KALEY A. DUCOEUR

ENVIRONMENTAL TEAM LEADER

Why did you choose this career path?

When I was a kid, I would go camping with my dad in the U.P. One year we went to the Boundary Waters. This was an experience; this was the first time I saw the Milky Way. It was from that experience I realized it was only there because someone else had decided it was important to save it. From this realization, I started my interest in conservation, land use, and preserving the environment.

When I graduated college in Southwestern Pennsylvania, it was during the Marcellus Shale oil and gas boom. Due to circumstance, I accepted a position at a firm who serviced the oil, gas, and coal industries. Two industries I was not interested in supporting. In this role, I learned that preservation has its place, but we also live in this world and there’s a balance. It made me grow as a person and sparked an interest in energy, infrastructure, and sustainable growth.

How long have you been with R/M?

I came to R/M in July of 2020.

What is the best part of your job?

My team! I am lucky enough to work with individuals who are not only dedicated to performing at a high level, but are also great people.

Along with my team, my coworkers at R/M hold themselves to a high standard. When you work with individuals who hold that standard, it is something I can be proud of and is a goal for me to achieve and exceed. This standard is held true in both their work and in who they are as people.

What do you think differentiates R/M from other firms?

The individuals at Ruekert & Mielke are experts. I am lucky enough to work with and under individuals who are driven by their interests in water resources. It is so refreshing.

R/M also provides cutting-edge technology to support our clients to be innovative and cost-effective. R/M has your community or client at the front of mind and makes decisions for communities and clients as they would themselves.

If you could go back in time and give your 18-year-old self one piece of advice, what would it be?

As cliché as it is, I have two quotes:

“Everyone puts on one pant leg at a time.”

“We’re all humans living on this tiny little rock. Floating through space at, like, thousands of miles an hour.”

What are you up to when you’re not at work?

I’m an Alderwoman on the Weyauwega City Council, I watch the native pollinators in my flower gardens, play disc golf, make jewelry, and hang out with my doggos!