In support of our increasingly in-demand Energy Market Team, Environmental Science Associates (ESA) has recently made several key hires, increasing our ability to provide clients with the specialized range of expertise energy projects require. From solar, wind, and other emerging renewable energy sources, to battery storage, and transmission and distribution projects, we are at the forefront of the clean energy transition.
New Senior Leadership
Liesbeth Magna
With more than 20 years of client delivery, operations, and business development experience in the energy and renewables industry, Liesbeth Magna has taken on the role of Renewable Energy Client Development Director. From early-stage constraints analyses, environmental surveys, and permitting, her work has focused on advancing complex siting and permitting projects through construction and post-construction compliance and securing habitat mitigation lands. Liesbeth is well-versed in building and managing small and large multidisciplinary teams, leveraging her communication skills and fostering relationships to help clients achieve their renewable energy goals.
Valisa Nez
Liesbeth works closely with group leaders across ESA, including Valisa Nez, who has joined ESA as the Northern California Energy Business Group Director. Valisa has worked in the energy industry for more than 20 years, leading a team of project managers and planners who assist clients in navigating the evolving regulatory and permitting challenges related to energy infrastructure development. As Energy Business Group Director, Valisa is involved in all phases of a project, from technical studies and permitting to environmental review and approvals.
Vanessa Rodgers
Vanessa Rogers guides business development and explores emerging opportunities as Regional Business Development Leader for the Northwest region. She is skilled in strategic planning, program management, environmental policy and law, and sustainability practices. Vanessa has more than 15 years of experience helping clients ensure NEPA, federal Endangered Species Act, and National Historic Preservation Act compliance, and securing environmental permits for numerous energy, mining, oil and gas, transportation, and infrastructure.
Cross-Team Collaboration
Like many projects at ESA, energy initiatives often require a multidisciplinary approach. In particular, many members of the Cultural Resources team possess critical experience in the development of utility-scale renewable energy projects, providing seamless collaboration in-house as a benefit to clients.
ESA’s Southern California Region recently added Daniel Woodward and Evan Tudor-Elliott as Cultural Resources Director and Senior Archaeologist, respectively.
Daniel Woodard
Daniel is a registered archaeologist, Secretary of the Interior qualified archaeologist, and historian who has managed large contracts for utility companies and municipal entities for more than 25 years. These large and complex projects include the Barren Ridge Renewable Transmission Project for the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power and the Pipeline Safety Enhancement Plan for the Southern California Gas Company.
Evan Tudor-Elliot
Evan is a Secretary of the Interior qualified archaeologist who has worked as a principal investigator for projects across California, Oregon, Washington, and Idaho for nearly 20 years. He is experienced in Native American consultation and environmental compliance, serving as a consultant on the Desert Renewable Energy Conservation Plan. He also worked on a California Public Utilities Commission large transmission line project involving more than 1,000 cultural resources and required coordination with 18 federally and state-recognized Native American tribes.
Shannon Fiala
Prior to joining ESA in July 2024, Shannon Fiala served as Senior Coastal Planner for the California Coastal Commission in Southern California. This experience has made her an expert in preparing and navigating coastal development permits—a requirement for offshore wind and other coastal development projects that touch the Pacific Coast.
As the energy market continues to surge to meet the demand for generation, transmission, and storage, our environmental consulting team is here to support. Please reach out to Sharon Niemczyk, Energy Market Leader, for more information.
