Biographic Information:

        Work address:           Environmental Policy and Information Center (EPIC)
                                          Suite 246, Martin Hall
                                          Jacksonville State University
                                          Jacksonville, Alabama 36265

        Telephone:                 (256) 782-5681 office
                                          (256) 782-5817 fax

        Date of Birth:              September 7, 1957

Education:

University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia. Master's Degree in Zoology, course work completed 1986. Thesis entitled Audiences and Activities of Museum Education, completed 1989.

Furman University, Greenville, South Carolina. Bachelor's degree in Biology, 1981.

Work Experience:

Present (since 1995): Director of Jacksonville State University's Environmental  Policy and Information Center (EPIC), Jacksonville, Alabama.

2002:  Chair of the Alabama Geographic Information Council (AGIC).  Appointed by Governor Don Siegelman on April 15, 2002.

2001:  Selected by the Office of the Secretary of the Army to serve on an Operational Assessment Team to review safety measures relating to the destruction of chemical warfare materials in Alabama.

2000: Chair of the Alabama Commission on Environmental Initiatives (ACEI). Appointed by Governor Don Siegelman on April 26th, 2000.

1999: Alternate U.S. Federal Commissioner of the ACT/ACF River Basin Commissions. White House appointment by President Bill Clinton January 28, 1999.

1993 to 1995: Governor's Liaison for Environmental Affairs and member of the Governor's Executive Cabinet, Montgomery, Alabama.

1985 to 1993: Curator of Natural History and Education/Research Department Head for the Anniston Museum of Natural History, Anniston, Alabama.

1982 to 1985: Director of Public Affairs and Education for the University of Georgia Museum of Natural History, Athens, Georgia.

1979 to 1982: Director and founder of the Raptor Institute (a private and federally funded center for bird of prey research, rehabilitation, and wildlife education). Furman University, Greenville, South Carolina.
 

Boards and Committees

State:
Little River Canyon Field School, Director. Little River Canyon Field School Advisory Board, Jacksonville State University, 1991-Present.

Weiss Lake Conservation Task Force (WLCTF), Chairman, coordinating, citizens, State and Federal agencies relating to an interstate water issue on the Coosa River. Appointed by Congressmen Tom Bevill (D) and Robert Aderholdt (R) 1996-2000. See web EPIC site.

Fort McClellan Mountain Longleaf National Wildlife Refuge Feasibility and Development Team. Author of feasibility study and Chairman coordinating  citizens, State and Federal agencies relating to the establishment of a 10,000 acre NWR on a closing, UXO contaminated U.S. Army base. 1996-2000. See web EPIC site.

Cheaha Creek Protection Team (CCPT), Chairman, coordinating citizens, State and Federal agencies relating to a watershed containing a number of species proposed for Threatened/Endangered status. Selected by the USFWS and Alabama Environmental Council. 1997-1998.

Alabama Millennium Trails Committee, Co-Chair, appointed by Governor Don Siegelman. See web EPIC site.

Lake Water Quality Standards Discussion Group, Chairman, coordinating an effort to establish water quality standards in the state of Alabama. 1998-1999.

Alabama Wetlands Mitigation Banking Task Force, Selected by the US Army Corps of Engineers to Chair effort and coordinate, citizens, State and Federal agencies relating to the establishment of a large-scale wetlands restoration, enhancement, creation and preservation program, 1994-1996.

Alabama Environmental Council (formerly the Alabama Conservancy). Board of Directors, 1987-2000.

Alabama Conservancy (now the Alabama Environmental Council), President, 1989-1993.

Ground Water Advisory Committee, Alabama Department of Environmental Management (ADEM), 1995-1996.

Nature Conservancy of Alabama, Board Member. 1999-2000.

Forever Wild Program, Board member (appointed by Governor Fob James). 1999-2000.

Riverboat Classroom on the Coosa, Administer, coordinate and develop river education program (Etowah County). Conduct  teacher/student surveys and prototype excursions. (Video available)  1995-1998.

Frog Pond Wildlife Preserve and Observation Area (Calhoun County). Administer, coordinate and develop the construction and current use of a wetlands demonstration area. 1995-2000. See web EPIC site.

Ball Play Solid Waste Landfill and Wetland Interpretation Post (Cherokee County). Develop concept for the development of a landfill and wetlands educational facility. This K-12 field trip destination will be the first landfill designed for on-site, educational experiences. 1996-2000.

Legacy Inc.,  Partners in Environmental Education, Board of Directors administering programs and funds for environmental education, 1993-1997. Chairman Public Groups Committee, 1995-1997.

Environmental Education Association of Alabama (EEAA), Board of Directors serving Alabama's oldest, grassroots environmental education organization, 1989-1998.

Alabama Wildlife Rescue Service, Board of Directors, 1996-2000.

Auburn University, Raptor Rehabilitation Center, Board of Advisors,  1996-2000.

Alabama Wildflower Watch Advisory Committee, 1994-1998.

Red-cockaded woodpecker (RCW) Scientific Advisory Committee. Developing a habitat conservation plan (HCP) in conjunction with the Alabama Forestry Commission and the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, 1994-1998.

Chief Ladiga Rails-to-Trails. (Calhoun County) Co-chair of committee with leadership role developing of Alabama's first extensive rail-trail (video available). 1994-1999. Chairman 1999-2000. See web EPIC site.

Subcommittee Chairman, Governor's Strategic Planning Committee, 1993-1995.

Chairman, Governor's Environmental Council (twenty five members representing business, government, environmental and conservation concerns) 1993-1995.

Treasured Forest Association of Northeast Alabama, Inc. Board of Directors, 1991-1995.

Alabama Forest Planning Committee (AFPC), Member, 1994-1995.

Little River Canyon Management Objectives Task Force, National Park Service, Fort Payne, AL, 1993.

Alabama Public Television Advisory Committee (Calhoun County Coordinator), 1990-1992.

Alabama Treasured Forest Advisory Board, 1990-1992.

Forever Wild Committee for the development of an Alabama land acquisition program, 1990-1991 (Appointed by Governor Guy Hunt).

Alabama Solid Waste Advisory Board (Appointed by Governor Guy Hunt), 1989-1991.  

Local:
Fort McClellan Reuse and Redevelopment Authority (Ex Officio member) (recommending the future use of this closing U.S. Army base) 1995-1997.

Fort McClellan Restoration Advisory Board (RAB), US DOD, EPA, ADEM and citizen task force overseeing environmental cleanup of Fort McClellan before transfer for future use. 1996-1998, Co-chair 1997-1999.

Calhoun County Rails-to-Trails Public Park and Recreation Advisory Board (Appointed by the Calhoun County Commission), 1995-2000. Chairman 1999-2000. See EPIC web site.

Calhoun County High Speed Rail Task Force, 1993-1994.

Anniston Community Goals Program (long-term environmental strategic planning), 1993.

Calhoun County Chamber of Commerce, Education Committee, Anniston, AL 1990-1992.

Anniston City Schools Continuing Education Advisory Committee, Anniston, AL 1990-1992.

Calhoun County Emergency Planning Committee, 1989-1991.

Anniston Recycling/Environmental Board (designated as founding Chairman by City Council), 1990.

Calhoun County Solid Waste Advisory Board, 1988-1989.
 

Additional Information:

The W. Kelly Mosley Environmental Awards for Achievements in Forestry, Wildlife, and Related Resources.  For overall desire to conserve, protect, and develop the environment along with undying commitment to better educate the public on the use and conservation of Alabama's natural resources in the Talladega Mountains. 2000.

The Malcolm Stewart Award from the Alabama Environmental Council.  In recognition of dedicated conservation service.  1993 and 2000.

The Legacy Public Awareness Committee Member of the Year.  In recognition of outstanding volunteerism and committee service.  1996.

The Golden Leaf Award, from the Nature Conservancy of Alabama. For outstanding, dedicated, and generous service to the goal of protecting Alabama's natural world through leadership role in passage of the Forever Wild Legislation.  1992.

Beta Beta Beta Biological Honor Society, elected to membership by Jacksonville State University, 1994.

Congressional and Senate testimony presented in Washington, D.C. creating the Little River Canyon National Preserve (a unit of the National Park Service), 1992.

Omicron Delta Kappa Honor Society, elected to membership by Jacksonville State University, 1991.

Educational guide for natural history museum trips to the Bahamas on a chartered sailboat, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988. Guide to the Galapagos Islands, 1988 and guide to the Peruvian Amazon, 1990 and 1991.

Smithsonian Institution Visiting Professionals Program. Washington, D.C., 1984.

Founder and President of the Greenville Chapter of the National Audubon Society 1981-1982, Vice President in 1980. Greenville, SC.

President, South Carolina Public Interest Research Group (SPIRG) Furman University, Greenville, SC, 1978-1980.

Chairman, Solar Energy Week, Greenville, SC, 1978.

Last Updated: May 6, 2002