Jason Throneberry
Trussville
Summary
Elevating conservation efforts and implementation, I spearheaded strategic initiatives at The Nature Conservancy of Alabama and within the Southern Division, enhancing restoration projects and operational efficiency. My expertise in strategic planning and team leadership, coupled with a knack for fostering cross-functional collaboration, significantly improved stakeholder engagement and conservation outcomes. I am currently working to implement fish passage and restoration projects across the Southern Division (i.e., Lower Alabama River Fish Passage, Southern Appalachian Sediment Abatement Lead, Co-lead for Southern Division Freshwater Planning, and Southern Deltas Team). This work solidifies my commitment to working across the Southern Division to achieve freshwater conservation goals to retain and bolster our resilient and connected freshwater network for overall sustainable aquatic ecosystem resilience.
Overview
16
16
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Director of Freshwater Programs
The Nature Conservancy of Alabama
03.2017 - Current
- Directed strategic initiatives to enhance organizational growth and restoration project implementation at scale.
- Achieved operational efficiency by leading cross-functional teams (i.e., Sediment Abatement lead for the Southern Appalachians, Co-lead for Southern Division Freshwater Planning, AL BU lead for the Southern Deltas Team, and Souther Division Portfolio Watershed Development Team)
- Implemented innovative solutions to enhance restoration at scale in priority watersheds in AL and across the Southern Division. Implemented strategic conservation assessment and prioritization for watersheds in AL and across the Southern Division.
- Improved stakeholder engagement with clear communication and strategic planning.
- Developed actionable plans for achieving business goals and increasing conservation outcomes.
- Optimized resource allocation within priority watersheds to maximize team productivity and effectiveness.
- Guided senior leadership team to align business strategies with organizational objectives for Freshwater conservation and restoration.
- Set performance standards for Freshwater program to achieve high-quality, sustainable results.
- Created a collaborative environment, enhancing team morale and performance for the Freshwater Program.
- Enhanced decision-making processes by analyzing data trends and insights (e.g., Stream morphology assessments, connected and resilient freshwater resource assessments, and created a successful and repeatable watershed restoration strategy in priority watersheds.
- Managed complex grant projects, ensuring timely delivery and budget adherence.
- Fostered partnerships with external stakeholders to achieve mutual conservation and restoration goals (i.e., state, federal, and NGOs).
- Spearheaded initiatives to enhance conservation outcomes across the Southern Division (i.e., Sediment Abatement lead for the Southern Appalachians, Co-lead for Southern Division Freshwater Planning, AL BU lead for the Southern Deltas Team, and Souther Division Portfolio Watershed Development Team).
- Improved team skills and capabilities through targeted training and development programs.
- Enhanced team collaboration through regular communication, goal setting, and performance evaluations.
- Established a culture of continuous improvement by fostering open communication channels and empowering employees to voice their ideas.
- Managed budgets effectively to ensure optimal use of resources while maintaining financial stability.
- Strengthened internal controls by reviewing existing policies and procedures, ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements.
- Improved project efficiency with strategic planning, resource allocation, and time management practices.
- Implemented innovative solutions to solve complex problems, resulting in increased restoration implementation.
- Leveraged professional networks and industry knowledge to strengthen internal and partner relationships.
- Enhanced data-driven decision-making by implementing advanced analytics and reporting tools.
- Assisted in recruiting, hiring and training of team members.
Aquatic Ecologist
Arkansas Natural Heritage Commission
01.2009 - 03.2017
- Conducted environmental surveys to assess ecosystem health and biodiversity.
- Improved data accuracy by meticulously recording field observations and findings.
- Analyzed ecological data for development of conservation strategies.
- Enhanced research outcomes with comprehensive environmental impact assessments.
- Collaborated with cross-functional teams to ensure alignment of ecological initiatives.
- Generated reports on species population dynamics for informed decision-making.
- Developed restoration plans for habitat improvement and biodiversity preservation.
- Conducted field research to gather data on aquatic habitats and species' migration patterns.
- Assisted in preparation of grant applications for funding ecological restoration projects.
- Enhanced ecosystem understanding with detailed ecological assessments.
- Coordinated with local agencies to address environmental concerns and regulations.
- Improved habitat conditions by implementing effective conservation measures.
- Conducted literature reviews to support ecological research and publications.
- Provided technical support to interdisciplinary research teams.
- Assessed environmental impacts of proposed projects for compliance with state and federal regulations.
- Contributed to the development of environmental policies based on scientific understanding of ecological processes.
- Managed grant-funded restoration projects, ensuring timely completion within budget constraints.
- Established long-term partnerships with government agencies, non-profit organizations, universities, and private stakeholders for collaborative conservation efforts.
- Increased awareness of regional ecology among decision-makers through presentations at conferences, workshops, or meetings.
- Designed ecological monitoring programs to track changes in ecosystem health over time.
- Collaborated with interdisciplinary teams to develop sustainable land management strategies.
- Prepared technical reports, presenting findings from field studies, data analysis, and environmental assessments.
- Developed habitat management plans to protect endangered species and promote ecological diversity.
- Monitored water quality in streams, rivers, and wetlands to inform conservation efforts.
- Prepared detailed scientific reports or presentations based on findings.
- Completed permit applications and maintained species collection permits.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Fisheries And Wildlife Biology
Arkansas Tech University
Russellville, ARMaster of Science - Biology - Emphasis in Rare Species Ecology
Tennessee Technological University
Cookeville, TN05-2009
Skills
- Strategic planning
- Budget management
- Team leadership
- Project oversight
- Stakeholder engagement
- Resource allocation
- Goal setting
- Operational efficiency
- Data analysis
- Risk management
- Cross-functional collaboration
- Process improvement
- Program implementation
- Contract negotiations
Accomplishments
- Successfully created and implemented watershed-scale assessment, prioritization, and project implementation for the Alabama Freshwater Program
- Successfully reconfigured the Alabama Freshwater Program to increase the pace and scale of freshwater conservation and system resiliency
- Successfully received, managed, and completed several federal, state, and NGO grants
- Successfully cultivated and enhanced collaboration among TNC and other federal, state, and NGOs
- Project lead for the Lower Alabama River Fish Passage Project (Global TNC Priority)
- Project lead for the Pearl River Fish Passage Project (Southern Deltas Priority)
- Project lead for the Southern Appalachian Sediment Abatement Team
- Co-lead for Southern Division Freshwater Planning
- Lead for Sustainable Rivers Program projects in Alabama
- President of the Alabama Chapter of the American Fisheries Society
Affiliations
- American Fisheries Society
- Alabama Rivers and Streams Network
- Southern Appalachians Team
- Southern Deltas Team
- Southern Division Freshwater Planning Team
Certification
- Certified Fisheries Biologist
- Rosgen Fluvial Geomorphology Level 4 Certified
- Boat Operation Safety Certified
- Whitewater Safety Certified
- Advanced Wilderness and First Aid
Timeline
Director of Freshwater Programs
The Nature Conservancy of Alabama
03.2017 - Current
Aquatic Ecologist
Arkansas Natural Heritage Commission
01.2009 - 03.2017
Bachelor of Science - Fisheries And Wildlife Biology
Arkansas Tech University
Master of Science - Biology - Emphasis in Rare Species Ecology
Tennessee Technological University