Mead M. Sams

* *** *****

St. Helena, South Carolina 29920

817-***-**** Cell

Experience Summary:

For most of my professional career I served as a journeyman and managerial level Regional Economist and Biologist for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. In these roles I was responsible for the conduct and oversight of a wide variety of Federal water resource planning studies, including component economic, environmental, and financial analyses. My experience also includes serving as an Urban Planner in support of a vast array of U.S Army Corps of Engineers Military planning, basing (BRAC), and environmental investigations. I also served as a lecturer/national subject matter expert in Urban Planning matters for the U.S. Army.

Since retirement from Federal Civil Service in January 2013, I have been employed at Texas Christian University in Fort Worth, Texas as an Adjunct Professor of Economics, and as an Adjunct Professor of Environment, teaching undergraduate courses in micro/macroeconomics, and a graduate course in “Preparation of Environmental Impact Statements”, respectively.

Work Experience:

Paul Bechtel & Associates, Inc. (01-2023 – 05-2023)

Project Manager/Economist (Contract)

Austin, Texas

Duties: As a subcontractor, worked to prepare contract proposals and cost estimates for my role as team project manager and project economist for an EPA tasking evaluating effectiveness and benefits of adoption of a new chemical pesticide fumigant for treatment of cut timber for use in the US and export markets. Project start delayed due to EPA funding.

Texas Christian University (01-18-2018 – 06-01-2022)

Adjunct Professor, School of Geology, Energy, and the Environment

Fort Worth, Texas

Duties: As an instructor in environmental studies, I was responsible for text selection, course curriculum, syllabus development, classroom instruction, and all elements of student evaluation and grading. In this role I taught a graduate course in “Preparation of Environmental Impact Statements” where students gain hands-on experience with applying NEPA’s tiered approach to project evaluation under categorical exclusions (CX), environmental assessments (EA), and environmental impact statements (EIS).

Texas Christian University (08-19-2013 – 06-01-2021)

Adjunct Professor of Economics

Fort Worth, Texas

Duties: As an instructor in micro- and macro-economics I was responsible for text selection, course curriculum, syllabus development, classroom instruction, and all elements of student evaluation and grading.

U.S. Army Engineer District - Fort Worth (08/03/2008 – 01/03/2013 Retired)

Supervisory Regional Economist

Fort Worth, Texas

Duties: As Chief of the Planning Branch, I directed, organized, and lead a multi-discipline group of 34+ planning professionals (economists/engineers/landscape architects/urban planners/physical scientists/biologists/ and Project Managers), geospatial analysts (cartographers, geographers, registered surveyors), and contractors in the development of Civil Works, and Military Planning studies. This role entailed supervising and leading subordinate supervisors, District Project managers, and Branch personnel in the development of comprehensive planning product, to include large scale ecosystem restoration and watershed feasibility studies in accordance with the P&G for Water and related Land Resource Implementation Studies I set priorities, oversaw progress, and resolved conflicts among Branch/Section and District resources, including approval and allocation of appropriated funds. Administratively, I oversaw development of employee performance standards, evaluated performance, mentored subordinate supervisors, and recommended awards/disciplinary action. Also administratively assigned control over the Southwest Regions’ Geospatial Data Enterprise System and District surveying program.

During my tenure in this position, I led efforts to rebuild the SWF Civil Works Planning Team; regionalizing the Real Property Master Planning Team; served as the District’s Business Development Director, and SWD Real Property Planning Regional Coordinator. In the aforementioned roles, I regularly collaborated and negotiated project agreements with various Federal, State, and local agency officials on matters related to comprehensive water resource investigations, to include the Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS), International Water and Boundary Commission (IWBC), the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), the Texas Water Development Board (TWDB), Texas Council on Environmental Quality (TCEQ), various River Basin Authorities, other Corps Districts/Divisions, and a host of local sponsor cities and towns.

U.S. Army Engineer District - Fort Worth (10/11/2004 - 08/02/2008)

Supervisory Regional Economist

Fort Worth, Texas United States

Duties: As Chief of the Planning Section, I led, directed, and organized a multi-discipline team of planning professionals (economists/engineers/landscape architects/planners/physical scientists/ biologists/ and Project Managers) and contractors in the development of Civil Works, Military Planning Studies. This role also entails supervising and leading subordinate supervisors, District Project managers, and Branch personnel in the provision of comprehensive technical and Project Management in support of the District General Investigation and Continuing Authorities Civil Works Program within the Flood Risk Management, Ecosystem Restoration, and Recreation business lines. In the summer of 2007 I completed a two month detail within the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Headquarters where I served as liaison in resolving matters of policy compliance and process for District Civil Works projects with the Office of Water Policy Review, and the Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Army-Civil Works. I also served as the Fort Worth District’s Coordinator for the Texas Water Allocation Assessment (TWAA-Senate Bill 1) from 2007 to 2009. Directed the Fort Worth District Geographic Information System (GIS) and Computer Aided Design (CADD) applications network in support of all Civil and Military missions of the District.

U.S. Army Engineer District-Fort Worth (04/05/2004 -10/10/2004)

Supervisory Regional Biologist

Fort Worth, Texas United States

Duties: As Chief of the Environmental Resources Branch, and Assistant Division Chief, I supervised a multi-disciplined 18+ staff biologists/archaeologists/historic architects and environmental resource specialists engaged in development and conduct of environmental baseline and monitoring studies, NEPA assessments, environmental impact statements, regulatory assessments, and analyses in support of assigned civil and military planning activities of the District, other major DoD commands, and the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Service of Homeland Security. In this, I led the staff of the Environmental Resources Branch in formulating pre-authorization and pre-construction plans aimed at achieving Federal environmental and regulatory objectives. In addition, I served in a dual capacity as the Assistant Chief of the Planning, Environmental Regulatory Division, providing support to the Division in development/execution of the Division Indirect Budget, serving as Division Training Officer, and as Acting Division Chief.

U.S. Army Engineer District-Fort Worth (12/07/1997 - 04/04/2004)

Supervisory Regional Economist

Fort Worth, Texas United States

Duties: As Chief of the Evaluation Section and Evaluation Branch, I supervised and mentored a multi-discipline team of professionals (economists/civil engineers/landscape architects/architects/planners, physical scientists, and CADD/GIS specialists) in the conduct of military and civil works planning and programming studies. In this role, supervised in-house and contract forces in accomplishing assigned studies and analyses. I supervised and led District Project managers, and Branch technical staff in the provision of comprehensive real property planning support to Army installations, development of MILCON programming documentation (DD Form 1391s), and development and management of on-base CADD/GIS systems. I directed the Fort Worth District Geographic Information System (GIS) and Computer Aided Design (CADD) applications network in support of all Civil and Military missions of the District. I trained and mentored subordinates in project planning, preparation of project cost estimates, project execution and contract administration. I set priorities, oversaw progress, and resolved conflicts among Branch/Section and District resources. Administratively, I developed employee performance standards, evaluated performance, mentored subordinate team leaders, and recommend awards/disciplinary action. Additionally, served as a team member in 2000-2003 for the preparation of Army Real Property Master Plans for Camps Humphrey and Carroll in the Republic of Korea.

U.S. Army Engineer District-Fort Worth (04/18/1988 - 12/06/1997)

Regional Economist

Fort Worth, Texas United States

Duties: As a Regional Economist in the Economics and Master Planning Branch of Planning Division I conducted a wide array of planning studies and analyses in support of Corps military and civil customers. Analytical duties included conduct of flood damage analysis and active participation in plan formulation for several Civil Works projects. Notable was the research and development of the first flood depth-percent damage functions for railroad structure and contents for use in the Beal’s Creek Civil Works feasibility investigation. Project management tasks associated with the projects included preparation of project scopes of work, contract and study cost estimates, formation of contract documents, conduct of meetings, and contract/project administration. I successfully served as project manager and principal investigator on two in-house Mobilization Master Plan studies.

U.S. Army Engineer District-Fort Worth (05/05/1985 - 04/17/1988)

Realty Specialist

Fort Worth, Texas United States

Duties: As a Realty Specialist, my duties entailed formation of leases for acquisition of real property (land and buildings) for use by the Army, Air Force, and Navy. Noteworthy among these duties was my role as Program Manager for the Section 801/802 Build to Lease Military Family Housing Program where I oversaw and developed Requests for Proposals, convened proposal evaluation boards, developed long term (20-year) leases and operating agreements from 801/802 developers for the construction and operation of family housing units at Forts Bliss, Hood and Polk.

U.S. Army Engineer District-Fort Worth (12/05/1983 to 05/04/1985)

Regional Economist

Fort Worth, Texas United States

Duties: As a Regional Economist in the Economics Branch, I conducted a wide array of economic analysis in support of the Corps’ Civil and Military works customers, to include flood damage reduction studies, lifecycle, and cost-benefit analyses.

EDUCATION:

Texas A&M University, Master of Natural Resource Development, 2010

36 Semester Hours (3.87 GPA);

Thesis: Index of Biotic Integrity (Fish), Recommendations for Improvement and Modification.

University of North Texas, Master of Science, Applied Economic Research 1995

36 Semester hours. (3.33 GPA);

Thesis: Public Works Infrastructure Congressional Strength Index

North Texas State University BBA Major: Economics 1983

140 Semester hours (2.80 GPA).

Denton High School, Graduation Date: 1975

SPECIALIZED TRAINING:

May 02 – Sustaining Base Leadership, U.S. Army Staff College August 02

May 01- Leadership Development (LEAD)

Feb 01 - Organizational Leadership for Executives

Jun 96 - Facilities Information System Technology

Jun 94 - CADD/GIS for Executives

Mar 93 - Real Property Master Planning for Army Installations

Mar 90 - Financial Analysis of Water Resource Projects

May 85 - Techniques of Negotiating

May 84 - Forecasting Techniques for Water Resources

HONORS/AWARDS:

Department of the Army Superior Civilian Service Award - 2013

Commanders Award for Sustained Superior Performance – 2012

Annual Performance Awards (Exceptional): 2008-2012

Commander's Award for Civilian Excellence-1997

Omicron-Delta Epsilon (Economics Honor Fraternity-1983)

LICENSES/CERTIFICATES:

PADI-Advanced Open Water Scuba Diver

General Class Amateur Radio Operator License

Bareboat Captain Certification, American Sailing Association

OTHER INFORMATION:

Eagle Scout 1972

Adult Scouter-1975-1999

Philmont Scout Ranch Staff 1973-74

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