RESPEC Announces Leadership Appointments Across Energy and Solid Waste

January 2, 2026

As RESPEC’s portfolio has expanded, the company’s work has increasingly crossed traditional market and discipline boundaries. Projects that once fit neatly within a single service area now require coordinated leadership across energy, solid waste, infrastructure, and client-facing teams. In response, RESPEC has made several leadership appointments that align with how work is being delivered today.

A middle-aged man with short gray hair, glasses, and a neatly trimmed goatee, wearing a light blue collared shirt, smiling at the camera against a plain light background.Dave Horvath – Senior Vice President of Solid Waste

RESPEC has appointed Dave Horvath as Senior Vice President of Solid Waste. The position provides dedicated leadership for solid waste services that draw on mining, energy, and environmental expertise, which reflect the company’s increasing involvement in projects that require integrated technical approaches and long-term regulatory planning.

Smiling man with short red hair and beard, wearing a blue button-up shirt and a dark blazer, poses in front of a light gray background.Sam Voegeli – Vice President of Mining & Energy

Within the Mining & Energy market, Sam Voegeli has been named Vice President, assuming leadership of RESPEC’s subsurface energy services, which includes geologic storage, geothermal energy, deep disposal, and cavern engineering. He will work alongside Ezaz Khan, who continues to lead aboveground energy infrastructure, establishing clearer leadership focus across complementary areas of the firm’s energy portfolio.

As part of the transition, Jan Hutwelker will move from Senior Vice President of EARTHRES to Regional Director – Northeast, where he will continue supporting regional teams and clients.

A middle-aged man with short light brown hair and a goatee, smiling widely. He is wearing a bright red collared shirt and is posed against a plain light gray background.

Russell Persyn – Internal Board Director

RESPEC has also appointed Russell Persyn as an Internal Director on its Board. Russell has held a range of leadership roles over the past decade, including opening RESPEC’s first Texas office, serving as Senior Vice President of Water, and most recently as Chief Operating Officer. His appointment adds operational experience and continuity to the Board, as the employee-owned firm evaluates investment and growth decisions.

Together, these appointments reflect how RESPEC continues to adapt its leadership structure to support work that spans multiple markets and disciplines, while maintaining clear accountability and consistent delivery for clients.