Ed Torres, Director

Altamonte Springs Resources for Science Incubator

Public Works Department

Ed Torres, M.S., P.E., LEED AP (B.S. and M.S. in Civil Engineering) Director of Public Works and Utilities Department

Ed holds a Bachelor’s and a Master’s of Science in Civil Engineering from Florida Institute of Technology. He has over 23 years of experience in the management and implementation of a wide variety of water resources and transportation projects. Ed is a former Vice-president of the Florida Stormwater Association and Board Member of UCF’s Stormwater Management Academy. He has also taught school children in the gifted program as part of Florida Engineering Society’s Project Create. Ed is a licensed professional engineer in Florida and he is a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Accredited Professional (LEED AP).

Elizabeth Thomas, M.S., P.E., BCEE (B.S. in Clinical Chemistry and M.S. in Environmental Engineering) Water, Wastewater, & Reuse Division Director

Elizabeth holds a Bachelor’s of Science in Clinical Chemistry and a Master’s in Environmental Engineering from the University of Central Florida. She has over 30 years of experience in all facets of water resources. Elizabeth is a licensed professional engineer in Florida and she is a Board Certified Environmental Engineer (BCEE) through the Academy of Environmental Engineers as well as a member of Tau Beta Phi, an engineering honor society.

Bruce Doig, M.S., P.E., LEED AP (B.S. and M.S. in Civil Engineering and M.S. in Engineering Management)) Transportation & Stormwater Division Director

Bruce holds a Bachelor’s and a Master’s of Science in Civil Engineering and a Master’s of Science in Engineering Management from Florida Institute of Technology. He has over 12 years of experience in the design of regional transportation and stormwater projects. Bruce is a licensed professional engineer in Florida and he is a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Accredited Professional (LEED AP).

Chris Rader, M.S., P.E. (B.S. in Civil Engineering and M.S. in both Environmental Engineering and Information Technology Management) Engineering Division Director/City Engineer

Chris holds a Bachelor’s of Science in Civil Engineering from Tennessee Technological University, a Master’s of Science in Environmental Engineering from the University of Central Florida and a Master’s of Science in Information Technology Management from the Naval Postgraduate School. He has over 14 years of experience of experience in the design, management and implementation of a wide variety of civil, environmental and information technology projects. Chris is the President-Elect for the American Society of Civil Engineers East Central Branch and is a member of Tau Beta Pi and Chi Epsilon Engineering Honor Societies. Chris is a licensed professional engineer in the states of Florida, California and Georgia. Altamonte Springs Resources for Science Incubator

Danielle Marshall (B.S. in Environmental Engineering) Compliance Coordinator

Danielle holds a Bachelor's of Science in Environmental Engineering from the University of Central Florida. She has over 10 years of experience in diverse aspects of environmental management including lake and floodplain management, domestic/solid/hazardous waste and stormwater permitting and compliance. Danielle also coordinates public outreach efforts for numerous environmental topics.

Jose Chaves, E.I. (B.S. in Civil Engineering) Utility Project Manager

Jose Chaves holds a Bachelors of Science in Civil Engineering from the University of Central Florida. He is currently completing a Masters of Science in Civil Engineering. Jose has 2 years of experience in project management, utility design review, permitting, and construction management. Jose is a registered engineer in training in Florida (E.I.).

Craig Jones (A.A. in Natural Sciences and A.S. in Commercial Art) Laboratory Director

Craig holds an Associate’s of Art in Natural Sciences and an Associate’s of Science in Commercial Art from Valencia Community College and from Tampa Technical Institute, respectively. He has over 22 years of experience in environmental sampling, testing, project management and regulatory compliance. Craig is also NELAC Compliant.

Isobel M. Carandang (B.S. in Chemistry) Laboratory Chemist

Isobel holds a Bachelor’s of Science in Chemistry from the University of Santo Tomas, Philippines. She has over 22 years of experience in a wide variety of chemical testing, and analysis.

Robert A. Mehler, Jr. (B.S. in Chemitry) Laboratory Chemist

Robert holds a Bachelor’s of Science in Chemistry from the University of Central Florida. He has over 16 years of experience in a wide variety of chemical testing, and analysis.

Tiffany Bryan (B.S. in Chemistry) Laboratory Chemist

Tiffany holds a Bachelor’s of Science in Chemistry from the University of South Carolina. She has over 18 years of experience in a wide variety of chemical testing, and analysis. Altamonte Springs Resources for Science Incubator

Charlotte N. Thompson (B.S. in Chemistry) Laboratory Chemist

Charlotte holds a Bachelor’s of Science in Chemistry from the Virginia Polytechnic Institute. She has over 30 years of experience in a wide variety of chemical testing, and analysis.

Earl J. Waters (B.S. in Electrical Engineering) Laboratory Assistant

Earl holds a Bachelor’s of Science in Electrical Engineering from the Wayne State University. Earl has over 30 years of experience in a wide variety of engineering projects and technical management.

Leisure Services Department

Shelly Nooft, (B.S. in Health & Human Services/Recreation Management) Director of Leisure Services and Maintenance Operations

Born and raised in Central Florida, Shelly is a true Floridian. She began her career with the City of Altamonte Springs in 1981 after graduating from the University of Florida with a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Health & Human Services. As Director of Leisure Services Shelly is in charge of eight divisions which include; Administration, Recreation, Events Management, Park Landscape Management & Operations (PLM&O), Facilities Maintenance, Fleet Maintenance, Library, and a Ranger Division. She has 30 years of experience in the field.

Jerry Sullivan, (B.S. in Health, Physical Education & Recreation) Deputy Director, Park Landscape, Management and Operations, Park Rangers, Events Management and Library Services

Jerry holds a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Florida from the College of Health, Physical Education and Recreation. Jerry has over ten years of experience in recreation programming, maintenance and park management. He is a board member of the Central Florida Bambino Buddy Ball League which provides baseball to physically and mentally challenged children. Jerry is a former District Commissioner for Babe Ruth Baseball in Central Florida.

Bill McCombs, (B.S. in Recreation & Leisure Services) Chief Park Ranger

Bill earned a Bachelor of Science degree from University of West Florida in Recreation & Leisure Services with minors in Chemistry, Biology & Geology. He has been the Chief Park Ranger for the City for the past 19 years and has been with the City for 25 years. Bill is certified by the State of Florida as a Park Ranger, and is a Certified Code Enforcement Officer. He is a Certified Scuba Diver and Water Safety Instructor, is a Playground Safety Inspector, Law Enforcement Officer and First Responder. Altamonte Springs Resources for Science Incubator

Matthew Burke, (A.A. in Agriculture/Ag Business & A.S. in Horticulture) Senior Operations Supervisor, Park Landscape Maintenance & Operations Division

Matt has an Associate of Arts degree in Agriculture/Ag Business and an Associate of Science degree in Horticulture from SSC. He has three years of study in Botany at UCF and is working on an AA degree in Design and Drafting Technology from SSC. Matt holds certifications from the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services including a Public Applications License in both Turf and Ornamental and Aquatic Applicator. Matt has four years of study and research in Macro Cyclops Copepods. This includes large scale production techniques, application methods techniques, impact on populations of flood water and container born mosquito breeding sites and Copepod production density and food production.

Steve McCourt, (Jacksonville Community College) Deputy Chief Park Ranger

Steve has been with the City of Altamonte Springs for over ten years and has technical training in many areas of safety and compliance. He is a State of Florida Certified Park Ranger, and a State Certified Natural and Cultural Interpreter. Steve is a Certified Community Service Officer and Code Enforcement Officer. He is certified by FEMA in Initial Action Incident Command System. Steve is a member of the Florida Urban Council, the Bat Conservancy International and is a State Fish and Wildlife Class 2 & 3 Wildlife Licensee. He is an American Red Cross Certified First Responder/ First Aid/ A.E.D/ C.P.R. and a Water Education for Teachers (W.E.T.) Certified Trainer.

Frank Higgins, (B.S. in Biology) Park Ranger

Frank graduated from the University of New Mexico with a Bachelor of Science in Biology. His work history includes a three year stint for the Long Island Oyster Farmers as a biologist monitoring spawning, predation and water quality. He worked for the State of Connecticut as an Aquatic Resource Education Program Instructor where he participated in numerous fishery projects. Frank has many certifications including the State of Florida Ranger Academy, Project Wild, Project Wild Aquatics and American Red Cross Standard First Aid with A.E.D/C.P.R. certifications. His memberships include: Central Florida Herpetological Society, Florida Urban Forestry Council and the Bat Conservancy International.

Gary Taylor, (B.S. in Recreation) Park Ranger

Gary graduated from Southern Nazarene University with a Bachelor of Science in Recreation. He has been with the City as a Park Ranger for the past nine years. He specializes in the interpretative nature and animal programs for schools, youth groups and events. Gary has attended the Florida Park Service Ranger Academy, is an American Red Cross Certified First Responder/ First Aid/ A.E.D/ C.P.R. and a Water Education for Teachers (W.E.T.) Certified Trainer. He is a certified instructor of the “Hooked on Fishing, Not Drugs” program and is a member of the Florida Urban Forestry Council. Altamonte Springs Resources for Science Incubator

Cindy Falk Park Ranger

Cindy began her career in parks as a park attendant at the Wekiva Springs State Park over twenty years ago. She has been with the City of Altamonte Springs as a Park Ranger for the past 16 years. She has many certifications including the State of Florida Ranger Academy, Florida Park Service Standards of Survival, Project Wild, UF-IFAS Florida Friendly Landscape Workshop, and American Red Cross Standard First Aid with A.E.D/C.P.R. training for both adults and children. Cindy works as project manager for the DEP/FWC Upland Invasive Exotic Removal Grant Program, the site organizer for the Mega Air Potato Raid and is the coordinator for the annual City of Altamonte Springs Earth Day Celebration.