ESA Environmental Consultants founder Stephen Fauer (left) has retired as owner and CEO, handing both roles to Christopher Martell, who most recently served as president. — Courtesy: ESA
By Joshua Burd
The founder and longtime owner of ESA Environmental Consultants has stepped down, having handed the reins to his second-in-command at the Middlesex-based firm.
Stephen Fauer’s retirement as CEO, which was effective June 1, comes nearly 33 years after he launched what was known as Environmental Strategies & Applications Inc. The company has grown steadily since then and most significantly over the past four years, the firm said, thanks in part to his partnership with Christopher Martell, who has risen from the role of president to succeed Fauer as owner and chief executive.
“When I incorporated ESA in August 1989, my vision was to create a company founded on client advocacy and unimpeachable integrity,” Fauer said. “I am deeply proud to say, ‘mission accomplished.’ I know those hallmark traits will continue under Chris’s leadership, and I believe that ESA’s best years lie ahead.”
Fauer started the firm after more than 12 years in roles of increasing responsibility in the environmental consulting industry, the company said. Martell joined in 2016 with 20 years of environmental experience, quickly rising from director of project management to president while helping guide the firm to what it described as impressive revenue growth in the past two years.
“I couldn’t dream of a more perfect exit from — and a brighter future for — this company that I worked so hard to build,” Fauer said.
ESA has added several new staff members in recent years and is on track to continue its growth, the company said this week.
“Over these past few years, Stephen has bestowed on me his wealth of knowledge and insights into this industry that will be key to ESA’s continued success,” Martell said. “I am overwhelmingly honored to be able to continue Stephen’s legacy.”
