On Monday, July 25, 2022, Hocking College and Alpha Omega Bioremediation (AOB), Inc. came together for a ribbon-cutting ceremony to mark the start of a formal partnership where AOB assists Hocking in developing an operation to deliver bioremediation services to the surrounding area.
AOB is a bioremediation company that uses microbes to clean up contaminated environments. The company was founded in 1984 as Lambda Bioremediation Systems, Inc., by Jo Davison. Davison was an educator, scientist, and researcher who created protocols and formulas still used today in bioremediation. She won many prestigious awards as an educator, including three Presidential Environmental Youth Awards. One from President Ronald Reagan and two from Jimmy Carter. When Davison passed in 2012, the company name was changed to Alpha Omega Bioremediation, Inc. by John Chabria, who became the new owner and CEO. Chabria stated that Davison was the "Einstein of this field."
AOB's partnership with Hocking College will give students in the Environmental Science Program, led by Dr. Lucia Grossman, hands-on experiential learning with their coursework and training, furthering Davison's legacy.
Dr. Dan Kelley, Executive Dean of Natural Resources at Hocking College, spoke during the ceremony along with Dr. Betty Young, President of Hocking College. Dr. Young told of meeting John Chabria and their six-year friendship that grew over shared values and the mission to leave the world a better place.
To learn more about the Environmental Science Program at Hocking College email admissions@hocking.edu or call 740-753-7050.