Meet Our Team

Tom Conboy, P.E. President and Principal Engineer

Mr. Conboy is the President and Principal Engineer of South Florida Engineering and Consulting LLC. An internationally experienced Professional Engineer and Project Manager, he advised the Water Sanitation and Hygiene Program in Kenya; and led development of a geospatial database. His accomplishments include sizing reservoir storage and optimizing operations for the C-44, Ten Mile Creek and C23/24 Reservoirs/STAs for the IRL South component of CERP. Mr. Conboy was Project Manager for the Loxahatchee River Preservation Initiative. He provided engineering support, performed hydrologic modeling, and developed stage-flow curves for the Northwest Fork of the Loxahatchee River Restoration Plan.

M. Zaki Moustafa, Ph.D. Principal Modeler

Dr. Moustafa is an expert in hydrodynamic and water quality modeling, water quality science (including data analysis and modeling), water resources engineering, environmental science and wetland ecology, restoration science, and modeling studies. He applied models (e.g., EFDC, ICM-CEQUAL, HSPF and BASINS) to a gamut of projects requiring EIS, EA and specialized experience (e.g., water quality, sediment transport, Florida Bay, Biscayne Bay, and Lake Okeechobee). He applied hydrodynamic and water quality models for mixing zone permits, TMDL and regulatory compliance evaluation. Dr. Moustafa assisted the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in modeling Gulf of Mexico oil and gas discharge activities; evaluated environmental impact under new regulations; analyzed large databases; and provided the methodology now is used to determine and evaluate phosphorus removal efficiencies in large constructed wetlands..

Andrew D. Gottlieb, Ph.D. Lead Environmental Scientist / Biologist

Dr. Gottlieb is a nationally-recognized professional scientist who has managed, designed and implemented coastal, lake, and wetland water quality studies throughout Florida. Dr. Gottlieb published his research on the effects of hydroperiod and nutrients on the structure and function of Everglades periphyton and plant communities. His peer-reviewed work has appeared in Aquatic Botany, Hydrobiologia, and Ecological Indicators. Dr. Gottlieb also coauthored the book Microbiology of the Everglades Ecosystem. He has developed quantitative tools used to evaluate and model hydrology, water quality and vegetation patterns for the $11.9 billion Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan.

Christopher W. McVoy, Ph.D. Lead Soil Scientist/Hydrologist/ Biologist

Dr. McVoy is a noted eco-hydrologist, Everglades expert, author, and empiricist trained in systems analysis and simulation modeling. He is experienced in remote sensing, historical and modeling research, and the ecosystems and hydrology of South Florida. Dr. McVoy authored Landscapes and Hydrology of the Predrainage Everglades, the definitive characterization of the pre-drainage hydrology and ecology of the Everglades. His work has been published in Ecological Economics, Agriculture, Ecosystems and Environment, and other peer-reviewed journals. He maintains a geomorphology program in Water Conservation Area 3-A.

E. Elizabeth Williams, MBA Technical Writer

Ms. Williams is an experienced Program and Project Manager, with over a decade leading major infrastructure and restoration projects under the $11.8 billion Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan. She is a prolific writer and content manager who developed the original CERP website with the USACE and was a lead author of Everglades restoration chapters of the annual report to Congress. She was the Lead Author for CERP updates and other documents, which were published in peer-reviewed technical journals including the South Florida Environmental Report over the course of a decade. Miss Williams is an expert at strategic planning, capital budgeting, negotiation, facilitation, contracts management, public outreach, technical writing and editing, and management of business operations.

Veerabhadra Rao Karri, P.E., CFM Environmental Engineer

An internationally-experienced Professional Engineer, Mr. Karri has evaluated alternatives for the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan WCA-3 Decompartmentalization Project. His paper on Source Quantification of Inappropriate Discharges to Storm Drainage Systems was presented at the 80th annual meeting of the Alabama Academy of Science. His paper on Source Verification of Inappropriate Discharges to Storm Drainage Systems was presented in 2014 to WEFTEC. He has five years of Municipal Government Experience as Stormwater Engineer with the City of Port Orange, Florida, six years of Hydrologic Modeling Experience with the South Florida Water Management District and four years with SFEC.

Paul J. Trimble , M.E. Applied Hydroclimatologic Researcher

Mr. Trimble is a pioneer in regional hydrologic development and applications for South Florida. He is noted for his work on the application of climate research for more efficient operational rules and water resources planning. Mr. Trimble has developed regional hydrologic models for central and southern Florida. He has applied models for the development of efficient multi-objective regional operational rules including the incorporation of inter-annual to multi-decadal climate variability. He is experienced in applying models for long term water resources planning including the challenges of climate change and sea level rise.

Michael Adler Botanist / GIS Specialist

An accomplished ecologist, inventor, writer and natural resources specialist, Mr. Adler has incorporated AmeriCorps service into his professional work in ecology and conservation. He is a biologist familiar with the ecosystems of Florida, and an expert user of ESRI GIS. Mr. Adler is skilled in the identification of common native and invasive plants. He is an accomplished field researcher and is familiar with control of nuisance and invasive plants with non-restricted use herbicides. Mr. Adler is noted for his invention of a system for acoustic monitoring of bats [Patent No. 8379486]. His skills include ESRI GIS analysis and mapmaking. His professional development includes the Incident Command System, Wildlife Fire Behavior and Firefighter training.

Mahmoud Madkour, Ph.D., P.E., LEED® AP Project Management

Dr. Madkour’s career spanned 25 years with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. As a Professional Engineer Administrator, he was responsible state-wide for planning and implementing engineering designs and specifications for new or altered roads, trails, bridges, dams, office buildings, parks, water control structures, and other facilities. He prepared technical specifications and bid packages, and ensured that projects complied with purchasing, permitting and LEED standards. He inspected facilities and projects to ensure safety, efficiency and effectiveness. Dr. Madkour oversaw and reviewed habitat and environmental restoration plans/projects, hydrologic assessments, and other works developed by the FWC’s Lake Restoration and Wildlife Management Areas staff, water managements districts, and other entities, for lakes, rivers, estuaries, shorelines management, sustainable funding mechanisms, feasibility and recommended improvements.

Daljit Sandhu, E.I., Ph.D. Water Resources Engineer

Dr. Sandhu is a State of Florida Engineering Intern with experience in hydrology and hydraulics, the hydro-geomorphic response of the Everglades to changing climate and anthropogenic activities, and the fate and transport of radioactive gypsum stack water entering the Floridan aquifer due to a sinkhole collapse. A talented engineer and H&H modeler, his current work involves supporting a SFEC client in replacing NAVD 88 and NAD 83. The purpose of this project is to improve the National Spatial Reference System (NSRS), NGS will replace the North American Datum of 1983 (NAD 83) and the North American Vertical Datum of 1988 (NAVD 88) with a new geometric reference frame and geopotential datum.

Sue Byrd Lead Technical Editor

Ms. Byrd has over two decades of experience serving as Lead Technical Editor on water resource, habitat restoration and utilities projects. She was the Lead Technical Editor for the Sumter National Forest Stream Restoration, which covers nearly 371,000 acres in South Carolina. She performed technical writing and was the technical editor on SFEC’s contract for the East Lake Tohopekaliga Drawdown and Habitat Enhancement Environmental Impact Statement. Ms. Byrd also edited the Broward County Water Preserve Area Project Implementation Report and Environmental Impact Statement and documents for many other CERP projects. She is skilled at maintaining a consistent flow of documents by multiple authors, editing, formatting, developing document templates, and coordinating changes and input from authors and reviewers.

Thomas St. Clair, PhD. Project Manager/Environmental Scientist

Dr. St. Clair is a program/project manager with a wide range of natural resource experience over a 45-year career, most recently specializing in National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) documentation, large-scale ecosystem restoration, and scientific peer review..

Shima Ghamari Community Outreach Coordinator

Ms. Ghamari is experienced in project management with excellent analytical skills. She has a strong background in assessing various marketing mediums and implementing appropriate actions within budget. Ms. Ghamari encourages collaboration by ensuring each stakeholder has an opportunity to contribute. She is focused, clear, and concise while successfully facilitating meeting agendas. Ms. Ghamari is an accomplished technical writer and has written for business, budgeting, contract negotiation, research, broadcast journalism, cross promotion, streamlining, market assessment, legal writing, and public outreach. She has an excellent record of preparing for and meeting project deadlines.

Ellen A. Ashford Biologist

Ms. Ashford is trained in observing and identifying flora and fauna, collecting and preserving field samples and maintaining daily logs. In her position as Interagency Communications Director at South Florida Engineering and Consulting LLC she is detail oriented and exhibits a high degree of organization. Ms. Ashford is an enthusiastic educator, experienced in presenting engaging lessons, in person and virtually, to a diverse student body. She is experienced in collecting, tracking, and analyzing assessment data. She organized the Glades Central Green Team, becoming a Green School of Quality. She was awarded the Green Schools Recognition Program Rookie of the Year in recognition of her service in developing a school-wide culture to help children to develop environmental responsibility.

Tanzina Afrin, M.S. Water Resources Engineer

Ms. Afrin is an experienced civil engineer with an interest in water resources, water science and hydro information. Under an SFEC contract, she is a key team member in the project to replace NAVD 88 and NAD 83 to improve the National Spatial Reference System (NSRS). NGS will replace the North American Datum of 1983 (NAD 83) and the North American Vertical Datum of 1988 (NAVD 88) with a new geometric reference frame and geopotential datum in 2022. Ms. Afrin’s interests lead her to author Morphodynamic modeling of a small coastal river during an extreme flood event in 2016 and present a poster titled Fluvial Morphodynamics and Channels Patterns and Beyond.

Daniel J. Crean, Jr. Water Quality Lead

Mr. Crean came to South Florida Engineering and Consulting LLC after a successful career with the South Florida Water Management District. He is implementing SFEC’s water quality program and proving a fine mentor to our entry-level staff. He developed water quality monitoring programs for the Caloosahatchee River Estuary, Indian River Lagoon and other waterbodies. He has monitored water quality in the Everglades Protection Area, Stormwater Treatment Areas and other sites in South Florida. Mr. Crean is committed to professional improvement, which is seen in his completion of 20 project management courses. He is a Certified Dive Supervisor, and experienced in water rescue, CPR, first aid and field safety. He also is a small boat and airboat operator.

Jose M. Cruz Field Technician

Mr. Cruz came to the interest of South Florida Engineering and Consulting LLC through Explorer Post 57. He showed a keen interest in learning about the Everglades and other natural areas of Florida, and in a career related to water resources and environmental science. Since joining our team, he has developed and supported Everglades restoration strategies and related water quality monitoring and water resources management activities. He is quick to learn and apply new skills while providing technical assistance in using telemetry, sampling groundwater, and collecting coastal structures.

David W. Niemi, E.I. Draftsperson / Environmental Engineer

Mr. Niemi is an Environmental Engineer with more than fifteen years of experience in the South Florida area working on projects in both environmental engineering and environmental science. He is an experienced Project Manager for multi-agency natural restoration and land management projects. Mr. Niemi is an expert with AutoCAD, Excel, and MS Word. He is experienced using GPS and land-surveying equipment to map project-site boundaries and topography. He has additional experience with DBHYDRO and Hydrologic Restoration of Natural Areas such as the Loxahatchee Slough.