Leadership
Peter T. Barts, P.G.
President, Principal Hydrogeologist
Peter Barts joined HSA Golden as Project Hydrogeologist (and Employee #2), just a few months after its founding in 1989. After having worked at a large, national, environmental consulting firm, young Pete liked the idea of a small, nimble firm that could implement new services and policies on the spot. He also liked being able to assist a client from the beginning to the end of a project, and he found that clients liked that better too.
After 11 years, Pete’s American dream came true: In 2000, he procured ownership of the firm he joined as a young man. Today, Pete and his team of dedicated professionals are determined to bring the best possible environmental services, to each and every client, executed quickly, and at highly competitive prices.
Pete is an alumnus of both the University of South Florida and University of Texas at Austin, and he is a registered Professional Geologist in Florida and Georgia. With an educational background in hydrogeology and a long working history in Florida, Pete is thoroughly familiar with Florida’s complex geological framework and its implications on groundwater and contaminant flow.
Pete’s areas of expertise include:
- Contaminant fate and transport;
- Remediation system design and implementation;
- Property transaction consulting, including Phase I and II ESAs;
- Brownfields;
- Geophysical surveys; and
- Hydrogeology and groundwater modeling.
In addition to the above, Pete is routinely requested to provide peer review, litigation support, and expert witness testimony services regarding a wide variety of solid and hazardous waste impacts.
Pete spent his formative years in New Jersey and the Florida West Coast, but has called Orlando home since 1988. As an avid triathlete and stand up paddleboard racer, he competes throughout Florida and is slowly – but surely – building his collection of hardware. He reminds you of the law to allow at least three feet of room when passing cyclists on the road . . . it can be pretty scary out there!
John P. (Jack) Smith, P.E.
Vice President, Principal Engineer
Jack Smith has over 30 years experience in environmental, infrastructure, and site development projects. Jack earned his bachelor’s degree in engineering from Stevens Institute of Technology, and he has a M.S. in Environmental Engineering from Drexel University. He is a licensed engineer in Florida, Colorado, and South Carolina.
Jack has extensive experience in the design of landfills, including single- and double-membrane liners, cap drainage systems, leachate collection and storage systems, stormwater management, erosion control, and operations plans. He is also an expert in site remediation and redevelopment, construction, stormwater modeling, and permitting services.
After spending many years in the northeast, he moved to the warmer clime of Orlando in 2004, and has since developed strong working relationships with regulatory agencies throughout Central Florida. Jack has worked on public projects for the US EPA, the US Army Corps of Engineers, the US State Department, the Port Authority of NY and NJ, NJ DOT, and municipal governments. Private clients have ranged from major corporations to independent developers.
In addition to a lifelong career as an environmental engineer, Jack is also a sculptor who has produced some pretty cool pieces in stone, wood, and bronze.