Mission Statement
The Rhode Island Center for Environmental Education (RICEE) is dedicated to protecting public health through specialized training in lead detection, awareness and safety. We prepare individuals to become certified Rhode Island lead paint inspectors and abatement contractors by offering comprehensive, state-approved courses. Our programs combine classroom instruction, hands-on experience, and real-world compliance knowledge to equip students with the skills necessary to identify, assess, and safely eliminate lead hazards. RICEE promotes environmental responsibility, regulatory compliance, and professional excellence. Through education and certification, we empower a new generation of environmental professionals to ensure safer homes, healthier communities, and a lead-safe future for Rhode Island families.
About Jeffery W. Harris
President, LBP Solutions, LLC
Master Lead Inspector / Risk Assessor – Environmental Trainer and Consultant
With more than 30 years of professional experience, including two decades in theenvironmental industry, Jeffery W. Harris brings a rare blend of technical expertise, real-world field knowledge, and a passion for teaching to every classroom and training program he leads. As President of LBP Solutions, LLC, a Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB), Mr. Harris oversees all company operations, designing and
implementing quality assurance programs that meet and exceed federal and state environmental standards. His experience spans thousands of lead-based paint, asbestos, and indoor air quality (IAQ) surveys conducted under strict regulatory frameworks such as AHERA, NESHAP, DEP, DLS, AIHA, and CLPPP. Over the course of his career, he has personally completed or managed more than 12,000 environmental assessments across New England. Mr. Harris’s teaching style reflects his deep technical background and his dedication to student success. As a licensed Master Lead Inspector/Risk Assessor, EPA-certified environmental professional, and Radiation Safety Officer, he delivers instruction with precision, clarity, and enthusiasm. Students describe his courses as “hands-on,” “practical,” and “inspiring”—rooted in the kinds of real-world examples that only a seasoned field professional can provide. Beyond his environmental expertise, Mr. Harris’s earlier career as a Producer and Director for ESPN, TLC, and Universal Studios honed his ability to communicate complex information in engaging, visual, and accessible ways—a skill that now sets his teaching apart. Whether explaining lead sampling procedures, regulatory compliance, or project management techniques, his training sessions are dynamic, organized, and infused with storytelling that connects theory to field application. A U.S.
Marine Corps veteran, Mr. Harris credits his military background with shaping his discipline, integrity, and commitment to excellence—qualities that resonate deeply in his leadership and teaching. His role as an educator extends beyond the classroom: he mentors professionals
entering the field, develops standard operating procedures for industry peers, and serves as a trusted liaison between contractors, building owners, and regulatory agencies. Through his leadership at LBP Solutions and his contributions as a trainer, Jeffery Harris continues to raise the bar for environmental education, combining deep regulatory knowledge with the hands-on insight of a field-tested professional dedicated to safety, compliance, and lifelong learning.
About Neil M. LaFrance
Master Lead Paint Inspector / Environmental Trainer and Consultant
With more than 35 years of experience in the field of lead-based paint inspection, Neil M. LaFrance is one of New England’s most experienced and respected environmental professionals. A licensed Lead Paint Inspector since 1987 and a Master Lead Paint Inspector since 1992, Neil has conducted over 15,000 inspections across residential, commercial, and institutional properties throughout the region—and has consulted on projects nationwide. Neil’s distinguished career began at a pivotal time in the evolution of lead safety and regulation. In the early 1990s, he helped shape the next generation of inspectors in Rhode Island by teaching the first lead inspector course ever held in the state. His early
training programs laid the groundwork for the state’s modern licensing and certification standards and continue to influence the way lead safety is taught today. A professionally trained instructor, Neil combines deep technical expertise with the clear, structured communication style that comes from decades of teaching and mentoring. In 2012, he was certified by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to teach the Renovation, Repair, and Painting (RRP) course for contractors—bringing critical hands-on safety education to hundreds of tradespeople and property professionals. He has since taught numerous initial and refresher RRP courses, primarily in Massachusetts, known for his
engaging teaching style and practical field insight. Throughout his career, Neil has maintained a consistent focus on education, quality, and compliance, emphasizing the importance of not just meeting standards but understanding the science and purpose behind them. His students often remark on his ability to bring technical topics to life through real-world examples drawn from decades in the field. Today, Neil continues to play a leading role in advancing lead safety education across New England. Whether teaching aspiring inspectors, advising contractors, or consulting with regulatory agencies, his mission remains the same—to ensure that every student, property, and project contributes to a safer, healthier built environment for all.