Chris leads the Biological Resources and Land Management (BRLM) Group for ESA’s Southeast Region, focusing on client service, project management, and business development. He oversees the region’s largest practice composed of environmental scientists, biologists, engineers, and technical experts specializing in environmental planning, permitting, restoration, water quality, and land management. As an ESA Vice President, Chris is committed to supporting and mentoring the careers of the Southeast BRLM team and fostering a culture that is diverse, equitable, and inclusive.
Chris joined ESA in 2016 and brings more than 26 years of experience in coastal and watershed studies, management, and restoration. He has worked throughout the nation on complex environmental projects including the emergency response to the Deepwater Horizon oil spill and subsequent natural resource damage assessment and continues to be actively involved in restoration projects funded from the oil spill fines. He has supported a wide range of environmental programs from Everglades restoration to port deepening and expansion projects. He brings experience in multiple geographies including California, Florida, and across the Gulf Coast. Chris has supported numerous state, local, port, commercial, federal, and non-governmental organizations.
Chris has a long history supporting National Estuary Programs including Mobile Bay (MBNEP), Sarasota Bay (SBEP), Tampa Bay (TBEP), and Coastal & Heartland National Estuary Partnership (CHNEP). He previously served as Chair for Sarasota Bay’s Citizens Advisory Committee and is a member of MBNEP’s Science Advisory Committee and Project Implementation Committee as well as the Florida Stormwater Association. He continues to be actively engaged in environmental conferences and has developed, led, moderated, and presented numerous sessions and presentations at Restore America’s Estuaries (RAE), National Conference on Ecosystem Restoration (NCER), Gulf of Mexico Conference (GOMCON), Bays and Bayous, and other conferences.
