Second Quarter Newsletter - 2023
It’s not just the weather heating up! Blackstone is HOT, ranked #75 on the Zweig Group’s Hot Firm List for 2023.

This list honors the fastest growing firms based on three-years growth in gross revenue, by both percentage and dollars.

Blackstone's success can be attributed to our exceptional and experienced staff. The skills and talents of our staff coupled with an emphasis on client communication set the standard for open, professional, and constructive conversation to achieve the best possible outcomes for our clients. The combined effort of our team to exceed project expectations keeps us continuously striving for success and growth.

Check out the announcement here and see the other Hot Firms!
We're Hiring!
Blackstone is looking for an entry-level Project Engineer in our Overland Park, Kansas office. If you're interested, click on the link below or share with other qualified individuals!

Click here to learn more!
Welcome to Blackstone
Lisa McDaniel
Lisa is joining Blackstone in our Overland Park office as a Senior Project Manager. She has a bachelor's degree from Illinois State University in Biology and a master's degree in Environmental Science from Miami University of Ohio. Lisa has over 27 years of experience assisting communities with their solid waste planning needs. She has also worked with the private industry on a variety of solid waste management planning issues.

When she isn’t at work, Lisa enjoys spending time with her family and visiting National Parks.
Zack McVey
Zack joins Blackstone in our Overland Park office as a Project Engineer. Zack has a bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering and a master’s degree in Environmental Engineering from the University of Kansas.

For the past two years, Zack has been working in the Ecohydraulics Lab group at KU focusing on investigating how urban land use affects sediment connectivity across five watersheds in Johnson County, Kansas and utilizing linear regression to estimate bridge load ratings for bridges without plans across Kansas and establish adjustment factors to account for bridge structure degradation over time.

In his free time, Zack enjoys spending time with his wife and friends, practicing martial arts, powerlifting, playing video games, and playing the bass guitar or violin.
Meet our Interns!
Isabella Kestle
Bella is an engineering intern in our St. Louis office. She is from Rolla, Missouri. Bella is majoring in Chemical Engineering with a minor in Economics at Missouri S&T.

During the school year, Bella works as a research assistant in the S&T Explosives Department.

In her free time, Bella enjoys camping, building Legos, and hanging out with her sorority sisters.
Maren Williams
Maren is an engineering intern in our Overland Park office. She is from North Kansas City, Missouri. Maren is majoring in Civil Engineering and International Relations at the University of Iowa, where she will be a senior this fall. 

Maren says she is passionate and dedicated to her interests in water quality, access, and management along with environmental justice and other related work.

In her free time, Maren is an avid TV show and movie watcher, book reader, and concert goer. She also enjoys dance and creative projects such as crocheting, sewing, and painting.
Andrew King
Andrew is an engineering intern in our Overland Park office. He is from North Liberty, Iowa. Andrew will be a senior this fall at Iowa State University where he is majoring in Environmental Engineering.

Andrew's previous work experience includes CAD design on water runoff and steam tunnels.

In his free time, Andrew enjoys playing disc golf and snowboarding.
Good Times All Around
Nebraska SWANA
Eric Sonsthagen and Kyle Kukuk attended the Nebraska SWANA Spring Conference in mid-April. The conference included tours of the North Omaha Public Power District generation facility and inner workings of the plant, a window tour of the Pheasant Point Landfill, and the Under the Sink facility that recycles household hazardous waste materials, followed by a trip through the NMC Caterpillar dealership and service areas.
 
During technical sessions, Kyle Kukuk and Kyle Burns co-presented on a recent leachate pond cover installation project and cover systems.
Ed Guernsey, PE
10 Years at Blackstone
We were excited to celebrate Ed Guernsey for 10 years of hard work and dedication to Blackstone. The afternoon was enjoyed with a Sip & Snack at the office full of tasty food and beverages.
Visit our calendar for professional events throughout the coming year!
See us at MWCC!
We will be attending the upcoming MWCC Conference July 9-11. Come see us at our booth!

Kyle Kukuk and Kyle Burns will be co-presenting on a recent leachate pond cover installation project and cover systems.
Connect with us!