The VCS Environmental team brings a diverse range of qualifications with decades of experience to provide expert solutions to each and every project, whether related to CEQA-NEPA, biology, regulatory permitting, or cultural services.
The VCS team is led by CEO Julie Beeman. President Wade Caffrey and Directors Eric Turner, Patrick Maxon, and Donna Decker head up our CEQA/NEPA, Regulatory, Biological, and Cultural divisions. Our goal is to serve our clients with excellence in order to maintain their business year over year.
Since the beginning, VCS has been committed to serving others by supporting global and local charitable initiatives and mentoring business leaders, entrepreneurs, young professionals, and students. Our corporate philosophy is to serve others and to embrace our clients’ goals and objectives as our own in order to provide strategic advice and leadership.
VCS is a certified Small Business Enterprise (SBE), Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE), and Woman-Owned Business Enterprise (WBE) headquartered in San Juan Capistrano, California.
LEADERSHIP TEAM
JULIE BEEMAN | Chief Executive Officer
Julie transforms environmental challenges into strategic business opportunities as CEO and founder of VCS Environmental. With 29 years of leadership experience, Julie has built a 30-member team that delivers measurable results in CEQA/NEPA compliance, biological assessments, and jurisdictional waters regulations. Her expertise in mitigation banking includes entitling over 2,500 acres of credits throughout Southern California. VCS Environmental is a strategic partner that helps clients confidently navigate complex regulatory landscapes while achieving their business objectives.
WADE CAFFREY | President
As VCS President, Wade is responsible for day to day operations, overseeing client deliverables and management of staff. Additionally, Wade directs Biological Resources and Regulatory Permitting teams, providing expertise in complex ecological challenges. As a recognized authority on mitigation bank entitlement and native habitat restoration, Wade creates measurable value for clients through expertly managed biological studies and construction monitoring services. His comprehensive approach to regulatory documentation delivers tangible results by streamlining environmental processes and creating clear pathways to project approval. Wade’s relationships with regulatory agencies positions clients for success while establishing VCS Environmental as a trusted partner in environmental compliance.
ERIC TURNER | Director, Environmental Services
Eric applies over 15 years of environmental expertise to guide clients through complex regulatory challenges. As Director of Environmental Services, Eric specializes in foreseeing potential obstacles early in project development and crafting proactive solutions that maintain schedules and budgets. His comprehensive approach to managing CEQA/NEPA documentation and regulatory permitting translates into measurable results for transportation, infrastructure, coastal, and development projects across California. Eric’s unique ability to navigate project details while maintaining focus on broader objectives serves VCS clients through all project phases from scoping to completion.
PATRICK O. MAXON, RPA | Director, Cultural Services
Pat brings 31 years of specialized cultural resources expertise to VCS clients. As a Registered Professional Archaeologist meeting Secretary of Interior’s standards, Patrick oversees the preparation of all archaeological and paleontological documentation. He oversees cultural staff who provide key expertise, conduct and coordinate with Native American Tribes during construction monitoring. Patrick is well versed in CEQA AB 52 and SB 18 consultation as well as U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Section 106 requirements.
DONNA DECKER | Director, Planning Services
Donna utilizes over 31 years of environmental planning expertise to create strategic value for clients as Director of Planning Services. With her unique background as both a Municipal Planning Director and private sector consultant, Donna expertly manages the development of specific plans, general plan amendments, and comprehensive environmental documents. Her specialized knowledge in CEQA compliance and policy development helps to obtain project entitlements.
DEBRA JONES | Assistant Director, CEQA/NEPA Services
Debra brings specialized transportation expertise gained over 30 years in both public and private sectors to deliver strategic value for complex infrastructure projects. As Assistant Director of CEQA/NEPA Services, Debra’s unique background as former Federal Transit Administration staff positions her to navigate regulatory requirements with exceptional insight. Debra’s comprehensive approach to environmental documentation and agency requirements transforms potential regulatory challenges into opportunities for project advancement.
MICHAEL TUCKER | Assistant Director, CEQA/NEPA Services
Mike combines over 20 years of environmental planning expertise with valuable public sector insight from his tenure as a Conservation Officer with the United States Marine Corps. As Assistant Director of CEQA/NEPA Services, Mike specializes in translating complex technical and environmental challenges into economically feasible solutions that create measurable value for clients. Mike’s problem-solving abilities ensure clients receive practical solutions that advance their business objectives while maintaining environmental compliance.
RYAN LOCKWOOD | Assistant Director, Biological Resources Services
Ryan brings over 20 years of comprehensive environmental expertise spanning field ecology, regulatory compliance, and natural resource management across California and the western United States. As Assistant Director of Biological Resources, Ryan specializes in transforming complex biological and regulatory challenges into streamlined solutions that deliver measurable results for clients. His extensive field experience with federally listed species, combined with proven success managing multi-million dollar environmental programs for military installations, ensures clients receive practical, compliance-focused strategies that advance project objectives while protecting sensitive biological resources.