Interview Q&A
How long have you been in business?
SES was established in March, 1981.
What is your primary product or service?
Air pollution testing and permitting
How did you first become interested in your line of business? (if owner) - What is your background? (If owner or store manager)
While I was attending college the EPA was established and I decided I wanted to be a part of the environmental field. After graduation I worked for a government agency in the field, then for a consulting company and then formed Southern Environmental Sciences, Inc. My (Byron Nelson's) background includes a Bachelors degree in Zoology from USF, a masters degree in Environmental Engineering Sciences from UF, and over 40 years experience in air pollution testing and evaluation.
How do you differentiate yourself from other businesses in your category and area?
Our small group of professionals has over 130 years of combined experience in air pollution testing and permitting so we know what we are doing and we work diligently with our clients to make sure they get high quality, objective testing and permitting services, when they need it, at a reasonable cost.
How many locations do you have and do you have plans to expand?
Our primary and only location is in Plant City, Florida. We do not have plans to expand to other locations because we find that we can maintain better quality of services by having one centralized location.
Provide detailed directions to your location
From Interstate 4 between Tampa and Lakeland, south on State Road 39, which is also Wheeler Street 0.5 mile, office is on the left (east) side of the street, 1204 N. Wheeler Street.
What type of payments do you accept?
SES currently accepts checks, ACH deposits, cash and PayPal.
Which areas do you service?
Primarily all of Florida and the southeastern United States.
Who owns your company or runs daily operations?
The company is owned by Byron Nelson, one of the original founders in 1981. Daily operations are run by Byron Nelson, CIH, Mark Gierke, QSTI, and Lynn Robinson, PE, with Cindy Benning coordinating with our clients and diligently striving to make sure we are all on the right track and pulling in the same direction.
What are your hours of operation?
Someone always answers the phones from 8:30 am until 5:00 pm. However, we usually have teams out in the field before dawn and often after sunset, We sometimes leave for a test at 2 am and we may not return until after the rest of the country has gone to bed. Our clients determine our hours of operation.
What is the best compliment anyone can give you?
That our staff was able to provide the services they needed when no one else could.
What is your favorite quote or Bible verse?
Don't dream your life.... live your dream.
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