About Brilliant

Founder/CEO/Principal Environmental Scientist

Phil has had an extensive and distinguished career with more than 35 years of experience in the environmental consulting field. Prior to launching Brilliant Environmental Services, LLC (Brilliant), he was owner of the Toms River, NJ-based Environmental Evaluation Group (EEG) from 1993 to 2003 and became president in 2002.

During his decade-long tenure at EEG, Phil helped grow the company from one office, four employees, and gross sales of $425,000 to two offices, 38 professionals, and $7+ million in sales. In addition, he transformed the firm into one of the most reputable underground storage tank remediation firms in NJ, providing consulting services for a number of Fortune 100 companies.

His well-rounded expertise also includes project management; field supervision; quality control of field data and data-acquisition techniques; development and implementation of site-specific sampling methodologies for air, soil, and water contaminants; environmental permitting for development and site compliance; soil boring; child care licensing environmental assessments in NJ; and well-installation supervision. In October 2009, Phil was approved as one of the first Licensed Site Remediation Professionals (LSRP) in NJ in accordance with the Site Remediation Reform Act.

In May 2010, Phil was nominated by NJ Governor Christie to serve on the State's Site Remediation Professional Licensing Board (SRPLB) as one of the thirteen members. In June 2010, Phil's nomination was confirmed by the NJ State Senate. In 2015, Phil was re-confirmed by the NJ State Senate for another term on the SRPLB as the LSRP who represents a Statewide Environmental Organization (GreenFaith). Phil is the Chairperson of the Professional Conduct Committee and the Independence Professional Judgment Committee.

Phil has managed numerous environmental due diligence portfolios and is frequently tapped for expert environmental litigation testimony. He also provides testimony at planning and zoning board meetings throughout NJ, NY, and PA.

A graduate of Cook College at Rutgers University, Phil earned a Bachelor of Science degree in international environmental studies/law and institutions and has since been awarded numerous registrations and certifications from State and national organizations. In 2021, Phil was appointed as regular member of the Toms River Municipal Utilities Authority by the Mayor and Council of Toms River.  He is past President of the Ocean County Business Association (OCBA), Immediate Past Chairman of the Greater Toms River Chamber of Commerce and currently the Chairman of the Greater Toms River Chamber of Commerce Foundation, Treasurer and member of the Executive Committee of GreenFaith and Past President of Congregation B'nai Israel, Toms River, NJ.

Phil resides in Toms River with his fiancé Debbie, their 2 dogs Leonard and Louis, Phil has 3 beautiful daughters, Andrea of Honolulu, HI, Jessica of Brick NJ along with his 2 grandsons Sami and Dean and Sara Louise who is a graduate student at Columbia University in NY.  In Phil’s spare time he is all Rutgers Football and Basketball, time with friends and family, and working hard to preserve the landscape and community of Toms River, NJ.

Q: What year did you join Brilliant Environmental Services and what made you join Brilliant?

A: Started Brilliant, actually Brilliant Lewis, in my apartment closet (was my office at the time) in November 2005 and just need it was time for a fresh start.

Q: What has been the highlight of your career at Brilliant?

A: Rebuilding after our Chapter 11 Bankruptcy filing and making of bankruptcy following COVID and social unrest in America.

Q: What has been your biggest mistake at Brilliant?

A: Not starting in 2006 as a sole owner; my partnership set me back 4 years, but with good people we rebuilt after that “divorce.”

Q: What would be your goal for the 20th year of Brilliant?

A: 20 more!  Seriously, continue to grow our staff and client base!

DIRECTOR OF LSRP/INDUSTRIAL SERVICES

Brian has over 15 years experience completing site remediation on industrial and commercial projects in New Jersey and New York. Brian is a Senior Project Manager and Licensed Site Remediation Professional at the Brilliant Environmental Services, LLC (Brilliant) Haddonfield, New Jersey office. Mr. Babcock's experience includes project management of commercial and industrial properties as well as Brownfield Sites and Retail Gasoline Stations; preparation of Phase I ESA's, Preliminary Assessments, and ISRA Compliance; field supervision of projects; development and implementation of site-specific investigation and remediation strategies; soil boring, well installation supervision, and report preparation. He is also responsible for implementation of Remedial Action Workplans, including groundwater and soil remediation. Mr. Babcock has served as a Panelist for Chemistry Council of NJ's Remedial Action Permit Application Training Course. Additional responsibilities include regular communication with clients and local and state regulatory agencies.

Brian is a graduate of Lehigh University with a degree in Environmental Science. Brian resides in Haddon Heights with his wife Mary and their children Roger and Vera. In Brian's spare time he likes to hike, play soccer (coach these days) and attending concerts.

Q: What year did you join Brilliant Environmental Services and what made you join Brilliant?

A: 2014. Part of the reason I joined Brilliant Environmental was the small but capable feel of the company. Able to tackle large jobs, but maintain a personal feeling around the office. 

Q: What has been the highlight of your career at Brilliant?

A: Getting to work with such a great core group for so long; Phil, Jon, Karen, and Scott.

Q: What has been your biggest mistake at Brilliant.

A: Forgetting where I lived when Scott drove me 50 miles home after the holiday party. 

Q: What would be your goal for the 20th year of Brilliant? 

A: To expand the Industrial Client portfolio. 

Environmental Scientist/CAD Operator I

Louise (they/them) received their Bachelors of Science degree from Appalachian State University, Boone NC, in Sustainable Development, and is currently back in school for a Masters of Science in Climate at Columbia University. Since relocating to New York from Colorado were they expanded their areas of expertise as an urban beekeeper, middle school science teacher, and invasive plant management steward. Louise will remain remote, this time working from their Harlem office with their two very professional and furry assistants; Penny and Ladybird. They are a NJ Devils fan and enjoys every opportunity to see hockey live, as well as painting, camping, hiking, and preparing to be on Survivor one day.

Q: What year did you join Brilliant Environmental Services and what made you join Brilliant?

A: 2020 fresh out of college to help out the team with some reports, and then ended up sticking around part-time for the next 5 years helping where I can until I became certified in CAD so that I could be their in-house mapmaker full time.

Q: What has been the highlight of your career at Brilliant?

A: Fishing a PID out of a well using fishing wire and a hook

Q: What has been your biggest mistake at Brilliant, Karen don’t say the day you started!

A: Dropping a PID down a well.

Q: What would be your goal for the 20th year of Brilliant?

A: Learn new skills and be around for the holiday parties (finally)

I bet you didn't know about me: In my free time I like to paint and make sculptures with bones I collect.

Favorite movie: Clue (with Tim Curry, duh)

Dinner with anyone alive or dead: Jeff Probst

Environmental Technician I

Jake is a graduate of Kean University with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Environmental Science.  Jake started his college journey at Franklin Pierce University in Rindge, New Hampshire, but decided to return to New Jersey to finish his college education and be close to family and friends.  As a recent college graduate just entering the site remediation consulting field, his experience is limited however his hard work and dedication is evident by his personal financing of college by working at a Jersey Shore restaurant as server, food runner and specializing in outstanding customer service.

Jake was born and raised in Brick, New Jersey, where he currently resides.

Q: What year did you join Brilliant Environmental Services and what made you join Brilliant?

A: I joined Brilliant in May of 2025, and I joined because I wanted to help keep water sources clean without being stuck in an office all day.

Q: What has been the highlight of your career at Brilliant?

A: I like being able to start my days from my house so I can sleep longer.

Q: What has been your biggest mistake at Brilliant?

A: My biggest mistake was when I locked the keys in the van

Q: What would be your goal for the 20th year of Brilliant?

A: My goal is to learn more about my job so I can do better work.

 Project Scientist

Amanda has her Bachelors of Science degree in Wildlife Conservation and Management from Delaware Valley University in Doylestown, PA as well as her Masters in Environmental Toxicology from Texas Tech University.  Her master’s degree thesis was entitled “Cytotoxicity of Environmentally Relevant Organic Contaminants in Fibroblast Skin Cells from the Critically Endangered Hawksbill Sea Turtle (Eretmochelys Imbricata).  Amanda has vast wildlife and ecological experience, as well as about 2 years of experience completing Phase I Environmental Site Assessments for telecommunication/cellular companies.  At Brilliant, Amanda will assist with environmental due diligence, ecological evaluations, and all aspects of site remediation for our clients.  Amanda resides in Toms River with her 2 year old son.

Q: What year did you join Brilliant?

A: March of 2026

Q: What is the last book your read?

A: Who’s Not Afraid of The Dark by Melanie Joyce. I am in the process of turning my two year old into a bookworm!

Q: What is the last movie you saw?

A: Lord of The Rings: The Two Towers

Q: What is your last Halloween costume?

A: Skeleton

Q: What is your goal for the 20th year of Brilliant?

A: My goal for the 20th year of Brilliant is to learn and grow in my career as a project scientist. 

DIRECTOR OF UST OPERATIONS/TECHNICAL SERVICES

Jon has over 25 year experience performing consulting services on site remediation projects. Jon oversees Brilliant's underground storage tank operations, including soil and groundwater investigation and remediation on residential and commercial properties. He is responsible for remedial activities and investigations, along with the firm's remedial action workplan design and implementation in NJ, using technologies like in-situ chemical oxidation and multi-phase recovery. Jonathan provides development and implementation of site-specific sampling methodologies for contaminants in the air, soil, and water; permitting and operation of remedial systems for contamination of soil, groundwater, and surface water; soil boring; well-installation supervision; groundwater modeling; and report preparation.

Jon has a degree in Geology from Rutgers University. Jon currently resides in Manchester, NJ along with his wife Kim and their children Colin and Megan. Jon enjoys long walks on the beach and boardwalk at the Jersey Shore, as well as the Outer Banks.

Q: What year did you join Brilliant Environmental Services and what made you join Brilliant

A: 2006, and my long tenured relationship with Phil Brilliant made me want to join Brilliant.

Q: What has been the highlight of your career at Brilliant?

A: Becoming an LSRP; passing the test.

Q: What has been your biggest mistake at Brilliant, Karen don’t say the day you started! A: Becoming an LSRP.

Q: What would be your goal for the 20th year of Brilliant?

A: Continuing to grow work and build relationships with industry leaders.

Environmental Intern

Elizabeth is joining Brilliant as a summer intern as she completes her studies at Kean University in Environmental Science.   Elizabeth is planning on graduating from Kean in May 2027 with a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science, having already completed her Associates of Science in Environmental Studies from Ocean County College where she was Valedictorian of her class in 2024.   Elizabeth has experience in digital preservation, GIS and collaborated on a research project on harmful algal blooms and cyanotoxin production in New Jersey freshwater and tidal systems.  Once Elizabeth joins Brilliant in May, she will work with in the field and in the office providing support on site remediation projects, as well as assist with the development of continuing education programs for licensed professionals.

Q: What year did you join Brilliant?

A: May of 2026

Q:  What is the last book your read?

A: The Last Mrs. Parrish

Q: What is the last movie you saw?

A: Pixar’s Big Hero 6

Q: What is your last Halloween costume?

A: Nadja (a vampire) from the TV show What We do in the Shadows.

Q: What is your goal for the 20th year of Brillian?

A: Is to contribute meaningful work while gaining hands-on experience, supporting the company’s mission to protect natural resources and advanced sustainable solutions.

Office Manager/Environmental Specialist

Karen is the glue that holds the Brilliant team together. There is a time to be serious and a time to have fun and Karen completely understands the time to have fun part! Karen has a unique ability to relieve the stress of any situation, collect money from clients even when the clients are fighting to pay and manage both accounts receivable and payables. When Brilliant went through the toughest of times in 2017-2019, Karen stood by Phil's side with great advice, support and concepts to get Brilliant through the end. The best word to describe Karen is dedication. Since her graduation from the Stuart School of Business Administration in 2001, she has only been employed by one law office and now Brilliant since 2013, while raising her daughters and managing her house.

Karen lives in Brick with her daughters Kayleigh and Ava, as well as 4-legged friend Bentley. Karen likes to spend time with her daughters and close friends when she is not managing the office. If the opportunity comes along, she enjoys getting shitfaced too.

Q: What year did you join Brilliant Environmental Services and what made you join Brilliant?

A: I joined Brilliant in 2013 when my ex husband forced me back to work after leaving the Legal field

Q: What has been the highlight of your career at Brilliant?

A: Becoming the “Boss” and making my coworkers family

Q: What has been your biggest mistake at Brilliant, Karen don’t say the day you started! A: No mistakes, no regrets

Q: What would be your goal for the 20th year of Brilliant?

A: My goal for the 20th year would be to have Brilliant expand and double employees

Environmental Scientist II

Bill is a graduate of Ramapo College of New Jersey, with a Bachelors of Arts in Environmental Studies and a Minor in Environmental Science.  Bill has over 4 years of environmental experience, including performing field bench testing and application of in-situ remedial technologies, such as chemical oxidation and bioremediation at petroleum and chlorinated solvent contaminated sites.  He also has over 4 year experience collecting soil, sediment, surface water and groundwater samples at contaminated sites throughout New Jersey.

Bill was raised in Jackson, New Jersey, but currently lives in Ocean Gate, New Jersey.

Highlight of my career

Doing my part to keep the environment clean and safe!

My biggest mistake

Definitely has to be when I tried leaving a site without the hood of the vehicle latched down all the way, resulting in a broken windshield.

My goal for 20th year at Brilliant

To continue to provide value to the team and reliable service to our clients.

SENIOR REMEDIATION TECHNICIAN

Scott has almost 20 years of site remediation experience, providing technician services from groundwater sampling to operation of Multi-Phase Recovery (MPR) Units (High Vacuum Extraction). Scott single handedly can take apart the mobile MPR units, repair or replace the engine and have the system operating in 24 hours. Scott is the ultimate technician, combining his knowledge of equipment and engines with his ability to solve problems, to keep Brilliant's fleet of vehicles, equipment and treatment systems operating 365 per year.

Scott is responsible for daily operation of remediation systems, including but not limited to MPR. Scott is well versed in the operation of soil venting, air sparge and high vacuum extraction systems, as well as mobile MPR. Scott's knowledge of remediation equipment and site conditions, improves his ability to efficiently operate system under the most adverse conditions on the eastern portion of the United States.

Scott resides in Toms River with his wife Mary and enjoys riding motorcycles and driving fast cars.

Q: What year did you join Brilliant Environmental Services and what made you join Brilliant?

A: 2002 at prior Phil Brilliant owned business and joined Brilliant Environmental in 2006.  Joined to better the planet!

Q: What has been the highlight of your career at Brilliant?

A: Working with such great professionals!

Q: What has been your biggest mistake at Brilliant.

A: – I don’t make mistakes!

Q: What would be your goal for the 20th year of Brilliant? 

A: Staying healthy and working for another 20 years!