Team
Dave Brown
Principal
Every ship needs an anchor, and at Benchmark Resources, that’s Dave Brown. Dave is often just “one of the gang” at the office, but as founding principal and president of the firm, he is also our respected leader. Dave is calm in the face of situations that would cause others anxiety, decisive when debate needs to end and action needs to begin, and always ready with sound advice drawing from his sharp recollection of experiences from his work in land use permitting, SMARA, and environmental analysis since the early ’80s. He’s real, he’s honest, and—who would have guessed it—he does the best impression of a waddling duck, which he busted out perfectly at a crowded and contentious public hearing when he decided that nothing short of an actual demonstration would achieve his client’s objective. While Dave often feeds us good advice, he also feeds us great food. Some of us try to resist, but there’s no denying that we all crave what Dave has to offer in leadership, advice, and calories.
Bruce Steubing
Principal
If Dave Brown is the glue that holds Benchmark Resources together, Bruce is the contact high we get from that glue. Bruce is the perpetual up-lifter at the office, from his singing when he first walks through the door in the morning to his lighthearted “I’m putting you in charge” command to one of us when he leaves for the day. His infectious character leaves us all spouting Bruce-isms at the office and at home (you know that’s right). Bruce is “magical” at being a facilitator and diffusing tense situations, which comes in handy at team meetings and public hearings for controversial projects. He approaches nearly everything he does with true gusto, whether explaining CEQA or formulating project strategies. Bruce also applies his intelligent, positive, and truly joyful attitude to coaching his son’s baseball team and trouncing us in office ping pong games. Benchmark Resources simply could not exist as we know it without the continuous contact high we get from Bruce.
Andrew White
Principal
Maybe it’s his background as an attorney, but Andrew is talented when it comes to developing an analytical approach to any problem. Whether he’s addressing a complex land use entitlement, a tricky environmental issue, or developing a strategy for obtaining permits for controversial projects, he thinks big picture and then drills down to the details. Andrew makes a point to be “in the know” in the mining industry, keeping up with ever-evolving SMARA and environmental regulations to be armed with knowledge that can be successfully applied to our client’s projects. But we also suspect that Andrew’s interest in staying abreast of statewide issues also gives him an excuse to visit trendy new restaurants and breweries throughout the state. Even when he’s focused on formulating strategies for project success, he’s willing to briefly change gears and provide advice on local restaurants, food, and beer to anyone who needs a recommendation.
Bob Delp
Project Manager
His 4 a.m. e-mails are not meant to impress, he simply uses the freedom provided at Benchmark to run his own schedule. Bob is perpetually “on” when it comes to driving projects and resolving CEQA and NEPA issues. His productivity during the early morning—which some of us think of as the middle of the night—is just one of many signs of his dedication. Sure, his mountain bike rolls some dirt onto the office floor every once in a while when he returns from a lunch ride, but that’s a small price to pay. Bob’s long-term environmental planning experience is nearly as valuable to us as his witty one- (or two-) liners during staff meetings. Bob is the embodiment of tenacious, and just the guy you want assigned to that tough project.
Andrew Heinemann
Mine Engineer/Geologist
His 4 a.m. e-mails are not meant to impress, he simply uses the freedom provided at Benchmark to run his own schedule. Bob is perpetually “on” when it comes to driving projects and resolving CEQA and NEPA issues. His productivity during the early morning—which some of us think of as the middle of the night—is just one of many signs of his dedication. Sure, his mountain bike rolls some dirt onto the office floor every once in a while when he returns from a lunch ride, but that’s a small price to pay. Bob’s long-term environmental planning experience is nearly as valuable to us as his witty one- (or two-) liners during staff meetings. Bob is the embodiment of tenacious, and just the guy you want assigned to that tough project.
Monika Krupa
Senior Planner
Monika joined Benchmark in 2021 as an environmental planner with 12 years’ experience in CEQA/NEPA compliance, as well as soil, groundwater, and surface water quality investigation; analysis and reporting of environmental data; and environmental construction compliance. Monika enjoys both managing the environmental review of projects, as well as tackling more challenging technical analyses, particularly the topics of hydrology and water quality, hazards and hazardous materials, geology and soils, and noise and vibration, all of which are critical issues in many mining projects. Monika brings to Benchmark the rare combination of skilled writing and scientific training. New to the Sacramento area, Monika spends her free time exploring the foothills, mountains, rivers, and lakes with her family.
Mark Hernandez
CAD Technician/GIS Specialist
Benchmark Resources has always set high standards for its graphics, but Mark’s training as a landscape architect took our topography to new elevations. Mark manages our Mapping and Visuals department, as well as our need to know anything about modern films and television series (from Game of Thrones to Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt), and don’t even get him started on UFC fighters. Mark is always looking to improve our game, such as implementing the latest and greatest rendering software for creating more realistic aesthetic simulations and animated video simulations of projects. Benchmark’s superior project designs are even better with Mark’s execution.
Katharina McKillip
Office Administrator
Katharina has been with Benchmark Resources a long time (since 2008). We take great pride in the documents we produce, and while a lot of planning expertise contributes to the quality of our documents, Katharina makes the final products shine. Katharina manages our production department, handles invoicing, and assists with financial assurance cost estimates and mine inspection report preparation. She also assists with pulling together proposals, where she applies her vast knowledge of current and past projects, including all things Benchmark. She’s organized, efficient, and so dang calm in the face of what would have others buckling under the pressure. Call and she’ll answer the phone with a friendly hello, and you’ll never guess she’s in the middle of a 50-document production run that’s headed out the door in 20 minutes! Though we are well aware of her organizational talent, we still had our doubts when she became a mother of twins in 2016, but fast forward and you would have never guessed it. When not at Benchmark, she enjoys spending time with her family and friends, hiking, kayaking, camping, and working on her home as a DIYer.
