don medellin
PRESIDENT
Don has been an active member of the FAEP and the Treasure Coast Chapter (TCC) since 2009. Don has served as President of the TCC Board of Directors (BOD) in 2025 where he organized the conference planning committee to host and plan for the 2026 FAEP Annual Conference. He has assisted the BOD and conference planning committee with important decisions concerning the conference deadlines and has learned a great deal from others. On September 24, 2025, TCC offered a Uniform Mitigation Assessment Method workshop to help our members maintain continuing educational credits for their professional certifications. These milestones are in addition to leading and planning for our monthly events attended by our TCC members. Don also served as Vice-President on the TCC Board from 2023-2024 and served on the Sponsorship Committee and assisted in planning monthly events for our members. In 2024, Don assisted with the two-day NEPA workshop on March 5-6, 2024, to help bring at-cost training to our TCC members. In 2023, the TCC Chapter was voted “Chapter of the Year” by the FAEP. Don served as a Director from 2021-2022. In 2025, Don also volunteers his time with the Academy of Board Certified Environmental Professionals (ABCEP) and is currently on the Certification Review Board and participates in the CEP Mentorship Program. Don is a Certified Environmental Professional and a Senior Professional Wetland Scientist. Don has approximately 35 years of regulatory experience with both South Florida Water Management and FDEP in both environmental resource and water use permitting. He managed the minimum flow and level and water reservations program at SFWMD for 11 years. He has 3 years of experience as a Senior Project Scientist with Dewberry Engineering, Inc. located in Orlando, FL. His goal for the next year is to work with the BODs and the conference planning committee to offer an excellent training opportunity to our members during the 2026 FAEP Annual Conference. He also plans to increase local TCC Chapter memberships, sponsorships, and continue working closely with the Board of Directors to offer a variety of venues, training, educational, and fun activities for our TCC members.
REbecca Dougherty
Vice President
Rebecca is a Senior Project Manager in the Everglades & Estuaries Protection Bureau at South Florida Water Management (SFWMD) where she supports treatment and storage projects in the Northern Everglades. She had a diverse background spanning private sector environmental consulting for both the coastal and marine space as well as hazardous materials remediation and Superfund / Brownfield redevelopment sector, public sector environmental compliance, organizational asset management, energy management and innovative technologies, resiliency and climate adaptation strategies, marketing and PR as well as working in the non-profit sector.
She earned a B.S from Elon University and a M.S. from Florida Atlantic University both in Environmental Science, conducted research in Belize, Costa Rica and Brazil and has been growing her skill set in Lean Sigma Six strategies. She was recently certified as an International Game Fish Tournament Observer in order to support sustainable conservation of billfish in the tournament world and hopes to participate in tight lines and sunny days in the 2024 tournament calendar.
Additionally, Rebecca is a local Palm Beach County instructor for the Florida Master Naturalist coastal and marine classes and actively works with other professional scientists and practitioners in educating people to be informed activist of conservation and environmental issues facing South Florida.
She loves planning out the FAEP networking socials and events. She keeps herself busy with the social media efforts of the organization and all the millions of details it takes to run a professional society. She loves the friendships she’s made through the group and how much it’s leveled up her professional skills! In 2024 she hopes to dedicate her time to facilitation a more strategic communication approach to better support the organization’s growth.
She tries to be an active surfer as she loves anything related to the ocean and ends up at Crossfit Bootcamp when the ocean is flat. She loves to travel and is a big time foodie. She’s obsessed with palms and tropical plans and is attempting to cultivate a mini Longwood Gardens in her SFL home. And her favorite job is still working for a yacht and sport fish marina provision center equipping world class boats and clients from around the globe.
ricardo zambrano
TREASURER
Ricardo Zambrano has a Bachelor’s Degree in Ecology, Behavior, and Evolution from the University of California, San Diego and a Master of Science Degree in Biology from Florida Atlantic University. Ricardo has over 30 years of experience as a wildlife biologist. He has radio-tracked coyotes in Yellowstone National Park’s backcountry, spent three years in Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula researching and conserving endangered sea turtles and currently a regional biologist with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. He specializes in shorebirds, seabirds, wading birds and burrowing owl management and monitoring. He is also responsible for the management, conservation, recovery, and research of several endangered, threatened and declining species of wildlife in south Florida. He is the lead author or coauthor of 13 publications in peer-reviewed scientific journals. Ricardo is currently the Treasurer of TCC FAEP and has served on the board for 3 years. Ricardo also serves as Vice-President of the Waterbird Society, an international association dedicated to the research and conservation of seabirds, shorebirds, wading birds, and marsh birds and is a former board member of Juno Beach’s Loggerhead Marinellife Center and former chair of the Sierra Club’s Loxahatchee Group.
aSHley Brekke
board of directors
Ashley holds a Bachelor of Science in Geology from California Polytechnic University, Pomona, and a Master’s degree in Water Resource Management from California State University, Fresno. She has more than eight years of experience and began her career as a hydrogeologist in New England before relocating to South Florida in 2021, where she’s concentrated her experience on on-site assessment and remediation. Her previous experience included aquifer testing, potable well sampling, data mapping, landfill compliance, stormwater inspection, sampling, and reporting according to EPA-MSGP requirements. Ashley is currently a Professional at Geosyntec Consultants, responsible for project management, due diligence, and developing and implementing site assessment and remediation strategies for land redevelopment, petroleum facilities, and dry cleaner facilities. Outside of work, you can find Ashley scuba diving with her husband, reading, enjoying the beach, and snuggling with her dog Sahara. Her family will soon be expanding at the end of 2025 with a baby boy on the way.
Ashley seeks to serve on the TCC FAEP board to broaden her professional engagement and network, while also supporting the growth of the group—particularly by identifying ways to engage early-career professionals. She values mentorship and knowledge sharing and aims to support the chapter through organizing networking events and seminars.
Eduardo Lopez
Board of directors
Eduardo J. Lopez has been a member of the Florida Association of Environmental Professionals (FAEP) – Treasure Coast Chapter for the last 10 years. He offers extensive expertise with over 40 years in environmental and water management.
He earned a B.S. in Environmental Technology from Florida Institute of Technology and studied at the University of Puerto Rico School of Engineering, building a strong foundation in environmental systems. He spent 32 years with the South Florida Water Management District, reviewing major Environmental Resource permits and contributing to stormwater initiatives. Currently, he is a Chief Stormwater Specialist at Stantec Consulting Services, a role he has held for over seven years. He oversees stormwater management system permits and works with agencies to ensure the criteria are met.
Eduardo promotes sound environmental practices and collaboration. As a long-standing member of FAEPTreasure Coast, he aims to support emerging professionals, promote environmental stewardship, and promote technical excellence.
Outside his professional life, he enjoys spending quality time with his family, traveling overseas, and sailing whenever possible.
TORI STRANGE
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Tori is a wildlife and conservation biologist highly motivated to facilitate effective management of diminishing wildlife resources and development of responsible environmental initiatives. She has served on the TCC Board of Directors for the past year, and enjoys supporting the organization which she believes fosters collaboration and growth across the environmental fields. She currently manages five preserves for Palm Beach County ERM, for which she oversees listed species monitoring, management activities, habitat restoration, invasive species removal, facilities maintenance, and public outreach. Prior to joining ERM, Tori conducted wildlife surveys for FWC at J.W. Corbett WMA. Tori received a B.S. from Elon University and an M.S. from Indiana University of Pennsylvania. Her Master’s research examined herpetofaunal assemblages in forest fragments adjacent to both sustainable and conventional agriculture in the north-central highlands of Nicaragua.
Tori’s wildlife field jobs have included trapping and processing small mammals for a plague survivorship study in New Mexico, conducting surveys of Black-capped vireos and Golden-cheeked warblers in Texas, and backpacking the Bob Marshall Wilderness Complex of Montana to ground-truth Canada lynx habitat. With non-profits in Pennsylvania, she monitored grassland responses to prescribed fire and mowing treatments, and helped implement an integrated soil management project to control exotic earthworms. With an environmental consulting company in PA/NJ, Tori coordinated on-site remediation activities, prepared impact assessment and progress reports, and conducted air, water, and soil monitoring for multiple projects. Her environmental education experience includes developing nature-based curriculum for children, leading public outreach events, organizing bioblitz events, and promoting conservation programs.
Josh holmes
BOARD of Directors
Joshua Holmes is an attorney at Nason, Yeager, Gerson, Harris & Fumero, P.A., where he is a member of the environmental and land use practice group. Mr. Holmes focuses his practice on federal and state environmental regulation, permitting, compliance, enforcement, and related litigation.
He advises clients on matters involving the Clean Water Act, Rivers and Harbors Act, Endangered Species Act, National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), and other environmental laws. He represents public and private sector clients in connection with complex infrastructure, water resources, and environmental restoration projects, and before federal agencies in permitting and administrative appeals.
Joshua has served in senior legal roles for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, including Division Counsel for the South Atlantic Division and Principal Assistant District Counsel for Regulatory in both the Seattle and Jacksonville Districts. In these positions, he acted as the legal advisor on high-profile projects such as the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan, Central Everglades Planning Project, large harbor maintenance programs, the development of regional biological opinions, and the State of Florida’s Assumption of portions of Section 404 of the Clean Water Act.
He has extensive experience representing agencies in administrative appeals, federal litigation, and enforcement actions, including matters involving tribal treaty rights, endangered species protection, and wetlands jurisdiction. His work has been recognized with multiple honors, including the Meritorious Civilian Service Medal, the Civilian Service Achievement Medal, and the Chief Counsel’s E. Manning Seltzer Award.
Joshua earned his Juris Doctor from Stetson University College of Law and a Bachelor of Arts in Literature from the University of South Florida.
Amaris mokhortov
BOARD of directors
Amaris Mokhortov (pronounced like sea torchwood, Amyris elemifera) has always carried a deep connection to Florida’s natural world. Growing up among waterways, forests, and shorelines, she came to understand early that landscapes are living systems: communities shaped by plants, animals, and the meaning people find in them. With extensive experience in land resource management, habitat restoration, and community outreach, Amaris leads efforts that empower individuals to take conservation-minded action.
As founder of Conservation Energetics, Amaris works as a Suburban Habitat Manager, restoring properties and community spaces. She conducts site assessments with specialized knowledge of Florida ecosystems and native plants, including their identification, ecological roles, growth requirements, and seasonal cycles. Her biodiversity planning emphasizes pollinator support and the creation of interconnected corridors that link residential yards, parks, and preserves. She also provides no-cost or low-cost invasive species removal for community spaces and homeowners, ensuring that ecological restoration is both accessible and impactful.
Amaris serves as Vice President of the Florida Native Plant Society’s Martin County Chapter, supporting efforts to preserve, conserve, and restore native flora through outreach, education, and on-the-ground initiatives. As Founding Chair of the MC FNPS Children’s Committee, she is leading its inaugural year, creating opportunities for children to bond with the natural world, fostering in families a kinship with the living environment that will carry into the future.
Her path has been shaped by field experience across twelve Florida state parks, where she performed vegetation assessments, ecosystem monitoring, invasive species management, and endangered species research support. She assisted with research and recovery efforts for endemic species such as the four-petal pawpaw (Asimina tetramera), the Florida scrub jay, and the red-cockaded woodpecker. Amaris also gained wildland fire experience through prescribed burning, supporting ecological balance by walking and holding firelines, assisting with ignition, monitoring fire behavior and weather, and contributing to suppression and mop-up operations, including wildfire response. After Hurricanes Helene and Milton, she joined federally coordinated disaster response teams as an Operational Team Lead, clearing hazardous storm-felled trees, advising on fungicide safety to Incident Command, and helping families navigate loss. These experiences deepened her understanding that conservation is as much about people as it is about the land itself.
Amaris Mokhortov graduated summa cum laude with a B.S. in Environmental Studies, concentrating in Marine Biology and Sustainable Aquaculture. She chose this focus for the emphasis on the role of seagrass and oysters in the health and restoration of marine ecosystems.
Her capstone project focused on designing a regenerative land-use pilot that combined ecological
restoration with community resilience.
Amaris is inspired by regenerative urban design, environmental literature, intentional gatherings, her children, and contemplative moments in nature.
Amaris is currently employed as Educational Coordinator (Director) at the Treasure Coast Wildlife Center.
steve snyder
BOARD of directors
Mr. Snyder manages an environmental assessment and remediation practice based in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. He serves as lead environmental scientist and consultant for sites with complex environmental issues for municipalities, governmental agencies, and a variety of private sector entities. Some of Mr. Snyder’s Clients include the City of West Palm Beach, the School District of Palm Beach County, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, Palm Beach County Risk, the South Florida Water Management District, Gunster Law Firm, The Breakers, and Embraer Executive Jets. In this role, Mr. Snyder directs a team of scientists and field technicians performing environmental assessments, remedial actions, regulatory compliance, and building hygiene investigations. He works closely with municipal agency representatives, regulatory case managers, and environmental attorneys. Mr. Snyder’s ability to develop and maintain relationships allows him to work attentively, consistently, and effectively with other industry professionals. Mr. Snyder oversees personnel who are managing due diligence investigations, fuel tank closures, soil and groundwater assessments, remedial action planning, and corrective action implementation under regulatory agency oversight. He tutors fellow staff members to become proficient in field procedures, environmental media sampling, technical writing, report production, and project management. As a Florida-based regulatory compliance consultant, Mr. Snyder is skilled in Contaminated Site Cleanup Criteria, including “clean” and risk-based site closures under Chapter 62-780 Florida Administrative Code (FAC). Mr. Snyder maintains relationships with case managers, engineers, and attorneys to effectively achieve regulatory closure. Mr. Snyder participates in public speaking engagements, covering topics that due diligence investigations, site assessment and remediation, and potential liabilities associated with contaminated properties. Mr. Snyder also currently serves on the Palm Beach County Groundwater and Natural Resources Protection Board (Seat No. 4). Mr. Snyder resides in West Palm Beach, Florida with his wife Shannon, a Physician Assistant, and is a dedicated father to their two boys Ethan (13) and Elliott (11). As a family, they enjoy a variety of outdoor activities including camping, fishing, SCUBA diving, hiking, traveling, and sports.
stephen CONTEAGÜERO
BOARD of directors
Stephen began work in environmental and land use law very recently – November of 2022. But he has been fascinated with this area of the law since law school. As a member of his school’s Journal of Complex Litigation, he chose the sugar leases as his journal article topic and power plant siting as his comment topic.
As a Director, Stephen would be interested in serving as a generalist and contributor to the more labor-intensive projects planned for the near future. In the meantime, he admits he has a lot to learn, and hopefully soon, will have enough experience to share with others. Stephen attended the Florida Association of Mitigation Bankers Summer School (the “Marco Island Conference”) in July and last month he attended the Florida Division of Administrative Hearings Trial Academy in Tallahassee.
Mike yustin
BOARD of directors
Michael Yustin is a Senior Project Manager in the Martin County Environmental Resources Division. He has over 20 years of experience managing conservation areas, restoring sensitive habitats, and reducing stormwater runoff that is damaging Martin County waterways. His experience includes restoring coastal upland plant communities, freshwater systems in the Loxahatchee River Watershed and estuarine habitats in the St. Lucie River and the Indian River Lagoon. He has been managing a seagrass restoration project for Martin County for the last three years. He has presented on several occasions for the Treasure Coast Chapter, most recently at the 2024 statewide conference for the Florida Association of Environmental Professionals (FAEP) and at the 2024 Seagrass Identification and Survey Methodology Workshop. Michael was also the 2023 Treasure Coast Chapter of FAEP Environmental Excellence “Cindy Lott Outstanding Individual” Award recipient. He has been an active member of TCC FAEP since 2019 and is eager to expand his involvement by contributing to event planning, organizing workdays, and coordinating speaker presentations.