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In 1995, after seven years as a consultant, Bob Szustakowski was the Environmental Risk Manager for one of the largest banks in the world. He ordered and reviewed thousands of environmental studies. And all he could say to the consultants was "You're doing it wrong; you have no idea what a lender needs from you."
Bob spent the next 20 years in private consulting working for banks as well as within banks, listening to lenders, risk departments and others, honing his skills in finding practical, business-friendly solutions to environmental issues as they relate to lenders, be it lending, monitoring or foreclosure.
But with business partners pushing for "upselling services," he never felt like he got it right.
Now, introducing LC Environmental
A single-owner entity. Dedicated to our clients and their risks, not to up-selling. True consulting.
No one will accuse Bob of being a great business man. But he will prove to you that he is a damn good environmental consultant.
Like most environmental consultants, LCE can complete Transaction Screens, Phase I and Phase II Environmental Site Assessments. Our reports are written for the reader - that is, understandable and in plain English. We also provide reasonable and practical recommendations in all of our reports (not required by ASTM) with the understanding that not all concerns require more field work.
We always suggest a full ASTM-level Phase I Environmental Site Assessment prior to a purchase or a foreclosure. But for a bank, that level of study may not be necessary to protect the lender when financing a property. LCE provides various "low level" environmental studies, completed at significantly less cost and turn-around time than ASTM-level studies and, if warranted, provides appropriate and reasonable recommendations.
The Federal regulators require environmental studies accepted by a bank, regardless of who ordered them, be reviewed by a qualified individual. Bob has completed such peer reviews for over 20 years, reviewing literally tens of thousands of studies. Beyond a technical review, reviews put concerns into perspective and provides practical solutions to issues.
LCE works with numerous banks essentially overseeing their environmental department. This includes policy development, consultant contract development, approval of environmental consultants, ordering and review of reports for the bank and working with your Vendor Risk Department regarding monitoring and grading of your consultants. And we work with ALL departments of the bank to address their environmental issues.
My LinkedIn page includes numerous articles that I've written on regulatory requirements as well as how environmental issues imapct the Trust Department, the Facilities Department and the appraisal. I also have articles on selecting approprpiate due diligence for both environmental and construction.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/robert-szustakowski-00a92a73/
Other very useful links:
One last link: Environmental Bankers Association http://www.envirobank.org/
I first met Bob while he provided consulting services to M&T Bank. He and I provided routine training for loan production staff on environmental and appraisal due diligence. Even then I recognized Bob's extraordinary ability to communicate complex concepts in an approachable manner. In 2010 I asked Bob to assist me in developing First Niagara's first environmental risk program. He and his new firm accomplished that and much more; the end product being a best-in-class outsourced environmental coordination service through his then new firm MSA/RJS. So well in fact, that in 2014 I asked Bob to join the Bank as FNFG's first Environmental Risk Manager.
Bob's attention to detail, and ability to put environmental risk into the context of the deal, allowed a seamless union between risk appetite and risk management. The lender response was always overwhelmingly positive; a partnership that Bob should be very, very proud of.
Robert is very detail oriented in his reports while giving us lay terms that we'd understand and risks that may be involved. I've known Robert for a long time and worked with him while he was an environmental officer at a bank where I was a commercial loan officer. Since then with companies he established and he continued excellent, precise and timely reporting. I would highly recommend Robert for anything involving Environmental reporting or remediation.
Having 20+ years in the financial services industry, on both the good and bad side of loans, I have had the pleasure of working with Bob Szustakowski for the past seven years. His knowledge and vast experience has proven to be an invaluable tool for any and all functions performed while “making or taking loans”. I would highly recommend Bob for any and all environmental concerns that may be had at any point in the lending or workout processes of loans!
Bob provides real world approaches and applications that are far more cost effective solutions, than legal counsel may provide. Bob was able to effectively communicate and explain the voluminous environmental regulations involved on numerous transactions, compliance, while protecting the lenders best interests at any stage of the loan. The highest accolades are given to Bob, based on his vast knowledge and experience, no matter what the transaction entails!
Bob is a consummate professional, w/ the educational background, experience, and skills to perform reliable environmental audits throughout the northeast. Dependability, objectivity, and thoroughness are just a few of the traits Bob exhibits at all times.
Bob is professional and practical - and that's the right combination.
Customers have questions, you have answers. Display the most frequently asked questions, so everybody benefits.
Experience
The Lotis Engineering Group, PC, Business Development Officer September 2016 – May 2017
First Niagara Financial Group, Environmental Risk Manager March 2014 – August 2016
RJS Environmental, Inc., President May 2009 – March 2014
Lender Consulting Services, Inc., Chief Operating Officer August 1998 – July 2008
Marine Midland/HSBC Bank, Environmental Risk Analysis Officer August 1994 – August 1998
Goldberg-Zoino Associates/GZA GeoEnvironmental of NY, Project Manager July 1987 – August 1994
Education
State University of New York at Fredonia, Fredonia, New York 1985 Bachelors of Science, Geochemistry and Chemistry
Syracuse University, Syracuse, New York 1987 Masters of Science, Geology
Training/Certificates
40 Hour OSHA Hazwoper Training
OSHA Hazwoper Supervisor Training
ASTM Phase I and Transaction Screen Training Class
USEPA Asbestos Inspectors Training
Volunteer Work
Board of Directors, City of the Sun Foundation, Columbus, NM
Bob Szustakowski has worked with a wide variety of lenders over the last 30 years, ranging in size from $300M to $100B. Here is a partial list of current and past clients.
888-677-6350