Our Staff

Brian L. Wingard
Senior Geologist / President
Mr. Wingard has over 20 years’ experience managing and overseeing soil and groundwater remediation projects for residential and commercial/industrial sites. He specializes in both mechanical and biological remedial applications for hydrocarbon, chlorinated solvent and metal cleanup sites.
Mr. Wingard became the principal owner of The ECA Group in January 2022.
Christopher Houlihan, PG
Project Geologist
California Professional Geologist #9686
Mr. Houlihan has over 20 years’ experience overseeing residential and commercial/industrial cleanup projects. He serves as the company’s Quality Control and Team Leader.


Mark Tennyson, GIT
Staff Geologist
Mr. Tennyson specializes in field applications and remedial system operations. He also specializes in land surveying and GIS system applications.
John Calomiris
Operations Manager / Associate
Mr. Calomiris has over 30 years’ experience in site investigations and environmental risk assessments for a variety of specialized projects.


Britny thigpen
Office Manager
Mrs. Thigpen keeps our office running smoothly and efficiently, overseeing day-to-day operations, bookkeeping, and internal systems administration.
Aaron O’Brien, PE
Project Engineer
Aaron O’Brien is a licensed engineer specializing in biological whey-based remediation for over 25 years. He has designed and implemented numerous in-situ remediation sites in California with an emphasis on the treatment of chlorinated solvent and metals in soil and groundwater. Mr. O’Brien has worked with The ECA Group since 2003 as a co-designer for several remediation related projects.


Belinda Blackie, PE
Project Engineer
Project Engineer #C56448
Ms. Blackie has over 25 years of experience conducting Phase I Environmental Site Assessments, Phase II Subsurface Investigations, HUD and Title 5 school site hazard evaluations, and other related investigations for a variety of residential, commercial and industrial properties.
Richard Ely, PG
Senior Geologist
California Professional Geologist #4137
Mr. Ely has over 35 years of experience in the environmental arena for residential and commercial /industrial sites, specializing in site investigation assessments and remedial action applications. Mr. Ely has also conducted numerous fault studies for government agencies.


Stephen Knuttel, PG
Senior Geologist
California Professional Geologist #7674
Mr. Knuttel has over 30 years of experience in the environmental arena, specializing in site investigations and assessments for chlorinated solvents, petroleum hydrocarbons and metals.