Ms. Merkel is the Business Development Lead and a Senior Program Manager for Marstel-Day. She is currently managing the Army’s Environmental Compliance and Conservation Services Contract for a wide range of environmental compliance and conservation services at Army installations throughout the contiguous United States (CONUS) and Puerto Rico, Hawaii, and Alaska. These services include NEPA, water (wastewater, drinking water, stormwater), POL (SPCC and Facility Response Plans), hazardous waste/hazardous materials/solid waste, air quality, pollution prevention, pest management, natural and cultural resources management, and environmental training. As an experienced Senior Program Manager, Ms. Merkel brings a history of successfully executing large-scale environmental and natural resources programs, as demonstrated by awards and recognition from clients including the Army National Guard, the Air National Guard, the Army Environmental Command, the Army Regional Environmental and Energy Office Program Leadership, and the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service. Ms. Merkel also leads Marstel-Day’s business development efforts where she identifies and tracks contract opportunities, conducts market research, develops capture strategies, forges strategic partnerships, participates in negotiating winning teaming arrangements, and leads Requests for Information (RFIs), Sources Sought responses, and winning proposal efforts.

Ms. Merkel is skilled in environmental planning, natural resources management, watershed management, policy development, and comprehensive planning. Her NEPA experience includes providing NEPA program support for the Army and Air National Guard, NEPA policy development, NEPA training course development and instruction, preparation of all levels of NEPA documentation, and public outreach and engagement. She developed the Army’s guidance for preparing Integrated Natural Resources Management Plans (INRMPs), as well as DoD guidance for implementing INRMPs. She has managed and served as a contributing author to over 30 INRMPs and associated NEPA documents for Army, Army National Guard, and Navy installations, as well as a secure DoD facility. For natural resources and watershed management projects, Ms. Merkel has demonstrated success in partnering with Federal, state, and local governments, academia, non-profit organizations and the business community to leverage resources and accomplish conservation goals and commitments, while promoting environmental stewardship.

Ms. Merkel is an active member with the Society of American Military Engineers (SAME), the National Military Fish and Wildlife Association (NMFWA), and the National Association of Environmental Professionals, where she was the first recipient of the NAEP Norm Arnold Award for outstanding service to the organization. Ms. Merkel graduated from The George Washington University with a Master’s degree in Urban & Regional Planning, and a Bachelors of Arts degree in Urban Studies (Environmental Planning concentration) from the University of Maryland, College Park.