Leadership
Abner F. Patton, P.G.
President
With over 38 years of experience in the fields of geology and hydrogeology, Mr. Patton has extensive expertise in various water resource management, waste management, mineral resource valuation, geologic hazard evaluation, geophysical surveys, and drilling. More specifically, he has performed or supervised karst investigations, municipal and industry water supply projects, pipeline corridor and crossing projects, hydrogeologic investigations, drilling and installation of water supply and monitoring wells, and gas/mineral exploration and evaluation in relation to conservation easements. Mr. Patton has also served as an expert witness in numerous litigation cases. In addition to overseeing daily operations, Mr. Patton provides technical expertise and leads the company’s entrepreneurial direction.
James “Jim” W. LaMoreaux, PhD.
Chairman of the Board
Dr. LaMoreaux has more than forty years of experience in project management and communications. During his career with PELA, he has served as Vice President and President, and now serves as Chairman of the Board. Dr. LaMoreaux also serves as Editor in Chief of the international journals Environmental Earth Sciences, Discover Water, Carbonates & Evaporites, and Sustainable Water Resources Management and five book series published by Springer Nature. He is also editor of the Environmental Geology Volume of Springer’s Encyclopedia of Sustainability, Science and Technology. Dr. LaMoreaux serves as an Adjunct Professor in the College of Earth Science and Engineering at Shandong University of Science and Technology in Qingdao, China.
In addition, he has participated in guest lectures to various universities in China, the University of Alabama Department of Geography, and in a Water Environment Federation training course in India. Topics of lectures include hazardous waste disposal, sustainable water resources management, history of karst hydrogeology, and water resources management in karst.
James “Mike” Lee
Vice President of Administration
Since joining PELA in 1981, Mr. Lee has overseen the company’s expansion, implementing methods of project accounting and quality control that have been verified and accepted by numerous federal, state, and local governments and agencies. Mr. Lee’s tenure with the company has been extensive, having served in many roles. His experience with contract and subcontract negotiation and maintenance of high-quality accounting and quality control measures, ensures that PELA continues to thrive upon a solid foundation of management practices. He is active in driving the company’s marketing strategies, as well as ensuring positive client relations. Mr. Lee is a certified management accountant and a certified financial manager.
Christopher T. Latham, P.E.
Vice President - Engineering
Mr. Latham, a licensed professional engineer in Alabama and Mississippi, brings over 25 years of experience in engineering and construction, specializing in civil engineering and earth sciences. He has managed diverse projects, including large-scale site design and development for commercial, residential, and institutional facilities, stormwater management, and utility installations. His expertise spans watershed analysis, pipe network design, storm sewer systems, and regulatory compliance, including obtaining NPDES permits and completing Phase I Environmental Assessments. Recognized as a Qualified Credentialed Professional in Alabama, Mr. Latham’s consulting work has supported clients across the Southeastern United States.
Daniel S. Green, P.G.
Senior Geologist/Chief of Operations
For over three decades, Mr. Green has managed a broad spectrum of geologic and environmental investigations at PELA. Project scopes include: groundwater remediation, remedial investigation/feasibility studies, sinkhole determination and remediation, hazardous waste investigations, design and performance of hydrogeological and environmental investigations, dye trace studies in karst terrain, land-use investigations, geophysical logging surveys, and technical assistance on pipeline corridor and crossing assessments. Highly experienced in drilling stratigraphic borings and installing monitoring/production wells, Mr. Green has developed, supervised and performed numerous comprehensive field investigations involving sampling procedures and monitoring methods.