Partner Taps EHS Expert Joe Tunas Amid Growing CRE Complexity

ASBURY PARK, N.J. – May 19, 2026 – Partner Engineering and Science, Inc., a major consultant in the commercial real estate (CRE) industry, has announced the appointment of Joe Tunas as Technical Director for its Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) practice. The move comes as the industry grapples with an increasingly complex web of regulations, heightened environmental scrutiny, and a growing demand for integrated risk management solutions.

A Strategic Hire for an Evolving Market

The appointment of Tunas is more than a routine personnel change; it signals a strategic response to powerful market forces reshaping the CRE landscape. The global EHS services market, valued at nearly $43 billion in 2023, is projected to surge past $63 billion by 2029, according to market research from Verdantix. This growth is fueled by mounting pressure on companies to improve their Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) performance, navigate climate-related risks, and comply with an ever-expanding regulatory framework.

For Partner, a firm that touches an estimated one in five commercial real estate transactions in the U.S., staying ahead of these trends is critical. By bringing in Tunas, the company strengthens its capabilities to provide the holistic, multidisciplinary EHS solutions that clients now demand. This helps solidify its competitive position against other industry giants like AECOM, Jacobs, and ERM.

"Joe's combination of experience, education, and certifications spanning Industrial Hygiene and Health & Safety disciplines, along with his network throughout the tristate area, will be invaluable to our clients who rely on us to solve evolving risks," said Brian Nemetz, National Technical Director of Industrial Hygiene and Health & Safety at Partner. "Beyond his impressive technical resume, Joe's passion for his work and his leadership experience make him a great addition to the team."

The Modern EHS Professional: A Multidisciplinary Approach

Joe Tunas embodies the new archetype of the EHS professional, whose expertise must extend far beyond a single discipline. He is a Certified Industrial Hygienist (CIH) and a Certified Safety Professional (CSP), credentials that represent a rigorous standard of knowledge in worker and environmental protection. His academic background includes a Master of Public Health in Environmental Health Sciences from New York Medical College and a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science from the University of Delaware.

With over eight years of experience in leadership roles at firms like Hillmann Consulting, LLC and Environmental Maintenance Contractors, Inc., Tunas has managed multimillion-dollar remediation and compliance initiatives. His work has spanned industrial, construction, and commercial sectors, giving him a broad perspective on the unique challenges each industry faces.

A prime example of his work is the oversight of a complex, multi-site environmental project in New York City. Tunas managed asbestos surveys, abatement, and air monitoring for a 13-building campus redevelopment project for a prestigious university. Transforming a full city block into a new graduate school campus, a project of this scale in a dense urban environment involves navigating a labyrinth of logistical hurdles, stringent regulations, and potential hazards to workers and the public, showcasing the need for comprehensive EHS oversight.

Navigating a Complex Regulatory Maze

The demand for experts like Tunas is directly fueled by an increasingly stringent and complex regulatory environment. At the federal level, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is rolling out new rules for hazardous substances like PFAS, the so-called "forever chemicals," which are expected to trigger billions of dollars in assessment and remediation work nationwide. These regulations require a sophisticated understanding of toxicology, remediation technologies, and legal compliance.

State and local governments are adding their own layers of complexity. In New Jersey, for example, the Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) is advancing its Resilient Environments and Landscapes (REAL) rules. These new climate regulations are poised to significantly impact CRE by imposing stricter standards for sea-level rise, flooding, and stormwater management, affecting everything from new construction to the retrofitting of existing properties. Simultaneously, proposed changes to the state's site remediation rules could introduce new mandatory reporting obligations during due diligence, placing greater responsibility on buyers and their consultants.

This regulatory pressure transforms EHS from a simple compliance function into a critical component of strategic planning and risk management for any real estate investor, developer, or owner. It requires a proactive, integrated approach that can anticipate regulatory shifts and manage environmental liabilities across an asset's entire lifecycle.

From Compliance to Value Creation

In this high-stakes environment, the most effective EHS strategies move beyond mere compliance to create tangible business value. Partner's emphasis on providing "turnkey, in-house assessment-to-abatement services" is a direct reflection of this shift. For clients dealing with hazards like asbestos, lead, or mold, this integrated model streamlines the process, reduces administrative burdens, and ensures consistent quality control from initial assessment to final clearance.

This approach resonates with Tunas, who sees an opportunity to leverage Partner's extensive resources to better serve his clients. "I'm excited about the resources and range of services that Partner offers, which will allow me to take better care of my customers," Tunas stated. "With turnkey, in-house assessment-to-abatement services for clients dealing with asbestos and other hazards, I can deliver a thorough, streamlined solution and have complete control of quality throughout their experience."

By offering a comprehensive solution under one roof, Partner helps clients not only mitigate risk and ensure a safe environment but also optimize project timelines and protect asset value. This ability to deliver efficient, end-to-end solutions is a powerful differentiator in a market where delays and unforeseen environmental issues can have significant financial consequences. The strategic addition of Tunas reinforces the company’s commitment to providing this level of integrated service as it helps clients navigate the future of commercial real estate.