Mission
Weber, Hayes & Associates (WHA) has provided over three decades of hydrogeologic and environmental engineering services throughout the California Central Coast and San Francisco Bay Area regions. Our expert staff provides straightforward solutions to regulatory and planning requirements. We specialize in environmental assessment, environmental remediation, and water resource engineering projects.
WHA has extensive experience working with the following regulatory agencies:
- California State Water Resources Control Board
- California Regional Water Quality Control Boards (RWQCB), primarily the Central Coast RWQCB, and the San Francisco RWQCB
- County environmental health and public works agencies, including Santa Cruz County, Monterey County, Santa Clara County, San Benito County, and San Mateo County
- California Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC)
- Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), primarily Region 9
Powered by a staff of experienced hydrogeologists, earth scientists, and engineers, WHA is qualified to provide a wide range of corresponding services and project solutions.
Learn about Our Team
History
Our firm was founded in 1981 as G. E. Weber Geologic Consulting, by Dr. Gerald E. Weber. Dr. Weber (Jerry) was an alumnus (PhD, 1980) and longtime lecturer and field geology professor at the University of California Santa Cruz’s Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences. While Jerry is no longer with us, he is remembered for his deep passion as an earth scientist, inspiring generations of young geologists over the years.
In 1988, Joseph Hayes, a hydrogeologist, joined the firm and the company was incorporated as Weber and Associates (later, Weber, Hayes and Associates). Originally, our firm focused on engineering geologic studies with respect to geologic hazards prior to construction and development. We supported the Santa Cruz region after the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake, which exposed deficiencies in geologic stability for properties throughout the region. As time went on, we began to increasingly focus on hydrogeological assessments, subsurface chemical assessments and remediation projects, under the guidance of Mr. Hayes.
Patrick Hoban, who joined the firm as an environmental geologist in 1992, took over company ownership in 2008 as Mr. Hayes moved on to pursue other passions. Mr. Hoban continued to lead the firm in hydrogeological assessments, subsurface chemical assessments, and remediation projects while also guiding the firm into other areas of environmental regulatory compliance including stormwater pollution management for municipalities, construction and industrial sites, and, with the expertise of our Principal Engineer, Craig Drizin, drinking water system design, treatment and distribution for numerous small community water systems and rural school sites.
As Mr. Hoban looks forward to retirement over the next several years, Jered Chaney, who joined the firm in 2003 as a recent graduate from the UCSC Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences and who has become a key senior manager with over two decades of experience in the firm, has moved into the position of owner and CEO as of 2024.
