- Conducted periodic audits to evaluate the effectiveness of existing environmental management systems.
- Implemented corrective actions when needed in order to bring facilities back into compliance.
- Analyzed data collected from monitoring equipment used for measuring pollutant levels in wastewater discharges.
- Reviewed proposed projects for potential impacts on the environment prior to approval by senior management.
- Coordinated with local, state and federal agencies for permitting activities related to new construction or modifications at existing sites.
- Ensured that all necessary permits were obtained before beginning any work that could have an impact on the environment.
- Identified potential sources of pollution or contamination that could lead to non-compliance with applicable laws.
- Drafted documents such as spill prevention plans, emergency response plans and air emission inventories.
- Collaborated with other departments within the organization to ensure adherence to sustainability initiatives.
- Prepared reports regarding facility emissions in accordance with applicable regulations.
- Built positive working relationships with other department managers through effective communication.
- Completed routine and incident-related documentation.
- Evaluated physical and digital records to determine potential risk and check compliance with guidelines.
- Kept close eye on key performance indicators for environmental compliance and safety and reported on metrics to identify concerns.
- Cross-trained employees, enabling completion of priority tasks during personnel absences.
- Investigated reported and identified compliance issues against accepted standards.
EHS Manager
Safety-Kleen Systems Inc.
Richardson
05.2007 - 01.2012
- Duties and responsibilities similar to Senior Environmental Compliance Manager noted above.
Director of Environmental (US Recycle Centers)
Safety-Kleen Systems, Inc.
Plano
06.2000 - 05.2007
- Duties and responsibilities similar to those of the Director of Environmental Compliance noted above, except at the facility level, with a larger staff spread out across the contiguous USA and Puerto Rico requiring much travel.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Environmental Science
University of Tennessee
Chattanooga, TN12-1984
Ooltewah High School
Ooltewah, TN05-1979
Skills
- Regulatory compliance
- Environmental auditing
- Permitting processes
- Data analysis
- Project management
- Stakeholder engagement
- Cross-functional collaboration
- Written and verbal communications
Affiliations
- I engage in many outdoor activities to include boating, cycling, hiking, gardening, golfing, etc., and volunteer for environmental clean-up projects.
- I am an avid sports, music and art fan as well as a history buff and photographer.
Timeline
Director Environmental Compliance
Clean Harbors, Inc.
11.2020 - 04.2025
Senior Environmental Compliance Manager
Clean Harbors, Inc.
01.2012 - 11.2020
EHS Manager
Safety-Kleen Systems Inc.
05.2007 - 01.2012
Director of Environmental (US Recycle Centers)
Safety-Kleen Systems, Inc.
06.2000 - 05.2007
Bachelor of Science - Environmental Science
University of Tennessee
Ooltewah High School
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