GRAND RAPIDS, MI, FEBRUARY 3, 2023 - BLDI Founder, Joseph Berlin, announced today that Leslie DeBoer, who has been with BLDI since 2010, was appointed to President effective November 1, 2022. Berlin, who has served in that role since the company’s inception in 1991, will now serve in the role as a senior technical advisor, working on technical projects and mentoring staff.
As company President, DeBoer, who previously served as BLDI’s Vice President, will be responsible for overseeing BLDI’s professional services, finances, sales, and marketing. Leslie holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Environmental Biology and a Master of Science degree in Environmental Science from Taylor University. Since joining BLDI, Leslie rose quickly to the position of Project Manager and then Senior Project Manager before being promoted to Vice President in 2019. She has managed many projects in environmental due diligence as well as investigations related to leaking underground storage tanks. Based on her education, experience, and training, Leslie meets the criteria for an Environmental Professional (EP) and holds several other certificates.
Berlin said the decision to elevate DeBoer to the next President has been in the works for some time now, praising her as an “incredible leader” with a “deep passion” for the company, the clients, and always doing the next right thing.
“We have been working on this transition for the past three years and I can think of no one else I would want to pass on our 30-plus year legacy of always doing what is in our client’s best interest,” Berlin said. “Leslie is not only at the top of her field technically, but she is an even better person. Our team of professionals has grown and matured to maintain our commitment to continual improvement and commitments to clients to support the next phase of BLDI growth.”
Berlin’s role as a full-time technical advisor will allow him to focus more on passing on technical skills to support BLDI’s growth strategy.
Leslie shares, “These are challenging times for environmental services firms, with the ever-changing state and federal regulations, for the BLDI team and the industry. In an industry that has been predominantly led by male counterparts, I am very proud and excited to be the first female President of BLDI and one of few in our industry. I believe this creates significant opportunities for BLDI and future generations of students interested in this profession, and I am excited about our future. I will work hard to continue to further the legacy and reputation of BLDI that Joe has worked hard to build.”