Mr. Niessen is a graduate of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in chemical engineering and is a licensed Professional Engineer in several states. He is also a Board Certified Environmental Engineer by the American Academy of Environmental Engineers. Mr. Niessen began his engineering career in 1961. Since then he has gained significant experience in process analysis and feasibility studies, design, impact assessment, planning and startup, expert witness litigation testimony, and operations assistance. The subject matter varies widely but focuses on the management of biosolids and hazardous/non-hazardous solid, liquid and gaseous wastes and the associated air pollution problems (particulate, air toxics, NOx, acid gases, odors, etc.). Mr. Niessen has authored over 95 technical papers on these subjects, contributed chapters to eight environmental engineering books and authored the definitive text, handbook and reference volume: “Combustion and Incineration Processes, Applications in Environmental Engineering,” (4th Edition 2010). He has served in technical societies and on committees at the local, regional, and national level.

In addition to his professional experience in the engineering field, Mr. Niessen is a lecturer (1982-Present) in the U.S. and European course "Incineration of Hazardous and non Hazardous Waste" (Basic Theory and Solids and Sludge portions) offered by the Center for Professional Advancement and has been a guest speaker at numerous 20 seminars and short courses in the U.S., Europe and Asia. In May 2008, Mr. Niessen was given the Pioneer Award by the ASME/ITT Thermal Treatment Technologies and, in August 2010, he was elected as the Lawrence Lecturer at the SWANA Wastecon meeting in Boston, MA.