Title: Senior Environmental Scientist
Company: Water Resource Associates LLC
Location: Pensacola, Florida, United States
Paul B. Looney, senior environmental scientist at Water Resource Associates LLC, has been recognized by Marquis Who’s Who Top Scientists for dedication, achievements, and leadership in environmental science and marine biology.
With over three and a half decades of experience, Mr. Looney has built a successful career in environmental science and marine biology. He currently serves as a senior environmental scientist at WRA Engineering, a position he has held since 2021. In this role, he oversees the monitoring of approximately 25 projects, manages teams of up to four or five people, ensures all projects stay within budget, conducts quality control on reports related to listed species, wetlands, and permits, and oversees project execution. His experience also includes serving as a senior scientist at SCALAR Consulting Group Inc. from 2015 to 2021, a senior ecologist and project manager from 2014 to 2015, a senior ecologist and senior project manager at Volkert Inc. from 2001 to 2014, and as an environmental specialist III at the Florida Department of Environmental Protection from 2000 to 2001.
Prior to these roles, Mr. Looney was a project manager and ecologist at The Environmental Company Inc. from 1998 to 2000, an ecologist at Ecology and Environment Inc. from 1993 to 1998, an environmental specialist I at the Florida Department of Environmental Protection from 1992 to 1993, adjunct professor and plant ecologist at the University of West Florida from 1988 to 1992, and held multiple positions at Anadrill Schlumberger, including drilling planning center manager from 1987 to 1988, corporate computer systems testing from 1983 to 1987, and well logging unit manager from 1980 to 1983. His career began as a seaman at Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution from 1966 to 1971.
Mr. Looney has also served as a board member for several organizations, including the National Association of Environmental Professionals and the Florida Association of Environmental Professionals. He is affiliated with the Society of Wetland Scientists, the Academy of Board-Certified Environmental Professionals, the Society for Ecological Restoration, the Ecological Society of America, the Kappa Phi Honor Society, and the Institute of Diving. Additionally, he has been a member of the Certification Review Board for the Academy of Board-Certified Environmental Professionals since 2023 and currently chairs the Technical Committee for the Pensacola and Perdido Bays Estuary Program, a role he has held since 2022. He also contributed as a teacher for the I LOVE Science Program from 2006 to 2014 and is the author of several professional journal articles.
In recognition of his impressive undertakings, Mr. Looney has been honored with the Norm Arnold Award for Outstanding Service from the National Association of Environmental Professionals, Environmental Professional of the Year from the Northwest Chapter of the Florida Association of Environmental Professionals, and the Engineering Project of the Year Environmental Award for Mitigation. Laying a solid educational foundation, he earned a Bachelor of Science in biology with a marine emphasis from The Pennsylvania State University in 1980 and a Master of Science in Coastal Zone Studies from the University of West Florida in 1992. He holds several certifications, including Authorized Gopher Tortoise Agent, Certified Environmental Professional, Senior Professional Wetland Scientist, and Certified Senior Ecologist from the Ecological Society of America.
Mr. Looney takes great pride in his work on a coastal restoration project aimed at rebuilding a coastal peninsula south of Bayou La Batre, which protected the coastal habitat in Little Bay before Hurricane Katrina. This project was inducted into the State of Alabama Engineering Hall of Fame and won the 2011 Gulf Guardian Award from the USEPA, along with a total of six separate awards. He was also recognized for his contributions to the Environmental Impact Statement for the Choctaw Point Container Terminal project for the Alabama State Port Authority. Additionally, he is recognized as a nationwide expert in the National Environmental Policy Act and has contributed to several large-scale public works environmental documents for numerous U.S. Army Corps of Engineers districts across the country. He attributes his success to his ability to overcome obstacles in his field. Looking ahead, his goal is to continue finding happiness in his career, feeling positive about both his work environment and the people he works alongside.
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