Michele Pugh | Director | michele.pugh@wichita.edu | (316) 978-6629
Michele joined the Environmental Finance Center as director in November 2016. As director,
she manages and conducts professional development, technical assistance, and project
activities for the center. She has more than 25 years of industry experience in the
environmental field. Prior to joining the Environmental Finance Center, she worked
in a variety of environmental compliance roles for Monsanto, Koch Industries and Flint
Hills Resources. She has managed programs including water, hazardous waste, storage
tank regulations and emerging environmental issues. She has also provided environmental
oversite for small to medium sized manufacturing facilities in various states. Michele
graduated with a Bachelor of Science in chemical engineering from Ohio University
and Master of Science in environmental engineering from Tulane University.
Brian Bohnsack, PhD | Progam Manager | brian.bohnsack@wichita.edu | (316) 978-6421
Brian joined the Environmental Finance Center as a program manager in March 2018.
He has more than 25 years of experience with federal and state fish and wildlife agencies.
He has extensive experience with federal grants and financial assistance programs,
both as a grantor and grant recipient. Brian received his PhD in Wildlife and Fisheries
Sciences from Texas A&M University and completed his Master of Science in Zoology
from Oklahoma State University. He received his Bachelor of Science in Biology from
Fort Hays State University and is a native of Topeka, Kansas.
Tonya Bronleewe | Progam Manager | tonya.bronleewe@wichita.edu | (316) 978-6638
Tonya helps communities and organizations build their capacity so that they can tackle
environmental challenges. Before coming to the EFC in 2015, Tonya served the City
of Wichita as an Air Quality Specialist, and prior to that she was a Natural Resources
Extension Agent and Environmental Education Program Coordinator for K-State Research
and Extension agent in Sedgwick County. Tonya graduated from Tabor College with a
BA in Environmental Biology and International Studies and also completed a Master's
of Science in Environmental Science at Friends University.
Nicholas Willis | Program Manager | nicholas.willis@wichita.edu | (316) 978-6538
Nick is a licensed Professional Engineer in the State of Kansas. Mr. Willis graduated
from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln with a B.S. in Biological Systems Engineering
and from the Norwegian University of Life Sciences with an MSc in Agroecology. He
has experience in National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System regulation with
the Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality, and water conservation and water,
wastewater and stormwater utility management with the City of Hays, KS.
Leslie Kimble | Marketing & Event Coordinator | leslie.kimble@wichita.edu | (316) 978-7460
Leslie started her career in event marketing and professional development training
by interning at Disney Institute, a division of The Disney Company that trains organizations
worldwide based on the business insights and best practices of Walt Disney Parks &
Resorts. She specializes in training topics focused on communication strategies, marketing
management, workforce planning and working with millennials. Leslie has a Master of
Business Administration with emphasis in marketing and Bachelor of Arts in strategic
communication from Wichita State University.
Jerry Blain | Project Associate | gerald.blain@wichita.edu
Jerry has over 37 years of water utility management experience. Prior to coming to
the EFC, Jerry retired from the City of Wichita where he had worked in water utilities
in a number of roles for over 33 years. While serving as the City of Wichita Water
Utilities superintendent of production and pumping, he was responsible for the operation
of the city’s water production facilities, the operation of the city’s water treatment
plant, the high service pump stations and the water and sewer laboratory. He received
his Bachelor’s of Science in Civil Engineering from the University of Nebraska in
1974 and is a licensed professional engineer in the state of Kansas. He belongs to
the American Water Works Association, National Society of Professional Engineers and
the American Society of Civil Engineers.
Sujatha Gaddipatti | Graduate Assistant | sxgaddipatti@shockers.wichita.edu