Mike Lamar, PE

“I enjoy all of the challenges I encounter on projects,” says Mike Lamar, project manager and environmental engineer. Mike has about two decades of experience in environmental and groundwater remediation. “I have embraced the term, ‘plans are worthless, but planning is everything,’ when dealing with in situ groundwater remediation. Being flexible and adapting to observations is crucial to success.” 

Mike has extensive experience working with private, state, and federal clients to evaluate innovative solutions to contaminant cleanup problems, primarily focusing on in situ groundwater remediation. In addition to designing innovative in situ remedial strategies for contaminated groundwater, his experience involves modeling for groundwater assessment and treatment, work plan development, bench scale studies, in situ groundwater design, construction, and more. 

Unexpectedly, Mike’s proudest projects happen to be those that initially fail. “When we are able to identify the areas where a project has failed, and then create success are my proudest projects,” he says. “One great example of this is when we made critical changes to a project where a pilot groundwater bio recirculation system became fouled and was stopped. We reviewed the data, made changes based on our experience and expertise, and the revised pilot operation exceeded expectations. This has turned into a large, multi-site full scale bio recirculation project for CDM Smith.”

“CDM Smith has always fostered excellence and innovation through collaboration. This environment has really allowed so many people, myself included, to thrive and allow shared successes and great troubleshooting when problems arise, either technical or otherwise.”