Mr. Overcash has 28 years of experience in environmental consulting and academia including management, business development, planning, execution, design, and evaluation of projects in environmental and civil engineering, water and natural resources, climate and coastal resilience, and sustainability. He has also led permitting for projects and coordinated stakeholder engagement. He is a professional engineer in 11 states, a Board-Certified Environmental Engineer and an ENV SP and LEED AP. His background has included projects involving resilience for built and natural infrastructure in coastal and upland environments, water and wastewater infrastructure, dredging and marine systems, water and natural resources as well as hazardous materials and sediment management.
Chris holds a Master’s in Environmental Engineering from Johns Hopkins University where he is also Program Manager and Adjunct Professor of the Environmental Engineering, Science, Management and Sustainability Programs of the Engineering for Professionals program in the Whiting School of Engineering. At Johns Hopkins Chris also co-leads the Coastal Climate Resilience Initiative and is an affiliate member of the Institute for Planetary Health. Chris specializes in:
- Climate Resilience, Vulnerability Assessments, Adaptation Planning and Design for Infrastructure and Natural Resources
- Coastal Engineering and Flood Resilience
- Water and Wastewater Planning and Design
- Sustainability Planning and Design
- Sediment Management and Dredging Design
- Nature-Based Solutions for Coastal and Upland Environments
- Environmental Permitting, Community Engagement and Education
- Civil engineering and construction management
- Ecosystem evaluation and restoration design
- Contaminated site evaluation and sustainable remediation planning
“The importance of resilience and sustainability to our natural and built environments can not be understated. Today we face a range of challenges impacting every aspect of our lives and the environment around us from ongoing climate impacts, pollution control, to the ever-increasing need for resources. It is very rewarding to be part of the team of professionals at Straughan that understand these complexities and how to deliver meaningful and lasting solutions to these challenges so that we can leave a world that is better for the next generation.”
Tell us about your most exciting or rewarding project.
I have been involved at Thomas Point Lighthouse, a National Historic Landmark built in 1875, in Chesapeake Bay off Annapolis since 2002. This work has included an environmental assessment, design and construction management of a visitor’s dock and more recently a climate vulnerability assessment and adaptation plan in 2020 with and update in 2024 for the owners the US Lighthouse Society and the City of Annapolis. In addition, I have had the very rewarding experience of taking teams of volunteers to the lighthouse to help maintain this regional treasure on an annual basis.
Best wildlife encounter?
A black bear popped out to say hi when I was cycling on a trail in Oil Creek State Park in northwest Pennsylvania. The bear and I kept a safe distance between us, luckily.
What advice would you give to a candidate who wants to join our team?
You will not be able to find a better group of folks to work with that truly cares about our environment and that understands the complexity of those challenges and how to solve them!