CTMRD Program

Staff Biographies

CHRIS BENEDICT, REMEDIATION DISTRICT PROGRAM MANAGER 
Chris joined Washoe County in 2003.  He earned his Bachelor's (Western Washington University) and Master's (Colorado School of Mines) degrees in geology and his Doctoral degree (University of Nevada, Reno) in Hydrology/Hydrogeology.  Chris is registered with the State of Nevada as a Certified Environmental Manager.  Prior to joining Washoe County, Chris’ work experience included extensive work on the environmental fate and transport of hazardous materials and on water resource related issues.

Chris is responsible for planning, coordinating, implementing, and overseeing the technical, administrative, and outreach activities of the Remediation District program. Chris works closely with CTMRD stakeholders (including the Truckee Meadows Water Authority, Nevada Division of Environmental Protection, Washoe County Health District, City of Reno, and City of Sparks) to prepare and implement actions to prevent, minimize, or mitigate damage to groundwater in the central Truckee Meadows due to PCE releases to the environment.

Chris is the point of contact for any CTMRD program technical, administrative, or policy questions. Please feel free to contact Chris at 775-954-4642 or by e-mail.


JON BENEDICT, SENIOR HYDROGEOLOGIST 
Jon joined Washoe County in 2004. He earned his Bachelor's (Dartmouth College) and Master's (University of Wyoming) degrees in geology and is registered with the State of Nevada as a Certified Environmental Manager.  Jon’s prior work experience includes extensive work related to Nevada geology.

Jon provides direct oversight to and is responsible for the coordination and implementation of the CTMRD program’s Groundwater Monitoring Plan (GMP).  He also supports other CTMRD program characterization, evaluation, and mitigation activities. His duties include administrative management of the GMP and technical support for ongoing groundwater monitoring activities including quarterly and annual reporting. His duties also include contributing to the ongoing development of the hydrogeological conceptual model for the central Truckee Meadows.

Jon can be contacted at 775-954-4637 or by e-mail.

TIM DONAHOE, HYDROGEOLOGIST II
Tim joined Washoe County in 2010. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Hydrogeology from the University of Nevada, Reno and is registered with the State of Nevada as a Certified Environmental Manager and Land Surveyor Intern. Tim’s professional work experience includes remediation and mitigation activities at sites with contaminated soil and groundwater. His professional experience also includes water rights and the management, protection, and sustainable development of groundwater resources.

Tim oversees the field activities associated with the CTMRD program’s Groundwater Monitoring Plan (GMP) and maintains the CTMRD program laboratory. His duties include the planning and logistics for ongoing monitoring, providing quality assurance and quality control oversight for all GMP field and laboratory activities, evaluation of GMP data, and providing support to other CTMRD program activities.

Tim can be reached at 775-954-4635 or by e-mail.


KELLY MULLIN, WATER MANAGEMENT PLANNER
Kelly joined Washoe County in 2004 and DWR in 2009. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Communications from the University of California, Santa Barbara, and is currently pursuing her Master's degree in Public Administration from the University of Nevada, Reno. She came to DWR from the County's Community Development Department, where she began in code enforcement support before transitioning to the role of land use planner. Prior to joining Washoe County, Kelly spent a number of years as a webmaster in Santa Barbara, CA.

Although Kelly’s current primary focus entails updating the existing Remediation Management Plan, she is also actively involved in other policy-related and community outreach assignments.

Please feel free to contact Kelly at 775-954-4687 or by e-mail. 


BRENT THOMAS, TECHNOLOGY SYSTEMS DEVELOPER II
Brent joined the Washoe County Department of Water Resources in 1995 after graduating from the University of Nevada, Reno in 1994 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Geography. 

Brent’s responsibilities include managing the CTMRD program’s Geographic Information Systems (GIS) databases, implementation of CTMRD program annual billing project and supporting program staff with GIS analysis and display. Prior to joining the CTMRD program, Brent’s responsibilities for the Department of Water Resources included the development and maintenance of the GIS databases and departmental support for GIS analysis and display of County and department GIS data.

Brent can be contacted at 775-954-4633 or by e-mail.


RANDY VAN HOOZER, SENIOR HYDROGEOLOGIST
Randy has been with Washoe County since 1991 and part of the CTMRD team since 2009. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Geology from the University of Iowa and a Master’s degree in Hydrogeology from the University of Nevada, Reno.

Randy provides support for the CTMRD program’s Groundwater Monitoring Plan (GMP) and conducts field investigations at municipal water supply wells within the CTMRD.  His duties include the compilation and initial review of field and contract laboratory data, verification that GMP data meet program data quality objectives, evaluation of GMP data, the design and construction of monitor wells, ongoing groundwater monitoring, aquifer testing, and contributes to the development of the hydrogeological conceptual model for the central Truckee Meadows.

Randy can be reached at 775-954-4641 or by e-mail.