Employee Spotlight: Aaron Misner – Excited About the Future!
“VEI is the smallest company I’ve had the pleasure to work for and, despite its size, I believe its people are its greatest strength. Knowing that no project is too big or small to have VEI’s involvement and that no problem is too complex to tackle gives me excitement for what’s next! What’s the next problem that needs to be solved? What’s the next emerging contaminant that needs a new and innovative solution? Where’s the next location we’ll find ourselves working around the globe? If you’d asked me 5 years ago if these were the type of questions I would ask myself daily, I’d probably have told you ‘I hope so, but probably not’.”
Aaron completed his Bachelor of Science degree at McMaster University in Environmental Sciences and started his career working in the consulting industry. He then joined VEI back in the “Vertex Environmental” days of June 2020 during the height of the “pandemic that shall not be named”. When he started at VEI Aaron was thrust directly into the Port Lands Flood Protection project in Toronto and quickly moved into managing the on-site treatment of petroleum hydrocarbon (PHC) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) contaminated soils in the Soil Management Area for VEI. It was a steep learning curve for him.
“Ex-situ bioremediation on the shores of Toronto was not on my VEI bingo card but, looking back now, I’m not surprised that VEI did not shy away from this challenge. It provided amazing experience and made me realize early on that VEI is fearless. We don’t shy away or look to follow the status quo when faced with challenging projects. We embrace the challenge and relish the opportunity.”
During the off months of ex-situ bioremediation and everyone’s favourite time of year, winter, Aaron transitioned into completing a variety of projects spanning almost all VEI’s services. From completing ISCO (in-situ chemical oxidation) and Trap & Treat® injection projects in remote areas of Ontario and Quebec, installing soil vapour intrusion mitigation barriers and sub-slab depressurization systems across the GTA, and assisting in water treatment system design and installation projects for construction sites and long-term systems, he has been directly involved in a wide variety of the services VEI offers.
“I always wanted to be a part of a group that looked for ways to solve problems outside of the norm and VEI is exactly that. Utilizing an open mindset, being dynamic and developing industry leading technology means that as a project or contaminant changes, a solution can always be found.”
Since the completion of the Port Lands site where approximately 60,000 cubic meters of soil were treated, Aaron transitioned into the Dewatering & Water Treatment Division, initially as a Project Coordinator, and then as a Project Manager. His primary areas of involvement and expertise now include soil vapour mitigation systems and traditional multi-phase and dual-phase extraction systems.
“I’ve been extremely lucky to be find myself working on an array of sites across Canada. I routinely find myself involved with the development and operation of treatment technologies for a variety of unique and emerging contaminants. From the treatment of contaminated brownfield sites using traditional multi-phased extraction systems to the design and installation of soil vapour intrusion barriers on new construction sites.”
“I have called VEI home since 2020 and have enjoyed my time here, gained some great friends and have grown to really appreciate who VEI is. If you ask me today where in the world and what kind of projects I’ll be working on in 5 year’s time at VEI, who knows. But one thing’s for sure: it will be exciting!”
You can contact Aaron at aaronm@vei.ca