From Geologist to Problem Solver
Growing up on the South Shore, Kris Almskog’s childhood was spent on the water, hiking through pine barrens, and exploring the coastal ecosystems that would later define his career.
“I always enjoyed the outdoors,” he recalled. “I went to Stony Brook University and studied geology. It was environmental, but with a science foundation. When I was an undergrad, I stopped by a consulting firm in my hometown called PW Grosser (PWGC) and asked the founder, Paul Grosser, what kind of jobs might be available after graduation. He offered me an internship that day.”
That moment set the trajectory for nearly three decades of work at PWGC, where Almskog would evolve from a field geologist to a senior leader overseeing complex environmental and engineering projects across New York State. “Back then, the firm had about nine people,” he said. “Once I graduated, they brought me on full time.”
What began with soil and groundwater samples would grow into a career defined by curiosity, technical rigor, and a knack for connecting people who rarely speak the same professional language.
The Brookhaven National Laboratory Years
Almskog’s first major assignment came at Brookhaven National Laboratory in the late 1990s, a pivotal time for environmental engineering on Long Island. The lab, once a military base, was facing a massive cleanup effort after decades of industrial and nuclear research had left contaminated groundwater plumes migrating through the aquifer.
“For about eight years, I was exclusively in the field at Brookhaven,” he said. “We were drilling all over, taking soil and groundwater samples, tracking contamination, and overseeing the design and construction of treatment systems. I got to see the science and the construction side come together.”
Almskog supervised multiple drilling crews, contractors and treatment system builds, overseeing construction of large-scale infrastructure designed to clean thousands of gallons of contaminated groundwater per minute. “It was a crash course in how to balance contractors, inspectors, engineers, and regulators,” he said. “That experience gave me the confidence to bridge those worlds.”
While working at Brookhaven, Almskog learned not only the technical aspects of contamination and remediation but also the art of communication between stakeholders. “Sometimes it was about mediating between contractors and inspectors,” he said. “I could speak both languages, and that helped move projects forward.”
Building in the City
After nearly a decade at Brookhaven, Almskog transitioned to New York City to work on brownfield redevelopment projects. These sites, often contaminated by former industrial use, were being repurposed for residential and commercial development.
“In the city, I was working with developers, architects, and attorneys,” he said. “We’d assess contamination, estimate cleanup costs, and design remediation systems that allowed new construction to move forward safely.”
He quickly became skilled at navigating the financial side of remediation, helping developers secure state brownfield tax credits that incentivized environmental cleanup. “For every dollar they spent on remediation, they could get two or three back through the tax credit program,” he explained. “It was a win for developers and for the environment.”
Despite the business success, Almskog found himself missing the culture and relationships of Long Island’s construction community. “I didn’t enjoy the New York City developer scene as much,” he said. “So I started focusing my project development efforts more on Long Island and upstate NY construction work.”
Finding a Home in Mining and Materials
That shift led to his work with the mining, aggregates, and construction materials industries.
“About 15 years ago, I got involved in mining and aggregate support services,” he said. “PWGC opened a small office in Syracuse and started working with mining and quarry clients. Over time, we began representing a good portion of the aggregate producers on Long Island and through New York State.”
From sand mining on Long Island to aggregate production upstate, Almskog became a familiar presence in an industry often misunderstood by the public.
“I like the operators in that field,” he said. “They’re straightforward. They build things. They care about doing things the right way.”
When a 2018 investigation into illegal dumping on Long Island inadvertently cast suspicion on legitimate sand mining operations, Almskog worked with Long Island Contractors’ Association (LICA) as an advocate for education and transparency. “The way the investigation was worded lumped illegal dumping with legal sand mining,” he explained. “It scared the public and some politicians. We worked to explain the difference and show how regulated mining sites are heavily monitored by the DEC and have been proven, through science, not to represent an environmental risk.”
His scientific background gave him credibility in these conversations. “Understanding groundwater flow is critical,” he said. “We’ve worked on saltwater intrusion, contamination, and other groundwater issues for decades. That expertise helps regulators and legislators make informed decisions.”
Through outreach with the LICA and the New York Construction Materials Association, Almskog and his team helped push back on legislation that could have crippled Long Island’s sand mining industry. “People don’t realize how essential sand is,” he said. “It goes into roads, bridges, sewer pipes, and home foundations. Most of it stays local. Without a local source of aggregate, roads and infrastructure would deteriorate even quicker as construction costs skyrocket.”
What many still overlook, Almskog explained, is that sand is not a luxury product but an essential building block for modern life. “It goes into your roads, bridges, sewer pipes, your house foundation, your walkway — everything,” he said. Decades ago, sand mined from places like Port Washington helped build Manhattan and other parts of New York City, and while some material still travels that route today, the majority now stays local. “I have clients who get bids to put that sand on beaches and they don’t respond because they see it as a precious commodity,” he added. “Certain spots on Long Island produce sand with a unique structure and angularity that make it especially good for high-strength concrete — the Mario Cuomo Bridge and NYC Freedom Tower specified using aggregate from only two mines sites, each located on Long Island, for its ability to make a high strength product. I’ve been lucky to represent both facilities in designing their mine expansions, obtaining permits, and verification of material volumes and quality. It’s a strong commodity that puts people to work and keeps the price of building roads and bridges here at home lower because we don’t have to import it. Once you start importing that material, the price doubles about every fifty miles it has to travel.”
A Reputation Built on Relationships
At the heart of Almskog’s success is a dual strength: technical expertise and relationship-building.
“I was lucky to have mentors who encouraged both,” he said. “Paul Grosser was very open about how the business worked, not just the technical side. He let me speak my mind and learn from small mistakes.”
Later, industry veterans like Charlie Bartha and Leslie Mitchel, who had worked alongside Almskog at PWGC before resuming their positions at Suffolk County Department of Public Works, helped him understand the long game. “They taught me to think beyond the project,” Almskog said. “Develop relationships that last decades. Be fair, honest, and consistent. If people trust you, they’ll keep coming back.”
Those relationships extend to regulators, public officials, and community members. “I’ve made good friends in the DEC and county health departments,” he said. “We might go fishing or have dinner together, but it’s built on mutual respect. The relationship helps us have productive conversations that generally help projects advance more efficiently.”
That trust has allowed PWGC to bring regulators into projects, often resulting in faster resolutions. “When we have a solid project, I like to pull the DEC in early,” Almskog explained. “They get to be part of the solution, not just the review process. It leads to better outcomes for our clients.”
Engineering the Future
Today, Almskog is deeply involved in projects that define the next generation of Long Island infrastructure. Among them is the Oakdale 1A Sewer Project, which will connect hundreds of homes and businesses to a low-pressure sewer system feeding into a treatment plant.
“I grew up near there,” he said. “It’s a flood-prone area, and the old cesspools can’t handle the load. This project will improve water quality and property values. It’s personal to me.”
Beyond traditional infrastructure, Almskog is helping clients explore innovative solutions like floating solar arrays on reclaimed mining lakes. “It’s still conceptual, but the potential is huge,” he said. “A seven-megawatt array could power about 3,000 homes. It’s clean energy, built on reclaimed land, and aligns perfectly with DEC’s goals.”
He is also leading PWGC’s growing work in community solar projects throughout the Northeast. “Our team at PWGC has helped get around 60 community solar projects evaluated, designed, permitted and approved for construction in the past two years,” he said. “The next big challenge for our region is energy. There is an energy boom required to power up all of the regulatory initiatives and help power AI and data centers that are coming, and our industry needs to be creative to figure out how to design, construct and maintain the energy infrastructure needed to power them sustainably.”
Legacy and Leadership
After more than 25 years in the field, Almskog is focused on mentoring the next generation. “I want to develop my staff,” he said. “Let them find what they enjoy and build careers around that. If you’re going to work hard, you should enjoy it.”
He believes professional satisfaction and community impact go hand in hand. “We work with clients, regulators, and the public. If everyone is honest and collaborative, you can solve big problems.”
Asked how he hopes to be remembered, Almskog paused before answering. “I want to be known as someone who was honest, who never compromised the science, and who helped make the region a better place,” he said. “And I hope people remember that we had some fun along the way.”
Looking Ahead
For Kris Almskog, the work ahead mirrors the Long Island sand he started from: complex, shifting, and full of possibility. Whether it is addressing groundwater contamination, supporting sustainable energy projects, or helping Long Island prepare for the next generation of infrastructure needs, his guiding philosophy remains steady.
“Projects come and go,” he said. “What lasts are the relationships, the trust, and the improvements you leave behind.”
That perspective, rooted in both science and empathy, may be exactly what Long Island needs as it builds its future from the ground up.