Aspect recently welcomed four new staff members – three in our Water Resources practice and one in our Infrastructure group – all of whom live outside Washington or Oregon. Here are five questions we asked to get to know them better.
Jared Bean, LHG – Project Hydrogeologist
Where are you from? If you’re not from the Pacific Northwest, what brought you here?
I was born in Morgantown, West Virginia, and grew up in Waukee, Iowa. After meeting my wife in Missoula, Montana, during grad school, we moved to Washington State in late 2012 where I started at Aspect Consulting and my wife began her teaching career. I enjoyed working from Aspect’s Seattle, Bainbridge, and then Wenatchee offices before moving back to my wife’s home state of Montana in 2018. I’m very excited to rejoin the Aspect team.
What inspired you to pursue hydrogeology and water resources work? What made you curious about it?
Growing up in Iowa, I was drawn to farming, agriculture, and related soil and water topics. In college, I stumbled into geology and especially enjoyed the field study portions, learning about the physical processes forming our landscapes, water resources, and mineral resources. I like applying my background in hydrogeology and water rights toward addressing current and future water resource development and management issues.
What do you like best about your area of expertise? What excites you and keeps you motivated?
I enjoy collaborating with clients and teammates and solving problems.
What do you like to do when you aren’t working?
Spending time with family and friends and living it up in northwest Montana. I am trying to trim my list of hobbies and get less bad at a few things.
Where would your dream house be located?
Eureka, Montana.
Bryan Gartland – Senior Scientist
Where are you from? If you’re not from the Pacific Northwest, what brought you here?
I grew up along the Colorado Front Range, southwest of Denver. At this point I have lived in western Montana longer than anywhere else, which you could say is at the northern Rockies-PNW crossroads. I moved to Bozeman to go to college and eventually made my way up to Helena.
What inspired you to pursue water resource management? What made you curious about it?
I have been a map geek since a young age so originally pursued a degree in GIS but transitioned to more of a general Earth Science focus by the time I graduated. Out of college, I started work as a hydro technician, which eventually led to the water rights administration I specialize in now.
What do you like best about your area of expertise? What excites you and keeps you motivated?
Creative and sustainable use of water resources and water rights have been an important part of the western US culture and life since humans first set foot here and will only increase in importance as our population expands. I enjoy learning about the science and history of water use in this part of the world and working with the wide range of water users who rely on the resource.
What do you like to do when you aren’t working?
Running, floating rivers, backpacking, skiing, sailing once in a while, exploring new backroads and trails, and reading books – not too different from a lot of folks around here!
Where in the world would you like to travel next?
Ireland – am going there in May. It’s been almost 30 years since I was last there.
Annaliese Miller, LG – Senior Geologist
Where are you from? If you’re not from the Pacific Northwest, what brought you here?
I grew up in Seattle and have been based in Helena, Montana for the past 8 years, with a few stops in between. I love being able to wander cross-country through the (relatively) open Montana hillsides, but also appreciate the lush greenery and giant trees of the Pacific Northwest whenever I am back in Washington.
What inspired you to pursue geology? What made you curious about it?
Geologist was a household term growing up thanks to a close family friend who was a “famous” geologist (in certain circles…). I’ve always liked spending time outside so studying geology was a no-brainer. After grad school, I just got lucky stumbling into the right career path (consulting)!
What do you like best about your area of expertise? What excites you and keeps you motivated?
Every day as a geologist/consultant brings variety, constant learning, and new challenges. “Dirt” and water are amazingly powerful and full of surprises, and it is fun figuring out how to work with these elements to accommodate human needs.
I also enjoy promoting the responsible extraction of minerals in accord with communities and the environment. Many people are not aware of how many resources we use in our daily lives and fewer still understand or acknowledge where they come from. The extent of multidisciplinary expertise, politics, luck, creativity, and perseverance required to successfully permit, operate, and reclaim a mine is truly remarkable and it is fascinating to be a part of that process.
What do you like to do when you aren’t working?
I stay busy with a variety of outdoor activities including hiking, climbing, trail running, backcountry/cross-country skiing, dirt biking, woodcutting, hunting, wilderness adventuring, and competitive shooting sports. When in town, I like to cook, read, weightlift, and watch documentaries and 80s movies with my husband.
Where would your dream house be located?
In a lush and cozy meadow surrounded by acres of forest with aspens and larches, mountain views, elk and bears, and singing birds.
Meghan O’Brien – Senior Scientist
Where are you from? If you’re not from the Pacific Northwest, what brought you here?
I grew up in Lakeview, Oregon, and have been gradually making my way north over the years. I now live in Anchorage, Alaska.
What inspired you to pursue Water Management and Permitting? What made you curious about it?
Growing up, Klamath Falls was the nearest “city”, so the Klamath water wars of the early-aughts really dominated local media. This gave me an awareness of the importance of water management and how contentious things can get. I also found the balancing act of trying to meet various users’ needs and the overlapping legal issues (i.e., treaty obligations, state water rights, federal water rights) interesting. However, I didn’t really consider a career in water management until I met Dan Haller at a college job fair. After that, I decided to pursue a job with the Washington State Department of Ecology’s Office of the Columbia River program and found water rights work really interesting and a good fit for my skill set.
What do you like best about your area of expertise? What excites you and keeps you motivated?
I like working with people to help them understand their water rights and water needs. I also like the problem-solving aspect that a lot of water rights work entails. I feel like I’m always learning something new or figuring out how to apply the permitting rules to new and interesting projects.
What do you like to do when you aren’t working?
When I’m not at work, I like to hike, ski, cook, read, and spend time with my family and friends.
Where would your dream house be located?
I’d love a cabin or yurt on Kachemak Bay, Alaska. It’s an extremely beautiful and peaceful place. About once a year we rent a dry cabin there, and spend the week paddling, hiking, berry picking, tide pooling, and watching otters and dolphins.