Work Experience
Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute at Florida Atlantic University
5/2008 – present: Director Of Technical Operations
Responsible for the operation, maintenance, and repair of Harbor Branch Research Infrastructure including the Johnson-Sea-Link and other submersibles, small boat operations, sea-water systems, other engineering tools used in support of scientific programs. Schedules and coordinates the utilization of research tools and infrastructure to best meet Harbor Branch research needs within budget and resource availability. Oversees engineering production capabilities to optimize engineering resources. Works with engineering and scientific program managers in the development and fabrication of ocean engineering and marine operations systems, scientific tool packages, and scientific instrumentation in support of sponsored research programs. Interfaces with Harbor Branch Facilities staff as appropriate for cost effective infrastructure maintenance and repair processes, procedures, and resource utilization. Oversees at-sea operational planning for ocean engineering projects and, as appropriate, for use of engineering and operational resources in support of scientific projects. Ensures compliance for all engineering and marine operations facilities, tools, personnel and procedures with appropriate Environmental, Health, and Safety laws, regulations, and policies.
Naval Surface Warfare Center Carderock Division South Florida Testing Facility
2/2002 – 5/2008 Lead Engineer / Project Manager
Duties include the management of all engineering projects at a US Navy research, development, test and evaluation (RDT&E) facility, ranging from concept development to at-sea installation and evaluation. The planning and orchestration of unique, complex operations merging both engineering and at-sea operational groups, drawing upon extensive at-sea experience involving ROVs and other underwater equipment, is routinely accomplished.
Project management and oversight involves solicitation, proposal development, and execution of work for both Federal and private industry customers, from design to installation, testing, and evaluation at sea. Project planning includes the selection, inspection, capability determination, and layout of work vessels and associated equipment, funding, mobilization/demobilization, and utilization, all under tight schedule and budgetary constraints. Frequently called upon to negotiate and administer service, equipment, and support contracts for a diverse customer base, ranging from support vessel charter to facility leases. Extensive experience managing budgets and providing periodic reports regarding project progress, expenditures, and schedule to management and customers.
Lead engineering duties involve the selection and coordination of work teams, specifically chosen for the task at hand. Management of various skill sets, work schedules, and tasking are required to efficiently utilize resources during operations. Required to make authoritative technical and safety decisions during at-sea operations to ensure the safety of personnel and success of operations during periods of adverse weather or other unforseeable events. Report writing and thorough documentation is conducted both during and after operations, providing a clear, concise record of the project and detailed post-project reports. Participation in project briefings and “wash up” meetings are frequently required, with roles ranging from participant to facilitator.
Specific engineering accomplishments include the refurbishment of the testing facility’s underwater tracking system, recovery and replacement of electromagnetic and acoustic sensor systems, installation and recovery of practice minefields, redesign and installation of a deep-water (2000 meter) mooring and buoy system, and the installation of the Ocean Acoustic Observatory (OAO) hydrophone array, shore cable, and infrastructure. These projects were conducted in water depths from 20 m to over 1.6 km, in currents as high as 2.6 m/s, using specialized equipment and techniques. These techniques included the use of Differential Global Positioning System (DGPS) equipment, underwater acoustic positioning systems, and integrated real-time Geographical Information System (GIS) tracking software for precisely performing underwater operations.
Facilities responsibilities include management of the Preventative Maintenance System (PMS) for all engineering equipment, such as winches, a-frames, hydraulic powerpacks, small boats, and other engineering tools used in support of Navy programs. The oversight of machine shops, welding shops, and other fabrication activities is also accomplished, resulting in cost-effective, robust, and reliable systems built with in-house resources. Close collaboration with the engineering staff results in efficient scheduling of project tasks requiring facility support, enabling multiple projects to progress simultaneously without conflicting resource utilization.
Upon completion of US Navy dive school training, duties expanded to include the role of Division Diving Officer, involving the oversight of the Command Diving Program at headquarters as well as six remote detachments. Specific tasks included the revision of the Command Diving instruction, implementation of a streamlined dive approval process, and the consolidation of all diving supervision tasks to a single individual, vastly improving communication between the customers and support diving activities, while improving safety through timely and thorough project review procedures.
2/1992 - 2/2002 Ocean Engineer
Duties involved the design, construction, and use of a wide variety of ocean-related devices, including pressure vessels, hydrophone and sensor arrays, underwater robotic systems, shipboard load-handling equipment, and other specialized engineering and scientific tool packages. Served as primary Remotely Operated underwater Vehicle (ROV) operator during at-sea equipment deployment and retrieval, bottom searches, and cable field maintenance. Utilized and maintained a wide variety of oceanographic sensors in support of on-range operations, including side-scan sonar, magnetometer, and sub-bottom profiling equipment. Managed at-sea projects, including crew-orientation operations to familiarize personnel with typical offshore work procedures. Performed computer modeling and simulation of underwater systems and generated computer animation based upon results. Managed facility improvements, including vessel berth dredging, utility upgrades, and development plans.
As the sole Geographical Information System (GIS) software expert at the facility, I led the development of a complete graphical representation of the facility’s operating areas (both offshore south Florida as well as the Bahamas) that greatly improved test planning and execution. A large number of databases, from such diverse sources as Federal and local government agencies, university systems, and project-specific sensors, were incorporated into a highly effective real-time visualization system. The GIS system is still used extensively for planning and implementing offshore work, including the integration of GIS software into underwater and surface tracking systems for precise seafloor operations in real-time.
Ocean engineering tasks involved the development and production oversight of specialized equipment, such as ranging laser systems and task specific tool packages, such as the complete redesign and utilization of the Television Observed Nautical Grappling System (TONGS), a specialized heavy-lift ROV (3000m depth / 4500 kg payload) designed for work in high current environments. Extensive utilization of divers during system installation, inspections, and operations was conducted in a variety of operational conditions. Detailed dive planning and coordination, development of specialized diver tools, and implementation of specialized dive procedures were routinely performed. Both commercial and Navy dive teams were utilized.
Education
Nova Southeastern University
Dania, Florida
Master's Degree – defense scheduled for December 2008
Major: Coastal Zone Management
Florida Institute of Technology
Melbourne, Florida
Bachelor's Degree - 6/1991
Major: Ocean Engineering
Publications
Applicability of Aerial Photogrammetry Techniques in the Documentation of Submerged Cultural Resources : Digital Photomosaic Development of the S.S. Copenhagen Underwater Archaeological Preserve, Florida and the Musket Ball Wreck, Dominican Republic, Draft M.S. Capstone Paper, Nova Southeastern University, Dania, Florida, 2007
TONGS-An Evolution of a Heavy-Lift Search and Recovery Remotely Operated Vehicle, Underwater Intervention 2004, also published in Underwater Magazine, July/August 2004, Volume 16, Issue Number 4
Underwater Electric Kite (UEK) Drag Force Calculations and Project Review, with Follow-On Report, prepared for Abacus Controls, Inc., January, 2002
BM-6 Dynamic Deployment Simulation Using Seadyn, presented at MTS Underwater Cable and Connector Workshop, 1997
Development of a Portable, Low-Cost ROV System for Shallow Water Surveying, Underwater Intervention 1991
Additional Information
Professional Engineer, Florida, Mechanical Engineering
USN Basic Diving Officer, Class 01-20-BDO, Class Honorman, October, 2001
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