Charles T. Mitchell

          Robert H. Moore

D. SHANE BECK, PRESIDENT/SENIOR SCIENTIST  top
Over 17 years of experience conducting environmental monitoring and reporting programs throughout southern California. Assisted in the design of 316(b) field sampling programs for eight coastal generating stations, and currently manages MBC's ongoing 316(b) monitoring programs. Experienced in all phases of data analysis, technical writing, and project management for nearshore marine, estuarine, and terrestrial environmental surveys. Experienced with regulatory agency interfacing and CEQA/NEPA compliance. Field experience includes water column profiling, water and sediment chemistry sample collection, otter trawls, beam trawls, plankton tows, beach seines, rocky intertidal habitat assessments, benthic infauna collection, eelgrass restoration, and fish and invertebrate identification. 

CHARLES T. MITCHELL, VICE PRESIDENT OF MARINE BIOLOGY/MANAGING SCIENTIST top
Founder and former President of MBC with over 47 years experience in directing and implementing environmental studies involving the monitoring and assessment of the effects of resource utilization on coastal environments from southern California to Alaska. He has published over 20 scientific papers, and is the senior author or editor on more than 600 major reports for industry, government, and academia. His major areas of expertise include fish ecology, habitat enhancement of coastal wetlands and kelp beds, fisheries, and artificial reef ecology.

Mr. Mitchell has worked closely with clients and local, state, and federal regulatory agencies. He is the designer and patent holder of a variety of marine sampling devices. Active in both the private and academic sector, he currently serves as an appointed member of the Biology Advisory Council at the California State University, Long Beach, is the past Chairman of the American Institute of Fisheries Research Biologist- Southern California District. Member of the California Department of Fish and Game's Scientific Support Team for the Upper Newport Bay Ecological Reserve, and a member of the Board of Directors of Pro Esteros, a bi-national organization for the preservation of Baja California's coastal wetlands. He has also served as an invited panelist on joint US and Mexican meetings on environmental issues facing Baja California.

MICHAEL J. MANCUSO, VICE PRESIDENT OPERATIONS/MANAGING SCIENTIST top
37 years of experience in marine biology, with expertise in QA/QC protocols, health and safety programs, and toxicity testing. Responsible for field scheduling and coordination, laboratory scheduling and turn-around, field and laboratory QA/QC, health and safety, and logistical activities at MBC since 1976. Experienced QA/QC Officer for NPDES receiving water monitoring programs, 316(b) monitoring programs, SONGS REMP, freshwater and marine acute and chronic aquatic toxicity testing. Routinely directs computer operations; configuring hardware and software packages, designing and implementing databases, and designating the most appropriate software or analysis required for project specific applications. Responsible for the development, implementation, training, safety audits, and revisions for all health and safety programs. Interface with local, state, and federal regulatory agencies.

MICHAEL D. CURTIS, SENIOR SCIENTIST  top
35 years of experience as a marine biologist with specialized expertise in coastal benthic ecology and fishes. Expert in kelp bed restoration and eelgrass restoration in coastal lagoons and bays. Responsible for design, implementation, and management of marine monitoring programs. Experienced with NEPA and CEQA requirements for impact assessment documentation for biological components of EIRs and EISs. Interface with local, state, and federal regulatory agencies. Experienced in impact assessment for the Endangered Species Act. Also serves as the MBC Diving Safety Officer.

CAROL L. PAQUETTE, SENIOR SCIENTIST  top
42 years of experience studying marine and terrestrial habitats throughout southern California. Experience includes biological assessments of sensitive species, biological site assessments, field identification of coastal salt marsh, freshwater marsh, riparian, beach, and coastal plants and animals. Expertise in the collection and identification of marine plants and animals from mudflats to intertidal to coastal habitats. Experienced in marsh and riparian habitat restoration and monitoring, and coastal bird surveys. Experienced in all aspects of data collection, reduction, and analysis. 

DAVID G. VILAS, SENIOR SCIENTIST top
27 years of experience in the field of marine biology, specializing in the identification of marine annelids. Experience includes collection and identification of fish and invertebrates, kelp and eelgrass restoration projects, bird surveys and water quality and sediment testing. Currently serving as Project Manager and Technical Writer on MBC projects and reports. Manages MBC’s Biological Laboratory, supervising the technical staff, maintaining QA/QC requirements, and ensuring timely project completion. Experience with regulatory and CEQA/NEPA compliance and preparing impact assessments for coastal and terrestrial sites. Experience preparing environmental documentation for several planned seawater desalination facilities in southern California with knowledge of impacts related to the intake of seawater and discharge of by-product brine into the coastal environment.