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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.
Tarpon Springs Chapter Mission Statement
The mission of the Tarpon Springs Chapter of SCUBAnauts is the long term study of natural hard bottom, seagrass, and reef habitats of the Florida Springs Coast and the associated fishes, turtles, sponges and corals.
Chapter President
 Jim Cassick is a graduate of the University of Central Florida with a BS degree in Finance and Florida State University with an MBA degree. He is currently a Data Manager at Progressive Insurance focused on managing performance for their contact centers. He is married to Sandi Cassick, the chapter Treasurer and they are the proud parents of Alyx, a senior at Palm Harbor University High School and Colin, a Senior First Class SCUBAnaut. They discovered SCUBAnauts through Colin's open water instructor Jeff Pain.
Jim has been a parent volunteer for the Tarpon Springs chapter since late 2008 and a scuba diver since 1987. His certifications include PADI Advanced Open Water, PADI Nitrox (EANx), NAUI Rescue Diver and PADI Divemaster. He is also a licensed boat captain and avid outdoorsman.
Chapter Operations Officer/VP
 Bryan Hilbert is a Marine Corps veteran of 5 years and served during the Persian Gulf War. He is a graduate of Indiana University where he earned a degree in nursing with high distinction. Bryan has been a certified diver since Summer of 2002. He currently works as a Registered Nurse in the operating suites at Baypines Veterans' Hospital, proudly serving America's heroes. At Baypines, he serves as Orthopedic Co-Chair and is a Safe Patient Peer Leader. Bryan is married to his lovely wife Mary (Kathy) Hilbert and reside in Palm Harbor. Bryan is the proud father of two sons and a daughter. He and his daughter, Ashley have been members of SCUBAnauts for two years.
Chapter Financial 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).
Chapter Dive Safety Officer
 Mike Waugh, the Founding President of the Tarpon Springs Chapter, is a native West Virginian, 10 year veteran of the United States Marine Corps and a graduate of the University of Florida. He became involved in SCUBA diving as an opportunity to do something unique with his son and they discovered SCUBAnauts as a result.
An active member of the Marine Corps League, he and his family are energetic supporters of the Toys for Tots program each year.
Currently an Account Director with Jabil Aftermarket Services, Mike manages an account for a major mobility customer. He has had extensive experience in the European and Asian markets.
He is married to Katie Waugh, the former chapter Chief Fundraising Officer (CFO), and they are the proud parents of Courtney, a student at the University of Florida, and Connor, a Senior First Class SCUBAnaut.
Mike has been a parent volunteer since May of 2006. He is a NAUI Dive Instructor and DAN Instructor for CPR/FA/O2/AED.
Chapter Chief Scientist
 Carlie Williams
received her B.S. in Marine Science from Coastal Carolina University, South Carolina in 2005. Her love for sailing and interest in science-based experiential learning lead her to move aboard the S/V Lady Maryland, a 104-ft Pungy Schooner, an educational sail-training vessel operated by the non-profit organization Living Classrooms Foundation. For two years, Carlie lived aboard the vessel, sailing around the Chesapeake Bay and up to Stellwagen Bank, Massachusetts educating middle/high school students on boat operation, water quality, local ecology, and humpback whale biology. Carlie received her M.S. in Marine Science from the University of South Florida, College of Marine Science in 2009 and is currently working towards her Ph.D. (also at USF). Her research in Paleoceanography and Paleoclimatology focuses on using Gulf of Mexico sediments to reconstruct abrupt climate change over the last 25,000 years. Carlie loves being a part of the Tarpon Springs SNI Chapter and enjoys seeing the 'nauts become just as excited in science as she is!
Chapter Education Officer
 Natasha M. Méndez-Ferrer grew up in a coastal town in Puerto Rico and has always been amazed by the marine environment. In 2008, she received a Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Technology from the University of Puerto Rico. During her undergraduate, she participated in outreach and education organizations that promoted monofilament recycling and green chemistry. Currently, Natasha is pursuing a Ph.D. at the USF College of Marine Science, where her research focuses on the use of bioindicators to monitor coral reef health.
Data/Compliance Leader
 Alex Williamson is a native of Germany, married, and mother of two boys Joshua (11) and Kanai’i(15). Alex has a business degree from Germany, a Bachelor of Science in Computer Information Systems from Regis University, CO, and a Master of Science in Computer Science from Colorado Technical University. After years of working in Marketing as a Product Manager for a pharmaceutical company in Germany, and as an acccount manager for a travel wholesale agency in Hawaii, Alex is currently working at Verizon as a Systems Analyst and Development lead.
Alex always had a love for the ocean and became scuba certified when living in Hawaii. She became interested in SCUBAnauts after reading an article in the St Pete Times about the accomplishments of the group in the field of marine science. It was the perfect fit for her and her son for integrating fun, adventure and education.
Chapter 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.
Science Mentor
 Rhonda Bailey is a native of Rochester, New York. After completing her open water dive certification and her A.S. in Biology from Monroe Community College, she moved to Florida to complete her B.S. in Biology (concentration in Marine Science) from the University of Tampa. She has been involved in sea turtle and marine mammal stranding and rehabilitation activities since 1998. In 2005 she became part of a small team of researchers that coordinate Florida’s Sea Turtle Stranding & Salvage Network (FL STSSN), through Florida Fish & Wildlife’s (FWC) Florida Wildlife Research Institute (FWRI). She primarily oversees West coast stranding activities, including cold stunning events and unusual mortality events (UME). It is not uncommon for a beach day to turn into an impromptu eco-lesson for anyone who will listen! Volunteer activities include Nesting Survey Walker for the Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch and First Responder for Clearwater Marine Aquarium’s Stranding team.
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