Our Team

Melissa Vega Las Vegas - Operations Manager

Ms. Vega is your key point of contact for client account management, customer service, order processing, project status, reporting requests and basic report interpretations.  Similarly, her responsibilities include guiding the customer service functions for the laboratory, coordinating and scheduling sampling events, pick-ups and deliveries and supervising the field service operations.  Vega has over 10 years experience with Silver State Labs and a  a total of 30 years experience in office management, project management, customer service, inside sales, order processing and accounting.  Melissa has lived in Las Vegas for over 25 years, has served in the U.S. Army Reserves and is an avid football fan.

Mike Mitchell Las Vegas - QA Manager / Lab Director

Mr. Mitchell serves as the Las Vegas Laboratory QA Manager and Lab Director.  Mike is responsible for quality programs and data validation for testing projects completed in Las Vegas.  He also is responsible for methods and technical adherence to procedures and compliance with NDEP/NELAC standards.  He also performs advanced technical testing and works to train and develop laboratory testing team members. Mr. Mitchell has over 25 years of experience with hands-on lab testing, data review, and quality programs. He has previously traveled internationally working to establish new testing laboratories and training local staff primarily in the environmental remediation and oil industries. Mike earned his B.S. degree from Salem State College in Massachusetts and has significant extended training in oil fingerprinting methods. Mike enjoys living in Las Vegas with his immediate and extended families nearby.

Steve West Las Vegas - Client Services Manager / EnviroTech Equipment Manager

Mr. West serves as your Client Services Manager for accounts near Las Vegas.  He also oversees the Enviro-Tech equipment services for rentals, sales, repairs and calibrations of all field equipment and supplies.  Steve also serves as your outside sales contact and will assist with field services as needed.  He has worked at Silver State Analytical since 2006 starting as a driver and progressing through several laboratory assignments.   He has a wide scope of industry knowledge including advanced training in support of Enviro-Tech products including pumps, samplers, test equipment, PID’s and related products.  West attended Salt Lake Community College and Snow College as well as BYU-Idaho.  Steve is on track to obtain a B.S. degree in 2021.  Steve is an avid car fan and, in his spare time, he loves working on cars.  In fact, Steve has owned over 18 cars and trucks throughout his life.  Mr. West is your key point of contact for new testing programs and  Enviro-Tech services in the Las Vegas area and company wide.

Carly Wood Reno - Laboratory Director / Business Unit Leader

Ms. Wood is the Reno Laboratory Director and Business Unit Leader for the Reno Operating Division.  She provides technical and operational leadership – supervises the lab team and manages daily operations. As Business Unit Leader she has full responsibility and authority in daily operations to ensure client and staff needs are met with integrity and a high degree of quality and efficiency.  She earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Chemistry, cum laude, from Southern Oregon University and has over 10 years environmental laboratory experience.  Wood also has microbiology and wet chemistry analytical experience and worked as a technical specialist and a technical director.  In her spare time, Carly enjoys bike rides, backpacking and hiking.

John Faulstich Reno - Principal Chemist / QA Manager

Mr. Faulstich serves as the principal technical resource for the Reno Laboratory, which includes providing advanced analyses, new method development, instrument set up, maintenance and repair.  He also serves as the principal QC officer and Quality Program Director.  Faulstich received his Bachelor of Science degree in General Studies from the University of Nevada, Reno.  John has over 25 years environmental laboratory experience at many levels and with different labs, including work as an Inorganic Chemistry Supervisor, Chemist, QA Officer, Project Manager and Operations Manager.  In 2007, Mr. Faulstich joined the staff of Sierra Environmental Monitoring, which was subsequently merged into Silver State Labs in 2015.  In his spare time, John enjoys kayaking, hunting, hiking and camping.

Joe Nava Reno - Senior Client Services Manager

Mr. Nava is your key point of contact for client account management, customer service questions, order processing and reporting requests.  Similarly, he is the local point of contact for Enviro-Tech sales and rentals for the Reno area.  Nava has worked as a laboratory professional for over 20 years and held positions in client relations and as an Administrative Manager.  Joe has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology from the California State University at Sacramento.  In 2004, Nava joined the staff of Sierra Environmental Monitoring, which later was merged into Silver State Labs in 2015.  Together, with his dogs and his wife, Joe enjoys many outdoor activities including hiking.

Cydnee McGuire Client Services Manager - Office Manager

Mrs. McGuire serves as the Northern Nevada Client Services Manager and Office Manager for our Reno location.  This includes servicing testing order requests, project management, reporting and invoicing as well as all office administration management and full charge bookkeeping.  After 2 years with Silver State Labs – Reno as a CSR, she was promoted to this new role in June 2022.  Mrs. McGuire is a life long Nevada resident and enjoys living and working in the Reno area with her family.   She is known for super friendly customer service and accurate and timely responses to all inquires.  Cydnee helps schedule projects, intakes samples, and coordinates client service needs in all respects.  She’s had college education and training in environmental and science fields and has worked for environmental testing labs in the past.  In total, she’s been assisting and working in commercial labs for over 5 years and has 9 years professional client services experience.

Tom Gilbert Elko Area - Client Services Representative / Lab Analyst

Tom provides full services for our clients in the Elko area from our NDEP Certified Laboratory and well stocked equipment and sampling supply Service Center.   This includes certified testing for short hold time items such as coliforms and full support and coordination of large/detailed sampling and testing programs in conjunction with our major labs in Reno, Las Vegas and Sacramento.  Tom also is fully trained with field sampling and testing equipment and supplies through the Silver State Labs equipment division which includes Enviro-Tech sales and rental, In-Situ brand products and other OEM’s.  Tom is experienced and proficient with client services, sample pick up, shipping and receiving.  Additional services in Elko includes portable test equipment and sampling equipment repairs and certified calibrations which are traceable to NIST.  Tom is a native Northern Nevadan and obtained a BS degree from UNR and also holds an AS in Mining Technology.  Tom spent a major part of his career working and managing mining labs in Northern Nevada and is happy to be residing and working in Elko once again.

Joseph Trapasso III California - Business Unit Leader/Director of Operations

In 2020, Mr. Trapasso was appointed Business Unit Leader for our California Operations – Excelchem Laboratories, Inc.  Joe has full authority and responsibility to serve clients and manage our business and team members within the state of California.  This includes lab operations as well as his historic duties in Client Services – Project Management for all California based clients.  He also has statewide new business development and customer satisfaction responsibilities.  This dynamic position includes business development for the California market, direct sales, marketing, field sampling, and client services.  Joe’s recent tenure includes 5 years with Enviro-Tech Services Company and 4 years with Silver State Analytical and Excelchem Laboratories, Inc.

Trapasso is an Army Veteran and, while he was stationed in Washington D.C. and Germany, gained experience in G.I.S. and Logistics.  Joe then discovered a keen interest in the Environmental Industry, where he’s worked now for over 10 years.  He previously performed field related activities for his first 5 years in the industry and managed an environmental equipment and supply company before joining Silver State Analytical.  Mr. Trapasso is an avid sports fan who loves to spend free time golfing, traveling, and learning photography.

Doug Selby Sacramento - Technical Director

Mr. Selby serves as the Sacramento Technical Director (Per NELAC accreditation terms) where his overall responsibilities include laboratory method set up and calibration, staff training, lab operations, and quality control to ensure our client projects are completed on-time, efficiently, and with high quality.  Doug is responsible for accreditation management for all laboratory method certifications.  Doug also applies his technical knowledge to implement and troubleshoot new testing methods, perform advance analytics, maintain superior quality control systems, and provide clients with expert technical consultations.  Doug is particular adept at all methods using GC/MSD and related detectors.  Doug earned his BS degree from San Diego State University and has over 28 years of industry experience.  He has been a bench chemist in environmental and water labs and spent many years as an advanced analyst with High Resolution GC/MS methods including dioxin and furans. Doug has also held substantial positions at certified laboratories as a QC Manager and Laboratory Director.

Doug has spent is entire life in California and currently resides with his family in Auburn, California.

Rachel Giffin Sacramento - Laboratory Manager/Senior Analyst

Rachel Giffin rejoined the new Excelchem Labs as Laboratory Manager and Senior Analyst in August 2021.  She previously worked at Excelchem as an Analytical Chemist until 2018 when she went to a cannabis products lab testing product purity using advanced instrumentation and methods.  Rachel supervises the day-to-day operations of the lab and coordinates details for efficient and accurate test completions.  She is highly skilled in analytical chemistry, especially organic test methods used in water, environmental and food safety testing; as well as instrument maintenance and calibration.  Additionally, Rachel provides a valuable resource for data review and QA/QC program implementation as well as support for client technical consultations.  Rachel earned a B.S. degree from UC Davis and has nearly 12 years of experience in commercial testing labs in the greater Sacramento area.

Rachel enjoys living in Sacramento where some of her hobbies include Krav Maga, crocheting, baking, and motorcycling.

Chris Conlon Sacramento - Office Manager

Chris Conlon serves Excelchem Laboratories, Inc. as the overall office administrator/manager including accounting, local HR functions and client service support.    Chris’s experience includes working for both large and small organizations in retail service, wholesaling and internet businesses.  He is a native of Northern California and spent significant time in the Bay Area attending High School and College.  Chris earned a Degree from San Jose State University in Business Management and applies significant expertise in operations management to the Excelchem Laboratories business.  Chris lives with his family in the Antelope area of Sacramento County and enjoys the great outdoors of the Sierra and Lake Tahoe region every chance he gets.

Kate Albertsen Sacramento - Client Services Representative

Kate Albertsen is the friendly voice you hear with personal service in Sacramento.   Kate helps customers schedule projects, coordinate sampling and testing and is the lead analytical report and EDD writer.  Kate has a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Sociology from Sonoma State University.  She has over 10 years of experience in customer service and administration.  Kate is a long time Northern California resident and currently resides in Auburn with her family.  Some of her interests are travel, camping, and assisting in the family vineyard and wine production.

Joseph Trapasso III California - Business Unit Leader/Director of Operations

Mr. Trapasso’s responsibilities include Client Services – Project Management for all California based clients.  He also has statewide new business development and customer satisfaction responsibilities.  This dynamic position includes business development for the California market, direct sales, marketing, field sampling, client services.  Joe’s recent tenure includes 5 years with Enviro-Tech Services Company and 4 years with Silver State Analytical and Excelchem Laboratories, Inc.

Trapasso is an Army Veteran and, while he was stationed in Washington D.C. and Germany, gained experience in G.I.S. and Logistics.  Joe then discovered a keen interest in the Environmental Industry, where he’s worked now for over 10 years.  He previously performed field related activities for his first 5 years in the industry and managed an environmental equipment and supply company before joining Silver State Analytical.  Mr. Trapasso is an avid sports fan who loves to spend free time golfing, traveling, and learning photography.