SALT LAKE CITY, UT  Rick Black joins Stanley Consultants as a Principal Environmental Planner and Terrestrial Ecologist in the company's Salt Lake City, Utah, office. Stanley Consultants, a global consulting engineering firm, provides program management, planning, engineering, environmental, and construction services worldwide.

With years of experience navigating the complex National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) process for state environmental studies, environmental assessments, and environmental impact statements, Black will manage and coordinate the environmental facets of transportation projects, with a focus on Utah Department of Transportation work. He will also support environmental planning throughout the company for private companies, as well as western state's Departments of Transportation.

"I have a real passion for this business," said Black. "It combines my love of "˜kicking the dirt' and supporting the natural resources with the satisfaction I get from personal interactions with clients and agencies. My greatest satisfaction comes from problem solving. Sitting at a table with project proponents and agency personnel and facilitating a mutual understanding for the "˜other side;' a win-win is the result of this mutual respect. Getting through the process seamlessly and quickly leads to cost savings for clients, and a more environmentally compliant project."

Black's experience includes more than 25 years of ecological research and consulting experience. In addition to operating his own consulting firm, Black's previous experience includes working as a planner, environmental division lead, and ecologist for Jacobs Engineering, HDR, and Michael Baker Corporation. He has a diverse background in biology, ecology, policy, management, and technical fields.

"I've known Rick for nearly 15 years and we've worked together on a number of complex environmental studies - environmental assessments, and environmental impact statements," said Vance Hanson, Chief Transportation Engineer for Stanley Consultants. "He is extremely knowledgeable in NEPA policy and ecology, and makes a great addition to our team."

Black has a Bachelor of Science from Brigham Young University in rangeland and wildlife ecology and a Master of Science from Brigham Young University in rangeland and community ecology. He is currently pursuing doctoral studies in rangeland physiological plant ecology.

He is active in multiple professional organizations including the National Association of Environmental Planners, Society for Conservation Biologists, and the Society for Ecological Restoration. He has served as the Secretary of the Applied Ecology Section for the Ecological Society of America and as President of the Rocky Mountain Section, and also served as Chair of the Scientific Program 2010 International Meetings for the Society of Wetland Scientists.