Experience

• 

  Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services

  • United States
  • Government Administration
  • 700 & Above Employee

  • Environmental Manager

    • Aug 2011 - Present

    • Manages the Method Development and Technical Assistance Unit within the Pesticide, Feed and Fertilizer Laboratories associated with the EPA’s Performance Partnership Cooperative Agreement and the FDA’s Animal Feed Regulatory Program Standards.• Oversees and participates in the development, improvement and validation of analytical methods for the analysis of nutrients, pesticides and other chemical residues in air, feed, cannabis, fertilizer, soil, vegetation, water and other matrices. • Performs complex analyses of volatile and semi-volatile organic compounds utilizing various instrumental techniques (LC-MS/MS, GC-MS) on animal feed and environmental samples. Performs analyses of nutrients, minerals and metals utilizing various instrumentation (ICP-OES, ICP-MS, FIA, Nitrogen Combustion Analyzer) on animal feed and fertilizer samples. • Oversees and performs the maintenance of all instrumentation within the Pesticide, Feed and Fertilizer Laboratories. • Conducts field sampling and/or sample collection operations for volatile/semi-volatile organics and pesticides in water, soil, vegetation and air. Key Accomplishments: • Developed a method for Potency Analysis of 16 Cannabinoids in Hemp, Oils, and Pet Treats.• Developed and expanded LCMS screens for pesticides, antibiotics and mycotoxins. • Setup and managed nutrient lab for nutrient sampling of lysimeter wells for agricultural best management practice project.• Streamlined laboratory workflow, which significantly decreased sample turnaround time. • Developed methods for cannabis potency analysis.• Streamlined three ground water study HPLC methods into one LCMS method. This new method reduces both the cost and time required to perform the analysis and has the advantage of providing lower detection limits for almost all of the analytes.

  • Chemist Administrator

    • Oct 2008 - Aug 2011

    • Supervised the Laboratory's GCMS section. Ensured accurate and timely completion of samples/projects.• Responsible for design and implementation of the Laboratory's Air sampling program. • Coordinated instrument diagnostics, repair and maintenance as well as parts/supplies inventories. • Performed complex analyses of environmental, investigative and pesticide formulation samples utilizing various instrumental techniques (GCMS, GC-FID, GC-ECD, GC-NPD, LCMS, HPLC post column fluorescence, HPLC-PDA). • Developed methods that enabled the Bureau to respond to complex issues.Key Accomplishment: • Designed and built air sampling stations, acquired pumps, calibrators, developed and validated sampling and analysis methodology.

  • Chemist III-SES

    • Oct 2004 - Oct 2008

    • Supervised the Pesticide Laboratory Section's Analytical Operations Unit. Responsible for workload distribution and priority for four technicians and three formulation chemists. Ensured accurate and timely completion of assigned samples/projects. • Coordinated and provided instrument diagnostics, repair and maintenance.• Performed complex analyses of environmental, investigative and pesticide formulation samples utilizing various instrumental techniques (GCMS, GC-FID, GC-ECD, GC-NPD, HPLC post column fluorescence, HPLC PDA). • Developed and adapted procedures for pesticide sample analysis. Provided oversight and participated in method development, improvement and validation for the Pesticide Laboratory. Key Accomplishments: • 2008 Davis Productivity Award as a member of the Pesticide Laboratory Analysis Efficiency Team for work expanding the laboratories GCMS screen.• 2008 Davis Productivity Award as a member of the Herbicide Extraction Enhancement Team for work performed on the extraction of diquat and paraquat from soil and vegetation.• 2007 Davis Productivity Award as a member of the Pesticide Laboratory Implementation Team received for implementation of the new LIMS.

  • Chemist II

    • Jul 2003 - Oct 2004

    • Conducted routine and complex analyses of agriculture related environmental samples, to determine the presence of pesticide chemical residues. • Specialized in HPLC analysis of Carbamates, Glyphosate diquat, paraquat and other pesticides. • Performed instrument maintenance, method development/improvement and validation. Key Accomplishments: • Optimized the extraction and analysis of Glyphosate residue in soil and vegetation. • Refurbished and restored HPLC to production line.

  • Chemist I

    • Jan 2003 - Jul 2003

    • Provided analytical services including: formulated product analysis for label guarantee and pesticide application tank mix, using HPLC and GC instrumentation; Ion Chromatographic analysis of nutrients and anions in groundwater; and the responsibility of instrument maintenance.Key Accomplishments: • Reduced sample analysis turnaround time for pesticide formulated products. Often provided same day turnaround.• Developed Excel spreadsheet used for evaluating pass/fail criteria for pesticide formulation data.

• 

  Florida State University

  • Tallahassee, Florida Area

  • OPS- Lab Assistant

    • Feb 2002 - Apr 2003
    • Tallahassee, Florida Area

    • Played a leading role in the Native American Lake Ecology Program. Instructed Native American students on water quality analysis, through the performance of technical laboratory exercises and monthly monitoring of area lakes nutrients and phytoplankton.

• 

  Environmental Planning & Analysis, Inc.

  • Tallahassee, Florida Area

  • Lab Manager/Chemist

    • Oct 1998 - Jan 2003
    • Tallahassee, Florida Area

    • Supervised 6 lab personnel. Directed efforts of chemists and laboratory technicians by planning and coordinating efficient work assignments. Responsible for chemical inventory and ordering supplies.• Prepped and analyzed surface water samples for nutrients, major anions, TSS, TDS, turbidity, color and extracted and analyzed chlorophyll. Conducted maintenance and repair of laboratory instruments. • Reviewed data for quality assurance, and performed quality control on laboratory procedures. Maintained accurate records for chain of custodies, instrument calibrations, and material safety data sheets.• Responsible for storage and disposal of hazardous waste.• Planned monthly sampling schedule for all sampling events. Participated in intensive field work including water and phytoplankton collection, sediment core and submerged aquatic vegetation collection, and trawling.Key Accomplishments: • After eliminating backlog within three months of employment, was promoted to Lab Manager.

• 

  Georgia Southern University

  • Statesboro, GA

  • Laboratory Assistant

    • Sep 1995 - Dec 1995
    • Statesboro, GA

    • Assisted the Professor in organizing and directing organic laboratory. Setup lab, answered students questions, graded laboratory reports, worked independently.