Employee Spotlight – Cesar Ruvalcaba Celebrates 27 Years with Alta!

As Cesar Ruvalcaba (Project Manager – Building Sciences Team) celebrates his 27th anniversary with Alta Environmental, we decided to sit down with him to gain some insight into his impressive and illustrious career in the environmental consulting industry.

​How and when did you first get involved in environmental consulting?

​I was working in an asbestos analytical laboratory in the early 1990’s. I was handling sample receiving, analysis and reporting.  I had learned all about the analytical services and wanted to learn something new. The company I was working for trained me and shortly thereafter I was in the field of consultancy. At that time, I did not want to be a full-time consultant, I just wanted to experience and see different things and expand my knowledge of the industry. At first, I hated the work; the off hours, the unstable schedule, then I learned to love it.

It is rewarding to help our client successfully mitigate a hazard. Why? Because I personally have played an important role in creating a safe environment and reducing a client’s liability.

What have been some advantages to working at a growing firm like Alta Environmental?

The diversity of projects and people exposing me to different opportunities. Alta is very flexible with my schedule and I love the team environment, opportunity for cross-training, and exposure to new clients and new things. Alta is a great place to work with great people and great clients.

What are some significant changes that you’ve seen this industry undergo?

Access to online information has created public awareness and has also made consultancy more accessible to our clients. This business is drive by the economy first because if there are no funds, there are no projects, secondly by regulation and enforcement. The economy right now is strong as is regulation and enforcement.

One of the key new things I’m seeing and we are working on is the new emerging regulation requirements for PCB in construction building materials and waste disposal compliance.

What is the most challenging work you and your team does or has done? What makes/made it challenging and how did you overcome those challenges?

This summer we undertook a project helping a local school district to complete a renovation project with impacts to PCB’s in construction building materials. What made it really challenging was the shortage of industry knowledge, contractors and qualified local vendors. We provided a lot of guidance by creating a connection between laboratories, contractors, waste haulers and disposal facilities. We overcame our challenges by building a network with vendors, consultants and industry regulators. We consulted industry leaders and regulators. The work was completed successfully.

What advice can you offer to the next generation of environmental consultants?

Be fair, honest, responsible and deliver your promise. Set a goal to overdeliver your promises. If your client asks for a product on a Friday, deliver on Wednesday. Consult with a practical view of the regulations. Be a consultant who can offer diverse services.

“Cesar got his start in the industry as a laboratory technician twenty-seven years ago. He's developed his career as an integral part of the Building Science group. He's committed and dedicated to client service. Cesar still has strong bonds with clients he worked with as a technician 15-20 years ago.”- David Schack, Vice President of Building Sciences

“Cesar’s approach to his clients and his work is always about going above and beyond expectations and it’s apparent in his advice to the next generation. He lives by these standards and embodies our values at Alta.”  - Lisa Kay, President
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Thank you to Cesar for 27 years of excellence, dedication and commitment. ​