Expert Details
Strategy, Science, and Public Policy in Water | Agriculture | Climate | Ecosystems | Sustainability
ID: 737179
Texas, USA
Expert founded innovative science-based water and natural resources risk management and stakeholder engagement firm, generating high-impact analyses to guide industry strategy and public policy. He has been invited to brief congressional delegations on climate and water resources trends, has been cited in Texas's first-ever statewide flood assessment, and is referenced in regional media. He has also led regional discussions on vulnerability and disruption from natural disasters and was named the most prominent regional land trust board of directors.
Education
| Year | Degree | Subject | Institution |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year: 2014 | Degree: Ph.D. | Subject: Hydrology and Ecosystem Management | Institution: Texas A&M University |
| Year: 2006 | Degree: MS | Subject: Ecology | Institution: Texas A&M University |
| Year: 2003 | Degree: BS | Subject: Biology | Institution: Texas A&M University |
Work History
| Years | Employer | Title | Department |
|---|---|---|---|
| Years: 2016 to Present | Employer: Undisclosed | Title: CEO & Principal Scientist | Department: Consulting |
Responsibilities:Founded innovative science-based water and natural resources risk management and stakeholder engagement firm, generating high-impact analyses to guide industry strategy and public policy.Major Accomplishments: • Invited to brief congressional delegations on climate and water resources trends • Expertise cited in first ever statewide flood assessment for Texas • Consistently referenced in regional media • Asked to lead regional discussions on vulnerability and disruption from natural disasters • Named to board of directors of largest regional land trust |
|||
| Years | Employer | Title | Department |
| Years: 2015 to 2016 | Employer: SWC | Title: Science and Policy Director | Department: Energy & Water |
Responsibilities:Recruited to lead strategic programs and launch new data initiatives for a Forbes-recognized energy and water sector leader. Built group to reputation of thought leadership in under a year.Major Accomplishments: • Programs led to >50% reduction in customer water use and utility expense • Invited to deliver recommendations to legislative water efficiency advisory panel • Data collection programs utilized in State Water Plan • Invited to speak at numerous symposia |
|||
| Years | Employer | Title | Department |
| Years: 2014 to 2015 | Employer: Texas A&M University | Title: Research Fellow | Department: Agriculture, Land use & Water Resources |
Responsibilities:Recruited to provide leadership across 4 multidisciplinary teams in 3 time zones to a large agriculture/land use/water resources research program.• Managing and mentoring technical staff from 4 different countries • Guiding strategic planning efforts for large multi-site organization • Crafting public relations documents and reports for project partners Major Accomplishments: • Published high-impact water resources, climate, and land use research • Received organization-wide award for technical communication |
|||
| Years | Employer | Title | Department |
| Years: 2010 to 2014 | Employer: Texas A&M University | Title: U.S. Department of Agriculture National Needs Leadership Program Fellow | Department: Agriculture |
Responsibilities:Recruited to manage complex sustainability research program, accelerate public relations, and engage in high-level coordination with top elected officials.• Conducting meetings with U.S. Congress on sustainability investment and research programs • Promoting organization and impact at national-scale events • Performing in-country study of Brazilian agricultural development • Delivering invited presentations at national, state, and local meetings Major Accomplishments: • Given national awards for government relations and public communications efforts • Received system-wide honors for research and mentoring |
|||
| Years | Employer | Title | Department |
| Years: 2006 to 2010 | Employer: Texas A&M AgriLife | Title: Water Resources Program Specialist | Department: Water Resources |
Responsibilities:Conducted first of its kind water planning initiative used as a national model. Created consensus among government, industry, and public stakeholders to implement complex regional water management projects.• Building diverse partnerships to accomplish wide-ranging natural resources initiatives • Preparing reports for project partners and briefs for legislative committees • Developing and implementing program budgets, timelines, and work plans • Disseminating best practices to advance industry efficiency Major Accomplishments: • Authored first watershed management plan from Texas approved by U.S. EPA • Asked by federal agencies to advise other management planning efforts • Launched award-winning regional stakeholder engagement workshop series |
|||
Career Accomplishments
| Awards / Recognition |
|---|
| Soil Science Society of America/Crop Science Society of America/American Society of Agronomy Future Leader in Science Houston Business Journal 40 Under 40 |
Language Skills
| Language | Proficiency |
|---|---|
| Spanish | Intermediate |
| Chinese (Mandarin) | Beginner |
Fields of Expertise
energy and water management, sustainability, soil science, hydrology, watershed, climate, ecosystem, ecology, agriculture, flooding, public policy, policy, water resources, natural resources management, natural disaster, natural disaster preparedness, disaster planning, disaster recovery, Floods, River flooding, steamflooding, water flood, river sediment management, sediment transport, climate change, global climate, water and climate change, water management, ground water study, ecological risk assessment, environmental risk management, risk management, negotiation, mediation, stakeholder interviews