Environmental Sciences Director
Welcome to our blog series where we spotlight the talented individuals behind our company. This month, we’re excited to introduce David Loy, the Director of our Environmental Sciences Division. David has been with CFB since the Fall of 2023 and brings a wealth of experience and passion to his role. We sat down with David to learn more about his journey, his current role, and the exciting world of Environmental Sciences.
David: I was fortunate to have had the opportunity to grow up essentially running wild in the salt marshes and tidal creeks of a small island along the South Carolina coast. You give a young kid access to a beat-up jon boat and let him explore the entire lowcountry within the ACE Basin (a 350,000-acre National Wildlife Refuge and NERR at the confluence of the Ashepoo, Combahee and Edisto Rivers) and let him go fishing, shrimping, clamming, harvest oysters, and hike through miles of coastal uplands – and it’s hard to imagine he would become anything else.
This exposure and unique upbringing inspired me to pursue an education in both marine biology and environmental science, specializing in estuarine ecology. Over time, I also earned certifications as a Certified Ecologist and an ISA Certified Arborist. This relatively broad focus during my educational experience and early career provided me with the foundation to be able to contribute and bring a unique perspective to a wide variety of multidisciplinary projects across the state (and U.S.).
David: I joined CFB in September of 2023 as the Environmental Director based in our Clearwater, Florida office, where I oversee the overall operations of the new environmental division. In my role I have the opportunity to work in daily collaboration with our engineers, designers, and technical specialists to support our existing client base, as well as to grow our environmental division while employing a science-driven approach to help private and public sector clients address a multitude of environmental needs across the state.
David: At CFB, we’re lucky in that not only do we have a variety of software and tools at our disposal that help facilitate communication and task assignments on projects, but we also are a great group of people that work well together, collaborate constantly, and never mind dropping into someone’s office to run through something face to face.
David: The CFB environmental team accomplishes this through our active involvement in various organizations across the Tampa Bay area and throughout the state, including the Tampa Bay Association of Environmental Professionals (TBAEP), the Florida Association of Environmental Professionals (FAEP), participation on technical advisory committees, and attendance and presentations at environmental conferences and symposia. Members of the CFB Environmental team have been recognized as subject matter experts and have been requested to provide peer reviews of professional work by others, as well as to co-author technical papers. This involvement keeps us consistently engaged with other firms and in regular contact with state and federal agencies, which keeps us informed of upcoming regulatory updates—a significant benefit that we pass on to our clients and their projects.
David: I would say, in our industry it really helps to be a jack of all trades. Throughout my career, it has been routine to spend one day diving in Tampa Bay to collect detailed data on seagrasses, octocorals, and scleractinian corals, or wading through a mangrove swamp. While the next day, I might be excavating gopher tortoises along the Lake Wales Ridge or delineating freshwater wetlands and designing mitigation options to compensate for project-related impacts in the interior of the state.
With that in mind, when choosing schools first seek out strong interdisciplinary programs to build a broad foundation. Additionally, whenever you have the opportunity to intern or volunteer, always say yes! Get exposed to as many different facets of the industry as you can.
David: Over the years, the use of certain technologies as part of our everyday workflow has become increasingly prevalent. Advances in data collection and analysis tools, such as remote sensing, satellite imagery, and AI-driven modeling, could allow us to monitor ecosystems with greater precision. Additionally, the use of AI and machine learning can significantly enhance the efficiency and profitability of land development projects. These advanced tools, when used in concert with environmental scientists and ecologists, can predict the environmental outcomes of various development scenarios, allowing developers to make informed decisions that maximize both economic returns and environmental sustainability.
By optimizing land use through data-driven insights, developers can identify the most viable and least risky strategies, thereby reducing costs associated with environmental mitigation and compliance. Embracing these technologies will not only streamline the development process but also help developers position themselves as leaders in sustainable development, attracting environmentally conscious investors and clients while ensuring long-term project success.
Stay tuned for more insights from our team and an inside look at how we deliver exceptional solutions with expertise and innovation.
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We're excited to announce that our Clearwater office has moved to its new location!