Fall 2009 - Florida Tech Today - Florida Institute of Technology
Fall 2009 - Florida Tech Today - Florida Institute of Technology
Fall 2009 - Florida Tech Today - Florida Institute of Technology
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aluMni DRiving SuStainability<br />
When Alumni Association Executive Director Ken Droscher put the word out that he sought news about<br />
the environmentally conscious activities <strong>of</strong> alumni for the next <strong>Florida</strong> <strong>Tech</strong> TODAY, he expected a good<br />
response. After all, <strong>Florida</strong> <strong>Tech</strong> <strong>of</strong>fers a variety <strong>of</strong> engineering programs, including environmental<br />
resource management and environmental science, as well as environmental education and a host <strong>of</strong><br />
biology programs with solid emphases in ecology, biodiversity and sustainability.<br />
But he was surprised at the great number and variety <strong>of</strong> alumni activities that are helping to save<br />
our planet. Graduates from 1978 to 2008 nationwide and from Spain responded. Below is a round-up <strong>of</strong><br />
the landslide <strong>of</strong> replies.<br />
Melanie Borkowski ’79 has provided coor-<br />
dination and oversight <strong>of</strong> environmental<br />
work for more than 20 years. Her specialties<br />
include soil and groundwater assessments,<br />
and preventative maintenance projects,<br />
which can lower operating costs, improve<br />
efficiency and make county facilities more<br />
sustainable …<br />
John dixon ’85 is executive director <strong>of</strong> Nekton<br />
Diving Cruises LLC, operating out <strong>of</strong> Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. A<br />
founder <strong>of</strong> the company in 1986, Dixon helps his diving<br />
passengers explore and appreciate the exotic, fragile<br />
tropical waters <strong>of</strong> the Caribbean Sea …<br />
heather (holberger) hitt ’04, ’06 M.S., <strong>of</strong> St.<br />
Thomas, is an outreach coordinator for the Coastal Zone<br />
Management Division <strong>of</strong> the Virgin Islands government.<br />
She helps educate the public on managing, enhancing<br />
and preserving the coastal resources <strong>of</strong> the USVI …<br />
Ganesh Krishnan ’96 M.S. leads Geosyntec’s water<br />
resources practice in the Southeast. He assists clients<br />
with sustainable storm water management solutions and<br />
is currently leading a major storm water master planning<br />
study for Robins Air Force Base in Macon, Ga. …<br />
Jim Langenbach ’92 leads Geosyntec’s environmental<br />
assessment and remediation practice in <strong>Florida</strong><br />
and manages the firm’s Space Coast <strong>of</strong>fice. He directs<br />
26<br />
soil and groundwater cleanup projects for clients<br />
such as NASA and the <strong>Florida</strong> Department <strong>of</strong><br />
Environmental Protection. These projects are<br />
restoring <strong>Florida</strong>’s soil and aquifer system and<br />
incorporating green and sustainable remediation<br />
strategies …<br />
claudia Listopad ’99, ’01 M.S., <strong>of</strong> Indialantic,<br />
Fla., is an environmental consultant in her own business,<br />
Applied Ecology Inc. She specializes in spatial<br />
analyses, remote sensing and database management for<br />
ecological studies and water resources …<br />
Rebecca Medvecky ’06 is a staff chemist for Mote<br />
Marine Laboratory in Sarasota, Fla. Her work is in the<br />
Ecotoxicology-Chemical Fate and Effects program …<br />
Mark Rauscher ’96 is assistant environmental director<br />
for the Surfrider Foundation, a grassroots environmental<br />
organization <strong>of</strong> 70 volunteer chapters. Their focus<br />
is on coastal erosion, water quality and preserving exceptional<br />
coastal environments for future generations …<br />
Ganesh Krishnan Jim Langenbach Mark Rauscher
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