Professional Certifications
Active
Engineer–in–Training (EIT) certified by the Tennessee Board of Architectural and Engineering Examiners
Registered on June 3, 2004
Previous
Landfill Operator certified by the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC) Division of Solid Waste Management (DSWM)
Expired on April 13, 2009
Professional Memberships
Active
- Environmental & Water Resources Institute (EWRI) of the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) Sustainability Task Committee Member/Web site Designer
- American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) Associate Member
- Chi Epsilon–ΧΕ (Civil Engineering Honor Society) University of Tennessee (UT) Chapter
Previous
- Solid Waste Association of North America (SWANA)
- Rutherford County Solid Waste Ad Hoc Committee
- Rutherford County Paint Recycling Research Committee
Collegiate (and beyond) Affliations, Activities, and Memberships
Affliations & Memberships
- Chi Epsilon (Civil Engineering Honor Society) University of Tennessee (UT) Chapter Editor
- ASCE UT student chapter
- National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE) UT student chapter
- UT Student Engineering Council
- National Society of Professional Engineers (NSPE) student member
- Food Security Partners of Middle Tennessee
- UT Student Government Association (SGA) Diversity Affairs Committee
- Students Promoting Environmental Action in Knoxville — Vice–President (1 year) and active member
- Tennessee Economic Renewal Network [TERN] Board member (formerly Tennessee Industrial Renewal Network [TIRN])
- Black Student Association (BSA) Newsletter Committee Chair
- Progressive Student Alliance [PSA] (formerly Alliance for Hope)
- United Campus Workers–Communications Workers of America Local 3865
- Solutions to Issues of Concern to Knoxvillians (SICK) Publications Committee member
- Amnesty International
- Grassroots
- Knoxville Progressive Radio DJ on UT radio station
- Tennessee Independent Media Center Editor
- Jobs with Justice
Exhibits & Presentations
- Exhibition of Undergraduate Research and Creative Achievement Fair, University of Tennessee
- Report and Poster title: Sustainability: A Paradigm Shift in Engineering (April 2004)
- Sustainable Design/Development Exhibit in Engineer's Day, University of Tennessee
- Team Leader, October 23, 2003
- Globalization on behalf of TERN/TIRN
Honors
- Dean's List (Spring 2005, Fall 2000, Fall 1997)
- Chi Epsilon–ΧΕ (Civil Engineering Honor Society) Inductee
- Sigma Delta Pi–ΣΔΠ (National Spanish Honor Society) Inductee
- Phi Eta Sigma–ΦΗΣ (Freshman Honor Society) Inductee
- University of Tennessee African–American Achiever Scholar
- US Army Corps of Engineers Nashville District Certificate of Appreciation
- NSBE 1998–1999 Torchbearer
- Outstanding Participation in the Minority Introduction to Basic Engineering Summer Program
- Certificate of Recognition for Academic Achievement Presented by Bethsaida Baptist Church
Education
Post–Baccalaureate Program, University of Kentucky
Civil and Environmental Engineering
Overall cumulative GPA: 3.58/4.00
Bachelor's Program, University of Tennessee
Baccalaureus Scientiae (Bachelor of Science) in Civil Engineering (August 2004)
Minors in Environmental Engineering and Spanish
Professional Conferences, Fairs, Meetings, Training, and Workshops
- Do the Green at The Mall at Lexington Green Exhibitor
- July 25, 2009
- 32–Hour Popular Consumer Electronic Repair Aptitude Training
- July 6–July 16, 2009
- Food Security Partners of Middle Tennessee Partner Meeting
- May 19, 2009
- Peace & Global Citizenship Fair
- Free/Libre and Open Source Software (FLOSS) demonstration, Sustainability Exhibit
- May 16, 2009
- Co-Sponsor of Winter Green Convene
- February 21, 2009
- Green & Healthy Schools Regional Summit: GRowing our Ecological Education Networks
- March 1, 2008
- Low Impact Development (LID) Short Course: Rain Gardens Revisited
- October 31, 2007
- Lecture Title: Residential and Commercial Trends from a Chamber of Commerce Perspective
- Lecture Title: Bioswales and Rain Gardens
- Lecture Title: Sustainable Landscape Architecture: Stacking Systems In a Landscape
- Lecture Title: Pervious Concrete: Pavements for a More Livable Environment
- GROW Nashville Fall Gardening Workshop
- October 13, 2007
- Hydrologic Engineering Centers River Analysis System (HEC–RAS): Modeling for Riverine Systems
- September 18–September 20, 2007
- Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC) Division of Solid Waste Management (DSWM) Solid Waste Assistance Section Waste Tire Workshop
- July 24, 2007
- World Environmental & Water Resources Congress 2007: Restoring Our Natural Habitat presented by the Environmental & Water Resources Institute (EWRI) of the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE)
- May 15–May 18, 2007
- Lecture Title: What Does the Future Hold for Sludge Management?
- Landscape Architecture: Landscape Architecture
- International Issues: Transbounday Issues
- 4th Urban Watershed Management Symposium: Public Outreach: Engaging the Public and Gaining Grass Roots Support: Invited Presentations on Urban Watershed Management through Public Outreach
- 4th Urban Watershed Management Symposium: Storm Water Quality: Integration of Master Plans, BMPs, and Common Sense
- Rivers Restoration: Dam Removal
- Environmental Engineering & Public Health: Solid Waste Management
- Education and Research: Education & Research I
- Local Florida Issues: Stormwater Treatment & Reuse
- Water, Wastewater, and Stormwater: Water Supply & Modeling
- Wetland Restoration: Riverine Wetlands
- 4th Urban Watershed Management Symposium: Sediment & Erosion Control
- Water Reuse: Water Reuse Perspectives
- Sustainable Water Pollution Engineering: Sustainable Technology for the Developing World
- Sustainable Water Pollution Engineering: Sustainable Planning and the Triple Bottom Line
- Sustainable Water Pollution Engineering: Sustainable Stormwater Management
- 36th Annual Solid/Hazardous Waste Conference and Exhibition sponsored by the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC) Division of Solid Waste Management (DSWM)
- April 18–April 20, 2007
- Environmental Priorities
- Management of “Orphaned” Landfills
- Closed Municipal Landfills/Corrective Action
- Long Street Landfill Closure: The Life Cycle of Inner City Land
- New Class IV Regulations
- Waste Segregation at the Fayette County Solid Waste Transfer Facility
- Landfill Gas Management
- Leachate Handling
- City of Kingsport's Leaf Collection/Composting Operation
- Low Level Radioactive Waste Landfill at Oak Ridge Y–12 — Designing for 1000 Years
- HHW's — How to Maximize Their Success
- Round Table Discussion on Solid Waste Concerns
- Legislative Updates
- EPA Enforcement Priorities for FY07 and the Future
- Summary of Hazardous Waste Regulatory Changes
- Water Resources Learning Center, Inc. Design of Stormwater Management Systems
- February 26–February 27, 2007
- The University of Tennessee Water Resources Center/Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC) Level II — Design Principles for Erosion Prevention and Sediment Control on Construction Sites
- November 29–November 30, 2006
- Maccaferri Erosion Control & Environmental Solutions Short Course
- August 18, 2006
- Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC) Division of Solid Waste Management (DSWM) Landfill Operators Certification Training Program
- April 10–April 13, 2006
- The University of Tennessee Water Resources Center/Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC) Level I — Fundamentals of Erosion Prevention and Sediment Control for Construction Sites
- November 29, 2005
- 10–Hour Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) Training Course in Construction Safety & Health
- Completed on April 9, 2005
Simon W. Freese Environmental Engineering Award Lecture and Environmental Council Awards Breakfast
Technical Sessions I
Technical Sessions II
Technical Sessions III
Technical Sessions IV
Technical Sessions V
Technical Sessions VI
Technical Sessions VII
Technical Sessions VIII
Technical Sessions IX
Technical Sessions X
Technical Sessions XI
Technical Sessions XII
Technical Sessions XIII
Technical Sessions XIV (Moderator of this Session)
Technical Sessions XV
Opening Session
Solid Waste Technical Session 1
Solid Waste Technical Session 2
Solid Waste Technical Session 3
Closing Session
Professional Experience
September 2008–Present
Huntington Learning Center
Hendersonville, Tennessee
Tutor
- Helped elementary through high school students better understand Beginner Math (Addition, Subtraction, Multiplication, Division, Fractions, Time, etc.) through Algebra I, Algebra II, and Geometry.
February 2008–June 2008
Metropolitan Nashville Department of Water and Sewerage Services Stormwater Division Remedial Maintenance Section
Nashville, Tennessee
Engineer–in–Training (EIT)
- Investigated stormwater complaints and recommended solutions.
- Investigated construction sites on behalf of the Stormwater Division Routine Maintenance Section to assess site compliance with the EPA National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES).
November 2007–Present
EcoC²S
Murfreesboro, TN
Principal
- EcoC²S is a small business focusing on tutoring, organic gardening and planning, effective stormwater managements solutions, and Free/Libre and Open Source Software (FLOSS) consultations.
October 2005–November 2007
Rutherford County Landfill
Class III/IV Landfill and post–closure Class I Landfill with tire collection/storage/transfer facility
Murfreesboro, Tennessee
Environmental Project Engineer/Landfill Operations Manager/Landfill Director/Department Head/Supervisor
- Directed, oversaw, and managed landfill operations and activities.
- Supervised and directed 4 full–time staff (2 heavy equipment operators, 1 office manager, 1 mechanic) and 1 part–time personnel (heavy equipment operator); directed, supervised, and inspected work; processed employee concerns and problems (counseled and disciplined staff); encouraged, listened, and complimented staff; made hiring recommendations; and made salary raise recommendations.
- Coordinated daily work activities; organized, prioritized, and assigned work; monitored the status of work in progress and inspected the completed work; consulted with staff; assisted with complex/problem situations; and provided technical expertise with close supervision from the County Engineer.
- Consulted with County Mayor, other County employees (including other project engineers, landfill consultant, and landfill staff), and the landfill consulting engineer, and worked closely with the County Engineer to review department operations/activities, review/resolve problems, receive advice/direction, and receive/provide recommendations.
- Reviewed County subdivision hydrologic and hydraulic drainage calculations; performed hydrologic and hydraulic drainage calculation comparisons; researched United States Geological Survey (USGS) and Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) drainage designs; reported findings to the County Engineer and Stormwater Project Engineer.
- Reviewed engineering plans and specifications to ensure the established design criteria of wet detention pond systems were met.
- Managed the construction of a wet detention pond riser base and the installation of the riser and provided technical expertise in the reading of the engineering plans.
- Managed the clean–up operations of the wet detention ponds, including pumping and resurfacing with appropriate rock fill.
- Surveyed County drainage inlet/outlet structures using a Leica GPS unit to gather GIS mass points as required by the EPA National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Stormwater Phase II program.
- Reviewed the groundwater and methane gas monitoring reports to ensure the landfill complied with state/federal environmental regulations.
- Solved problems and recommended improvements using mathematical calculations and/or engineering experience and judgment as necessary.
- Identified environmental problem areas and directed the remediation of those areas.
- Managed the construction of a wet detention pond riser base and the installation of the riser and provided technical expertise in the reading of the engineering plans.
- Prepared and/or completed various forms, reports, correspondence, job plans, bid specifications, contract documents, budget documents, purchase requisitions, sketches, graphs, drawings, designs, and other documents.
- Provided monthly reports to the County Public Works Committee and provided reports to County Engineer and County Mayor.
- Provided budget amendments and landfill budget to the County Budget & Finance Committee as needed.
- Maintained standards of environmental compliance as set forth by federal/state environmental regulations and conservation regulations governing the operation of a Class III and Class IV landfill, the post–closure of a Class I landfill, tire collection/storage/transfer facility, and stormwater management program.
- Prepared and/or completed various forms, reports, correspondence, job plans, bid specifications, contract documents, budget documents, purchase requisitions, sketches, graphs, drawings, designs, and other documents.
- Maintained approved final contours and drainage systems of landfill site; maintained overall site conditions to prevent or minimize negative environmental impacts, which included groundwater contamination, erosion, and/or sediment release; corrected site conditions when negative environmental impacts occurred; ensured vegetative cover was present where possible and used erosion control best management practices (BMPs), e.g., vegetation, straw bales, straw blankets, straw bales, geotextile silt fences, check dams, riprap, native grasses.
- Coordinated the implementation of stormwater management and erosion control techniques; oversaw the continued remediation and erosion control of the landfill footprint; oversaw the application of stormwater management principles as needed to prevent severe erosive conditions.
- Monitored and maintained the post–closure requirements pertaining to groundwater monitoring, methane dispersion, and the leachate collection system in environmental compliance with TDEC regulations; coordinated with TDEC regarding the closure/monitoring program; maintained and monitored the methane gas collection and control system; analyzed laboratory results of groundwater assessment/monitoring program and methane gas dissipation processes reported by the landfill consulting engineer; coordinated quality assurance and quality control of post–closure activities; conducted field inspections as needed.
- Performed project management; developed project designs and drawings; used project designs and drawings developed by the landfill consulting engineer; scheduled, coordinated, and oversaw construction activities; coordinated and supervised the daily activities of outside contractors; coordinated heavy equipment contracted services as needed to accomplish landfill operation objectives.
September 2004–May 2005
Learning Services Center (University of Kentucky)
Lexington, Kentucky
Tutor
- Helped fellow students better understand General College Chemistry I and II, Calculus I and II, and Beginner through Intermediate Spanish.
August 1998–August 2004
Educational Advancement Program (University of Tennessee)
Knoxville, Tennessee
Tutor
- Helped fellow students better understand General College Chemistry I and II, Calculus I and II, and Beginner through Intermediate Spanish.
August 1998–August 2004
Federal Work Study Program (University of Tennessee Chemistry Department)
Knoxville, Tennessee
Secretary
- Performed duties as needed in the Chemistry Department Reading Room.
August 1998–May 2003
Minority Student Affairs (University of Tennessee)
Knoxville, Tennessee
Tutor
- Helped fellow students better understand General College Chemistry I and II, Calculus I and II, and Beginner through Intermediate Spanish.
September 1999–December 1999; June 2000–August 2000; June 2001–August 2001
Randstad Staffing Services
Employed at the Tennessee Attorney General and Reporter's Office Civil Rights and Claims Division
Nashville, Tennessee
Secretary
- Answered the phone, and took messages.
- Prepared legal documents to be disseminated to the Courts and to all parties involved in each case.
- Closed cases that had been resolved through the courts to place in the archives.
January 1999–May 1999
US Army Corps of Engineers
Nashville, TN
Student Trainee (Engineering) Level: GS–04
- Worked on assignment for the University of Tennessee Cooperative Engineering Program assisting the Programs and Project Management Branch as needed.
- Assisted the System Administrator in maintenance of software and data, as a support assistant.
- Consulted with Branch Quality Engineer and Environmental Engineers, Project Managers, and the Hydrology and Hydraulics Branch.
- Prepared and disseminated the monthly Project Review Board (PRB) minutes.
- Helped prepare the Congressional Briefing books concerning Congressional funding for Corps projects.
- Updated the Project Managers' schedule information in Primavera and helped transfer that information to PROMIS (Project Management Information System).
- Updated presentation slides in Microsoft PowerPoint for the various district meetings and for the visit by Brigadier General Van Winkle.
- Answered the phone, and took messages.
- Designed Microsoft Excel spreadsheets to better understand the Nashville District and its projects.
Volunteer Experience
June 2003–July 2003
Friends of Literacy (Adult Education Center)
Knoxville, Tennessee
Tutor
- Helped adult students preparing for their General Education Diploma (GED) Exam better understand Remedial Math (Addition, Subtraction, Multiplication, Division, and Fractions).
Special Skills
- An ability to foster and motivate both individuals and teams, analytical, contextual (systems thinking), creative, detailed–oriented, flexible, imaginative, intelligent, patient, philosophical, polite, quick learner, and self–motivated, and ability to foster and motivate teams.
- Proficient Computer Skills (Non–Free/Libre and Open Software, i.e. Proprietary Software) on Microsoft Windows OS:
- AutoCAD
- HEC–RAS
- HEC–HMS
- WinTR–55
- ArcGIS
- EPANet
- Primavera
- PROMIS
- MATLAB
- Microsoft Office Suite
- Proficient Computer Skills (Free/Libre and Open–Source Software) on Microsoft Windows OS:
- Web site development: CSS, HTML, XHTML
- Notepad++
- ClamWin
- OpenOffice.org Suite
- Mozilla Firefox Web Browser
- Proficient Computer Skills (Free/Libre and Open–Source Software) on a GNU/Linux OS:
- Web site development: CSS, HTML, XHTML
- K Desktop Environment (KDE Free Desktop)
- OpenOffice.org Suite
- Abiword
- Scribus (Open Source Desktop Publishing)
- QCad
- Lyx
- KWrite
- Inkscape
- The GIMP
- ClamAV
- Mozilla Sunbird
- Mozilla Firefox Web Browser
- Epiphany Web Browser
- Konqueror Web Browser/File Manager
- Konsole (Command line)
- Kalzium
EcoC²S
Middle Tennessee