Beale Air Force Base Installation Restoration Team Earns Prestigious Air Force Environmental Award

Paragon Professional Services' Folsom office proudly supported the Beale Air Force Base (AFB) Installation Restoration Team, which earned the 2024-2025 General Thomas D. White Award in the Environmental Restoration Installation category. This prestigious Air Force award recognizes excellence in environmental restoration, pollution prevention, conservation, and environmental quality programs.

Named after General Thomas Dresser White, the fourth Chief of Staff of the Air Force, the award has been presented annually since 1962 to honor individuals and organizations that make significant contributions to environmental stewardship and national security.

Beale AFB was recognized in part for its leadership in addressing contamination from per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), commonly known as "forever chemicals." The installation has implemented innovative cleanup technologies while supporting research that will help shape future Department of Defense environmental restoration efforts across the country.

Paragon has played a key role in this work through its support of the Air Force Civil Engineer Center (AFCEC) and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Sacramento District under a six-year contract for PFAS remedial investigations. The team has conducted investigations at seven sites across Beale AFB affected by the historical use of aqueous film-forming foam, a firefighting product used throughout the military for decades.

Led by Project Manager Jamie Cachine, P.G., with field supervision from William Zimmerman, chemistry support from Rosa Montalvo, and contributions from the broader Folsom office, the Paragon team has completed ten field mobilizations since 2022. Their work included environmental sampling, groundwater monitoring, and data collection that has helped evaluate treatment technologies and guide future cleanup activities.

Darren Rector, Restoration Program Manager for AFCEC, emphasized the collaborative nature of the achievement:

"Receiving the General Thomas D. White Award acknowledges innovative and tireless efforts in accelerating cleanup, pioneering new technologies, engaging with the community, and implementing sustainable remediation practices. Probably the most exciting aspect of this Environmental Restoration award is that it rewards the team, rather than individual effort. In the end, the team award offers the most satisfaction to the most people. When I write 'Team,' I'm referring to the entire team-regulatory agencies, contractors, USACE, and the folks that put up with me in the office. I have the deepest gratitude to all of you and thank you for supporting Beale's Restoration efforts."

The Beale Installation Restoration Program will now advance to the Department of Defense competition for environmental restoration excellence. Congratulations to the entire team on this outstanding achievement!