Fulfilled National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), Federal Environmental Approval Worksheet (FEAW), and Section 106/Section 4(f) approval requirements for NYSDOT projects throughout Western New York.

From 2022 to 2024, I was the Deputy Logistics Officer at U.S. Coast Guard Sector Eastern Great Lakes, helping lead three divisions (Engineering, Supply, and Administration), consisting of approximately 30 personnel, and managing the largest Coast Guard construction project on the Great Lakes (new construction - $32M).

New York State is unique amongst coastal states. It is the only state with coastlines on both the Atlantic Ocean and the Great Lakes (Lake Ontario and Lake Erie). Over 81% of New York’s population lives in one of the state’s coastal areas, over 16 million people. Approximately 7.5 million New Yorkers work in coastal areas, accounting for $1.4 trillion in gross domestic product and earning over $566 billion. This research profiled the New York State’s Coastal Management Program and Coastal Management Plan, including Local Waterfront Revitalization Plans (LWRPs).

Bend, Oregon, Boise, Idaho and Bozeman, Montana are three of the fastest growing cities in the western United States. This research investigated whether these rapid growth patterns were resulting in suburban and exurban sprawl and, then looked at what environmental impacts, if any, were occurring as a result.

Oversaw 50 drone missions supporting search-and-rescue, law enforcement, emergency management, pollution response/marine environmental protection, and damage assessment.

Helped guide 16 qualified pilots (08 active duty, 06 reserve, and 02 auxiliary) at eight Coast Guard Units, deployable to three states (NY, PA, and OH) consisting of 570+ miles of coastline.

Engaged with local, federal, fellow military, and international partners for joint operations within the AOR. An AOR that includes transboundary waters shared by Canada and the United States.

Spearheaded the ground response to the historic, “once in a generation,” blizzard - Winter Storm Elliott. Conducted drone overflights in subzero conditions to assess storm damage. Led team that broke through record snow drifts to re-open base to ensure continuity of operations/fulfillment of statutory missions.

Coordinated re-opening and clean-up efforts with City of Buffalo (Department of Public Works) and Erie County partners.

Prepared read-ahead material (overview) and mapping/imagery on flooding and shoreline erosion impacts to U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) facilities on Lake Erie and Lake Ontario. Materials were briefed to the Deputy Commandant for Mission Support (Vice Admiral). I was part of the senior leadership team that briefed the Admiral. Work resulted in increased contextual awareness of this multifaceted and complex topic at both the district (Cleveland, OH) and headquarters (Washington, DC) levels.

Qualified Operations Unit Watch Stander and Command Duty Officer at the second busiest search-and-rescue sector in the U.S. Coast Guard - Sector Eastern Great Lakes.

Expertly used the ArcGIS-based SAROPS to lead a team of watch standers and response assets to save 71 lives, assist 504 lives, and preserve $3.6M in property on two Great Lakes and in three states (OH, PA, and NY).

Successfully guided over 400 applications through complex regulatory frameworks and public hearing processes, with zero (0) denials and zero (0) appeals. Development Review Committee member. Staff to Historic Preservation Commission. Provided project design input at conceptual, preliminary, and finalized stages.

Site planning guidance, State Environmental Quality Review (SEQR), and permitting package preparation for the multi-million dollar, 30,000+ square foot expansion to the world-renowned Albright-Knox-Gundlach (AKG) Art Gallery in Buffalo, New York.

Through the twentieth century, anthropogenic activities in the Arctic were largely regulated by the presence of year-round sea ice. Today, vessel routes are opening where sea ice was once present. This research looked at what could be done to mitigate the environmental risk presented by the projected increased in vessel traffic volume in the area within and surrounding the Arctic Ocean.

Served as deputy to the division lead. Provided oversight for pollution response, investigation, and enforcement action throughout the Sector. Led initial response operations for 20,000+ gallon oil discharge on Saint Lawrence Island in the Bering Sea. Conducted Endangered Species Act (ESA) and National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) consultations to ensure federal response was in accordance with National Contingency Plan.

Using a drone/UAV, completed riparian assessments for segments of the Boise River (Boise, Idaho), the Deschutes River (Bend, Oregon), the Gallatin River (Bozeman, Montana), and Spring Brook (Wyoming County, New York. Analyses for vegetative robustness, riparian buffer widths, and surrounding land uses involving 800 to 1,000 meter reaches were completed.

Honed the ability to actively listen to a variety of perspectives, to hear what is being said, over the course of 100+ public meetings, hearings, and presentations. Expertly articulated plans and projects to elected and appointed officials, and members of the general public.

Completed Phase IA Cultural Resources Survey (Literature Search and Sensitivity Assessment) for the beautifully reimagined 90+ acre Ralph C. Wilson Jr. Centennial Park on the City of Buffalo’s waterfront.

When the pandemic hit, life in the United States (and globally) changed. One unexpected outcome was a reduction in carbon emissions. Between January 2020 and April 2020, daily carbon emissions (globally) declined by 17% from average 2019 levels. This research investigated whether work from home policies could help make a portion of this reduction permanent.

Honored to participate in University at Buffalo School of Architecture and Planning’s "What's Next for Buffalo Niagara?" workshop. The workshop looked at what the future of the Buffalo-Niagara region holds, as we endeavor through the challenges and opportunities presented by the 21st century (e.g. Buffalo as a climate refuge) and seek to capitalize on the region’s ongoing renaissance.

Co-authored Environmental Impact Statements for Chautauqua Lake (invasive species remediation), the Town of Lockport IDA (industrial park expansion), and the Ontario County Freight Corridor (capacity study).

Successfully guided over 200 historic preservation tax applications to approval. Represented over $4,000,000 in rehabilitation investment. Provided real, tangible economic benefit to historic property owners throughout Montgomery County, Maryland (D.C. suburbs).

Lake Ontario is a transboundary waterbody bordered by Canada and the United States. Its water levels fluctuate, in part, due to direct and indirect anthropogenic intervention. This research looked at the short-term, resilience focused efforts currently being implemented (e.g. $300 million in NYS investment), and long-term strategic management techniques designed to minimize adverse effects on New York State’s Lake Ontario shoreline.

Urban growth boundaries (UGBs) are typically associated with areas under intense development pressure stemming from rapid population growth, but would a UGB help communities with declining, or stagnant, population trends, prevent costly suburban and exurban sprawl? This research looked at that question. Originally developed as an ArcGIS StoryMap for the Lincoln Institute of Land Policy's The Place Database Contest 2019. One of five winners selected for feature.

Provided permitting guidance and coordination, to include authoring baseline engineering reports, for the Lake Ontario Resiliency and Economic Development Initiative (REDI), for six infrastructure and public projects in Niagara and Orleans Counties, New York.

Located in the heart of the first year-round new urbanist development in the United States (The Kentlands in Gaithersburg, Maryland) the Kentlands Firehouse was transformed from a long-neglected, unused building to a beautiful single-family residence.

Provided State Environmental Quality Review (SEQR) assistance and site plan/permitting guidance for the multi-million dollar conversion of the 40-story Seneca One Tower in downtown Buffalo, New York.

Represented multi-firm team at pre-submittal site visit and performed photographic documentation of the buildings and structures on-site, while also performing observable interior and exterior condition assessments near Troy, New York.

Liaison between the Anne Arundel County Long-Range Planning Department (Cultural Resources Division) and the Anne Arundel County Trust for Historic Preservation. Authored up-to-date assessment and analysis of the Anne Arundel County Inventory of Historic Properties, a local listing of over 728 historic resources, including providing recommendations for ways to enhance the County’s historic preservation ordinance.

Buffalo’s Elevator Alley is home to one of the finest collections of intact grain elevators in North America. In 2019, I completed a Phase IA survey for a redevelopment proposal on nearby Ganson Street, directly across from the Great Northern Elevator.

Completed water quality tests on Lake Erie (Eastern Basin), the Boise River (Boise, Idaho), the Deschutes River (Bend, Oregon), and the Gallatin River (Bozeman, Montana). Turbidity, temperature, pH, dissolved oxygen, and coliform bacteria were measured/tested. Percent saturation was calculated and the overall sample site water quality was analyzed and assessed.