Emergency Response Program Manager
Resume:
DENNIS A. WENE
Brandenburg KY
*********@*****.***
Employment History
Results-oriented Environmental Compliance and Program Management Leader with over 20 years of experience driving regulatory compliance, sustainability initiatives, and operational efficiency across global organizations. Proven track record of developing and implementing governance systems, emergency response frameworks, and reporting structures that reduce costs and improve compliance outcomes. Adept at building cross-functional teams, streamlining processes, and collaborating with regulatory agencies to achieve innovative solutions. Recognized for leading ESG data integration, waste reduction strategies, and impactful environmental programs at scale.
Key Competencies: Environmental Program Management Regulatory Compliance Sustainability Reporting (ESG) Risk Assessment & Mitigation Wastewater & Stormwater Management Cross-Functional Leadership Cost Optimization Data-Driven Decision Making
Amazon – Seattle, WA
Global Governance (Compliance) Program Manager Global Emergency Response Program Manager Global Reporting Manager
2020 – Present
Lead global governance, emergency response, and reporting programs to ensure environmental compliance, mitigate risks, and streamline processes for over 1,650 sites worldwide. Partner with cross-functional teams, including tech, field operations, legal, and site leaders, to implement innovative systems and solutions aligned with regulatory requirements.
Key Achievements:
Governance Systems: Designed and launched a web-based environmental compliance platform, tracking regulatory interactions, root cause investigations, and action plan verification. Improved compliance visibility and accountability across all business segments.
Data-Driven Insights: Created dashboards and metrics to identify compliance gaps and prioritize risk mitigation, resulting in targeted action plans across high-risk regions.
Emergency Response: Developed a global spill and release plan template, implemented in multiple countries, and established a comprehensive spill reporting framework for 50 U.S. states and 20 international locations.
Regulatory Engagement: Led proactive discussions with regulatory agencies, successfully mitigating fines and penalties while strengthening relationships in key markets.
Cost Optimization: Transitioned major reporting systems from spreadsheets to automated solutions, reducing annual reporting costs by 50%.
Reporting Innovation: Integrated U.S. Tier II, annual, and biennial reporting requirements with Latin America and EU standards, enhancing efficiency and consistency across regions.
Policy Leadership: Spearheaded implementation of complex regulations, including the waste pharmacy rule, stormwater MSGP, and California’s SB 1383 organics recycling mandate.
ESG Reporting: Directed environmental data collection and reporting processes for 2023 ESG initiatives, contributing to the company’s sustainability goals.
Team Leadership: Managed a high-performing team responsible for permits, fees, and environmental payments across the U.S., ensuring compliance and operational excellence.
Howmet/Arconic/Alcoa Inc. – Pittsburgh, PA
Corporate Water/Wastewater/Stormwater & Emergency Response Manager
2015 – 2020
Oversaw environmental compliance and emergency response programs across 85 facilities globally, ensuring adherence to regulations and driving sustainability initiatives. Served as the subject matter expert for water, wastewater, waste management, and stormwater programs, providing guidance on regulatory compliance, permitting, and operational best practices.
Key Achievements:
Regulatory Advocacy: Collaborated with the Aluminum Association, U.S. EPA, and European stakeholders to revise aluminum criteria, improving permit flexibility and compliance across operations.
Water Management: Developed water use, discharge, and recycling metrics, integrating them into sustainability reports and facilitating best-practice sharing across facilities.
Program Development: Established a global framework for stormwater management, adopted by 20+ facilities, and led the negotiation of eight major NPDES permits.
Emergency Response: Modernized corporate emergency response programs, conducted site release investigations, and implemented corrective actions in collaboration with regulatory agencies.
Facility Support: Conducted deep-dive audits of 20+ facilities, assisting with compliance, operational troubleshooting, and integration of new acquisitions.
Cost and Compliance Optimization: Designed and implemented wastewater treatment systems to ensure compliance, reduce costs, and improve environmental performance.
ESG Reporting: Created a reporting structure for environmental metrics, including releases, compliance performance, and water/wastewater discharges, aligning with corporate ESG goals.
Additional Contributions:
Supported negotiations with state agencies on permitting and compliance issues.
Established a centralized water management portal to share knowledge and enhance company-wide compliance efforts.
Led the design and deployment of capital projects that improved water and waste management while achieving significant cost savings.
Alcoa Inc. – Newburgh, IN
Environmental Engineering Superintendent (2010 – 2015)
Head of Solid and Hazardous Waste, Water/Wastewater (2008 – 2010)
Head of Water/Wastewater Programs (2004 – 2008)
Wastewater Engineer (2001 – 2004)
Progressed through increasingly senior roles to lead environmental programs at the largest integrated aluminum plant in North America, managing environmental compliance for a power plant, coal mines, smelter, ingot production, and rolling/finishing facilities. Supervised a team of six and directed complex projects to ensure regulatory compliance and operational efficiency.
Key Achievements:
Regulatory Leadership: Appointed to the Indiana Water Pollution Control Board, contributing to state-level water quality policy and standards.
Innovative Projects:
oLed the $500M scrubber installation at the power plant, reusing process wastewater as feedstock, a groundbreaking initiative in environmental engineering.
oDirected a $1.5M wastewater treatment plant upgrade, reducing installation costs by over $5M and achieving long-term cost savings of $400K annually.
Compliance Optimization:
oDeveloped and implemented systems that reduced hazardous waste generation by 67% and non-hazardous waste by 25%.
oNegotiated NPDES and Title V permit modifications with regulatory agencies, avoiding penalties and ensuring seamless compliance.
Sustainability & Waste Reduction: Achieved a 50% reduction in landfilled wastes, including a 75% reduction in hazardous waste, through innovative recycling and waste diversion strategies.
Operational Excellence: Reduced environmental program costs by up to $100K annually through waste minimization and recycling improvements.
Program Development: Created and managed comprehensive environmental plans, including SPCC, SWPPP, and remediation programs, ensuring compliance and continuous improvement.
ISO Certification: Played a key role in securing ISO 14001 certification by establishing and optimizing environmental management systems.
Additional Contributions:
Designed and implemented systems to enhance wastewater treatment efficiency, saving $60–80K annually.
Managed four wastewater treatment facilities, optimizing processes and ensuring consistent compliance with state and federal regulations.
Served on various internal teams, including the Global Community Health Team and Scrubber Deployment Team, driving company-wide environmental initiatives.
Early Career (1997 – 2001)
Gained foundational expertise in environmental and chemical engineering through progressive roles at Boulder Scientific Company and Photocircuits Corporation. Developed and scaled chemical processes, optimized wastewater treatment systems, and ensured compliance with regulatory standards. Demonstrated technical proficiency in process design, system optimization, and environmental compliance, laying the groundwork for a successful career in environmental program management.
Education
University of Colorado – Boulder & Colorado Springs
Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering (Environmental Engineering Option)
Graduation Year: 1997
Recognitions: National Merit Scholar, National Honor Society, President’s List
Organizations & Activities
Active Lifestyle: Participated in several sprint triathlons, distance swimming events, and rock climbing activities.
Community Involvement:
oPresident of the Youth Baseball League
oVolunteered with the Youth Hospital, Leukemia Foundation, Race for the Cure, and Special Needs Youth Baseball League
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