Your Partners in Systemic Environmental
and Public Health Strategy
Bridging Sustainability and Commercial and Public Interests
Pacific Rim EcoSystemic Strategy Advisors is a premier environmental science, strategic consulting, and commercial inspection firm dedicated to the convergence of public health, environmental compliance, and organizational growth. Headquartered in San Diego County, we serve a diverse portfolio of clients—including Tribal nations, federal and local governments, commercial developers, and non-profit organizations—across the Western United States (including Alaska).
Our firm was founded on the principle that the built environment and public health are intrinsically linked. We do not simply identify risks; we engineer solutions that facilitate sustainable development and operational excellence. By integrating rigorous environmental assessments with executive-level management strategy, we help our clients navigate complex regulatory landscapes, from NEPA compliance to funding acquisition.
Our Approach We take a holistic, "ecosystemic" approach to consulting. Whether we are conducting a Phase I Environmental Site Assessment for a real estate transaction, designing a capital project for a rural health clinic, or managing a financial turnaround for a non-profit, we view every project through the dual lenses of regulatory rigor and community impact.
Led by Partners Dr. Daniel Barbara and Erika Vega, our team combines doctoral-level public health expertise with specialized proficiency in risk management, grant strategy, and environmental science. This unique multidisciplinary synergy allows us to secure funding, mitigate environmental liabilities, and operationalize facilities that are safe, compliant, and financially sustainable.
SAMS certified “Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business” (SDVOSB)
Dr. Daniel Barbara, DHSc, CPH, REP, CCPI
Partner & Principal Consultant
Dr. Daniel Barbara (a US Army Veteran) is a Partner and Principal Consultant at Pacific Rim EcoSystemic Strategy Advisors, where he brings over 20 years of executive leadership at the intersection of environmental science, public health, and strategic infrastructure development. A dynamic leader known for transforming complex systems, Dr. Barbara specializes in guiding commercial, governmental, and tribal clients through the regulatory and operational challenges of the built environment.
As a Registered Environmental Professional (REP) (Reg. #20365033178251201), Certified in Public Health (CPH) (No. 18842), and a Certified Commercial Property Inspector (CCPI) (No. CCPIA-004559), Dr. Barbara offers a unique, dual-lens approach to consulting. He provides rigorous environmental assessments—including NEPA compliance, Phase I & II Environmental Site Assessments (ESAs), and commercial building inspections—while simultaneously evaluating the public health implications of capital projects. His expertise ensures that real estate transactions, construction projects, and land acquisitions not only meet regulatory standards but also foster community well-being and can extend to project management of complex environmental projects involving Phase III-V mitigation planning, preparation, implementation, and certification.
Prior to joining Pacific Rim, Dr. Barbara served as a Chief Executive Officer and Director for major healthcare and government entities across the Southwest and Pacific Northwest. His track record includes spearheading financial turnarounds, such as growing a health center’s annual revenue from $3.5M to $17M in 18 months and managing large-scale capital projects ranging from healthcare facilities and helipads to libraries and brownfields remediation.
Dr. Barbara is fully bilingual in English and Spanish and possesses deep experience in cross-cultural engagement, particularly with Tribal nations and border communities. Among other degrees in medicine and education, he holds a Doctor of Health Science (DHSc) from Nova Southeastern University and maintains active memberships with the National Registry of Environmental Professionals and the Certified Commercial Property Inspectors Association.
Erika Vega, BS, CCPI
Partner & Senior Consultant
Erika Vega is a Partner and Senior Consultant at Pacific Rim EcoSystemic Strategy Advisors, specializing in environmental risk management, strategic compliance, and capital project development. With a diverse background spanning science, communication, risk management, and healthcare operations, Ms. Vega brings a multidisciplinary approach to navigating the regulatory landscapes of the built environment.
At Pacific Rim, as a Certified Commercial Property Inspector (CCPI) (CCPIA-004560) also certified in the completion of Phase I Environmental Site Assessments (CCPIA-004560) and a current candidate for the Certified Environmental Scientist credential (NREP), Ms. Vega manages comprehensive environmental consulting services, including NEPA-compliant assessments, Phase I and II Environmental Site Assessments (ESAs), and commercial building inspections. Her expertise is particularly strong in the intersection of environmental science and liability to evaluate exposures such as flood zones, mining pollution, and "forever chemicals" (PFOS/PFOA). She leverages extensive training in risk management and insurance both on the claims and producer sides – writing and interpreting commercial and personal policies. She plays a pivotal role in securing and managing federal grant funding for non-profit and governmental clients, ensuring strict adherence to environmental requirements for funding mechanisms like Community Development Block Grants (CDBG) and Rural Development funds.
Previously, Ms. Vega served as the Chief Contracts & Compliance Officer for a community health center and as a Senior Consultant for La Paz Consulting. In these roles, she orchestrated the strategic planning for new medical facilities, managed complex liability contracts, and oversaw facility safety assessments. Her background also includes tenure as a Chief of Staff in the financial engineering sector, where she facilitated sustainable development projects for international investors.
Ms. Vega holds a Bachelor of Science in Communications with a minor in Science, Technology, and Society from Arizona State University.