Bob Lehto is the new CEO of Trimedia Environmental and Engineering. Lehto’s majority ownership will establish the company as a Native American-owned business. He expects the company’s native-owned busniess designation as a platform for bringing opportunities to Native American members and businesses. (Photo courtesy of Trimedia:

MARQUETTE–­Marquette-based TriMedia Environmental & Engineering welcomes back former employee Bob Lehto as a new majority shareholder and the company’s new CEO. Current President Tom Anthos will remain in place during the leadership transition and continue leading daily operations.

“We’re very excited to have Bob back on board to carry the torch and help us grow into the future,” said Anthos. “I have worked with Bob for more than a decade. He brings outstanding expertise across our core service areas, shares our company values, and is a perfect fit for our culture.” Anthos will focus on ensuring a smooth transition, which he views as essential to long-term sustainability. Both Lehto and Anthos emphasize mutual trust, shared values, and the same big-picture goals.

“It’s great to come full circle and return to TriMedia,” said Lehto. “I started my career here so the opportunity to return feels like a homecoming. I’ve watched and admired the TriMedia team over the years, as an employee and most recently as a client. Their expertise, agility, and customer-centered focus have always left a positive impact on the people and projects they’ve served. TriMedia just does it right. I’m thrilled to be back.”

Although Lehto has no plans to “fix what’s not broken,” he is eager to build upon TriMedia’s success and promote the organic growth of the company. He sees a significant opportunity to increase awareness of the broad array of services that TriMedia offers. Lehto is passionate about developing opportunities for Native Americans throughout the Great Lakes region. He anticipates extending that work through his leadership at TriMedia. He views the company’s Native-owned business designation as a platform for bringing professional opportunities to Native American community members and businesses.

Because he is a member of the Sault Tribe of Chippewa Indians, Lehto’s majority ownership will establish the company as a Native American-owned business and Indian Economic Enterprise (IEE). These designations will provide TriMedia with new opportunities to foster organic growth and offer the ability to partner with companies that are committed to business strategies that address diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Lehto is an Upper Peninsula native and a graduate of Lake Superior State University. He worked for the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians as an Environmental Specialist before earning his Master of Public Health from University of Michigan, where he studied environmental health sciences, industrial hygiene, and hazardous substances.

Bob worked for TriMedia before transitioning into the oil and gas industry, where over the last decade he has held leadership positions in the fields of environment, health and safety, emergency response, field operations, and more. Lehto’s professional certifications include Certified Industrial Hygienist (CIH), Certified Safety Professional (CSP), and Registered Occupational Hygienist.

Lehto will work primarily from TriMedia’s headquarters in Marquette where he recently relocated with his wife Pam and two children, Claire and Nolan. The family enjoys hiking and biking and they look forward to the family-friendly lifestyle Marquette offers.

Anthos is confident in Lehto’s ability to lead and grow TriMedia. “This transition is a natural evolution for a healthy small business. With Bob at the helm,” he said.

I feel confident that TriMedia and our customers and employees will be in good hands for many years to come.”