DILLON DRAUGHN, PRESIDENT

Mr. Draughn is a coastal engineer with a deep-rooted connection to Northwest Florida, where he has lived most of his life. Growing up along the Gulf Coast, he developed a strong appreciation for the local marine environment through boating, fishing, and hands-on experiences with the region’s waters. He holds both Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Civil and Coastal Engineering from the University of South Alabama and has since built a notable career in Florida. As a Coastal Engineer with Baskerville-Donovan, Mr. Draughn has collaborated in numerous multi-million-dollar waterfront projects, bringing expertise in coastal hydrodynamic modeling, permitting, nature-based solutions, and the complex dynamics of coastal processes. Known for his proficiency in coastal and marine construction, Mr. Draughn is a respected professional in the field, dedicated to creating sustainable, innovative solutions for coastal development and protection.

EMILY HARRIS, VICE PRESIDENT

Emily Harris is an Instructor with the Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences at the University of West Florida (UWF). Emily received a bachelor’s and master’s of sciences in Environmental Sciences focusing on Environmental Management from UWF. In addition to teaching, Emily is also the Programs Specialist with UWF’s Office of Undergraduate Research (OUR). She coordinates various research programs with faculty and students to facilitate and support undergraduate student engagement in research and scholarly activities. Outside of serving the UWF community, Emily enjoys spending time with her husband and dogs traveling and being outdoors.

Brandi Woolery, Secretary

Brandi Woolery is an Environmental Scientist with Dewberry Engineers Inc. holding professional experience in the dynamic coastal and upland systems found across the Florida and Alabama Gulf Coast. She is knowledgeable in the requirements of local, state, and federal permits needed for various environmental tasks and construction projects. Proficient in the ArcGIS program suite, she is able to collect, analyze, and present focal data for public education or client visualization purposes. Brandi is also an FWC Authorized Gopher Tortoise Agent and is an advocate for the protection of threatened and endangered species. Brandi also serves as a Marketing Coordinator for Dewberry’s multiple Florida offices. These responsibilities include proposal development, interview preparation, writing and distributing, client research and supporting project managers in their marketing efforts. Outside of work, she enjoys playing volleyball and tennis, being creative, and spoiling her dogs and cats.

AMY MIXON, TREASURER

Ms. Amy Mixon, Senior Project Engineer at AECOM, is a registered Professional Engineer in Florida and Alabama with over 21 years of experience specializing in management and performance of investigations and remedial programs for hazardous material/waste and petroleum sites and compliance projects for private, public, and Department of Defense clients. As Senior Project Engineer/Manager of large contamination investigations, she has secured permits (including permits for discharge of treatment effluent via UIC and NPDES), and coordinated project activities including work planning, fieldwork, report preparation, and monitoring of subcontractor operations. Ms. Mixon recently received her Project Management certification from AECOM. Ms. Mixon received her degree in Chemical Engineering from Auburn University and worked in industry for several years before joining Ecology and Environment, Inc.’s (E & E’s) Pensacola office in 1996 as an environmental consultant. She worked 17 years with E & E before joining AECOM in 2014. In addition to FAEP, Ms. Mixon is active in the local chapter of Air and Waste Management Association where she also serves on the board.

KATE DAWSON, BOARD MEMBER

Kate Dawson is a Coastal Engineer with Moffatt & Nichol in Pensacola, FL. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Marine Biology from the University of West Florida and a Masters in Civil Engineering, with a concentration in coastal engineering, from the University of South Alabama. Kate operates as a scientist, engineer, and/or assistant project manager on environmental restoration projects along the nation’s shorelines. She is experienced in field investigations, data processing and analyses, development and analyses of design alternatives, permitting, management planning, technical writing, development of construction documents, and outreach. With an education in both biology and engineering, Kate is especially passionate about the integration of sustainable environmental and engineering practices to design and implement restoration projects. She spends her free time taking long walks, reading, cooking, and spending time with family and friends.

MIKE FAZIO, BOARD MEMBER

Mike earned both a Bachelor’s and a Master’s degree in Environmental Science from the University of West Florida (UWF). Since then, he has built a strong professional foundation in Geographic Information Systems (GIS), where he focuses on transforming data into actionable insights. His expertise recently led him to earn the Geographic Information Systems Professional (GISP) designation from the GIS Certification Institute. He currently serves as an Environmental GIS Specialist with the Santa Rosa County Environmental Department, where he is developing a GIS-based data portal to track water quality in the region’s local water bodies. In his free time, he enjoys surfing, boating, going to the beach, and spending time with family and friends.

RICHARD LOONEY, BOARD MEMBER

Richard Looney is currently a Staff Environmental Scientist/GIS Analyst at WRA Engineering based out of Tampa, Florida. Richard is a graduate of the University of West Florida with a Bachelor’s Degree of Science in Marine Biology. He has assisted in beach dune restoration planting projects in the north panhandle of Florida and point count surveys of migratory avian species. He has experience in wildlife medicine, emergency animal medicine / critical care / dermatology / surgery, fish identification / sampling / survey, and coastal and estuarine ecology. On Pensacola Beach, he was an Eco-tour guide tasked with educating tourists and residents about the beach and coastal ecology, which included everything from migratory and non-migratory avian species, fisheries, endemic species, sand dunes, hurricane impacts, and human impacts.

Since joining the WRA Environmental team in 2021 he has become a FWC Authorized Gopher Tortoise Agent, Qualified Stormwater Management Inspector, GIS Certifications through USF, and FDEP SOP Water Sampling Training. He has a passion for ecology and wildlife conservation. He is experienced in wetland delineations, gopher tortoise surveys/relocation/permitting, listed species surveying, bog frog surveying, groundwater/surface water sampling, wetland maintenance and exotic species removal, wetland monitoring, drone piloting and surveying, GIS analyst (ArcMap / ArcPro / ArcHydro), land surveying (Carlson Surveying equipment), and permitting.

KATIE BOWES, BOARD MEMBER

Katie is a Professional Wetland Scientist and Ecosystems Team Lead for Drummond Carpenter in Pensacola, FL. Her love for wetlands and the environment began as a kid growing up on the coast in New Orleans, LA. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Natural Resource Management and a Master of Science in Coastal Sciences, with a focus on Wetland Biogeochemistry, from Louisiana State University. Katie has over 10 years of experience in the environmental field, working for the private sector as well as the federal and local branches of government. Katie manages a multitude of different projects, ranging from water quality assessments, shoreline and wetland management, permitting, and policy development for sustainable land planning. Katie is also the acting Chair for the Society of Wetland Scientists South Atlantic Chapter and participates in a national mentorship program for early career wetland scientists. In her free time, Katie enjoys birding, walking her dog, and looking for unique plants at all the local parks.

TRAVIS ERICKSON, BOARD MEMBER

Travis is an environmental and geospatial professional with an expansive educational background extended into environmental science, geographic information science, information technology, digital media, and advertising. Travis is the GIS Lab Manager in the Earth and Environmental Sciences department with the University of West Florida. Travis has a background in water reclamation and utilities engineering having worked for Emerald Coast Utilities Authority as a GIS Analyst and a Laboratory Analyst. Travis loves working with data and seeing what kind of analyses and useful results he can pull from it. During his free time Travis enjoys checking out the nature trails, going to art galleries, and spending time with his cats.