ECT is proud to welcome Brian Ortman to the Natural Resource service line
ECT is proud to welcome Brian Ortman to the Natural Resource service line. He started at ECT in March 2018 and works directly with ECT Vice President Bobbi Westerby, Natural Resources National Director. Ortman is a Certified Wildlife Biologist, with more than 10 years of experience in wildlife ecology. He has expertise in quantitative ecology and applied statistical modeling, enabling him to address a broad range of ecological questions in wildlife management and to mitigate the impacts on wildlife.
Ortman is a Certified Wildlife Biologist, with more than 10 years of experience in wildlife ecology. He has expertise in quantitative ecology and applied statistical modeling, enabling him to address a broad range of ecological questions in wildlife management and to mitigate the impacts on wildlife. Ortman holds a federal threatened and endangered (T/E) species recovery permit to survey for Indiana, northern long-eared, and gray bats throughout their ranges. He also has experience surveying bats throughout the United States and Mexico.
“Brian brings a versatile background in project development. He understands our client’s best interests and is committed to putting our client’s needs first,” said Westerby.
Ortman has been leading the efforts for major clients on multiple wind energy projects in several states. Specifically, he provided environmental preconstruction due diligence for two large wind power projects in the Midwest capable of producing hundreds of megawatts (MWs) of energy. In addition, Ortman served as the environmental construction compliance lead for wind power projects constructed in Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas,
North Dakota, and Indiana. Together, these projects generate more than a thousand MWs of energy.
“The goal is to build a successful renewable energy program that helps our clients complete their projects,” said Brian Ortman. “We keep our clients in compliance with environmental permits and avoid or minimize impacts to wetlands, cultural areas, and to T/E species and their habitats.”
Westerby concurs, “We have a great team with a strong focus as well as experience working on renewable energy projects. Brian provides the team with great technical expertise and a practical approach to development our clients appreciate.”
Ortman will be based in ECT’s Ohio, office; however, his focus will continue to be the central region, where most of his team resides.
Ortman has a bachelor’s degree in wildlife science and a master’s degree in biology (avian ecology) from Auburn University. He is certified through the Wildlife Society, where he has previously served as board member at-large. Ortman currently serves as the secretary for the Renewable Energy Working Group.
