Whether in the air, on land, or under the sea, I’m motivated by a deep desire to work hard to find intelligent solutions and produce measurable results. Here are a few examples of where my skills have been useful.

At World Atlantic Airlines, I managed two projects: technical publications and safety data analysis. I also persuaded management to migrate from paper-based reporting forms to an online mobile system.

On terra firma, I managed a service learning program, coordinating collaborations between non-profits directors and university professors. I drove fundraising and assisted with administration. In addition, I worked for a wildlife recovery non-profit: helping with administrative tasks, coordinating and training volunteers, and managing annual fundraising community events.

When I began ocean diving, I noticed that some of the coral reefs were deteriorating. I decided to initiate a coral care program, and managed the deployment of 45 habitats to revive decaying coral reefs. I also built awareness programs to educate the community.

Presently, I am seeking a challenging opportunity to fully utilize and apply my problem-solving skills, education, experience, and training.

For years, a system existed, paper documents are filed in a certain way, with signatures required in a specific order. Forms were torn apart, leaving missing pages and barely legible notes on the change request.

When one director had signed off, another director was next in line to review and sign the same document. Time passing between these events was not easily controlled, leading to many uncertainties in a paper-based system. Was the form sent forward for the next signature? Was it still intact? Was it still cohesive? Did they follow up with the last-needed signature and then remember to send it back to the safety department? Did it get lost on someone's desk? How long does one wait until making inquiries? Deadlines were being missed. Documents were being lost. This had to change.

Now we live in a paperless society. Documents are passed in milliseconds from one team member to another. With handheld devices, the days of delay are over. Tracking and advancing necessary forms with the correct signatures, sent automatically to the next person in line, is possible with the creation of an online responsive system.

None of the documents were proprietary or in a category which required a non-disclosure form to exit the building. These forms were public, and were needed for safety regulations approvals. If a plane was to land at a new airport, it had to be within regulation weight and size limits for the runway. If the aircraft was too big, it would not be able to stop in time, putting individuals, buildings, the plane, its cargo, and the environment in harm’s way. If, on the other hand, it was a perfect fit, the jet would be welcome to land when scheduled, joining the family of invited guests.

The forms contain over 200 questions. Calculations for identifying and tallying the answers to these questions became a laborious task. "No go" meant there was something wrong. This delayed approvals, and contracts were lost. However, safety is key, and a new paradigm is needed.

The following four projects showcase my project management, technical writing skills, data analysis, and instinctive decisions to assist in the change to a long-standing paradigm.

Over the years, the technical writing department had acquired individual copies of Adobe publishing software with no version control management. The inconsistent versions made it difficult, if not impossible, to share documents between technical writers. This represented a significant risk as these documents could only be accessed and maintained by the individual who had the correct version on their computer. In addition, it would take IT longer to identify any issues because it was necessary to look at a specific environment rather than a standardized one.

A 30-day project plan was developed to implement the standardized publishing system across the technical writing department. A budget and cost management plan was established. Contracts for the software were initiated and executed. Management of IT resources was necessary to implement new software systems and address individual system constraints. Following implementation, stakeholders were trained on a consistent system and their documents upgraded to the new system format. System maintenance was transferred to IT and utilization was maintained by the technical writing department.

The airline utilized an ad hoc approach to risk management and safety reporting with each department developing their own documentation format. FAA regulation required standardization of the risk management and safety incident forms.

The standardized documents would facilitate risk analysis and mitigation as well as safety incident response. The project timeline was two months. The scope of the project was identified and the stakeholders were surveyed to determine the specific departmental requirements as well as the development of a system to manage the incident response process.

Following the technical writing process, the documents were regularly reviewed by departmental subject matter experts (SME). These forms were reviewed and edited, where I maintained version control, upon approval by executive leadership. Stakeholders were trained in the access and use of the new documents. Ownership was then transferred to the safety department manager.

The project objective was the compilation of FAA regulated Safety Management System (SMS) manual. The project had a critical six-month deadline as defined by the FAA requirements. During the development process, I was responsible for coordinating internal staff and external stakeholders, compiling and editing the manual, and managing the administration of formal document reviews and verification.

I implemented a time management plan and coordinated the SME schedule, supporting the multi-phase internal and external audit process. The project culminated in a final presentation of the manual to the FAA for audit and approval.

The completed FAA-approved manual was then transferred to the airline Safety Director to maintain.

Reports and forms utilized by the in-flight staff would often be received by the dispatch office missing pages or information. Incident data would be filled out after a significant delay leading to mistakes and missing components. The Safety Director wanted a method developed to provide the in-flight staff a direct and immediate way to complete an incident report. A requirement was to utilize the iPads each in-flight crewmember already possessed to digitally record and report the incident specifics.

This four-month project plan includes meeting with and obtaining information from stakeholders to determine information and data requirements, design expectations, risk mitigation, and training needs assessment and delivery to the stakeholders. Following implementation, the effectiveness was monitored by analyzing errors on the received incident reports. Ownership was transferred to the safety department manager following successful development and implementation of the project.

Funds are necessary to feed critters. The Sawgrass Nature Center feeds a variety of wildlife whether injured, winged, crawling, slithering, or scaly. The sheer volume of water needed to house a restoration and bathing tank could fill a swimming pool.

A baby squirrel in the aftermath of a horrific car crash, narrowly escaping the crushing wheels, however, unable to land upright, is now in need of stitches and restrained mobility. Cereal, old newspapers, towels, and mealworms, are necessary to sustain a comfortable warm, dry, and safe space.

Meanwhile, a family of baby birds nestled secure and warm, awaiting the dinner hour, hear strange noises as chain saws begin their descent from the top of their tree. One-by-one the limbs of the tree fall with a loud thud. And in an instant, their home is gone. Unaware of the situation, their mother returns to a vast and empty space, a location to be repurposed for economic gain. Wings broken, nowhere to turn, the nestlings are rescued by a good Samaritan and a glint of hope remains.

The wildlife rescue habitat is a safe space and an emergency room always prepared for lifesaving action. And even with a healed wing, many will serve as educational ambassadors, sharing the beauty of an expansive feather array, the details of raptor talons, or sounds usually only heard from a distance.

Presenting a unique view for children and adults, these animals have a new purpose: to educate and provide a reason to smile.

Under our roof, we do not discriminate. Predators in the wild share solace, a calm space to recover from natural disaster, displaced from forest fires, hurricanes, or tornadoes. We craft accommodations to isolate temperamental, so they will not harm each other during their stay. All this requires funding.

Task: I was asked to raise $15,000. I approached this problem using three methods. The first method was a gala, "an evening to remember" dressed in black tie, sharing a toast to all the efforts of the volunteers, presenting visions of the future renovation plans, unveiling past milestones accomplished yearlong, showcasing the animals on a runway, as they passed the basket.

The second method involved orchestrating a mammoth garage sale. Items could be donated, and then sold. All profits would benefit the animals and the care they desperately need. Sponsors could be involved, requesting donations in the form of snacks for the animals, and volunteers, as well as resources for the office and cages.

The third method I proposed was to create an online presence to raise awareness and provide a channel for online donations.

The SNC annual gala is the primary fundraiser supporting nature center activities. This event provides an average of $30,000 toward center necessities. The gala is an opportunity for the community to provide direct support for the injured native wildlife.

Each year provides a unique opportunity to address current needs of the hospital and center in support of their mission. The project begins with an assessment of needs and an estimation of the costs associated with those needs. This serves as a foundation for the project planning helping to set goals for fundraising and community engagement.

This six month project plan includes such activities as the logistics of the event, coordinating resources including staff and volunteers’ management, cost containment including procurement management and contract maintenance, communication with the board of directors, volunteers, and invitees, risk assessment and mitigation, and night of the event activities.

Following the fruitful event, final costs are managed and final reports with lessons learned are compiled and delivered to the executive board. The project included a Gala project guide to be used by the center for similar future events.

The annual indoor garage sale is a secondary fundraiser event that tends to net $5,000 by the end of the event. These funds are utilized directly towards the hospital expenses.

This four month project plan includes finding and securing a location, risk assessment and mitigation, coordinating resources including staff and volunteer management, communicating with members to solicit donations, and logistics of moving products to the sale site and organized by a set floor plan. The weekend event would be advertised in local schools and on the city’s television station.

Following the successful event, the location was returned to its original condition and final reports and lessons learned were compiled and delivered to executive leadership and the board. The project included an Indoor Garage Sale project guide to be used by the center for similar future events.

One current consistent donation method is a link on the website to PayPal where individuals can go to donate any monetary amount they desire. This method however can only be done when the link is advertised to the general public. In addition to the current single donation method, the center wished to encourage sustained contributions.

This one month project plan including finding and securing an alternative way for people to donate to the center via an online venue, risk assessment of programs, managing effects on the budget, communicating with online presence, and logistics of website design.

Following implementation, stakeholders were trained on the two donation programs. System maintenance was transferred to the Operations Director.

Imagine life without coral reefs...all the fish in the sea would need scuba gear to breathe! Coral is not just colorful underwater plants. Corals are animals that bring shelter and enrichment to the environment. Unfortunately, however, they are dying. What once was a vast array of vibrant hues, breathtaking and voluminous gardens of the sea, are now seemingly burned from the sunlight, bleached, and stripped of life. I asked "What can be done to reverse the process?"

I discovered numerous methods of constructing artificial reefs that have been attempted and deployed however, most systems result in unpredicted side effects which damage the environment they are meant to support.

I eventually found a solution. Joining forces with a non-profit organization specializing in coral reef restoration, I learned about reef balls. They are composed of a cement half-dome with holes for fish to enter and exit. The rough cement surface of the reef balls provides a stable habitat for coral to take root and grow. The interior of the dome serves as a safe-haven for small fish to hide from hungry predators. Reef balls do not pollute our waterways, they do not emit oil and toxins like a sunken ship, old tires, or the remnants of a waste dump.

After the reef balls are made, the next step is deployment. A standard deployment of about 10 reef balls requires a hydraulic backhoe loader to hoist each ball from the beach into a small boat. One-by-one they are transported and transferred to a barge. When ready, this larger vessel navigates to a target position and carefully lowers each reef ball to the channel- or ocean-floor.

My project has successfully deployed over 45 reef balls and was supported through in-kind donations and funds raised from numerous community and corporate sponsors including Target and Sea World.

As I continue to dive the reef sites, photographing the newly-placed reef ball homes — the coral in that locality now has a chance for revitalization.

Below, three projects of the coral restoration program are showcased: 1) build and deploy, 2) raise community awareness, and 3) create a corporate entity to further the mission.

Ocean waterways and coral reefs are an integral part of life in South Florida. To combat the coral reef degradation, the project creates and deploys artificial reef components designed for the specifics of the South Florida environment. The reef ball imitates the appearance and function of natural coral reefs and provides a stable environment for corals and other marine life.

As a result, the area will experience an increase in fish population and healthier waterways. Stakeholder (including regulatory agency) needs assessments were conducted and results were incorporated in the project plan. Project budget requirements led to grant application and donation solicitation efforts. Communications planning supported community awareness and stakeholder reporting requirements.

Ultimately, 45 reef balls were created and deployed in the initial deployment. Technical documentation, training agendas and curriculum, deployment reports and coral growth data collection and analysis tools were provided to various agencies for ongoing monitoring and maintenance.

The project is the development and presentation of community coral reef education opportunities such as workshops, workbooks, and storybooks. Community participants study the current state of the ocean and reef environment, the effects of human interaction with the environment, and what can be done to restore and revitalize the natural habitats. They learn how to help stop the damage.

Project objectives included the identification and coordination of community agencies and organizations to support the goal of improving the environment through education, organizing the location logistics of the opportunity, managing the communication efforts, and ensuring the materials required are available for the presentations. Event outcome reports were developed and delivered to grant managers and other stakeholders. Community agencies received event documentation and lessons learned to support future presentations and events.

Creating a workbook

I developed a playful interactive workbook utilizing accepted best practices in edutainment training models. It introduces ocean and waterway awareness and provides a virtual excursion to the bottom of the sea. In addition, I illustrated the anatomy of coral: how it is a living, breathing animal, and not a plant. The workbook presents facts and the science in the design of artificial reefs and reef balls, their purpose, their construction, and their secret compartmental resting places.

Creating a story book

I also developed a narrated story book to raise children's understanding of the role of the artificial reef ball in supporting the growth of coral and the safety of vulnerable marine life. The book traces an imagined undersea journey from the perspective of a reef ball as a cartoon character. The story is complete with a hero, a villain, a plot, an escape, and a happy ending.

As my commitment to coral reef preservation and restoration grew, the need for coordination and formalization of efforts became apparent. Creative ideas and project opportunities were abundant. Sponsors and other stakeholders needed a name, an entity, they could reference in their outreach efforts.

The project to establish a company was a natural extension of the programs, projects, and resources already developed and presented. Operation Reef Ball continues my original mission to provide low or no-cost resources for community awareness and coral reef restoration efforts.

The project plan included: develop the corporate identity; (logo, communication templates, t-shirt design for event participants) initialize a presentation and resource repository; establish a coordinated social media presence; and create a primary program persona / character for communications.

The six-month project engaged stakeholders to define needs, required the management of human and other resources, and involved significant planning to ensure all aspects of the project were successfully addressed, on time, and within budget.

As a result, Operation Reef Ball is preserving our water resources through education and a little bit of concrete!