Get Erosion and Sediment Control to Work for You: Saving Time and Money While Protecting the Environment

Mr. Stefano Rignanese is a civil engineer and has a Master of Science in Civil Engineering from Alma Mater Studiorum, University of Bologna, Italy. He joined Maccaferri in 2012 as Junior Engineer in the Head Quarter in Italy, where he has achieved complete expertise in Maccaferri solutions involving several engineering sectors: from geotechnical to hydraulic and from civil to structural engineering. Mr. Rignanese was promoted to Technical Manager of Maccaferri de Mexico S.A. de C.V. where he spent 4 years and oversaw all the technical and commercial proposals. He is currently North America Technical Marketing Manager since January 2018. Additionally, in 2020 and 2021, he won back-to-back the Four Under 40 Young Professional Awards, the IECA award that recognizes Four Outstanding Professionals Under 40* in stormwater and erosion and/or sediment control projects, programs, or IECA support that demonstrates excellence in natural resource conservation and environmental protection.

After graduation from North Carolina State Universities Biological and Agricultural Department in 1990, Donald began a 30-year career with the North Carolina Department of Transportation’s Roadside Environmental Unit that ended with his retirement in May of 2021.  Donald started a second career with Summit Design and Engineering Services in late June 2021.  Donald’s responsibilities with NCDOT’s Roadside Environmental Unit included oversite of numerous infrastructure projects within the Piedmont area of the State to ensure environmental compliance with the North Carolina Sedimentation and Pollution Control Act, State and Federal Water Quality requirements, and NPDES permit expectations.  Donald obtained his Certification as an Engineering Intern in 1999, his Certified Professional in Erosion and Sediment Control Certification (CPESC) in 2004, and his Certified Erosion, Sediment and Stormwater Inspector Certification (CESSWI) in 2023.   He has his Remote Pilot Certificate for operating Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (Drones) and utilizes that skill to assist in a variety of operations on Highway Construction Sites within North Carolina.

His new career with Summit Design and Engineering, allows him to perform similar functions to those he did with NCDOT, but over a smaller territory.  Donald also teaches the Level 1 and 2 Erosion and Sediment/Stormwater Control Certification Classes, through NC State University’s Crop and Soil Science Department, for individuals planning to work on NCDOT projects.  He is currently serving a three year term on the NC Sedimentation Commission’s Technical Advisory Committee which offers support and guidance for the State’s Land Resources group staffed under the NC Department of Environmental Quality.  Recently he was assigned a position on the IECA Educational Track Erosion and Sediment Control Subcommittee.  He is a native of Raleigh, NC and currently resides in Fuquay Varina with his wife Robin.  They are proud parents of two children Megan (28) and Riley (25).

Hal Lunsford is a 42-year career environmentalist who earned his bachelor’s degree in Earth and Atmospheric Sciences and master’s degree work in Public Administration from the University of West Florida.

He is an active member of the International Erosion Control Association (IECA) and the Southeastern Chapter of the IECA. He is actively serving his second term as the Florida IECA Member’s Representative in the Southeastern Chapter of IECA. Currently, Hal is Chairperson of the Erosion and Sediment Control Education Track Committee in the IECA. He is also an active member in the U.S. Green Building Council, researching sustainability and climatic change effects on future construction.

In 1984, he was an Environmental Specialist with the State of Florida Department Environmental Protection, and worked in air pollution, solid waste management, ground water UTS Program, State wetland delineation, and storm water pollution.  Hal later employed with Escambia County as a Land Use Planner, Environmental Code Enforcement Officer, and Senior Disaster Planner. During his time as Senior Disaster Planner, he updated the disaster plan which utilized the Emergency Support Function (ESF) concept deployed by FEMA. His plan was successfully tested by two of the top hurricanes to hit Escambia County which led to his achievement of the Governor’s Award for the Outstanding Disaster Planning in Florida. Hal served as Chairperson of the City of Milton’s Planning Board for over 16 years, to bring about the development of the City’s Comprehensive Land Use Plan and Land Use Regulations.

In 1999, he employed in the private sector for ten years as the Senior Environmental Manager for one of the largest privately owned road paving companies in Florida.  He returned to the State of Florida to work as the Statewide Training Coordinator for Florida’s Stormwater Erosion and Sedimentation Control Inspector’s educational qualification program. During this period, he updated and rewrote the State’s training manual along with all training materials plus automated testing materials to facilitate an online Statewide training program. He managed this educational program until he retired from the State of Florida at the end of 2018.

Currently, he owns and manages Lunsford Environmental LLC which is an environmental, stormwater erosion and sediment control education training and consulting company. Hal has taught thousands throughout the State of Florida in the erosion and sediment control classes since 2000. Hal has over 21 years of private and public sector experience in construction site erosion and sediment control inspections. Hal is considered one of the top leading experts in the erosion and sediment control industry.