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Resumes: Richard Volk

921 Wilshire Place, Corpus Christi, TX 78411
512/853-1614 (home)
512/980-3428 (work)
rvolk@tnrcc.state.tx.us

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR - Corpus Christi Bay National Estuary Program (CCBNEP), Texas Natural Resource Conservation Commission (TNRCC).

Manage, direct, and supervise the CCBNEP, including estuarine research, public participation, Plan development, project implementation, and interagency coordination activities. Identify short- and long-range planning, funding, and implementation goals, and otherwise coordinate activities associated with the preparation and implementation of a Comprehensive Conservation and Management Plan for a 12-county area of South Texas, utilizing federal, state, and private source funds. Develop annual work plans, grant applications, and consultant contracts to maximize use of available funds (approximately $5.75 million over four years) and meet federal and state statutory requirements. Develop and track operating budgets and expenditures to achieve grant and contract commitments in accordance with (both TNRCC and Environmental Protection Agency) procedures and policies. Facilitate partnerships and funding mechanisms involving local, state, and federal agencies, stakeholder organizations, and the general public to ensure effective implementation of the Comprehensive Plan. Supervise seven professional staff and develop tracking systems related to workload assignments, personnel performance plans, and evaluations. Oversee the development and administration of more than 30 technical consulting contracts to 'characterize' the health of the bay system. Serve as the primary media contact and represent the Program at national symposia and meetings. Ensure effective coordination of public education and outreach activities, including the design and maintenance of a Program web site (www.sci.tamucc.edu/CCBNEP). Provide logistical and staff support needs for seven standing committees and fourteen task forces (involving more than 320 stakeholders) working to develop the Comprehensive Plan. 11/93 - present.

CHAIRMAN, ASSOCIATION OF NATIONAL ESTUARY PROGRAMS (ANEP)

Founding member and first elected chairman of ANEP, a nonprofit organization established July 1996 whose purpose is to promote responsible stewardship and a common vision for the preservation of our nation's bays and estuaries. Serve as chief executive officer, lead the development of a mission and goals statement, and otherwise establish procedures and direct start-up activities, including the filing of incorporation papers and application for 501(c)(3) status. Establish agendas for a monthly Executive Committee conference call and for an annual Board of Directors meeting, whose members are the executive directors of the 28 National Estuary Programs nationwide. Lead the organization's development efforts, which in less than one year can account for approximately $15,000 in membership dues and a $100,000 federal grant. 7/96 - present.

SENIOR RESOURCE PLANNER - Island Resources Foundation.

Provide technical and managerial support for the Foundationís environmental planning and coastal resource management programs. Chief of Party for a 12-month planning contract with the Virgin Islands Department of Planning and Natural Resources, Division of Coastal Zone Management. Responsible for the preparation of management plans for 18 Areas of Particular Concern, including community participation elements and presentation of findings and recommendations to public officials and at public hearings. Other work includes preparation of country Environmental Profiles for the countries of Montserrat and Anguilla (under UNDP auspices), and assistance to the President on proposal writing. 9/92 - 11/93.

ENVIRONMENTAL PLANNER - Coastal Management Program, Economic Development Planning Office, American Samoa Government.

Provide technical, planning, and managerial support for federally funded coastal management program charged with interagency coordination of land and water resource management. Routinely conduct environmental impact assessment and provide recommendations for refinement of territorial environmental legislation and policy. Responsible for all aspects of interagency training to implement the Territoryís integrated land-use and building permit system. Design and establish department procedures for project review, including the establishment of geographical information and other data management systems. Report directly to federal grantor on scheduled tasks, including the implementation of public awareness activities, interagency contractual services, and the design of legislation and monitoring/enforcement strategies in support of overall program goals. Conduct frequent village-level workshops on community development strategies for sustainable resource utilization. Member of Governor-appointed Environmental Quality Commission, Natural Resources Commission, and Historic Preservation Commission. Project Manager for territorial wetlands management plan. 4/88 - 5/92.

SENIOR ASSOCIATE - Development Management Associates, Inc.

Founding partner of consulting firm specializing in intercultural management systems design and training. Involved with all aspects of the companyís management, including planning, financial control, marketing, instructional design, and training. Focus on small- to medium-scale enterprise enhancement in developing country contexts. Conducted needs assessment in program planning, organizational and human resource development, and managerial training. Coordinated efforts of proposal writing team. 5/87 - 12/89.

FISHERIES COORDINATOR - Solomon Islands Foundation for the People of the South Pacific (FSP).

Managed a $300,000 Community Fisheries Development Program in conjunction with the Ministry of Fisheries. Responsible for program planning and assistance in the design of a national artisanal fisheries development strategy. Provided technical, planning, and managerial assistance to staff at seven provincial fisheries stations. 1/83 - 2/84.

FISHERIES DEVELOPMENT OFFICER - Kingdom of Tonga Fisheries Division/FSP.

Responsible for all aspects of planning and implementation of the national Artisanal Fisheries Development Program. Coordinated the design, tendering, and contractual arrangements for five major infrastructure projects valued over $6 million. Designed and implemented boatyard management and inventory control systems. Supervised research activities on gear and resource development associated with Fish Aggregation Devices and low-cost multi-purpose fishing vessels. Responsible for the design and implementation of the Divisionís 1982 Cyclone Reconstruction Program. 11/81 - 12/82.

TECHNICAL TRAINING COORDINATOR - U.S. Peace Corps, Tonga.

Designed and implemented technical training curriculum and performance evaluations, plus language and cross-cultural activities, for a group of 18 volunteers. 7/81 - 10/81.

OFFICER-IN-CHARGE - Tonga Fisheries Division/U.S. Peace Corps.

Hired and trained staff for a regional fisheries extension center. Organized and trained fishermen in two village cooperatives to operate and maintain cold-storage facilities and multi-purpose fishing vessels. Supervised construction of office and refrigeration facilities. Assisted in formulating the Ministryís Fourth Five-Year Development Plan. 7/79 - 7/81. 

EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND

Masters of Public Administration in Development Management
(with distinction). Monterey Institute of International Studies (MIIS), Monterey, CA 1987.
B.S. Biology/Environmental Science
University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, 1977.

PROFESSIONAL ASSIGNMENTS/MEETINGS

RELATED QUALIFICATIONS

foreign languages - Spanish, Tongan, Melanesian Pidgin, plus some Samoan

computer proficiency - spreadsheet, database, word-processing, statistical analysis, desktop publishing, graphics, and GIS applications.

SELECTED PUBLICATIONS/RESEARCH

The Coastal Bend Bays Plan (draft). Corpus Christi Bay National Estuary Program. (editor and contributing author) 1997.

Our Nation's Estuaries: Key Management Issues. Paper to be delivered at the Estuarine Research Federation International Conference, Providence, Rhode Island. (co-author) 1997.

Rethinking Our Role as Resource Managers. Paper to be delivered at the Coastal Zone '97 Symposium, Boston, MA. 1997.

A Question of Legacy. Corpus Christi Bay National Estuary Program. 12 minute documentary video on estuarine resources of the Texas Coastal Bend. (contributing script writer) 1997.

Coastal Bend Bays and Estuaries: The Changing Face of a Landscape. Corpus Christi Bay National Estuary Program. (contributing author) 1996.

From Theory to Practice -- The Virgin Islands Coastal Zone Management Program's Experiment with "Areas of Particular Concern": A Retrospective View. Island Resources Foundation Occasional Paper No. 52. (co-author) 1994.

Salt River Bay Area of Particular Concern and Area of Preservation and Restoration Management Plan. Prepared for the V.I. Department of Planning and Natural Resources/Division of Coastal Zone Management by the Island Resources Foundation (principal author) 1993.

St. Thomas Harbor and Waterfront Area of Particular Concern Management Plan. Prepared for the V.I. Department of Planning and Natural Resources/Division of Coastal Zone Management by the Island Resources Foundation (principal author) 1993.

Botany Bay Area of Particular Concern and Area of Preservation and Restoration Management Plan. Prepared for the V.I. Department of Planning and Natural Resources/Division of Coastal Zone Management by the Island Resources Foundation (principal author) 1993.

Mangrove Lagoon/Benner Bay Area of Particular Concern and Area of Preservation and Restoration Management Plan. Prepared for the V.I. Department of Planning and Natural Resources/Division of Coastal Zone Management by the Island Resources Foundation (principal author) 1993.

Chocolate Hole Area of Particular Concern and Area of Preservation and Restoration Management Plan. Prepared for the V.I. Department of Planning and Natural Resources/Division of Coastal Zone Management by the Island Resources Foundation (principal author) 1993.

Christiansted Waterfront Area of Particular Concern Management Plan. Prepared for the V.I. Department of Planning and Natural Resources/Division of Coastal Zone Management by the Island Resources Foundation (principal author) 1993.

Southgate Pond/Cheney Bay Area of Particular Concern and Area of Preservation and Restoration Management Plan. Prepared for the V.I. Department of Planning and Natural Resources/Division of Coastal Zone Management by the Island Resources Foundation (principal author) 1993.

St. Croix Coral Reef System Area of Particular Concern and Area of Preservation and Restoration Management Plan. Prepared for the V.I. Department of Planning and Natural Resources/Division of Coastal Zone Management by the Island Resources Foundation (principal author) 1993.

St. Croix East End Area of Particular Concern and Area of Preservation and Restoration Management Plan. Prepared for the V.I. Department of Planning and Natural Resources/Division of Coastal Zone Management by the Island Resources Foundation (principal author) 1993.

Southshore Industrial Area of Particular Concern Management Plan. Prepared for the V.I. Department of Planning and Natural Resources/Division of Coastal Zone Management by the Island Resources Foundation (principal author) 1993.

Sandy Point Area of Particular Concern Management Plan. Prepared for the V.I. Department of Planning and Natural Resources/Division of Coastal Zone Management by the Island Resources Foundation (principal author) 1993.

Frederiksted Waterfront Area of Particular Concern Management Plan. Prepared for the V.I. Department of Planning and Natural Resources/Division of Coastal Zone Management by the Island Resources Foundation (principal author) 1993.

Enighed Pond/Cruz Bay Area of Particular Concern Management Plan. Prepared for the V.I. Department of Planning and Natural Resources/Division of Coastal Zone Management by the Island Resources Foundation (principal author) 1993.

Montserrat Environmental Profile. Prepared for the Government of Montserrat by the Island Resources Foundation with funding from UNDP. (authored chapter 6: Montserrat and the Sea) 1993.

Anguilla Environmental Profile. Prepared for the Government of Anguilla by the Island Resources Foundation with funding from UNDP. (authored chapter 3: Land Use Planning and Growth Management) 1993.

Towards a Territorial Conservation Strategy and the Establishment of a Conservation Areas Systems for American Samoa. A Le Vaomatua Publication with funding from the MacArthur Foundation. (principal author) 1992.

A Resource Management Bibliography for American Samoa. A Le Vaomatua Publication with funding from the MacArthur foundation. (co-author) 1992.

Endangered and Threatened species of American Samoa and Strategies for their Conservation. Natural Resources Commission. American Samoa. (co-author) 1991.

Our Island Village. 41-minute documentary video on coastal resource management in American Samoa. American Samoa Coastal Management Program (co-scripted and produced) 1990.

Coastal Management Act: Public Law 21-35. Economic Development Planning Office, American Samoa Coastal Management Program. (co-author) 1990.

Cross-Boundary Disputes Between the U.S. and Mexico: The Special Problem of Migratory Tuna Stocks. Monterey Review. Spring 1987.

Managing Implementation in Artisanal Fisheries Development. MIIS. 1987.

Project Appraisal: Small-scale fisheries financial analysis case-study. MIIS. 1987.

A Caribbean Perspective of Social Factors in the Modernization of Artisanal Fisheries. University of New Mexico. 1985.

Solomon Islands Artisanal Fisheries Development Strategy. Discussion paper. 1983.

For further information, write to Richard Volk at rvolk@tnrcc.state.tx.us