The Pahrump Nuclear Waste and Environmental Advisory Board was formed to act in an advisory capacity with regard to nuclear waste issues affecting the unincorporated Town of Pahrump.  This advisory board makes recommendations to the Pahrump Town Board and Pahrump Town Manager with respect to unincorporated Town of Pahrump.  The PNWAB is made up of scientists in a variety of nuclear and environmental-related disciplines.

Ed Hanson is in his fifth year as chairman of the Pahrump Nuclear Waste and Environment Advisory Board and brings over 45 years of experience in the field of nuclear energy and nuclear safety. Mr. Hanson has been the project engineer for nuclear device design and testing for more than twenty nuclear tests. His background in nuclear engineering gives the board an overview of many facets of the nuclear industry. Still active in the field, Mr. Hanson is consulting on the safety of the Stockpile Stewardship experiments ongoing at the NTS. Mr. Hanson holds a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering.

          Ed Hanson, Chairman

Nuclear & Mechanical Engineering

Zolin Burson, the board’s nuclear physicist, has over 39 years experience in radiation measurements, emergency response, radiological assessments and health protection programs. Mr. Burson played a key role in initiating, planning, and implementing the Federal Radiological Monitoring and Assessment Center (FRMAC) emergency response program. He has participated in most responses to radiological emergencies such as Three Mile Island and Operation Morning Light. Mr. Burson holds a B.S. in Physics. 

       Zolin Burson, Member

           Nuclear Physicist 

Anthony E. Hechanova is the board’s Consultant Emeritus from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. Dr. Hechanova is a Research Scientist at UNLV’s Harry Reid Center for Environmental Studies and he supervises a staff of science-based undergraduate and graduate-level students.  Dr. Hechanova is an expert in radiation biology and nuclear waste management and provides his staff’s capabilities to the advisory board upon request. Dr. Hechanova received his Ph.D. in Nuclear Engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. 

Tony Hechanova, Consultant Emeritus From UNLV

    Nuclear Research Scientist 

Mary E. Wilson, founded PNWAB in February 1999, while she was a Member of the Pahrump Town Board. She has been a member of the advisory board since her term ended in December, 2002. Ms.Wilson teaches Theatre Arts for CCSN and holds a B.A. in Theatre Arts.  Her dog, Trea, is the advisory board's mascot and has worked at the advisory board's festival booth every year since 2000.

Mary E. Wilson, Member Emeritus

Dale Schutte, is a retired Electronics Engineer with 271/2 years experience working with and designing guided missile and airborne telemetry systems.  Currently he is the owner of Fossile Rock Mining Co.  "We mine the sun, not the earth".  Dale designs and builds solar hot water and hot air systems;  provides consultation on renewable energy and sustainable technology; and his most recent project involves Bio-diesel Technology.

          Dale Schutte, Member

Jeanna Howard was elected in 2002 to The Pahrump Town Board.  She has worked in Emergency Services/Healthcare for the past eighteen years. She is a Trained EMT and Paramedic.  As a town Board member she serves as liaison to three Town of Pahrump advisory boards.  Nuclear Waste and Environmental, Economic Development as well as Emergency Services.

Jeanna Howard, Town Board Liaison

Heather Gang is a geologist with over 15 years experience at the Nevada Test Site and Yucca Mountain, specializing in the field of Quaternary geology.   She has worked on a wide variety of projects, including radioactive waste site characterization, subcritical test containment and hydrogeology of the N.T.S.  Heather holds a B.S. in geology from Idaho State University, and has lived in Pahrump for eleven years.   

       Heather Gang , Member