SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY COMMITTEE

Science and Technology Committee was part of the original vision of Arthur R. Marshall, who promoted creating an interdisciplinary team of scientists and professionals to analyze environmental problems and develop solutions based on scientific data. Led by Foundation Chairman John Marshall and noted environmental engineer Joe Schweigart, the committee functions as a part of the Foundation’s Florida Environmental Institute. It consists of a dynamic group of subject-matter experts in the fields of urban planning, wetlands management and ecology who meet regularly to provide research-based, scientific input to decision-making groups such as the South Florida Water Management District Governing Board and the Palm Beach County Board of Commissioners.

COMMITTEE MEMBERS

Joseph A. “Joe” Schweigart, Chairman
Mr. Schweigart sits on the ARMF Board of Advisors and is President of JAS Water Resources Consulting, Inc. He retired from the South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) after a 42-year career in water management.

John Arthur Marshall, Co-Chairman
Mr. Marshall is the Chairman of the Board and Co-Founder of the Arthur R. Marshall Foundation (ARMF) and is a retired U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Colonel and Top Gun Pilot who worked for decades as a system engineer specializing in aircraft research, development, testing and evaluation.

Newton E. Cook
Mr. Cook is a member of the ARMF Board of Advisors and is a retired manufactures’ representative who also serves as the Executive Director of United Waterfowlers – FL, Inc.

Eric Gehring
As the Marshall Foundation’s Director of Education and a longtime naturalist, Eric advises committee members on issues pertaining to science education. He also incorporates the committee’s findings into the Everglades Education lessons he presents to learners of all ages through the Marshall Foundation’s Everglades Education Program.

Dr. Brian LaPointe
Dr. LaPointe is a member of the ARMF Board of Advisors who also serves as the Executive Director of Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute in Fort Pierce, Florida. He is a marine scientist and subject-matter expert on coral reefs and Florida Bay. Awards and recognitions include the Sigma Xi Outstanding Research Award and the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation Award.

Deborah Nichols
Ms. Nichols is on the ARMF Board of Directors and the Young Friends of the Marshall Foundation, and is the president of DL Nichols, Inc., an architecture firm specializing in historic renovation, commercial and mixed-use projects.

Dr. Stuart Pimm, Consultant to the Committee
Dr. Pimm is a Professor at Duke University where he was named the Doris Duke Ecology Chair. He is a subject-matter expert on the Cape Sable Seaside Sparrow and has published several books as a world-recognized planetary ecologist.

Joe Podgor
Executive Director of Friends of the Everglades from 1991-1995, Mr. Podgor is a long time Everglades Coalition (EvCo) activist and one of the ARMF EvCo voting members. He is also an active historian on Art Marshall history.

Dr. Tom Poulson
Dr. Poulson serves as a Senior Scientist and Advisory Board Member for ARMF, and is the Primary Mentor for the Summer Intern Program. He is an Emeritus Professor specializing in science-based interpretation and teaching through both ARMF and the Florida Atlantic University Life-Long Learning Center.

Steve Seftenberg, Esq.
Mr. Seftenberg is a member of the ARMF Board of Advisors and works as an attorney specializing in estate planning and administration. He provides tax counsel to the Foundation and is a "lay" member of the FEI Science S&T Committee.

Allen Trefry
A member of the ARMF Board of Advisors, Mr. Trefry retired recently from the position of Environmental Director for the Resources Protection Division of Palm Beach County’s Department of Environmental Resources Management.

Joel VanArman
Mr. VanArman is a member of the ARMF Board of Advisory who recently retired from a 35-year career with SFWMD. He now runs his own environmental science consulting business and teaches at the university level.

Dr. Peggy VanArman
Dr. VanArman, a professor of biology at Palm Beach Atlantic University since 1989, is a longtime member of the ARMF Board of Advisors. She is the advisor of the University’s Science Club and is an active member of Palm Beach County’s scientific community.