Our People


IERS Staff

Michael Hogan, MS


Michael Hogan is a soil scientist with more than 20 years of experience with erosion control, restoration, and applied research. Mr. Hogan founded Integrated Environmental Restoration Services (IERS) in 1995 and has been instrumental in developing and implementing a range of practices in the Lake Tahoe Basin that have improved performance of erosion control and restoration projects. These practices include use of advanced soil physical and biological treatment, development and use of statistically defensible monitoring protocols, and development and use of an applied adaptive management system that is being adopted and used widely throughout the Tahoe region. Mr. Hogan and IERS are engaged in active research partnerships to develop and demonstrate the most effective restoration-based technology for drastically disturbed sites in the Sierra Nevada. Mr. Hogan incorporates proactive partnerships designed to find comprehensive win-win solutions to erosion and related environmental issues. Mr. Hogan is also involved in the Pathway 2007 process as a member of the Soils SEZ Technical Working Group, was an alternate National Conservation seat, and is a member of the advisory group to the Tahoe Science Consortium for soil restoration and research.

Gerald Dion, MS


Gerald Dion is an applied ecologist with 12 years of experience in solving environmental problems and is currently a principal of Integrated Environmental Restoration Services. His experience ranges from the large-scale regional programmatic planning of ecological restoration projects to the design of specific riparian areas. Mr. Dion has worked in both the private and public sectors, and understands the needs and requirements of both arenas. Mr. Dion applies his strong project management skills to lead complex projects towards sustainable and, when need be, out-of-the-box solutions. By approaching environmental issues from both a scientific and a design method, Mr. Dion is able to collaborate with both designers and specialists to developed high-quality solutions.

Kevin Drake, MURP


Kevin Drake is an interdisciplinary planner and project manager with six years of experience in environmental and land use planning, watershed assessment, and ecological restoration. He has worked in both the public and private sectors on projects ranging from TMDL pollutant load reduction planning to restoration project design and oversight. Mr. Drake works closely with clients and project partners to solve erosion control problems, design and oversee watershed restoration projects, and develop user-friendly handbooks and field manuals. To support these activities, Mr. Drake also prepares Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plans (SWPPPs), environmental documents, permits, and is actively involved in stakeholder facilitation and training.

Rachel Arst McCullough, MS


Rachel Arst is an environmental engineer with expertise in groundwater remediation, erosion control, and soil and plant monitoring. Over the past several years, Ms. McCullough has managed, collected data, and written reports on nearly all of IERS' monitoring and research projects. Ms. McCullough has extensive knowledge of local plant ecology and soil types. She has worked with a variety of agencies and organizations in both the public and private sectors on interdisciplinary research and restoration projects.

Sue Malavolta


Sue Malavolta is a biologist with experience in stormwater pollution prevention planning, training and environmental monitoring. Ms. Malavolta draws on more than 10 years of experience in the ski industry to lead IERS' Inspection Team and manage stormwater pollution prevention and erosion control activities for large-scale ski resort development projects. Ms. Malavolta has overseen implementation of Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plans (SWPPPs), best management practices (BMPs) and revegetation treatments, developed and conducted trainings, and coordinated closely with agency personnel. She also has expertise in upland restoration techniques, public relations, and threatened and endangered species research and monitoring.

Don Triplat


Don Triplat is IERS' Restoration Manager and has extensive experience in forest health research, land management, and ecological restoration. Prior to joining IERS, Mr. Triplat spent nine years leading forest health research projects for the U.S. Forest Service's Pacific Southwest Research Station. His collaborative, solution-oriented management style focuses on the strengths of each group member and achieving success for all parties.

Debbie Kelly-Hogan


Debbie Kelly-Hogan is the business manager of Integrated Environmental Restoration Services, Inc. She earned her BS degree from Chico State University and has over 25 years of service in the ski industry as the Sales Director at Squaw Valley USA and as the Human Resources Director Northstar-at-Tahoe for 13 years.