Chemmie Sokolic

Download vCard

EDUCATION

M.B.A. Master of Business Administration, with a Real Estate concentration. Rutgers University

M.S. Environmental Management & Water Resources. Montclair State University

B.S. Environmental Science. Kingston Upon Thames University

PROFESSIONAL ACCOMPLISHMENTS

January 2021 – Present

Chemmie founded and is Principal of the Falcon Real Estate Group, a team of dedicated scientists, engineers, financial specialists, and technicians who provide expert commercial and industrial real estate due diligence services by evaluating current and past property uses and conditions, and identifying potential risks, liabilities, and constraints associated with the property’s current and potential future uses. Chemmie also supports and consults with other environmental, engineering, and related service firms regarding their due diligence needs.

September 2019 – March 2020

Chemmie was the Technical Director of Due Diligence Services at Matrix New World Engineering, and was responsible for leading and growing the Due Diligence division of the company, and business development and client services. Chemmie managed quality control for environmental due diligence services and processes including the preparation of office report, letter, and proposal templates; training program and materials for the Due Diligence Division across company; and the design and execution of marketing materials, presentations, and external training and classes.

January 2016 – September 2019

Chemmie was the Director of Due Diligence Services at Whitman, was responsible for business development and client services, and was instrumental in expanding and supporting Whitman's diverse service lines. Chemmie was an integral member of executive management team, assisting with strategic operation and growth of the company. Chemmie designed and directed a comprehensive program of environmental, building, and property/land use due diligence services in support of property transactions and real estate transfers and development. Chemmie was also responsible for staff management and professional development; deliverable templates; and the design and execution of marketing plans and business development initiatives including print & on-line materials, trade show and networking events, presentations & training, and educational articles and publications.

January 2007 – December 2015

Chemmie was the Manager of Due Diligence Services at TRC Environmental Corp, and was responsible for the management and review of all due diligence projects in the New Providence office (~150 employees), and other TRC offices on an as-needed basis. Chemmie completed numerous types of projects including portfolios, large sites, multiple-phase projects, indoor air quality projects, daycare and NJDEP Indoor Environmental Health Assessments (IEHAs), and litigation cases. Chemmie prepared and reviewed various strategic plans and client deliverables, and was responsible for the management and development of staff in multiple offices and locations. Chemmie was the primary liaison for client, contractor, and regulatory agencies. Among other responsibilities and accomplishments, Chemmie prepared several Phase I ESA report and proposal templates for the entire national company (approx. 4,500 employees in >100 offices).

January 2001 – December 2006

Chemmie was an Assistant project Manager at GZA GeoEnvironmental, Inc., and conducted and/or was responsible for hundreds of environmental and engineering assessments at residential, commercial, retail, industrial, and/or vacant properties in New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Maryland, North Carolina, Florida, and/or Georgia. Projects including over 400 Phase I ESAs, Environmental Hazard Site Inspections (including asbestos, lead-based paint, and mold surveys), and preliminary assessment reports; over 80 Phase II ESAs and Site Investigation/Assessments including soil, groundwater, air, surface-wipe, and concrete chip and core samples; numerous underground storage tank closures; Indoor Environmental Air Quality Investigations, primarily for mold and bacterial parameters; construction project oversight; and hazardous and non-hazardous soil and groundwater remediation projects.

AREAS OF EXPERTISE

Chemmie has over 22 years of environmental and engineering consulting experience, specializing in the environmental due diligence of commercial and industrial properties.

Chemmie has conducted well over 1,000 Phase I ESAs, PARs, environmental inspections, and/or due diligence projects at a wide variety of sites, from smaller residential and retail properties, to large portfolio projects, and larger and more complex industrial, commercial, and manufacturing facilities.

Prior to founding the Falcon Real Estate Group, Chemmie worked in regional and national environmental and engineering consulting firms, managing and directing their due diligence departments, and offering clients a comprehensive program of environmental, building, and property due diligence services in support of property transactions and real estate transfers and development, with a specialization in environmental due diligence.

In addition to his in-depth knowledge of Phase I ESAs and PARs, Chemmie has experience with wetland assessments and ecological evaluations; material compliance and permitting audits; Property Condition Assessments; mold, radon, and indoor air assessments; pre-demolition/renovation asbestos, lead-based paint, and PCB surveys; child daycare/education facility environmental assessment services, including Indoor Environmental Health Assessments (IEHAs); desktop environmental reviews and property file reviews; site feasibility and constraints reviews, conceptual site planning & design, and ordinance and compliance reviews; regulatory and transactional support services; turnkey brownfield remediation and repurposing; Phase II ESAs, and Site and Remedial Investigations; underground storage tank removals; site remediation projects; and litigation support and expert services.

In particular, Chemmie is an active member of the ASTM Committee E50 on Environmental Assessment, Risk Management, and Corrective Action, and assisted in writing and was the final editor of the most recent Phase I Environmental Site Assessment (ESA) standard (ASTM E1527-21).

Chemmie has presented at numerous locations and events including an accredited semi-annual 1-day “Due Diligence in New Jersey” course formerly hosted by the Licensed Site Remediation Professional Association (LSRPA) since 2015, as well as an accredited 1-hour due diligence class for attorneys and realtors. He has also presented at numerous industry, trade, and networking events.

Chemmie has written numerous articles regarding environmental due diligence, and has been published and cited in several industry and trade journals.

ACTIVITIES/VOLUNTEERISM

Chemmie has been the Vice President of Congregation Sons of Israel for several years, the largest and oldest Modern Orthodox Synagogue in southern New Jersey. Though recently stepping off the board to complete his MBA, Chemmie is still actively involved in numerous committees and community activities.

AWARDS

Award of Appreciation, ASTM Committee E50 on Environmental Assessment, Risk Management, and Corrective Action, April 2022.

AFFILIATIONS

Member of the ASTM Committee E50 on Environmental Assessment, Risk Management, and Corrective Action, including E1527 Phase I Task Group
North Jersey Jewish Business Alliance