Deputy Executive Director, Water Resources

Amy Brown is the Deputy Executive Director of Water Resources at the Suwannee River Water Management District. In her current role, she is responsible for implementation and coordination of District programs and projects related to water resource monitoring, minimum flows and minimum water levels, groundwater modeling, and water supply planning. Amy has been with the District since 2016.

Amy has a bachelor’s degree in Chemistry from Michigan State University and worked in quality assurance/quality control prior to returning to seek advanced education in the Geological Sciences with a focus on springs. Amy has a master’s degree in Geology from Sul Ross State University, and a PhD in Geological Sciences from the University of Florida. Prior to starting at the Suwannee River Water Management District, Amy completed her PhD research, which focused on groundwater surface water interaction in two of the Outstanding Florida Springs in the Suwannee River Water Management District.

Suwannee River Water Management District Executive Director

Hugh Thomas was appointed by the Suwannee River Water Management District Governing Board as the Executive Director in July 2017.

Prior to working with the District, Hugh was employed with the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) Office of Agriculture Water Policy as Environmental Administrator for North Florida. His work there entailed policy development, oversight and development of financial assistance for implementation of best management practices and staff oversight in North Florida. Hugh worked for FDACS for 14 years after working as an environmental consultant for 10 years in the private sector.

He graduated from the University of Florida and resides with his family in Gilchrist County as a fifth generation Florida native. He enjoys farming, fishing, hunting and other outdoor activities.

Resource Management/Projects Division Director

Leroy Marshall received his Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from the Citadel in 1995. He began work as a Water Resources Engineer with the District in June of that same year. After many years focusing on environmental resource permitting (ERP), Leroy became a Senior Professional Engineer on the ERP team performing quality assessment and quality control on all ERP permits. In his tenure at the District, in addition to becoming a professional engineer, Leroy has become a certified floodplain manager as well as a project management professional. After over 20 years at the District, in 2015, Leroy was employed as the City Engineer for a local community, however, he returned to the District to the position of Chief Professional Engineer of the Office of Engineering and ERP in 2016. Leroy is the program manager for the District’s Federal Emergency Management Agency Risk MAP program and serves as the District’s dam specialist. In 2021, Leroy transitioned to the Chief Professional Engineer of the Office of Agriculture and Environmental Projects, and in 2024 became the Resource Management/Projects Division Director, overseeing the ERP, WOD, and Environmental Projects programs for the District.

Leroy is married to Audrey Lewis Marshall, who is an Assistant Principal at Branford High School and is a father of one child, Victoria. Leroy is active in many community organizations and enjoys hobbies such as racquetball and basketball

Professional Engineer

Mary joined the District in January 2016, as an Engineer I. She worked in the Resource Management Division reviewing Environmental Resource Permits until December 2022 when she transitioned to the Office of Agriculture and Environmental Projects. In April 2024, she became the program manager of Environmental Projects, overseeing contracts that support the District’s core missions.

Mary graduated from the University of Florida with a Bachelor’s degree in Biological Engineering in December 2015. She became a certified floodplain manager in 2019, achieved her Professional Engineering License in 2020, and is currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Environmental Engineering at the University of Florida.

Professional Engineer

Sara Ferson earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Biological Engineering in May 2018 and a Master of Engineering in Environmental Engineering Sciences in May 2023 both from the University of Florida. Since being hired she has earned her Professional Engineer license, has become a certified stormwater erosion and sediment control inspector, as well as a certified floodplain manager. Prior to working with the District, she was employed with UF as a teaching assistant under Dr. Pamela Dickrell and performed lab work and tests for Merieux Nutrisciences; a prominent food science testing lab in the Gainesville area.

Senior Environmental Scientist

Sarah joined the District in July 2021 as a permitting reviewer in the Office of Resource Management. She is a career public servant, having worked for state and federal agencies for over 20 years. Prior to working with the District, Sarah was an Assistant Professor of Biology at Georgia Military College in Valdosta, GA. Before teaching, she was a Botanist with the National Park Service in the regional biological inventory and monitoring program. Prior to working for NPS, Sarah worked for the Florida Department of Environmental Protection and for U.S. Customs and Border Protection. Sarah holds a bachelor’s degree in biology from Valdosta State University and a master’s degree in botany from the University of Florida.

Sarah lives in Echols County, Georgia on her ancestral family property. She enjoys spending time with her children, fishing in the Alapahoochee River near her home, botanizing, hiking, and indulging in many crafty and creative pursuits. Sarah is also an avid gardener who especially enjoys gardening with native plants and southern heirloom varieties.

District 2 Planning and Environmental Management Engineer

Jamie Driggers is a seasoned engineering professional with a distinguished 22-year career at the Florida Department of Transportation. Currently serving as the District 2 Planning and Environmental Management Engineer since March 2022, Jamie has demonstrated nearly two decades of expertise and leadership within the organization.

In his preceding role as the District 2 Program Management Engineer, Jamie provided invaluable oversight for D2’s Work Program, Specifications and Estimates, Program Services, and Local Programs Offices. This extensive experience showcased a commitment to excellence and a deep understanding of the intricacies involved in both state and local government, finance, and the importance of continuous external engagement.

Jamie continues to make significant contributions to the Florida Department of Transportation, exemplifying a commitment to excellence, innovative thinking, and technical expertise in the field of transportation engineering.

Project Manager

Kelly Bunting is a biologist and Project Manager at the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Panama City Regulatory Field Office, where she has worked for 4 years. Before becoming a Project Manager, she was a Natural Resource Specialist/Ranger at the Corps Lake Seminole Project in Chattahoochee for 9 years. Prior to that she was a Biologist for the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. She earned a BA in English Literature and a MS in Wildlife Biology from the University of Missouri, Columbia, where she was born and raised. Kelly lives in Marianna, Florida with her husband Nate and 15 year old daughter Norah. Kelly loves animals and has 4 dogs and a cat. She enjoys kayaking, yoga and cooking in her spare time.

Environmental Administrator

Nathan Jagoda is an Environmental Administrator in the Springs and Water Restoration Program at the Florida Department of Environmental Protection where he manages grant agreements that fund projects that improve water quality across the state. He is passionate about protecting Florida's springs and water resources by helping stakeholders develop and implement successful projects. Nathan has a M.A. in Applied Sociology from the University of Central Florida.

State Stormwater Engineer, Technical Services Program, FDEP/DWRM

Richard Musgrove is a graduate of the University of Florida, a licensed professional engineer and has over 50 years of experience in the planning, design, permitting, and management of various types of engineering projects and programs. His principal specialties include planning and design of stormwater management and treatment facilities, wastewater collection and treatment systems, surface water management facilities, earthen embankment dams and hydraulic structures, sediment and erosion control, and various regulatory processes.

Mr. Musgrove’s professional engineering experience includes a 17-year career with two of Florida’s Water Management Districts, both private and public sector engineering consulting, local government engineering and administration. He has served in the past as the State Stormwater Engineer, State Dam Safety Officer, Professional Engineer Administrator and Environmental Manager for Technical Guidance and Review for the Wastewater Management Program, all at the Department of Environmental Protection.

Program Administrator

Tim Rach has been with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection for over 29 years in various management and supervisory positions. Currently he is the Program Administrator in the Submerged Lands & Environmental Resources Coordination Program within the Division of Water Resource Management, and he’s held that position for the past 16 years. Prior to that, he spent 13 years in the Departments’ Southeast District office and held several management positions within that office including Assistant District Director. Most of his time has been in the Environmental Resources Permitting program regulating development in wetlands and surface waters. Tim is responsible for overseeing the statewide implementation of the ERP and State 404 rules and regulations within the Department, Water Management Districts and local delegated programs. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Marine Biology from Troy University and a Master of Science degree in Ecology from Old Dominion University.

Chief Resilience Officer

A native of Miami, Wes has served as Florida’s Chief Resilience Officer since November 2021, leading the Statewide Office of Resilience on behalf of Governor Ron DeSantis to enhance agency coordination on resilience, and bolster flood protection and mitigation efforts across inland and coastal communities throughout the state. He is also an appointed state representative to the South Florida Ecosystem Restoration Task Force Working Group and chairs the multi-agency Florida’s Coral Reef Coordination Team. With a primary research focus on invasive species and restoration ecology in South Florida, Wes earned his Ph.D. in Ecological Science from Rutgers University and Bachelor’s degrees in Biology and Political Science from Duke University. Previous professional roles include Director of Federal Affairs for the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, and Senior Policy Advisor for agriculture, energy and environment, fisheries, water resources, and trade to three members of the Florida congressional delegation: Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL), Congressman Brian Mast (R-FL), and Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL).

National Flood Insurance Program
Regional Flood Insurance Liaison,
Floodplain Management and Insurance Branch,
Mitigation Division
FEMA Region 4

Dewana Davis is the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) Regional Flood Insurance Liaison for FEMA Region 4. In this role she provides NFIP policy information and claims data to all eight states in the Region, which include more than 3,300 participating communities and more than 2.2 million flood insurance policies. She also provides information for Congressional inquiries and executive level briefings.

In 2016 Davis received the FEMA Administrator's Award for Outstanding Survivor Service for her contributions as a part of the Federal Insurance and Mitigation Administration team that developed the Louisiana Customer Centric Claims Payout concept.

Prior to joining FEMA in 2009, Davis was a property and casualty insurance professional for 18 years. Her professional background includes adjusting and managing commercial general liability claims and other lines of Property and Casualty insurance.

Davis earned a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice and a minor in political science from the University of Nevada. She is a Certified Floodplain Manager, a licensed property and casualty adjuster for the state of Georgia and received a Lean Six Sigma Green Belt Certification for Project Management.

State Dam Safety Officer

Tracy Woods is a Florida-Licensed Professional Geologist with 28 years of project and program leadership experience. She has been with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection for 16 years and has been the State Dam Safety Officer for the last six years. Her key role is to develop and implement the Florida Dam Safety Program programmatic and regulatory goals. She initiated and led the development of new criteria for dam systems that are required to obtain an Environmental Resource Permit. She received her B.S. and M.S. degrees in Geology, with an emphasis on hydrology, from Florida State University.

Eddy Bouza is the Program Management Director for the Resilient Florida program. Eddy is an active member of the Florida Floodplain Management Association. Eddy earned a Bachelor of Science from Florida State University in Biological Science and is currently pursuing a Master of Public Administration from FSU. He is certified in floodplain management and supervisory management. Eddy enjoys playing games with his kids and hiking nature trails with his black lab, Timber; he is also an amateur photographer and a weekend DIY-er.

Chief, Risk Analysis Branch for Mitigation Division
FEMA Region 4

Kristen Martinenza is the Chief of the Risk Analysis Branch for the Mitigation Division in Region 4 at the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). She leads a team of 34 engineers, planners, program specialists, analysts and administrative staff who support local and state efforts in eight southeast states to understand, plan for and mitigate risks from all hazards. She oversees the flood mapping, Public Assistance Mitigation, dam safety, building science, and hazard mitigation planning programs for FEMA Region 4. She has supported multiple Presidentially declared disasters, providing technical guidance for resilience projects in communities impacted by flooding and other weather events.

Prior to her current role, Martinenza served as the Supervisory Civil Engineer and Program Lead for the Region 4 Cooperating Technical Partners (CTPs) Program, managing project status of studies, and providing technical and regulatory guidance to the partners. In addition, she led the Engineering/Technical Review team which included reviewing mitigation projects for Hazard Mitigation Assistance grants and conducting training on Risk MAP, Benefit Cost Analysis and technical and mapping issues for States and Local communities throughout Region 4.

Prior to joining FEMA in December 2008, Martinenza was a supervisory Senior Engineer/Project Manager for a private engineering firm with experience in stormwater management, drainage design, and floodplain hydrology and hydraulics, as well as site development drainage and riverine modeling.

Martinenza holds a Bachelor of Civil Engineering from the Pennsylvania State University with a minor in environmental engineering. She is a registered Professional Engineer and a Contract Officer Representative Level 3.

Deputy Chief of Mitigation

Kristin Lentz is an emergency management professional, with a specialized interest in hazard mitigation and planning. Kristin is currently with the Florida Division of Emergency as the Deputy Chief of Mitigation. In this role she assists the State Hazard Mitigation Officer in making Florida more resilient through mitigation planning, floodplain management, and implementation of mitigation grant programs. During emergency response situations, Kristin acts as the Deputy Planning Section Chief and helps to oversee Emergency Support Function 5. Since starting at the Division in 2018, Kristin has focused on improving processes within the Bureau of Mitigation, increasing coordination and collaboration with stakeholders, and building Florida’s mitigation planning program.

Small Projects Program Manager, Programs and Project Management Division, Jacksonville District

Rick Butler started his career after graduating from the United States Coast Guard Academy in 2001 with a B.S. in Marine & Environmental Science and a Commission in the United States Coast Guard. He began his first tour as a Deck Watch Officer and Boarding Officer on Cutter Thetis in Key West, FL where he served as an Assistant Navigator before accepting a promotion as the Weapons Officer and Landing Safety Officer on Cutter Alex Haley in Kodiak, AK.

After 2 years at sea Mr. Butler transitioned to the Assistant Chief of Waterway Management at USCG District 7 in Miami, FL where he was responsible for designing small navigation channels, anchorage areas, mooring fields, and permitting all Private Aids to Navigation in South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida. He was also responsible for coordinating extensively with Florida Environmental and Law Enforcement Agencies on the establishment and marking of Manatee Speed Zones. In 2005, Mr. Butler graduated from Florida International University with a Master’s in Public Administration, to further professional development in government service, and ultimately make a difference in future endeavors.

After ten years of active service in the Coast Guard, Mr. Butler transitioned to Miami-Dade County Department of Environmental Resource Management (DERM) in the Coastal Section as a Pollution Control Inspector where he was a small boat operator responsible for water quality inspections, environmental compliance, and environmental/operating permits within Biscayne Bay and on the Miami River.

In 2009, Mr. Butler wanted to pursue a lifelong dream of teaching and coaching, and he accepted a teaching position at Edison High School in Miami followed by Orange Park High School in Clay County where he taught Biology, Marine Science, Baking/Culinary, and coached cross country.

In 2016, he desired to transition back to being a Biologist and joined the ACOE Jacksonville District in the Water Quality Section within the Environmental Branch and then as a Planning Technical Lead in the Plan Formulation Branch. Mr. Butler has experience spearheading regional sediment management efforts in FL, conducting migrating bird surveys, specification reviews for construction, environmental compliance matrixes, state water quality permit applications/reviews, ship simulation report review, and leading the Miami Harbor Feasibility Study and Palatka Barge Port CAP 107 study. Mr. Butler is a Graduate of the Planning Associates Class of 2023, where he learned nation-wide ACOE planning processes and created a network of knowledge and expertise. Specifically, Mr. Butler developed an innovative Small Projects Decision Tree to help vulnerable communities select the most appropriate authority for their water resource problem. Mr. Butler has extensive experience in Small Projects and leading/coaching diverse teams.

Mr. Butler, originally from Toledo, Ohio has lived in Florida over the last 23 years. He married in 2014 and has a 4-year-old boy, 3 year old daughter, 9-month old twins, and currently lives in Ponte Vedra, FL. When not working Mr. Butler enjoys spending time with his spouse, sons, and daughters participating in hobbies that include travel, boating, fishing, walking/running, gardening, biking, cooking, and going to the pool/park.

Director of the Division of Environmental Assessment, FDEP

Kim Shugar has more than 25 years of experience in environmental policy and water and natural resource management. Kim holds degrees in Biology and Environmental Engineering Sciences. She has served in senior level positions within Florida agencies, the Florida Legislature, and the South Florida Water Management District. She has managed restoration programs and water quality initiatives associated with statewide ecosystem restoration, including the Everglades, Lake Okeechobee, Florida springs, along with efforts associated with disaster recovery and agriculture. Kim also has experience working for a local government and leading a nonprofit organization. She currently serves as the Director of the Division of Environmental Assessment within the Department of Environmental Protection and is responsible for overseeing the development of water quality standards, environmental assessment, and water quality restoration through the development of total maximum daily loads and implementation of basin management action plans and alternative restoration plans.

Environmental Scientist III

Louis began work with SRWMD in August of 2000 and is an Environmental Scientist in the Division of Resource Management and Projects.

Louis graduated from Gainesville High School, Gainesville, Florida. Prior to attending college, he worked in the coal and gas industry in West Virginia, and construction in Tampa. He earned a BS in Microbiology from the University of South Florida, followed by a brief career in food science. He subsequently earned a MS in Fisheries Science from the University of Florida and worked for the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission as a Fishery Biologist prior to employment at the SRWMD.

Louis maintains certifications as a Florida Certified Contract Manager, Qualified Stormwater Inspector, Professional Wetland Scientist, and FDEP-Certified Wetland Evaluator.