John brings two decades of experience providing project management, software design, and engineering services for projects related to water resources and natural resource management. He’s worked on everything from stormwater systems and water quality to hydraulic modeling and water accounting. Over the years, he’s led teams that built key tools like Stormwater Tools and the Groundwater Accounting Platform. John’s also a licensed professional engineer in Oregon. He spent 11 years as a civil engineer, focusing on stormwater planning, green infrastructure, and modeling water systems.
What is your favorite ESA moment/memory so far?
I came to ESA through the merger with Sitka Technology Group 3.5 years ago. I’m so happy for the durability of the Sitka teams post-merger. We’ve kept the gang together while getting to know the broader ESA community. My favorite memories are when we get together with old friends and new in events like the holiday party this year.
What does it mean to you to be part of an employee-owned company?
Sustainability – by being employee-owned, we are accountable for decisions that drive results both for the current quarter, and also for the long-term benefit of the employee-owner community.
What keeps you coming to work here at ESA every day?
Helping my team and clients do interesting and sustainable work.
What is your hidden or special talent(s)?
I’m great at balancing toddlers standing on one of hands.
What’s your favorite thing to do when you are out of the office?
Help out on my family’s hazelnut orchard – pruning, harvesting, or just walking the orchard.
If you had one free hour each day, how would you use it?
Spend it with my family doing something active or creative. I have four children (Jupiter age 9, Maximus age 8, Solana age 4, and Orion age zero) and they will take every free hour, minute, and second I have to offer.
What are skills that you bring to the ESA team? In other words, what should colleagues know to reach out to you about?
Water data analysis and management and Custom web applications.
In a nutshell, what kind of work does your team do?
We build custom web applications primarily to help local and state agencies manage water.
Describe your role at ESA and the type of work you do.
I oversee the Team H2O agile software development team. I help unblock the team, interface with clients, and always keep eyes up for the next opportunity to keep the team busy.
What’s been your favorite project to work on here at ESA and what impact did it have on the community and/or environment?
I enjoy working on our Groundwater Accounting Platform, because it brings together a diverse suite of interests – NGOs, local and state governments, agricultural water users. I’m particularly interested in supporting sustainable agriculture, connecting directly with growers to help them adapt to limited water supplies.
Have you had the opportunity to work on any career-defining projects?
The Groundwater Accounting Platform build-out, because we’ve brought together so many diverse clients, funders, stakeholders, to contribute to an effort larger and more comprehensive than any would build on their own.
