HomeMy WebLinkAboutAECOS, Inc. - OH.2 Community Planning (Environmental Assessment)
AECOS, Inc. 45-939 Kamehameha Hwy, Suite 104 Kāne‘ohe, Hawai‘i 96744 Phone: (808) 234-7770 Fax: (808) 234-7775 Email: aecos@aecos.com June 6, 2024 Department of Housing and Community Development ohcdprofserv@hawaiicounty.gov ATTN: Ms. Susan Kunz / Administrator 1990 Kino’ole Street, Suite 102 Hilo, HI 96720 Re: Professional Services Qualifications for the Fiscal Year 2024-2025 Dear Ms. Kunz;
AECOS Inc. would like to take this opportunity to submit our qualifications for professional services to the County of Hawai‘i. AECOS performs terrestrial, stream, and marine flora/fauna and water quality surveys. AECOS also performs jurisdictional water determinations and provides biological monitoring, water quality monitoring, and laboratory services. The following itemized list corresponds to the numbered items in your Notice to Providers of Professional Services. 1) AECOS, Inc. 45-939 Kamehameha Hwy., #104 Kane‘ohe, HI 96744 There are no other office locations, however a few biologists work from home on O‘ahu and Hawai‘i island, and a project manager works from Utah. Contact: Susan Burr sburr@aecos.com 2) AECOS was established in 1971 and is 52 years old. The average number of employees over the last five years is 20.
Planning Director Department of Planning, County of Hawai‘i January 19, 2023 Page 2 of 3 3) Resumes of key employees are included in the attached statement of qualifications. 4) A list of recent projects with brief project descriptions as well as additional client contact information can be found in the statement of qualifications. Listed here are a few that pertain to botany and wildlife biology:
• Ongoing. Avian Monitoring, Predator Control, and Reporting for the Kealakehe
WWTP. Contracted by County of Hawaii. AECOS No. 1627.
• 2024 Biological monitoring for AKT - Maui Temp Housing, Kilohana, Lahaina,
Island of Maui, Hawaii. AECOS No. 1824
• 2024 Marine Biological Surveys for FY24 Special Project Apra Harbor Waterfront
Repairs, Apra Harbor, Naval Base Guam AECOS No. 1809
• 2024 Natural resources assessment for Booth Road repair and drainage
improvements Pauoa, Honolulu, O‘ahu. AECOS No. 1817
• 2024 Jurisdictional determination for Wailele and ‘Ihi’ihi streams, Lā’ie, O’ahu.
AECOS No. 1816
• 2023 Biological surveys for DHHL King’s Landing Kuleana Homestead
Settlement Plan & Environmental Assessment. AECOS No. 1752.
• 2022-2023 Biological monitoring for threatened and endangered birds and seabirds
at Punaluu during construction activity. Contracted by ICF Stokes. AECOS No.
1402.
• 2020. Faunal survey for the proposed Circuit Hawai‘i Raceway Park, Kapolei,
O‘ahu, Hawai‘i. Prep. for HHF Planners, Inc., AECOS No.1619.
• 2020. Natural Resource Assessment for Kapolei Parkway Lots, Ewa, O‘ahu,
Hawaiʻi. Prep. for the Kobayashi Group, LLC., AECOS No. 1614. List of clients that can be contacted:
• RM Towill Corp., Brian Takeda, BrianT@rmtowill.com, (808)842-1133
• Wilson Okamoto, Keola Cheng, KCheng@wilsonokamoto.com, (808)946-2277
• EKNA Services, Inc., Brian Ishii, BIshii@eknahawaii.com, (808)591-8553
• HHF Planners, Scott Ezer, SEzer@hff.com, (808)457-3158
• G70, Jeff Overton, Jeff@g70.design, (808)523-5866 5) A statement of qualifications with a personnel list and resumes of key employees along with a company brochure is being submitted with this letter via email. A certificate of insurance is also included in this email.
Planning Director Department of Planning, County of Hawai‘i January 19, 2023 Page 2 of 3
AECOS looks forward to working with the County of Hawai‘i. Any questions or comments regarding these submitted documents should be addressed to Susan Burr at sburr@aecos.com or via phone at cell (808)722-4145. Sincerely, Susan Burr President
STATEMENT OF
QUALIFICATIONS
AECOS, Inc.
45-939 Kamehameha Hwy., Ste. 104
Kāneʻohe, Hawaii 96744
Phone: (808) 234-7770
e-mail: sburr@aecos.com
www.aecos.com February 14, 2024
AECOS, Inc. Statement of Qualifications
Page 2
INTRODUCTION TO AECOS
AECOS, Inc. is a small, Hawai‘i-based business providing environmental consulting and analytical
laboratory services to government, industry, commercial, and private clients throughout the Pacific
Basin. We offer a variety of services, with special emphasis in ecology, aquatic sciences, and
water quality. Established in Hawai‘i in 1971, our company's dedication to excellence has
produced a reputation for quality and integrity for over 50 years.
Our services include, and are not limited to, the following:
♦ Wetland Delineations
♦ Jurisdictional Waters Determinations
♦ OWHM Delineations
♦ Ecological Assessments
♦ Biological Stream Surveys
♦ Marine Surveys
♦ Natural Resource Inventories
♦ Water Quality Studies
♦ Analytical Chemistry
♦ Toxicity Testing
♦ Environmental Permitting
♦ Environmental Impact Assessment
♦ Essential Fish Habitat Assessment
♦ Biological Evaluation
In our 50+ years, AECOS has prepared over 1700 technical reports for clients, mostly in Hawai‘i
but also covering work on numerous Pacific Islands, and as far west as Japan. Our staff includes
biologists, ecologists, water quality specialists, chemists, microbiologists, oceanographers,
database specialists, and technicians. AECOS scientists have extensive knowledge of terrestrial,
marine, freshwater, and wetland ecology throughout the Pacific area. This collective expertise
provides a multi-disciplinary capability for addressing a variety of environmental issues and
challenges faced by our clients. We have FAA-certified UAV pilots and conduct a variety of
ecological surveys with drones, we operate remote water level monitoring systems, and process
photomosaic imagery to generate 3-D models and 2-D orthophotos for coral reefs.
AECOS maintains an extensive library of environmental reports, texts, and reference collections
of marine and aquatic flora and fauna. Networked computers with a variety of database,
spreadsheet, statistical, and word-processing software enable rapid data analysis and timely
submission of reports. Documents are prepared using Microsoft Word for Windows. Data
tables can be provided digitally in either Microsoft Word or Excel formats. AECOS maintains a
home page on the World Wide Web (www.aecos.com) which provides more information on our
company, project experience, and various environmental data, and as a community service,
maintains links to other environmental sites of interest.
AECOS laboratory annually participates in EPA certified provider water pollution and water
supply performance evaluation samples for the analyses we do in-house. Our microbiology
laboratory is Hawai‘i Department of Health (HDOH) certified for drinking water analyses. AECOS
is an accepted laboratory for Underground Injection Control (UIC) sampling and analyses and is
accepted by HDOH Clean Water Branch as qualified samplers for monitoring programs.
PERSONNEL
AECOS employs a diverse staff of personnel who are highly experienced in designing and
implementing environmental studies and conducting analyses in support of such studies.
Personnel are cross trained in different fields. Key personnel are listed below. AECOS has
an average of 18-28 employees, including full time, part-time, and on-call staff members.
Brief resumes of some of the staff are provided on the following pages.
Name Title / Field of Expertise
Eric B. Guinther CEO, Ecologist, Botanist, Project Manager Susan Burr President
Environmental Scientist, Project Manager Ann Mello Secretary/Treasurer, Office Manager, Data Technician
Dr. S. Allen Cattell Water Quality Specialist Jessica Withrow Laboratory Manager, Biologist Rachel Knapstein Microbiologist, Marine Biologist
Stacey Kilarski-Jacobson Marine Resource Management Specialist, Marine Biologist Reginald David Vertebrate Biologist, ESA Specialist
Nicole Shrader Lab/Field Technician, Marine Biologist, Assistant Microbiologist Kamryn Yoneshige Biologist
Gioconda Lopez Vargas Botanist Patricia Myer Biologist
Victor Unnone Biologist Camryn Kunioka Asst. Microbiologist, Lab/Field Technician
ERIC B. GUINTHER
Eric B. Guinther is an ecologist/botanist and aquatic biologist with 50 years of experience conducting
environmental studies throughout the central Pacific Basin. His responsibilities at AECOS include
corporate and project management, as well as the production of environmental survey reports, water
quality assessments, and plant and animal identifications. Mr. Guinther does the final review of all
AECOS reports prior to sending to clients. His educational background encompasses geology and botany
in addition to his major area of study in invertebrate zoology. In recent years, Mr. Guinther has been
involved mostly with conducting plant surveys to document potentially sensitive species (native or listed
species) as well as invasive and potentially invasive species, conducting surveys assessing the
distribution of aquatic biota, and interpreting water quality data to assess the impact of projects on the
natural environment.
Mr. Guinther has conducted marine, terrestrial, and coastal zone surveys for AECOS throughout the
Hawaiian Islands and the western and central Pacific, including Guam, American Samoa, Kwajalein Atoll,
Canton Atoll, Fanning Atoll, Christmas Island, Yap, Saipan, Tinian, Palau, and Japan. He has completed
numerous terrestrial botanical resource and aquatic resource (streams and wetlands) surveys in the
Hawaiian Islands. His work in Guam included field and literature wetland resource surveys for Navy
lands.
Mr. Guinther is exceptional at field identification and the use of taxonomic keys. He has authored or has
been lead author on hundreds of reports. He has prepared biological and impact analyses sections for
numerous EAs and EISs. He has participated in ESA botanical species consultations with resource
agencies on behalf of clients.
Recent projects underway or completed include numerous botanical surveys for private and public
clients on Kauaʻi, Lānaʻi, Maui, Hawaiʻi, Oʻahu, and. He was a technical advisor to the TMDL studies for
Kāwā, Kāneʻohe, and Waikele streams funded by the State of Hawaii, Dept. of Health, and is recently
served as botanist for stream improvements under an Army Corps project involving Honolulu urban
stream (Mānoa and Palolo streams) and an assessment of the impacts of invasive plants on Kawai Nui
Marsh on windward Oʻahu.
Mr. Guinther has completed the 40-hour basic health and safety training required for hazardous waste
workers under OSHA 1910.120 and continues to maintain his certification through the annual refresher
courses. He is also certified in Standard First Aid, CPR/AED and Wilderness First Aid. Mr. Guinther is an
active participant at Na Pohaku o Hauwahine in Kailua, a community project to restore native vegetation
and marsh habitat in Kawai Nui Marsh.
SUSAN BURR
Susan Burr, Environmental Scientist, is President of AECOS and has 30 years of experience in the
environmental field. Her responsibilities at AECOS include project management, marine and freshwater
biology, preparation of environmental survey and assessment reports, and wetland delineations. Susan
has been project manager at AECOS for numerous environmental and water quality studies throughout
the Pacific area. Her project list includes projects in perennial and intermittent streams, reservoirs and
irrigation systems, mangroves and coastal wetlands, nearshore coral reefs, deep-draft and small boat
harbors, sandy beaches, and various construction sites.
Susan received a B.A. degree in Biology in 1991 from Pomona College and a M.S. degree in Marine
Resources Management in 1993 from the College of Oceanic and Atmospheric Sciences at Oregon State
University. She has worked for the Washington State Office of Marine Safety, Commonwealth of the
Northern Mariana Islands Division of Environmental Quality, Hawai‘i Department of Health
Environmental Planning Office, and has been with AECOS since 2001.
Recent projects Susan has managed while at AECOS include a natural resources assessment for planned
improvements to a reservoir and irrigation system; wetland delineations for public works and
development projects; and stream surveys on Kaua‘i, O‘ahu, Maui, Moloka‘i, and Hawai‘i. Susan is a
wetland professional in training (WPIT) with the Society of Wetland Scientists, a member of Hawai‘i
Association of Environmental Professionals, and a member of The Wildlife Society Hawaii Chapter.
Susan is currently certified for OSHA hazardous waste site worker (1910.120), open water SCUBA,
NITROX diving, first aid, CPR/AED, Wilderness First Aid, oxygen administration for divers and she holds a
transportation worker identification credential (TWIC) for working in and around harbors.
ALLEN CATTELL
Dr. Allen Cattell is formally trained in oceanography and has 30-years experience in
water quality studies. His primary responsibilities at AECOS include senior review,
statistical analysis, and preparation of environmental survey and water quality
assessment reports. He has participated as a major contributor in numerous water
quality studies throughout the Pacific area including: Alaska, British Columbia,
California, Hawaii, Christmas Island, Johnston Island, Canton Island, Fanning Island,
American Samoa, Kwajalein, Palau, Guam, and Thailand.
Dr. Cattell received his B.S. degree in Biology in 1963 from the University of the Pacific a
M.S. degree in Marine Science in 1965 from the University of the Pacific, and a Ph.D. in
Oceanography in 1969 from the University of British Columbia.
While at AECOS his consulting experience has included a wide variety of water quality
studies in Hawaii and throughout the Central and Western Pacific area, including: the
effects of disposal of thermal and sewage effluents and also dredge spoils into aquatic
environments; the effects of various land development and watershed uses on the water
quality of rivers, streams and coastal environments. Dr. Cattell served as an original
member of the Technical Committee on Water Quality Standards for the State of Hawaii
Department of Health and was responsible for the development of the State’s marine
water quality standards.
REGINALD E. DAVID
Reginald E. David is a terrestrial ecologist concentrating on vertebrate species in Hawai‘i and the
Tropical Pacific. He specializes in avian species with an emphasis on endangered species. Between 1986
and the present, Mr. David has conducted over 1200 faunal surveys for the USFWS, the State of Hawai‘i,
and numerous private concerns, on all of the main Hawaiian Islands as well as on Midway, Nihoa,
Necker, and Kure Atolls. He has extensive field experience in New Zealand, Tahiti, Kiritimati, Guam,
Saipan, Tinian, Gilbert Islands, Vanuatu, Republic of Palau, Eastern Siberia, Korea, and the western
United States. He has conducted fieldwork on all of the Navy Facilities on Guam. He is also experienced
in the radar tracking of seabirds and bats as well as ultrasonic and thermal imaging censusing of bats.
Mr. David has authored/co‐authored over 25 peer‐reviewed papers, one book, and over 600 technical
reports on birds and mammals. Mr. David is also the co‐discoverer of a seabird new to science, which
has recently been described as Bryan’s Shearwater (Puffinus bryani).
Mr. David has a good working knowledge of USFWS, State of Hawai‘i, and the Federal Department of
Transportation environmental laws and regulations. Mr. David is experienced in preparing Biological
Assessments (BAs) required under Section 7 of the Endangered Species Act (ESA) and in negotiating
mitigation under Section 7 of the ESA with the USFWS as well as under section 10 of the ESA and Hawaii
State Statute 195D. He also has experience in preparing Natural Resource Management Plans (NRMPs)
and DoD, Integrated Natural Resource Management Plans (INRMPs), as well as State of Hawai’i Section
343 Environmental Assessments.
Mr. David has written or co‐authored multiple seabird and waterbird Habitat Conservation Plans (HCP),
and Formal Section 7 consultations—he was integral in negotiating minimization and mitigation
measures for those plans. He has completed the 40‐hour basic health and safety training required for
hazardous waste workers under OSHA 1910.120 and continues to maintain his certification through the
annual refresher courses. He is also certified in Standard First Aid, CPR/AED and Wilderness First Aid. He
has served on numerous boards and committees of agencies and private NGO groups.
• Hawaii Bird Records Committee: Vice‐chair – 2017‐ present
• State of Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources, Natural Areas Reserve
• Commission (NARS) Commissioner: 1999 – 2004
• Moderator – HawaiiBirding internet chatline and website 1999‐present
• US Fish & Wildlife Service, 'Alala Recovery Team Member: 1994 – 2016.
• National Audubon Society: Board of Directors member: 1993‐1996
• Hawaii Audubon Society: Board of Directors member: 1989 ‐ 1996, 1998
• Hawai‘i Audubon Society: Treasurer 1998
• Hawai‘i Audubon Society: President 1990‐1994
• US Fish & Wildlife & DLNR, Newell’s Shearwater Working Group
• US Fish & Wildlife & DLNR, Hawaiian hoary bat Technical Working Group
• The Mauna Kea Management Board – Environmental Committee
• US Fish & Wildlife & DLNR, Hawaii Endangered Waterfowl Recovery Team Advisory Committee
A 55‐page list of Mr. David’s publications, and technical reports is available upon request.
Jessica Withrow
Jessica Withrow, Laboratory Manager & Marine Biologist at AECOS, has 17 years of experience with
water quality monitoring and testing, and laboratory management. Her responsibilities at AECOS include
managing the laboratory (wet chemistry and microbiological testing), managing water quality projects
including potable water, environmental, and wastewater projects, and conducting marine biological
surveys. Jessica’s laboratory project list includes projects for new source wells and groundwater boring
wells and applicable monitoring and assessment plan (AMAP) monitoring for marine, freshwater,
harbor, and brackish water environments. Jessica’s marine biological project lists include qualitative and
quantitative data collection for environmental assessments, environmental impact statements, and
permit requirements. Jessica is also responsible for coral transplantation monitoring.
Jessica received a B.A. degree in Biology in 2003 from Hawaiʻi Pacific University. She has been with
AECOS since March 2006.
Recent projects Jessica has managed while at AECOS include conducting AMAP water quality monitoring
for Mānoa Stream apron repair and erosion control project and a project to rehabilitate Hauʻula
Homestead Bridge No.3; conducting long-term quarterly monitoring projects for Kukuiula Bay-Kauaʻi,
Kuilima/Turtle Bay-Oʻahu, and Makena Golf Course- Maui; collecting and analyzing drinking water
samples for lead, copper, and E. coli for Kamehameha Schools Preschools—Oʻahu, Kauaʻi, Molokaʻi,
Maui, and the Big Island; and conducting new source well and groundwater well boring sampling.
Jessica is currently certified for OSHA hazardous waste site worker (1910.120), nitrox SCUBA diving, first
aid, CPR/AED, Wilderness First Aid, oxygen administration for divers, and she holds Maritime Security
(MARSEC) and a transportation worker identification credential (TWIC) for working in and around
harbors.
RACHEL E. KNAPSTEIN
Rachel Knapstein is a Biologist with AECOS and has over 15 years of experience in laboratory and
environmental sciences including animal husbandry, microbiology, marine biological surveys, and water
quality monitoring. Her primary responsibili�es at AECOS include microbiological analyses, water quality
sampling and periodic work conduc�ng marine biological surveys and analysis, and coral transplanta�on.
Rachel Knapstein received two B.S. degrees in Biology and Environmental Science from Salisbury
University and the University of Maryland: Eastern Shore, respec�vely, in 2008 and a M.S. degree in
Marine Science in 2013 from Hawaiʻi Pacific University. She worked for the Na�onal Ins�tutes of Health
from 2008-2010 before atending graduate school and has been with AECOS since 2013.
Rachel is the laboratory supervisor and primary analyst of the AECOS microbiology laboratory, which is
cer�fied by the Hawaiʻi State Department of Health. In her role, she oversees the processing of water
samples for various microorganisms, including total coliforms, Escherichia coli, heterotrophic bacteria,
Enterococci, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Current clients include: Hawai‘i Kai Marina Associa�on,
Hono‘uli‘uli Water Reclama�on Facility, NAVFAC Hawai‘i, Sea Life Park Hawai‘i, US Forest Service, and
various plumbing and mechanical engineering firms, food growers and distributers, and mortgage
lenders. In addi�on to conduc�ng tests on water samples, Rachel is responsible for implemen�ng
rigorous quality control measures. This includes regular calibra�on of equipment, verifica�on of media
performance, and proficiency tes�ng. She is also responsible for maintaining the standard opera�ng
procedures (SOPs) and a robust quality assurance program in accordance with the guidelines set by the
Hawaiʻi State Department of Health.
As a Qualified Field Sampler, she monitors potable water lines, streams, harbors, and nearshore
environments in accordance with water quality regula�ons. Rachel is knowledgeable in all sampling
procedures, equipment, instruments, SOPs, calibra�ons, limits, and repor�ng requirements for water
quality and microbiological compliance, and she is experienced in SCUBA-based marine survey
techniques. Current projects include sampling of various Honolulu Board of Water Supply Potable
waterlines and NPDES (Na�onal Pollutant Discharge Elimina�on System) compliance monitoring as
potable water infrastructure is built, repaired or replaced around Oahu.
She is a cer�fied scien�fic diver under the American Academy of Underwater Sciences (AAUS), holds
open water SCUBA, NITROX diving, and Rescue Diver cer�fica�ons and has traveled to remote loca�ons.
As a cer�fied NOAA diver, she worked with the coral Reef Ecosystem Division to survey and remove
derelict fishing gear around the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands. With AECOS, she traveled to Johnston
Atoll as a diver to sample fish �ssue and marine sediment surrounding the atoll. She maintains current
first aid, CPR/AED, and oxygen administra�on for divers, and she holds a transporta�on worker
iden�fica�on creden�al (TWIC) and MARSEC for working in and around harbors.
KAMRYN R. YONESHIGE
Kamryn Yoneshige has been a Biologist and field technician at AECOS since 2022, with experience
conducting environmental studies throughout Hawaiʻi. Her responsibilities at AECOS include conducting
biological surveys, including plant and animal identifications, production of environmental survey
reports, and preparation of water quality assessments.
Ms. Yoneshige received a B.S. degree in Environmental Science and minor in Biology in 2022 from the
University of Portland (UP). She worked one summer in Portland, Oregon, doing research for UP.
Research focused on biodiversity and the extraction of eDNA from nearby wetlands. Ms. Yoneshige also
had an internship with Mālama Maunalua, a conservation program on Oʻahu. She experimented with
planting seagrass in Maunalua Bay, learned numerous native plant and animal species, and assisted with
educational outreach within the community.
Ms. Yoneshige conducts bird and waterbird nest surveys for various clients throughout Hawaiʻi, focusing
on endangered native species. Some recent projects include avian surveys for private and public clients
on Kauaʻi, Maui, and Oʻahu. Ms. Yoneshige is also planning on atending the Hawaiian Honeycreeper
Workshop hosted by The Wildlife Society. Scheduled to take place in February 2024 on the Big Island of
Hawai’i, the workshop will provide informa�on on avian ecology and experience with mist ne�ng and
banding endangered Hawaiian bird species. Ms. Yoneshige also has experience in jurisdictional
delineations, including ordinary high water mark and wetlands, and in water quality surveys (marine and
freshwater).
Ms. Yoneshige has completed the 40-hour basic health and safety training required for hazardous waste
workers under OSHA 1910.120. She is also certified in Standard First Aid and CPR/AED. Ms. Yoneshige
also holds a transportation worker identification credential (TWIC) for working in and around harbors
and has completed maritime security (MARSEC) training.
PATRICIA K. MYER
Patricia K. Myer, Ph.D. is a biologist at AECOS that joined the team in October 2023. Her responsibili�es
at AECOS include project management, produc�on of natural resources reports, flora/fauna field
surveys, water quality sampling, and wetland delinea�on. Prior to AECOS, Patricia worked as a research
assistant in mul�ple university se�ngs, primarily focusing on mercury bioaccumula�on. Notably, her
disserta�on inves�gated how various condi�ons affect methylmercury accumula�on by marine plankton
in laboratory, coastal, and open-ocean environments. Her other past work includes invasive species
monitoring, microplas�c surveys, and open-ocean plankton monitoring. Currently, Patricia has three
peer-reviewed publica�ons.
Patricia received her Ph.D. in Oceanography in 2023 from the University of Connec�cut. She also holds
an M.S. in Oceanography that was awarded during this �me. She received her B.S. in Environmental
Science from Rensselaer Polytechnic Ins�tute in 2017. Her coursework and research have also provided a
wide breadth of knowledge and a strong mathema�cal background. Briefly, relevant courses include
advanced chemical oceanography, biological/geological/physical oceanography, aqueous geochemistry,
groundwater hydrology, sta�s�cs in experimental design, as well as calculus I/II and differen�al
equa�ons. Patricia has over four years of experience using R for sta�s�cs and figures that have been
used in peer-reviewed publica�ons.
Patricia is currently cer�fied for OSHA HAZWOPER (1910.120/1926.65), MARSEC, First Aid, CPR/AED, and
she holds an ac�ve Transporta�on Worker Iden�fica�on Creden�al (TWIC) for working around harbors.
VICTOR UNNONE
Victor Unnone has been a Biologist at AECOS since 2023. At AECOS, Victor has been involved in
terrestrial flora and fauna surveys and water quality sampling on O’ahu and Maui. Victor is tasked with
preparing environmental survey and assessment reports, as well as long term stream monitoring.
Victor received a B.A. degree in Natural Science with a concentra�on in Marine and Freshwater
environments in 2023 from Colgate University, which encompasses geology, biology, and mathema�cal
applica�ons. He has research experience with marine invertebrate paleontology in the Gulf of Mexico,
spending �me sampling aboard research vessels and processing specimen in a lab se�ng. This
culminated in the development of a senior thesis, and results were presented at the Conserva�on
Paleobiology conference in Gainesville, Florida. In addi�on, he has been involved in marine turtle
conserva�on on both the Georgia coast and the Hawaiian Islands, where he sought to quan�fy the
effects of light pollu�on on turtle nes�ng success rates.
Victor is currently cer�fied for OSHA hazardous waste site worker (1910.120), first aid, CPR/AED, and he
holds a transporta�on worker iden�fica�on creden�al (TWIC) for working in and around harbors.