RE+ Midwest 2025

Dr. Brandon Gabler, Strategic Growth Director at SWCA, has more than 20 years of experience working on professional archaeological projects and more than 10 years of experience directing projects throughout the United States. During his career, Dr. Gabler has documented cultural resources in both academic (research-based) and contract (client-based) settings in the Midwest, Northeast, Southeast, Mid-Atlantic, Southwest, Great Basin, and Mojave Desert regions. His substantial experience with project management, agency and Tribal consultation, budget oversight, quality control, database development and management, data analysis, GIS data collection and analysis, and cartographic production have been instrumental in fulfilling client’s needs and project requests. His experience includes developing cultural resources best practices documents, increasing early engagement of cultural resources staff in the project development process, standardizing and centralizing administrative processes, enhancing technical capabilities, and developing protocol to improve safety, information technology, marketing, and communication. Dr. Gabler is focused on business growth in the upper Midwest and Great Lakes states and provides strategic direction for cultural resources projects and staff in the region.

As the director of SWCA’s Chicago office, Sarah focuses on team building and people leadership, as well as financial management and program development. Her technical background is aquatic plants, ecosystem restoration, invasive species control, and wetlands. She is a graduate of Washington and Jefferson College in Pennsylvania, and her professional development certifications include Six Sigma Green Belt, Executive Management, and Project Management – Lean Process Certification from MSI.

Hailey is a natural resources team lead and wetland specialist with natural resources consulting expertise in permitting, agency coordination, leading wetland delineations; writing technical reports; and preparing Section 401, 404, and related permit applications at the county, state, and federal levels to ensure compliance. She has demonstrated her expertise on multiple projects in the Midwest, where she has coordinated and conducted wetland delineations, habitat assessment surveys, agency meetings, and permitting efforts for proposed projects. Hailey regularly coordinates with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, EGLE, Michigan Department of Natural Resources, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, various soil and water conservation districts, and other state and local agencies.

Drew is one of SWCA’s Midwest lead project managers specializing in renewable energy projects and Endangered Species Act compliance. He is a federally permitted bat biologist with 16 seasons of field survey experience.

Anna Gilmer is a Registered Professional Archaeologist (RPA) who exceeds the Secretary of Interior’s qualifications for an archaeologist. She has experience in cultural resources management and has worked extensively throughout the Great Lakes Region for the past 8 years. She also has experience with consultation under Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA), the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), and other state and federal cultural resources laws and regulations, including in Indiana. She has managed and assisted in the management of Phase I, II, and III projects throughout all phases of work.

As a senior cultural resource team lead at SWCA, Anna provides archaeological project guidance, oversees agency and stakeholder consultation, manages fieldwork/data analysis/report preparation, and provides cultural resource project support for a variety of clients and industries. She has particular expertise in geoarchaeology, the analysis and interpretation of sediments, soils, and landforms as relevant to archaeological sites.

Damon leads clients through the development process of energy projects, with a focus on large-scale renewable energy, utility ROWs, and navigating key siting and permitting issues from prospecting through construction and restoration.

Eric brings a diverse background with many years of experience in electric utilities, commercial transmission, and renewables development. His transmission and generation experience includes transmission line and utility-scale solar and wind development, acquisitions, and utility partnerships from New England to Alaska.