Tarpon Springs Chapter
The Tarpon Springs Chapter was formed in September 2008 and is primarily focused on the vast Springs Coast of Florida. The majority of the near-shore areas of the Springs Coast has not been investigated or mapped, but possesses a diverse system of spring rivers, tidal creeks, and marine waters. This area provides the unique opportunity for the Tarpon Springs Nauts to be scientific pioneers. Other opportunities lie in the mapping and adoption of reefs, studying seagrass, associated ecosystems and investigating of spring vents that are known to exist but have not been located.
Current and Future projects include:
- Archaeological surveys
- Boater education on clean boating and reef protection
- Fauna and flora surveys of reefs and ledges
- Field guide to coral and sponges of the Springs Coast
- GIS mapping projects of seagrass and hardbottom
- Offshore spring surveys
- Reef and wreck clean-up projects
- Seagrass scar monitoring
- Underwater navigation maps
The Chapter will also partner with our sister organizations in training and in summer trips that will expand our opportunities to learn and gain experience in diverse settings with fellow Nauts of various backgrounds and experiences.
Chapter President and Acting Unit Dive Coordinator (UDC)
 Mike Waugh is a former Staff Sergeant and 10 year veteran of the United States Marine Corps. This native West Virginian graduated from the University of Florida in 1986 with a BA in History and Minor in Asian Studies while in the Marine Corps Enlisted Commissioning Education Program (MECEP). As an Avionics Technician in the Marine Corps, Mike worked on F-4 Phantoms, A-4 Skyhawks, A-6 Intruders and EA6B Prowlers while stationed at MCAS Beaufort SC and Cherry Point, NC. He was the Honor Graduate of his basic training platoon in Parris Island, SC.
An active member of the Marine Corps League, he is currently the Senior Vice Pound Keeper in the Devil Dog’s fraternity and he and his family are heavily active in the Toys for Tots program each year.
Currently an Account Director with Jabil Global Services, Mike manages an international account primarily focused in the Americas and Europe and has had extensive experience in China.
He and his wife Katie have been married for 26 years and are the proud parents of Courtney, 18, and veteran SCUBAnaut Connor, 15.
Mike has been a parent volunteer since May of 2006 and is a certified PADI Advanced Open Water, Nitrox (EANx) and SLAM certified diver. His immediate goal is to become a Dive Master to better assist with the training cycles and dive supervision of the Nauts.
Chapter Operations Officer
 Randy Hutchisson is a former US Navy corpsman. After graduation from East Carolina University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting and Masters degree in finance, he attained designations as a Certified Financial Planner (CFP) as well as a Chartered Retirement Plan Specialist (CRPS). His family wealth management practice is located in Trinity, Florida.
Randy earned his open water certification in the summer of 2008. He and his wife Rene have been married for 17 years and live in the East Lake area with their two sons Trey (15) and Conner (14).
Fundraising Officer
 Katie Waugh is a mother, volunteer and former elementary school teacher. This native West Virginian is a 1986 graduate with Honors in Education from the University of Florida.
Katie is also active in the Marine Corps League Auxiliary and is the Agency Coordinator for the Toys for Tots program with the Clearwater Marine Corps League. She has been an active volunteer with schools in Pinellas County and with the Meals on Wheels program.
Married for 26 years to her husband Mike, they have two children, Courtney, 18, and veteran SCUBAnaut Connor, 15.
Katie is not a diver, but loves what the SCUBAnaut Program has brought to kids though education and experience and wants to ensure those opportunities continue for the current and future generations of interested kids.
Chapter Chief Scientist
 Keith Kolasa has managed natural resource restoration and protection projects for nearly 20 years and is currently a Senior Environmental Scientist with the Southwest Florida Water Management District. Projects that he has completed in the past include lake and wetland restoration projects, pollutant and water quality investigations, and biological assessments. His most recent projects include the Chassahowitzka Spring restoration project and several stormwater treatment improvement projects to reduce pollutants entering various lakes and rivers. Additionally, Keith is overseeing the Springs Coast Seagrass mapping project that will provide a spatial database of the second largest area of seagrass beds in the state. This information is needed to properly manage this extensive area of seagrass vital to the state's fishing, shellfish, and shrimp industries. He has recently presented results of the seagrass project at national level conferences including the American Society of Limnology and Oceanography (Ocean Sciences Meeting) and the American Society for Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing. Keith received his Bachelor of Science in Limnology from the University of Central Florida. He is a native Floridian and has been a certified diver since 1985.
Education Officer
 Julie Galkiewicz graduated from College of William and Mary, Virginia, in 2006 with a B.S. in Biology. She is currently conducting her Ph.D. research at the University of South Florida. As part of her research, she is cataloguing and categorizing the bacterial communities associated with several Pacific corals. Her research provides a general idea of the common bacteria present on corals throughout different seasons and in different areas of the Pacific, ranging from American Samoa to the Northwest Hawaiian Islands. Julie is an inspiring mentor for the SCUBAnauts.
|
