Leadership and Mission

Ron brings 30 years of experience in technical services and client focused attention. As the principal of Platte River Consulting Services, he is responsible for ensuring Platte River operates in a highly effective, safe, and efficient manner while delivering exceptional client satisfaction and sustainable growth. Prior to forming Platte River Consulting, Ron served as an operations manager for TRC and AECOM in the Rocky Mountain region.  He is a registered Professional Engineer in multiple states with a BS in Civil Engineering from California State Sacramento and B.S. in Environmental Science from Humboldt State University. Ron’s specialties are Federal and State Solid Waste Regulations (cement, lime and power industry solid waste by-products), Environmental Engineering Design, Remediation, Storm water management, Industrial Landfill design, Energy Star Auditing and agriculture wastewater management. Ron enjoys spending his leisure time outdoors—hiking, fishing and hunting—and quality time with his family in North Carolina and Colorado.

Drew Lehman, Principal and Owner of Environment and Education (E&E) is a field-oriented professional, having visited over 250 operating facilities in 18 states. With expertise in all major environmental regulations (Clean Water Act stormwater and wastewater, Clean Air Act, RCRA) and state equivalents, he helps companies proactively navigate complex environmental issues through strategic planning. Using a find-it fix-it approach, he works with companies to resolve ongoing compliance issues in a timely, cost-effective manner, building effective relationships with regulatory agencies and streamlining permitting processes.  As Director of Environment and Planning with Recology San Francisco’s corporate headquarters, Mr. Lehman managed the corporation’s permitting and compliance function at seventy operating landfills, recycling facilities, and compost operations with over a 90% reduction in non-compliance events. Drew also served as Executive Director of Rockland County (NY) Solid Waste Management Authority, managing a $25 million budget, responsible for Clean Water Act, solid waste, and air compliance.  At USEPA Region 2 (NY, NJ, Puerto Rico), he served as Environmental Impact Statement Project Officer for wastewater facilities’ planning and as Federal Facilities Compliance Manager. Mr. Lehman holds a master’s degree in Environmental Geography from Columbia University.

Vaughn brings 25 years of experience in the production of architectural, surveying and civil engineering drawings.  As the owner and operator of V. Nicholas & Associates, he provides design drafting services to Platte River Consultants for projects in the US and Puerto Rico.  The technical services include engineering design drafting services for solid waste landfills/stockpiles, stormwater detention ponds, drainage improvements, reclamation and cattle feedlot operations. In addition to support for Plate River Consulting, Vaughn also provides drafting and roadway design services for the Government of Belize through its Project Execution Unit and produces Architectural House plans and construction management for other clients. Drawings are completed using AutoCADD software, Road Design and Civil Engineering Drawings with Autodesk Civil 3D. Belize, where his business is located, is a small rapidly developing country with a population of a little over 408,000 people.  Belize is the northernmost country in Central America and is bordered by the Caribbean Sea, with tourism being one of its major industries.

Our Mission

Platte River Consulting understands that our company success is always contingent on our client’s success.  There are no exceptions to this rule. Since 2015, we approach every project and every client the same way:  We take the time to understand our client’s operations and their business drivers before a project or proposal begins.  By investing in our clients, we strive to exceed our clients’ highest expectations. This investment worked in 2015, and it works now. Rooted in simplicity, our mission drives us to deliver exceptional value for our clients on every project whether small or large.  Our vision is to maintain a small, nimble environmental engineering and consulting company by employing a low overhead. 

Our mission, value and vision consist of:  

• Commitment to a proactive, Behavior-based Health and Safety Program
• Investing in our clients to fully understand their business drivers and develop strategic solutions
• Deliver exceptional value on all projects- whether the project is small or large, or whether the first project or repeat business
• Maintaining a lean corporate structure that allows us to deliver cost-effective solutions for our clients