The Governing Board appoints the agency's Executive Director (subject to approval by the Governor, and confirmation by the Florida Senate). The Executive Director carries out the Board's directives.
Melissa L. Meeker, Executive Director
Contact: Peggy Alexander
As head of the state's largest regional water management agency, Ms. Meeker is accountable for ensuring that the District carries out its mission for water quality, flood control, natural systems and water supply efficiently and effectively. Under her leadership, the agency provides regional flood protection through one of the largest water management systems in the world; works with utilities and stakeholders to develop long-term water supply plans; and is implementing landmark restoration strategies to improve water quality and restore more natural flows for America's Everglades. Background Profile »
Melissa L. Meeker became Executive Director of the South Florida Water Management District in June 2011. With 20 years experience in both the public and private sectors, Ms. Meeker has a proven record of executive management, policy development, business administration and government relations expertise.
Previously, Ms. Meeker served as Deputy Secretary for Water Policy and Ecosystem Projects for the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), charting a new course for the implementation of statewide water policy for Governor Rick Scott. Her DEP experience also includes appointment to the Environmental Regulation Commission and leading DEP's Southeast Regulatory District.
In addition, Ms. Meeker served on the South Florida Water Management District Governing Board from 2007-2009 and, in 2004, was appointed Chair of the Governor's Commission for a Sustainable Treasure Coast.
Her accomplished private sector experience includes serving as National Water Resources Program Director for a major international environmental consulting firm and founding and managing her own strategic consulting business.
A Florida native, Ms. Meeker earned her Bachelor of Science in Biology from Palm Beach Atlantic University and a Master of Science in Environmental Resource Management from the Florida Institute of Technology.
Timothy Beirnes, CPA, Inspector General
Contact: Ann Haga
Mr. Beirnes is responsible for planning and overseeing objective reviews and evaluations of agency operations and taxpayer-financed programs. This independent position reports directly to the Governing Board. Background Profile »
With nearly 30 years of audit and investigative experience, Tim Beirnes was appointed by the Governing Board to serve as District Inspector General effective November 2011.
Mr. Beirnes received his Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and Accounting from Palm Beach Atlantic University and his MBA from Florida Atlantic University. In addition to being a Certified Public Accountant, he holds numerous other professional certifications and is an active member of several national auditing and accounting associations.
Carolyn S. Ansay, General Counsel
Contact: Jennifer Aiton
Ms. Ansay provides and oversees legal services in support of the agency's mission responsibilities. Key program areas include legal counsel and research, negotiations and dispute resolution, resource protection rulemaking, litigation and preventive law. Background Profile »
Carolyn S. Ansay joined the District in August 2011 following 14 years in private practice specializing in water law, environmental law, local government law, land use, government contracts and civil litigation. Over the course of her career, Ms. Ansay has represented cities, counties, state agencies, special districts and private clients in a variety of complex environmental, water and legislative issues.
Ms. Ansay also has a history of public service with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), where her responsibilities included administering the Southeast District's Office of Environmental Affairs. In addition, she has lectured on water and environmental issues as an adjunct professor at Florida Atlantic University and Embry-Riddle University.
Ms. Ansay received a Bachelor of Arts in Economics with a minor in Management from the University of Miami and earned her Juris Doctorate from the University of Florida's College of Law.
Ernie Barnett, Assistant Executive Director Everglades and Water Resources
Contact: Lourdes Elias
Mr. Barnett oversees the agency's applied ecosystem science, water quality monitoring, regional water supply planning and Everglades restoration efforts. He serves as the Executive Director's representative with elected and appointed officials at all levels of local and state government. Background Profile »
Ernie Barnett joined the District in 2005. He has more than 30 years of water resources management experience and public service, during which he contributed to several landmark environmental laws. He had a lead role in the successful passage by the Florida Legislature of the Lake Okeechobee Protection Act and the Everglades Restoration Investment Act, which has provided more than $1 billion dollars for Everglades restoration. He also helped secure approval of the Water Resource Development Act of 2000, in which Congress authorized the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan.
During a 22-year tenure with Florida's Department of Environmental Protection, Mr. Barnett worked as a shellfish biologist, aquatic preserve manager, environmental administrator, Water Policy Director and Ecosystem Projects Director. He was the recipient of the 2001 National Wetlands Award for Outstanding Wetlands Program Development from the Environmental Law Institute.
Mr. Barnett has a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Resource Management and Planning and a Master of Science in Biology, both from the University of West Florida, and a Master of Science in Environmental Engineering from the University of Florida.
Mr. DeLisi guides and oversees the agency's external affairs, providing a forum for public service, open government and stakeholder involvement. His focus includes intergovernmental outreach, constituent relations, public communications and Governing Board operations, which includes coordination for the Board's external Water Resources Advisory Commission. Background Profile »
Daniel DeLisi has more than 15 years of experience in public policy, governmental relations, land use planning and dispute resolution. As a former SFWMD Governing Board member and Big Cypress Basin Board Chair, Mr. DeLisi has in-depth knowledge of agency projects and programs throughout South Florida.
Prior to joining the District in 2013, Mr. DeLisi was Vice-President/Principal of DeLisi Fitzgerald, Inc., a land use planning and engineering consulting firm, where he specialized in working with stakeholders to explore common land use and environmental goals while building community-wide consensus. Mr. DeLisi's experience includes serving as an adjunct faculty member at Nova Southeastern University; conference speaker on environmental, consensus-building and land use issues; and appointments to the Florida Impact Fee Review Task Force, the Lee County Local Planning Agency, the Estero Community Planning Panel and the Board of Trustees of the Corkscrew Regional Ecosystem Watershed (CREW) Land and Water Trust.
Mr. DeLisi holds a Master in City Planning from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and a Bachelor of Arts from Brandeis University.
Len J. Lindahl, P.E., Assistant Executive Director Business and Regulatory
Contact: Peggy Alexander
Mr. Lindahl oversees the administrative functions of the agency and is responsible for providing cost-effective and efficient business-related services needed to carry out its mission. He also provides direction and guidance for the District's permitting and regulatory responsibilities, which help safeguard water supplies, manage stormwater runoff and protect wetlands. Background Profile »
Len J. Lindahl, P.E., has more than 17 years of experience in water resource engineering and complex project management. His diverse expertise ranges from developing and implementing comprehensive strategic plans and operational budgets, to a wide spectrum of civil and environmental engineering services.
Prior to joining the District in 2013, he served as vice president of Florida operations for a multinational Fortune 500 company providing technical and management support in a variety of markets including energy, water, transportation and the environment. Mr. Lindahl also has served as District Engineer for a number of South Florida local water control districts, responsible for regulatory, construction and operational components. His professional affiliations include the Florida Engineering Society, National Society of Professional Engineers, American Water Resources Association, Florida Association of Special Districts and the Water Management Institute.
Mr. Lindahl has a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from Lafayette College and a Master of Science in Civil Engineering from Lehigh University. A life-long Jupiter resident, he is a professional engineer registered in the state of Florida.
Tommy B. Strowd, P.E., Assistant Executive Director Operations, Maintenance & Construction
Contact: Lesa Tucker
Mr. Strowd oversees operation and maintenance for one of the world's largest multi-purpose water management systems, providing flood control, water supply, water quality improvements and natural systems restoration for the District's 16-county region. This massive system moves more than 5.5 trillion gallons of water yearly and is continuously expanding as additional water resource projects are constructed and integrated into the existing network. Background Profile »
Tommy Strowd, P.E., has more than 30 years experience in environmental and water resource engineering, gained in both the public and private sectors. Since joining the District in 1992, he has served as Operations Director, helped accelerate the design and construction of projects in the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan and contributed significantly to regional water resource planning and engineering. In 2011, he led the agency as Interim Executive Director.
Mr. Strowd's government experience also includes stints with other state and federal environmental agencies. He has spent a significant portion of his career in the private sector, serving in engineering, project management and senior management positions with several consulting engineering firms.
Mr. Strowd holds a Bachelor of Science from the Florida Institute of Technology and has been a professional engineer registered in the state of Florida since 1983.
Terrie Bates, Water Resources Division Director
Contact: Lourdes Elias
Ms. Bates manages the agency's scientific and engineering focus on ecosystem and technology research, water quality monitoring and analysis, water supply planning, systemwide computer modeling and resource evaluations. Background Profile »
Terrie Bates joined the District in 1985 and has gained wide-ranging experience in environmental regulation, water supply, water quality, wetland mitigation, ecosystem restoration, applied science and watershed management issues. She directed a streamlining effort in environmental permitting to combine the state's surface water management, dredge & fill and sovereign submerged lands programs and to create the mitigation banking program.
Because of her water resource expertise, Ms. Bates has held executive management responsibilities for overseeing the District's water shortage and drought response in 2006-2007 and again in 2011.
Born and raised in Palm Beach County, Ms. Bates received a Bachelor of Science in Forest Resources & Conservation from the University of Florida and a Master in Public Administration from Florida Atlantic University.
Doug Bergstrom, Administrative Services Division Director
Contact: Lesa Tucker
Mr. Bergstrom manages the day-to-day business/administrative support operations for the entire District including budget, performance metrics, finance, procurement, information technology, facilities and human resources. Background Profile »
Doug Bergstrom has 25 years of experience in public financial management and budgeting, working for government at both the federal and local levels. Early in his career he spent two years serving in the budget offices of the US Customs Service and the US Department of Agriculture in Washington, DC.
Mr. Bergstrom came to the District in 1988, working his way from entry-level analyst to budget supervisor before becoming the District's Budget Director in 2004. From 2009-2011, he oversaw the financial and business functions for Operations & Maintenance – the agency's largest work unit.
Mr. Bergstrom received a Bachelor of Science from Penn State University and a Master in Public Administration from George Mason University.
Karen Estock, Field Operations & Land Management Division Director
Contact: Debbie Mattino
Ms. Estock manages the operations and maintenance functions conducted by the agency's eight field stations to provide year-round water management system readiness. She also oversees the District's land-related resources, including all real estate, stewardship and public use issues. Background Profile »
Karen Estock initially joined the District in 2004 as Director of the West Palm Beach Field Station and most recently served as Bureau Chief for Infrastructure Management. Her responsibilities included overseeing the District's structure inspection program, surveying and hydrologic data acquisition and management.
Previously, Ms. Estock worked for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for 22 years where she rose to Chief, Field Operations and Readiness, in the Clewiston Office. Her duties included operations and maintenance of the Herbert Hoover Dike, Lake Okeechobee, the Okeechobee Waterway and its associated infrastructure.
She has a Bachelor of Science in Natural Resource Management from Pennsylvania State University and is a graduate of the Corps' Emerging Leaders Program.
Jeff Kivett, P.E., Operations, Engineering & Construction Division Director
Contact: Debbie Mattino
Mr. Kivett manages around-the-clock water control operations and monitoring of the regional water management system and coordination with local entities. He also oversees the inspection and refurbishment of existing facilities, along with the design and construction of new projects and infrastructure. Background Profile »
Jeff Kivett, P.E., previously served as the District's Bureau Chief for Engineering and Construction. He was responsible for oversight of the District's restoration and capital projects, ranging from reservoirs and stormwater treatment areas to flood control system improvements.
Before joining the District in 2007, Mr. Kivett worked in the private sector and also for the City of Los Angeles. In 2009-2010, he was recognized by the American Society of Civil Engineers as Florida Government Engineer of the Year.
Mr. Kivett holds a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from Colorado State University and is a professional engineer registered in the state of Florida.
Temperince Morgan, Office of Everglades Policy & Coordination Division Director
Contact: Palma Vaccar
Ms. Morgan coordinates, develops and implements comprehensive policy and projects to preserve, restore and protect the South Florida ecosystem while recognizing the needs of external constituents and stakeholders. She oversees interactions with the agency's restoration partners at both the federal and state levels. Background Profile »
Temperince Morgan previously served as Bureau Chief for the District's Office of State Policy and Coordination. She was responsible for implementation activities related to the Everglades Forever Act and the Northern Everglades and Estuaries Protection Program along with the coordination of policy positions on numerous state-related water resource issues. She played a key role in developing the Restoration Strategies initiative for further improving Everglades water quality.
Before joining the District in 2006, she worked for the Florida Department of Environmental Protection where she oversaw permit processing, compliance and other regulatory coordination with the District and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
Ms. Morgan has a Bachelor of Science from Florida State University.
Sharon Trost, P.G., AICP, Regulation Division Director
Contact: Haley Koptak
Ms. Trost manages the agency's regulatory programs, which help protect, manage and improve regional water resources. The District's streamlined permitting process and online database provide ready access to historical and current regulatory information, including pending applications. Background Profile »
Sharon Trost, P.G., AICP, has been with the District for more than 30 years. First hired as a hydrogeologist, Ms. Trost has managed divisions and departments throughout the agency, bringing her technical, organizational and leadership skills to the following areas: data collection, regulation, planning, research, ecosystem restoration, Everglades stormwater, operations and information technology.
Ms. Trost has a Bachelor of Science in Geological Sciences from Lehigh University and a Master of Science in Engineering Management from the University of South Florida. She is a licensed professional geologist and a certified land use and environmental planner.
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