Ms. Robin D Franks, P.G., CHMM, RSO
Houston, TX 77040
Office: 713-744-5805
Fax: 713-744-5888
35+ yrs. diverse experience, education, credentials & licensing in geology, biology, remediation, & hazardous materials management. For the built environment, I hold multiple credentials in asbestos, lead, indoor air quality, industrial hygiene, mold & bioaerosols, sick buildings, vapor intrusion, OSHA worker & evaluation of operational compliance & occupant hazards. I lecture & teach for UT Systems, JLL, WalMart, major lenders & underwriters.
I practice environmental & industrial hygiene at TGE Resources, Inc., (Houston, TX), the firm I founded 30+ years ago. I am routinely retained across my diverse field - over 70 times with near equal defense & plaintiff representation. I have large case experience, I've served in class action litigation, & public and private sector suits. I am an expert in environmental geoscience & hazardous materials releases & spills within the transportation, bulk fuel, lube, and chemical industries.
I plan remediation strategies, actively clean up & oversee work (by others) at environmentally damaged property, prepare highly reliable loss estimates, & review/rebut similar work by others. I gather & review field data, utilize sophisticated equipment, provide damage models, & produce superior, understandable expert reports, often under compressed timeframes.
I bring decades of real estate due diligence capability & risk assessment knowledge for impaired property across industrial, commercial, & oil & gas settings. I have performed over 500 assessments of hydrocarbon bulk fuel terminals, oil and gas wellhead locations, pipeline corridors, mid-stream bulk plants, & retail facilities. I have been retained to evaluate developed and underutilized urban core real estate under "ready-for-reuse" programs that have involved extensively contaminated assets.
I routinely evaluate real property and inventory buildings for hazardous materials, abandoned contaminant sources, orphaned well sites & pits, and buried tanks & equipment. This work is routinely performed to advance real estate redevelopment, to cost-effectively demonstrate that the pathway of construction has been cleared for reuse, & for litigation when hazards are found during or post-construction.
As a certified first responder, I execute post-flood/fire emergency tasks in buildings & industry, which involve hazardous materials & chemicals, asbestos, PCBs, lead, microbial damage, pesticides, hydrocarbon, & solvents. I am credentialed to identify the extent of mold & microbial damage, source its cause of loss, & prepare mold protocols for its remediation under forensic methods of investigation & building construction defect.
I have expertise in building systems & the mitigation of hazards in advance of renovation or demolition. Pathway of disturbance work involves asbestos abatement consulting, lead-based paint removal management, & regulated (hazardous) materials inventory for its removal from high-profile airports, hospitals, & public-use facilities. I prepare, implement, rebut, & critically review specifications, remediation protocols, lead specifications, & remediation soil management plans, whether for litigation or industry.
I have evaluated diverse workplaces following loss reports due to safety and public health concerns & have offered mitigation strategies for worker safety under OSHA violation, including wrongful death claims & non-compliance-related exposures. I have served as an expert for multiple worker injury and wrongful death suits within the context of environmental exposure.
I have jury & bench trial experience & have prevailed under challenges involving real estate damage allegations & cost estimating. My expert reports, which typically involve highly technical subject matter, have been called "readable", "easy to understand" and "straightforward". I will consider the review of expert reports prepared by others, I will support your needs in preparation for trial, mediation, arbitration, or for general consult.
- Above Ground Storage Tank (AST)
- Asbestos
- Environmental
- Geology
- Hazardous Materials
- Hazardous Waste
- Industrial Hygiene & Mold
- Lead Poisoning
- Pesticides
- Pollution
- Q: Please list your professional accreditations, degrees, licenses, and certificates granted:
- A: • Dual Bachelor of Science Degrees in Geology and Biology (1982) - Stephen F. Austin State University (SFASU)
• Master of Science in Geology (1988) - SFASU
• State of Texas Professional Geoscientist – (PG #875)
• Professional Geologist – Mississippi (PG #0778)
• Professional Geologist – Tennessee (#TN3213)
• Institute of Hazardous Materials Management Certification (Master Level CHMM #3725)
• Texas Corrective Action Project Manager (CAPM #642)
• Radiation Safety Officer and NORM Surveyor/Supervisor – NRC Compliant
• Texas Department of Licensing & Regulation Microbial Assessment Consultant (#MAC270)
• Texas DSHS-Licensed Lead Abatement Supervisor (#2080002)
• Texas DSHS-Licensed Asbestos Consultant (#105379)–Inspector; Designer/Planner; Supervisor
• Arkansas DEQ – Asbestos Certification (#015166) – Inspector; Designer; Supervisor
• Florida DEQ – Microbial Assessor (#MRSA1712)
- Q: Please list your affiliations or memberships in any professional and/or industry organizations:
- A: • Houston Chapter of Certified Hazardous Materials Managers (CHMM)
• Institute for Hazardous Materials Managers (IHMM)
• ASTM International
• Texas Association of Professional Geoscientists
• National Association of Environmental Professionals (NAEP)
• Air and Waste Management Association
• American Industrial Hygiene Association
• Indoor Air Quality Association (IAQA)
• National Groundwater Association (NGWA)
• Association of Environmental and Engineering Geologists (AEG)
• Association of Environmental Health and Sciences (AEHS)
• Texas Association of Environmental Professionals (TAEP)
• Geological Society of America (GSA)
• Environmental Bankers Association (EBA) - Consultant Associate
- Q: Please list any teaching or speaking experience you have had, including subject matter:
- A: • Members of the Risk Mitigation Workshop – Guest Speaker: “Processes & Procedures for Testing,
Remediating, Certifying Mold-Damaged Single-Family Homes.” Attendees included Houston Habitat;
Tejano Housing and Fifth Ward CDC to name a few. (December 2020).
• Wal-Mart Stores, Inc., - Presentation: “HVAC COVID-19 Implications.” How to reduce HVAC
transmission risk (July 2020).
• McDermott – Crisis Management Call regarding deep cleaning against Coronavirus; EPA-registered
disinfectants for use; implications of FIFRA; and biocide selection procedures (surface compatibility;
irritability; employee response; biocide availability, etc.) (March 2020).
• Houston Airport System (HAS) – Presentation: Strategic Testing & Operations Plan – A 12-step process
for systematically guiding structures through the demolition/decommissioning process (August 2017).
• BBVA/Jones Lang LaSalle – Presentation: Characterizing & Managing Asbestos in Commercial
Buildings: A Property & Construction Manager’s Guide (June 2017).
• BBVA/Jones Lang LaSalle – Presentation: Indoor Air Quality & Mold Considerations for Facility
Managers and Construction Project Managers (April 2017).
• The University of Texas Health Science Center (Instructor) – Pre-Certification Training: Institute of
Hazardous Materials Managers (2003 to Present): “Environmental Assessments" (ASTM et.al); "Petroleum
Storage Tank Management"; "Environmental Regulations and Statutes"; "Resource Conservation and
Recover Act (RCRA)"; Federal Insecticide Fungicide and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA); and National Environmental
Policy Act (NEPA)".
• Environmental Banker’s Association: Semi-Annual National Conference: “Land-Based Well Blowout: A
Remediation Case Study (South Louisiana)” (December 2015).
• Tianjin University (China) “The International Symposium on Construction of Tianjin”
Presentation/Speaker – “Proactive Systems & Rapid Response Actions to Reduce & Mitigate Human &
Natural Resource Damage Following Catastrophic (Hazardous Materials) Incidents in Industry” (October
2015).
• Colliers International - Guest Lecturer: “Changes to Due Diligence Guidance” (June 2014).
• Comerica, Guest Lecturer: “Changes to Due Diligence Guidance & the 8 Biggest Failures in Commercial
Property Risk Management (And How to Avoid Them)” (May 2014).
• SEAK, Environmental Litigation Expert: “Making the Complex Understandable: What Works for Expert
Witnesses” (May 2014)."
• Comerica Bank, Guest Lecturer: “Environmental Risks” – Training for Loan Officers (September 2012)
• Environmental Bankers Association – Webinar: “Use of Geophysical Methods to Promote Optimized &
Non-Intrusive Environmental Site Assessment” (October 2010).
• Environmental Bankers Association: “RCRA Implications for Materially Impaired Real Property
Assessment – Is a Voluntary Cleanup Program Certificate Attainable and Protective? Implications for
Banks upon Foreclosure” (January 2010).
• Forensic Expert Witness Association, Texas Summer Conference – Discussion Panel: “The Valuable
Environmental/Engineering Expert Witness: The Lawyer’s Perspective” (July 2009).
• Wal-Mart Stores, Inc., Supplier Development Seminar – Presentation: “The Contracting Process – How
to Work for Wal-Mart” (November 2008)."
• Comerica Bank, Regional Technical Environmental Seminar – Presentation: “Vapor Intrusion Hazards
and Application of the ASTM Standard” (November 2008).
• Environmental Data Resources, Inc. – Panelist: “Due Diligence at Dawn Forum” (April 2008).
• Environmental Banker’s Association – Presentation/Speaker – Semi-Annual National Conference:
“Environmental Considerations for Operating Oil & Gas Fields & Facilities” (January 2008).
• Retained Lecturer of the Canadian Consulate – Saskatchewan (SEWAQ) Environmental Conference;
Presentation: “Environmental Opportunities in Texas, Louisiana & Mexico” (February 2006).
• American Institute of Architects Houston, 10th Annual “Design for Health” Guest Lecturer: “Infection
Control in Architecture” (2005).
• American Institute of Architects Houston – Guest Speaker: “Infection Control in Healthcare and
Environmental Considerations for the Built Environment” (2005).
.• Comerica Bank, Environmental Risk Management – Guest Speaker: “Environmental Regulations in
Texas – An Update” (2004 and 2005).
• Memorial Hermann Healthcare System – Executive Project Manager’s & Property Manager’s Group
Meeting: “Environmental Considerations in the Healthcare Environment” (2003 and 2004).
• State Farm Insurance Company – Presentation to Executive Team & Adjusters: “Biocontamination of
Building Materials – Identification and Control” (2001 and 2002).
• American Woman’s Society of Certified Public Accountants of Houston (AWSCPA) – Presentation:
“Consideration of Environmental Issues in Financial/Tax Reporting” (1998).
- Q: Have any of your accreditations ever been investigated, suspended or removed? (if yes, explain)
- A: None - all in continued good standing; never litigated against never experienced any complaint or censure.
- Q: On how many occasions have you been retained as an expert?
- A: Approximately 70+
- Q: For what area(s) of expertise have you been retained as an expert?
- A: OSHA Chemical Exposure
Indoor Air Quality
Hazardous Materials Release
Hazardous Waste Release & Exposure
Lead Exposure
Benzene Exposure
Construction Defect Loss - mold, asbestos, sick building
Industrial Hygiene - Worker Exposure
Petroleum Hydrocarbon Release Clean-up (Oil & Gas E&P locations)
Hazardous Materials Release from Tanks
Wrongful Death - Confined Space Explosion
Chemical Exposure - Gasoline
Oil & Gas Well Site Blowout - Loss Estimating
Product Defect - Environmental
Real Estate Due Diligence - Q: In what percentage of your cases were you retained by the plaintiff?
- A: ~41%
- Q: In what percentage of your cases were you retained by the defendant?
- A: ~59%
- Q: On how many occasions have you had your deposition taken?
- A: 28 cases; 8 cases involved multiple events or continued deposition
- Q: When was the last time you had your deposition taken?
- A: November 2023
- Q: On how many occasions have you been qualified by a court to give expert testimony?
- A: Unsure; not always involved in this step - likely at least 10
- Q: On how many occasions have you testified as an expert in court or before an arbitrator?
- A: ~ 15
- Q: For how many years have you worked with the legal industry as an expert?
- A: ~ 35
- Q: What services do you offer? (E.g.: consulting, testing, reports, site inspections etc.)
- A: Environmental consulting; testing of air, soil, groundwater, media & waste testing for field and analytical (lab) characterization; property inspection & survey; preparation of expert reports, peer reviews, conceptual cost estimates, highly reliable cost estimates; real estate assessment; risk assessment; remediation design; forensic post loss assessment; loss modeling; building sciences; asbestos remediation; mold remediation; organic vapor; industrial hygiene; fire; flood; oil & gas; fuel storage tanks
- Q: What is your hourly rate to consult with an attorney?
- A: $325.
- Q: What is your hourly rate to review documents?
- A: $325.
- Q: What is your hourly rate to provide deposition testimony?
- A: $325.
- Q: What is your hourly rate to provide testimony at trial?
- A: $325
- Q: Please list any fees other than those stated above (E.g.: travel expenses, copy fees, etc.)
- A: Travel expenses (unless directly paid by retaining counsel); equipment rental daily use; laboratory fees; other third-party costs at cost +15% - fee schedule available.
William (Ben) Westcott
Co-Managing Shareholder
ANDREWS MYERS, PC
1885 St. James Place, 15th Floor
Houston, TX 77056
713-850-4215
ben.westcott@andrewsmyers.com
Mauricio Guevara, Associate Attorney; or
Tony Buzbee, Attorney / Founder
BUZBEE LAW FIRM
JP Morgan Chase Tower
600 Travis St, Ste 7500
Houston, TX 77002
713-584-9838
mguevara@txattorneys.com;
713-223-5393
www.txattorneys.com
Ray Chester, Attorney
MCGINNIS LOCHRIDGE
609 Main St., Ste. 2800
Houston, TX 77002
512-495-6051
rchester@mcginnislaw.com
Colby Hodges
Senior Counsel
ANDREW MYERS | Attorneys at Law
Houston | Austin
1885 Saint James Place, 15th Floor, Houston, TX 77056
Bus: 713-850-4235
Cell: 713-501-8727
Fax: 713-850-4211
E-Fax: 713-351-0394
E-Mail: CHodges@AndrewsMyers.com
Website: www.AndrewsMyers.com
Chris M. Volf, Attorney
Volf PLCC
1334 Brittmoore Rd. Ste. 1000J
Houston, Texas 77043
832-706-2224 (office)
281-704-5780 (mobile)
cvolf@lawvolf.com