Staff
The success of our work at CLS depends upon a diverse staff of individuals dedicated to quality ecological restoration and superior customer service. Our field crews are headed by working foremen, who together have more than 35 years of experience and training specific to ecological restoration. Our professional staff includes a diverse range of personal talents and work experience. Key staff members include:
Ken Willis
Director of Operations and Contract Administration
Ken co-founded CLS in 1999, and serves as the company’s Principal Owner and Director of Contract Operations. He holds a bachelor’s degree from Purdue University and has worked extensively in the design/build environment developing creative solutions to sensitive site development issues involving various ecological restoration initiatives. Mr. Willis has supervised and overseen project coordination with sub-contractor involvement and multiple client interaction, and specializes in the integration of traditional and natural environments, as well as habitat restoration and management.
Nazario Rivas
Regional Supervisor
Nazario has been involved in restoration work since 1997 and has substantial experience in habitat restoration, wetland mitigation, prescribed burning, and landscape installation and management. He has been with CLS since its inception in 1999 and has worked in both traditional and sustainable landscape construction. He is responsible for organizing and facilitating all crew activities and field operations including responsibility for all personnel, equipment, and job site safety, as well as on-site project management. His areas of interest are woodland/savanna restoration, native seed installation, streambank restoration and prescribed burn management.
Shawn Sinn
Regional Supervisor
Shawn joined the CLS team in 2004 as Field Supervisor. He holds a BLA from the University of Illinois, and his previous work experience includes extensive landscape design and construction. Currently, Shawn works as a Regional Supervisor and manages projects throughout the Midwest, serving core clientele in central Cook and eastern DuPage counties. Shawn specializes in native ecosystem restoration with a particular interest in post industrial ecological rehabilitation.
Josh Arrigoni
Field Ecologist / Regional Supervisor
Josh holds a bachelors degree from the University of Oregon, and has gained extensive experience in applied field ecology and project management during his employment at CLS. Josh serves as a Regional Supervisor, with his core clientele in southern Wisconsin and the northern counties of Illinois. Josh specializes in ecological site assessment, restoration and management planning, and contract administration for a full range of habitat types and clientele. He has successfully overseen the construction and installation of numerous restoration projects, and continues to develop site stewardship programs for their ongoing management.
Ann Tranter
Business Development Manager
As the most recent addition to the CLS professional staff, Ann is responsible for our business development, community outreach, and residential project management. As a former Elmhurst city council member and owner/operator of an artistic home landscape design/build firm, Ann has unique knowledge of municipal contracting and an entrepreneurial spirit. Ann earned a Certificate of Home Landscape from Morton Arboretum, and has been with CLS since October of 2009.
Christine Somhiel
Office Manager
Chris brings to CLS more than ten years of management experience and twelve in the horticultural field. With specific knowledge of public contract administration and regulation, she provides our clients, vendors, and project partners with the highest level of service – including permitting, insurance requirements, receivables, payables, and office administration. Chris has been with CLS since 2003.