Who We Are
MRW
Environmental
firm was established in 2006 with expertise in a wide range of disciplines. We offer our clients the highest quality representation available when dealing with local, state, and federal regulatory agencies regarding environmental compliance. MRW has developed a reputation for performing the highest quality work in a timely manner and at a competitive rate.
Meet
Our Team
At MRW Environmental, LLC, our team brings a diverse portfolio of expertise in our field. This enables us to provide our clients with excellent service. We offer our clients the highest quality representation available when dealing with local, state, and federal regulatory agencies regarding environmental compliance. MRW has developed a reputation for performing the highest quality work in a timely manner and at a competitive rate.
Kenneth Morgan (M.S.)
Kenneth Morgan, Managing Member of MRW Environmental, was a research biologist for Tennessee Technological University’s Center for the Management, Utilization, and Protection of Water Resource for 20 years, specializing in wetlands and wetland biology. Ken has extensive expertise and insight into wetland ecology, diversity, and function. Few in the field of wetland science have more practical experience regarding wetlands. Ken has been the key element in many permitting successes, both state and federal.
Ken has extensive experience with wetland delineation, mitigation, and along with Dr. Thomas Roberts, aided in the development of multiple Hydrogeomorphic guidebooks as well as the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation’s Tennessee Rapid Assessment Method for Wetlands. In addition, Ken teaches courses held by MRW Environmental regarding wetland function and assessment, ecology, and delineation.
James Ward
Prior to joining MRW Environmental, James Ward spent 25 years in commercial manufacturing, real estate development and lending, mining, transportation, and the establishment of a workman’s compensation insurance company. He was Founder, President/CEO of Tennessee Land and Capital Inc. 1986-2007 dealing primarily in investments, manufacturing, land development, and lending. During the same period, he was a founding member, director, and chairman of the Tennessee Forestry Association Workman’s Compensation Group, a self-insured trust for primary and secondary wood manufacturers in Tennessee.
In addition to his business experience, he has been a board member of the Tennessee Forestry Association, Tennessee Feed and Grain Association, and currently serves on the TRI-County Rail Authority.
Matthew Granstaff
Upon graduating from Tennessee Technological University in 2007, Matthew Granstaff worked for the Center for the Management, Utilization, and Protection of Water Resource until 2010 where he was involved in multiple large-scale wetland inventory and delineation projects in Tennessee, Kentucky, and Alabama. From 2010-2016, Matthew worked for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Nashville District’s Planning Branch and Regulatory Offices where he gained valuable knowledge of the Regulatory Program and the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA).
In addition to his NEPA and Regulatory experience, Matthew is a Qualified Hydrologic Professional for the State of Tennessee.
Angela Schmid (M.S.)
Ms. Schmid is the aquatic macroinvertebrate specialist/entomologist and coordinator of all environmental courses for MRW. She received her M.S. under the tutelage of Dr. Brad Cook at Tennessee Technological University with a project regarding colonization of aquatic macroinvertebrates pre- and post-exposure to Antimycin and potassium permanganate in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. She has 8 years experience performing invertebrate taxonomy and holds SFS Certifications in Eastern EPT, North American Chironomidae, and Eastern General Arthropods.
Sarah Hood
Sarah Hood is a lab technician and taxonomist in the macroinvertebrate department at MRW. She graduated from Tennessee Technological University in December of 2021 with her Bachelor’s Degree in Wildlife and Fisheries Science. During her time at Tech, she worked as a Biology Teaching Assistant for early biology and zoology courses, and also gained experience identifying native plant and wildlife species as well as using dichotomous keys.
Abby Poston
Abby Poston is the Senior Lab Technician at MRW. She graduated from Tennessee Technological University in 2022 with a Bachelor of Science in biology with a concentration in zoology. While attending the university, she gained valuable experience as a research assistant, in Dr. Justin Murdock’s lab, sorting emerging insects and assisting with fieldwork. Additionally, she worked as an undergraduate biology lab teaching assistant for 2 years, leading instruction for general biology labs.
Ethan Ward
Ethan Ward has been working for MRW Environmental since May 2024 as a field biologist. He graduated from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville in the Spring of 2024 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences. During his time in Knoxville, he gained experience in fisheries management, working on creel surveys and sturgeon sampling with TVA and TWRA. As an intern with MRW, he was responsible for wetland delineations and assisting with hydrologic determinations.
Our Mission
To provide our clients with unparalleled guidance within the environmental regulatory process, while embracing the concept that progress and the environment can be compatible.
