About Us

Sam Gowan has been providing consulting services to industrial, commercial, legal, design professional, municipal, state governmental, and residential clients since 1976.  This is for a range of different types of geologic and hydrogeologic projects that include proposed developments of all kinds; mineral and water resource exploration and development; environmental impact analyses for proposed, active, and historical actions; property and infrastructure damage claims; and the assessment the cause of unstable geologic conditions.  Dr. Gowan assists the clients by developing investigation plans to meet project goals, implementing the investigation plans, interpreting the results, preparing detailed reports of findings, and providing support to the client in negotiations, mediation, regulatory meetings, public hearings, and providing expert testimony as needed.  This range of services is, in part, an outgrowth of Sam’s experience along with his educational background that included a BA in Geology from Colby College in 1976, followed by two years working for a mineral exploration company investigating coal deposits in the U.S. Gulf Coast, earning an MS from Texas A&M in 1981 while developing exploration technology for locating road construction aggregate for the Texas Transportation Institute, and completing a PhD at Texas A&M in 1985 related to coal/lignite geology.

Dr. Gowan worked for Dunn Geoscience in Latham, New York, as a consulting geologist, after completing the PhD.  He subsequently then joined Alpha Geoscience as a co-founder and partner in 1992.  Sam is also a co-founder and Past President of the Hudson Mohawk Professional Geologist Association, Past President of the New York State Council of Professional Geologists, Past National President of the American Institute of Professional Geologists (AIPG), and current co-chair of the Foundation of AIPG.  The following projects provide a range of different work Sam conducted while a consultant at Dunn Geoscience and Alpha.  Sam developed and implemented a water supply exploration plan for locating water supply wells for a proposed resort development on the island of St. Croix.  He interpreted the history of waste disposal and site development of the Love Canal hazardous waste site based on the analysis of historical air photographs, prepared an expert report and testified during several days of deposition and in Federal Court during the NY State punitive damage case.  Sam assessed the hydrogeologic investigation technologies and results on behalf of a cavern design consultant that was the defendant in a $107 million cost overrun accrued during the construction of subsurface butane and propane caverns in sandstone near Sydney, Australia.  An expert report was submitted to an International Tribunal, and the case was settled prior to verbal testimony.  Sam and his team at Alpha investigated the cause of the collapse of the Retsof Salt Mine, which occupied 10 square miles beneath Livingston County, New York.  The investigation involved the review of hydrogeologic, geologic, and engineering data collected throughout the 109-year history of the mine to determine the cause of the collapse that was the subject of a $270 million loss claim.  Expert support was provided on behalf of the mine owner during the successful negotiation of the insurance claim.  Dr. Gowan investigated the cause of the failure of the Hadlock Dam in Fort Ann, New York.  The investigation involved inspecting site conditions after the failure, reviewing the construction reports and data, and reviewing all other observations made by non-technical observers to develop a plausible cause that was presented by Dr. Gowan in a jury trial.  This work was on behalf of the dam rehabilitation contractor’s insurance company who was satisfied by the findings of the jury. 

John M. Nadeau, PG is a Senior Geologist who has been consulting since 2000 focusing in project development, implementation, and oversight. He is registered as a Licensed Professional Geologist in New York, Louisiana, Utah, Missouri, and a Licensed Geologist in Nebraska. Mr. Nadeau has been involved in projects related to solution mining, salt mining, wellbore installations, cavern stability studies, and geologic investigations. His focus has been large scale project management, contractor coordination, contractor bidding, site management, permitting, and coordination with regulatory agencies.

John currently serves as the Executive Director for the Solution Mining Research Institute (SMRI) which is a is an international organization that provides specialized education, technical reference information, and current issue research to those in the solution mining and storage cavern industries. He also serves as the Executive Director of the New York State Council of Professional Geologist (NYSCPG) which is the principal organization of professional geologists responsible for the advancement of the competent and ethical practice of geology in New York State.  Mr. Nadeau is a Certified Professional Geologist with the American Institute of Professional Geologists and holds a BS and a MS in Geology from SUNY Albany.

Michael D. Palleschi, PG, CPG is a Senior Hydrogeologist and has provided consulting services since 1986 focusing on project management, project planning, field program coordination, data analysis, permitting, and reporting.  Mr. Palleschi’s experience includes a large number of hydrogeologic investigations, water supply and spring water evaluations for municipal, industrial and commercial clients.  Investigations were performed to evaluate hydrogeologic conditions and aquifer and water supply potential and included test drilling, well installation and testing, water quality evaluation, and potential impact analysis.  His services are also provided to municipal clients to assist them with the hydrogeologic review of proposed projects within their municipality.  Mr. Palleschi is a licensed Professional Geologist in New York, a Registered Geologist in Pennsylvania, and a Licensed Geologist in New Hampshire.  He is a Certified Well Driller with both national and New York State certifications.  Michael holds a Bachelor of Science in Geology from Hobart College. 

Michael currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Empire State Water Well Drillers Association.  He is an active member in several professional and trade associations that focus on ground water, surface water, and spring water resources.

Scott M. Hulseapple, PG, CPG, is a Senior Hydrogeologist who has been consulting since 1995 focusing in hydrogeologic and environmental investigations. He is registered as a Licensed Professional Geologist in New York and Kentucky. His area of expertise has been hydrogeologic investigations related to environmental remediation, mining, and water supply.  Mr. Hulseapple has been involved in projects involving petroleum and hazardous waste contamination, surface and underground mine hydrogeology, hydrologic and hydraulic modelling, water budgets, and environmental data management. Mr. Hulseapple is a Certified Professional Geologist with the American Institute of Professional Geologists and holds a BS in Geology from SUNY Binghamton and a MS in Hydrology from The University of Arizona.

Scott has an extensive background in managing complex projects and the analysis of large geologic and hydrogeologic databases using geographic information systems and various hydrologic, hydrogeologic, and geochemical modelling software packages.  He currently serves as the Treasurer for the Northeast Section of the American Institute of Professional Geologists and is a past president and director of the Hudson-Mohawk Professional Geologist Association. He also has served on the board of directors of the New York State Council of Professional Geologist (NYSCPG). 

Steven M. Trader, PG, CPG is a Senior Geologist who has been a consulting geologist with Alpha since 1994. He is a Certified Professional Geologist with the American Institute of Professional Geologists, a Licensed Professional Geologist in New York, a Licensed Professional Geologist in New Hampshire and a Certified Professional Geologist in Virginia. He has served on the Board of Directors for both the Hudson Mohawk Professional Geologist Association (HMPGA) and the New York State Council of Professional Geologists (NYSCPG).

Mr. Trader has extensive experience in completing complex geologic and hydrogeologic evaluations at a variety of sites, including; metal and non-metal mines, both surface and underground; commercial, industrial and residential developments; water supply development; and contaminated sites. He has worked on projects at locations throughout the country, including NY, PA, CT, IL, IN, KS, MA, NE, OH, OK, LA, VA and WY. Mr. Trader is primarily involved with managing, coordinating and conducting hydrogeologic and geologic investigations relating to mining operations; quarry expansions, and mineral resource evaluations, including geologic mapping.  He also prepares mining permit application packages, including Mined Land Use Plans, for submittal to the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC). He has prepared mining permits for sand and gravel pits, bedrock aggregate pits, and industrial metals mines.  Steve also prepares Geologic Source Reports for New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) aggregate source approval for several clients in New York State. He has logged rock core for many projects, including salt mines, zinc mines, talc mines, trona mines, aggregate mines and limestone cement mines. Steve logged over 20,000 feet of core in support of a new mine permit for what is now American Rock Salt in Geneseo, NY.    

Mr. Trader has written many mineral remoteness reports for conservation easements.  He has extensive experience with investigations related to subsurface waste water treatment; petroleum spills and USTs; solid waste landfills; remediation of contaminated sites; and bathymetric studies.  Steve performs fracture trace analysis to assist in the location of water supply wells. He uses his skills in aerial photograph interpretation to document contaminated site conditions and history, as well as for fracture trace analysis. He has conducted numerous residential well surveys and pre-blast surveys for various mining clients. He holds a BS in Geology from Virginia Tech (Go Hokies!) and completed graduate level coursework at Old Dominion University.

Donald C. Anné is a Senior Chemist. He is a member of the American Chemical Society. Mr. Anné began his career in 1975 and his experience includes performing laboratory data validation; environmental sampling; field sampling, fixed-base, and mobile laboratory audits; portable gas chromatography; reviewing and recommending analytical methodologies; identifying petroleum products and PCB aroclors; and preparing quality assurance project plans and quality assurance manuals. His experience includes working as an analytical chemist, and he is familiar with gas chromatography, atomic absorption, infrared spectrometry and wet chemistry methods. He holds a BA in Earth Sciences from Millersville University and a MS in Chemical Oceanography from the Florida Institute of Technology.

Matthew E Dupee, PG is a Geologist who has been consulting with Alpha since 2005 focusing on evaporite mining, mine leak mitigation, mine stability and mine dewatering. He is registered as a Licensed Professional Geologist in New York. Mr. Dupee has managed multiple projects related to salt mining, surface and underground evaporite mine leak mitigation, trona mining, mine shaft logging, underground directional drilling, aggregate quarry permitting and hydrogeologic investigations, well and aquifer testing; and extensive field experience including well installations, soil borings, automated data collection systems, rock coring, and environmental sampling. Mr. Dupee holds a BS in Geology from Bates College and a MS in Geology from The University of Maine.

Matt’s favorite projects are found at the intersection of mining and hydrogeology; where complex hydro-geomechanical systems can be evaluated and presented in a clear and concise way to help the client make informed operational decisions.

Joshua S. Gowan, PA PG, is a Senior Geologist who has been consulting since 2002 focusing in hydrogeologic and environmental investigations. He is registered as a Licensed Professional Geologist in New York, Pennsylvania and Texas. His area of expertise has been hydrogeologic investigations related to environmental remediation, mining, and water supply.  Mr. Gowan has been involved in projects concerning petroleum and hazardous waste contamination, surface and underground mine hydrogeology, and near-surface geophysical investigation. Mr. Gowan holds a bachelors in Geology from Bates College and a MS in Geophysics from Texas A&M University.

Josh has an extensive background in managing complex projects involving drilling and contractor oversight, aquifer testing, contaminant remediation and fate & transport modelling.  He currently serves on the board of directors for the Hudson-Mohawk Professional Geologist Association (HMPGA) and the New York State Council of Professional Geologist (NYSCPG).

Trevor M. Gowan, PG is a Hydrogeologist who has been consulting since 2004 focusing in hydrogeologic investigations.  He is registered as a Licensed Professional Geologist in New York and Louisiana.  Mr. Gowan has been involved in hydrogeologic investigations related to water supply, mining, and environmental remediation.  Mr. Gowan has been involved in projects involving surface and underground mine hydrogeology, water budgets, spring site development for bottled water, public and private water supply wells, permitting, wellbore and well installations/investigations/abandonments, and petroleum contamination.  Mr. Gowan holds a BA in Geology from Hobart College.

Trevor has extensive field experience collecting data, database management, site management, and contractor coordination.  He currently serves as an At-Large member on the Executive Committee for the Northeast Section of the American Institute of Professional Geologists.

Evan M. Rafferty is a geologist. He began consulting in 2021 and his experience includes petroleum spill investigation and remediation; the geological logging of soil and rock; supervising the drilling and installation of bedrock monitoring wells; directional and exploratory drilling oversight; monitoring, sampling and testing of ground water; geographic information systems; and computer-aided design. He also has experience conducting bathymetric surveys and mapping. Mr. Rafferty holds a BS degree in Geology from Oswego State University of New York, and is an Eagle Scout of The Boy Scouts of America.

Neil R. Stapley is a Geologist who has been a consultant since 2009.  He has experience in the following areas: environmental testing and sample collection, construction oversight, remote automated data collection systems, operation and maintenance of equipment, regulatory compliance, and technical drawing preparation.  Mr. Stapley has been involved in projects related to water supply investigation, contaminated site investigation, remediation implementation, industrial hygiene, long term monitoring, subsurface evaporite mining, and surface sand and gravel mine permitting. He holds a BS degree in Geoscience from Penn State University.

Andrea Maswich is a data validator who has been performing third party data validation since 2016.  Prior to working as a data validator, she worked at a high-volume environmental laboratory performing many roles; lastly as the volatile organics laboratory supervisor.   She has extensive experience with EPA methods, quality control, laboratory instrumentation and more which gives her a distinct viewpoint for data validation.  Mrs. Maswich holds a BA in Earth and Atmospheric Sciences from SUNY Albany.