2020 Service Award Winners Announced

Congratulations to this years winners of the Dr. Peter. B. Lederman Environmental Division Service Award, Mary Ellen Terns, JD, and Dr. Larry Erickson,

Larry Erickson was the first Director of the Center for Hazardous Substance Research (CHSR), and Professor of Chemical Engineering at Kansas State University.  Under his direction, the Center has provided long- and short-term environmental research related to key hazardous substance problems. These include soil and ground water remediation, waste minimization and pollution prevention associated with agriculture, forestry, mining and mineral processing with emphasis is on contaminated soil remediation. Significant advances in techniques for the remediation of contaminated soil developed through Erickson's research have resulted in cost savings at many field sites, including some in Kansas. He is the coauthor of the new book Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Improving Air Quality: Two Interrelated Global Challenges. Larry E. Erickson is the current treasurer for the Environmental Division at AIChE, and he is a past recipient of the Lawrence K. Cecil award.

Mary Ellen Ternes is an AIChE Fellow, Life Member, and long a leader, speaker and publisher within AIChE. Mary Ellen initially served the Environmental Division, leading the Legislative and Regulatory Section, then the Climate Change Section, while for many years contributing a summary of regulatory and policy developments each quarter to the Environmental Division Newsletter. She formed Chemical Engineering & The Law, as well as helped found the Public Affairs and Information Committee where she led the Climate Change Task Force. She also served as Vice Chair of the Nanoscale Science and Engineering Forum, served for many years on the Carbon Management Technology Conference planning committee, and cochaired the 2010 Spring Meeting. Mary Ellen has contributed numerous publications as author or co-author, including books, articles, conference compilations and newsletters on topics covering: Environmental Legislative and Regulatory Developments; Disaster Preparedness and Response; Air Pollution Control Technology; the Clean Air Act; Litigation Awareness; Trends in Corporate Sustainability; Climate Change and Greenhouse Gas Reporting; Carbon Capture and Sequestration; Environmental Remediation and Site Development; Environmental Waste Plastic and the Circular Economy. 



Mary Ellen is a law partner with D.C. based Earth & Water Law, LLC, in its Oklahoma City office. Mary Ellen's expertise includes advising clients on matters of environmental permitting, compliance strategies, enforcement defense, environmental assessments, transactions and due diligence, voluntary clean-up practices, environmental impact statements, environmental disclosures and federal and state administrative proceedings and litigation. Her chemical engineering experience includes hazardous waste management, contaminated site remediation and combustion processes and permitting. Her combined careers in engineering and law have allowed Ternes to significantly contribute to civic and professional organizations through various leadership positions and served as a basis for her extensive publications. In addition to AIChE, Mary Ellen has also served as a leader within the American Bar Association and the American College of Environmental Lawyers, for which she currently serves as President.