John Ford
Honolulu
Summary
Dynamic Senior Environmental Consultant with extensive experience in federal and commercial sectors throughout the Indo-Pacific region, excelling in NEPA compliance, natural and cultural resources planning and management, and integration of geospatial technologies. Proven track record in fostering client relationships and leading successful field studies. Adept at mentoring junior staff, building strong teams, and driving strategic initiatives.
Overview
48
48
years of professional experience
Work History
Senior Environmental Scientist/Indo-Pacific Business Development
SCOUT Environmental
Honolulu
07.2024 - Current
- Spearhead efforts to establish and grow Scout’s presence in Hawaii and the broader Indo-Pacific AOR, including strategic planning, relationship building, and leveraging connections to generate new business opportunities federal agencies.
- Collaborate with staff scientists to support projects involving natural resources, and aquatic science issues and NEPA compliance.
Environmental and Historic Preservation Specialist (Cadre)
Tidal Basin Group
Honolulu
04.2024 - 09.2025
- Collaborated with both corporate and Hawaii Emergency Management Agency (HIEMA) staffs to prepare grant application packages in support of FEMA funding for community recovery and mitigation efforts following recent flood and fire disasters in the State of Hawaii.
- Experience includes the preparation of FEMA EHP (Environmental and Historic Preservation) assessments and maps for projects throughout the Hawaii Archipelago, including HMGP 4365, 4366, 4510, 4639, and 5474, and responding to FEMA RFIs, as needed.
- Demobilized following successful completion of contract obligations.
Senior Associate Scientist, Natural Resources and Environmental Planning
Haley & Aldrich, Inc.
Honolulu
02.2022 - 09.2023
- Served as Senior Environmental Scientist and Natural Resources Specialist and performed business development, project management, client liaison, and mentored junior staff.
- Led field studies for wetland determination and compensatory mitigation, identification of Waters of the United States in complex development actions involving multiple agencies.
- Contribute to the preparation of NEPA documents for federal activities and maintain liaison with resource and regulatory agency staff.
Senior Program Manager
Tetra Tech-EMI, Inc.
Honolulu
11.2018 - 02.2022
- Served as senior program and project manager for regulatory compliance and natural resource management projects supporting government and commercial clients.
- Responsible for recruiting staff to service a broader client base, marketing, and business development with federal, states, and local agencies and teaming partners.
- Directed project planning, NEPA and CWA compliance and permitting.
- Conducted field studies; evaluated historic, architectural, archeological, cultural reviews, and air and water quality impacts, and integrated geospatial information technologies for facilities and environmental resource management.
Pacific Operations Manager
Cardno-GS, Inc.
Honolulu
01.2016 - 08.2018
- Managed office operations in Hawaii, Guam, CNMI and Pacific-wide to include project planning, resource allocation, and office performance.
- Led business development efforts to identify potential new clients/projects, developed strategies for winning new clients and contracts, and diversified client and services portfolios.
- Identified potential hires and strategic recruits and fostered organic growth within the Pacific region.
- Participated on the proposal team for Cardno’s successful bid on a $65M Naval Facilities Engineering Command Pacific environmental planning services contract.
- Co-authored the successful proposal for a $18.5M U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Honolulu District environmental services IDIQ contract.
Senior Environmental Consultant/Expert Consultant
ICF International, Inc.
San Francisco
10.2012 - 01.2016
- Provided consulting services in biological and natural resource science, impact assessment, mitigation planning, compliance and permitting.
- Developed new cross-organizational business opportunities with a focus on Hawaii and the Pacific region.
- Led Hawaii regional strategic teaming, proposal development, subcontracting, and project management; and maintain the highest quality standards for technical accuracy and timeliness of deliverables.
- Designed and conducted natural resource field studies on the Marin Peninsula and on the Island of Lanai and represented the firm and its clients before state and federal resource agencies.
Principal and Office Director
SWCA Environmental Consultants
Honolulu
06.2003 - 06.2012
- Opened the Honolulu, Hawaii office for SWCA Environmental Consultants (SWCA) in June of 2003, and a Guam project office in July 2007.
- Prepared annual and strategic plans, business development and marketing strategies, and conducted team building, contract and subcontract management, project, and operations management, and client liaison, and for overseeing P&L to ensure profitability.
- Recruited and mentored professional staff. Provided technical consulting expertise and leadership in natural and cultural resources, environmental compliance and permitting, and coordinated the work of in-house teams of experts and associate scientists on complex projects.
Vice President, Asia Pacific Operations Director
Geo InSight International, Inc.
Carpinteria
04.1993 - 06.2003
- Advanced the growth of this award-winning 8(a) WBE/MBE disadvantaged business to over 50 employees, and revenue of over $10 million.
- Recruited and mentored professional staff, developed and nurtured client relationships, particularly within the DoD and among other technology providers, developed marketing strategies, and led efforts to expand and open new business lines, representing the firm at industry trade shows.
- Project Manager for Department of Defense agency installation mapping projects for facilities and environmental management throughout Japan, Okinawa, South Korea, and the western continental United States.
- Granted Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) status at GS-14 grade.
Pacific Islands Land Protection Coordinator
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Honolulu
06.1981 - 04.1993
- Received several promotions over my tenure with the USFWS, including Acting Field Supervisor, Ecological Services, Ventura, CA (1992-1993); Pacific Islands Land Protection Coordinator, National Wildlife Refuges, Honolulu, HI (1989-1992); Supervisory Fish and Wildlife Biologist, Ecological Services, Honolulu (1986-1989); Senior Staff Biologist, Ecological Services, Honolulu (1983-1985); and Fishery Biologist, Ecological Services, Honolulu (1981-1983).
- Designed and led field studies to fulfill agency responsibilities under NEPA, FWCA, ESA, MBTA, CWA, CERCLA, MMPA, and related federal laws, regulations, policies, and guidelines.
- Provided advice and assistance to state and local government agencies relating to the development, execution, and maintenance of adequate environmental protection plans and programs, and the development and review of related grant proposals relating to invasive and endangered species management, and maintenance of instream flows.
- Administered multimillion-dollar federal land acquisition, habitat protection, and environmental contaminant budgets, and supervised 21 staff biologists.
Ecologist
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, USACE
Honolulu
06.1978 - 06.1981
- Provided environmental compliance support to the Chief of the Planning Branch, Engineering Division, for civil works projects, and to the Chief of the Operations Branch, for Section 404 and Section 10 permit applications.
- Conducted field studies for land and water resources development projects and permit applications throughout Hawaii, Guam, the former Trust Territories of the Pacific Islands, and American Samoa.
Education
Certificate - Exec Program in Natural Resources Management
Penn State University
University Park, PA12-1990
M.S. - Zoology (Limnology)
University of Hawaii At Manoa
Honolulu, HI05-1979
B.A. - Zoology (Marine Biology)
University of Hawaii At Manoa
Honolulu, HI12-1977
Skills
- NEPA compliance
- Environmental assessments
- Project management
- Business development
- Regulatory analysis
- Natural resource management
- Client relationship management
- Field studies coordination
- Team leadership
- Mentoring junior staff
- Relationship building
- Wetland delineation
- Permitting support
- Habitat assessment
- Ecosystem management
- Geospatial analysis
Journals And Technical Papers
Twenty-five scientific research papers and technical studies published in refereed journals and grey literature (technical reports). Lists of publications and 60 selected contract reports available upon request.
Volunteer Experience
- Aquatic Invasive Species Advisory Group, Hawaii DLNR, 2006-2012
- Hanalei Estuary Baseline Study, Former Steering Committee Member, 1980-1985
- Hawaii Biodiversity Joint Venture, Coordinator, 1989
- Hawaii DOE K-12 Lecturer in Hawaii/Pacific Island Aquatic Ecosystems, 1977-Present
- Hawaii DOH 208 Water Quality Planning Committee, Member, 1983-1985
- Hawaii DOH Water Quality Standards Advisory Group, Member, 2009-2010
- Hawaii Interagency GIS Forum, Co-Founder, 1991
- Hawaii Natural Area Reserves System Commission, Commissioner and Acting Chair, 1988-1990
- Hawaii State Department of Education, Science Lecturer and Field Trip Leader, 1981-1986
- Hawaii Water Resources Functional Plan Advisory Committee, Member, 1984-1986
- Honolulu Federal Executive Board, Member, 1980-1981
- Mentor, 2025 Society of American Military Engineers STEM Camp, Hawaii
- Ojai Valley Land Conservancy, Board Member, 1995-1997
- University of Hawaii at Manoa, College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources, Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Management, Lecturer, 2019-Present
- USGS East Maui Water Working Group, 2006-2008
Professional Society Memberships
- American Society for the Advancement of Science
- Society of American Military Engineers
- National Military Fish and Wildlife Association
- National Association of Environmental Professionals
- National Association of Wetland Managers
References
References available upon request.
Notable Project Experience
- Environmental Assessment (EA) for Glass Breakwater Repair, Apra Harbor, Guam. SCOUT Environmental under subcontract to HDR, Inc. for the Naval Facilities Engineering Command. 2024-2025.
- Draft Environmental Impact Assessment (DEA) for Irrigation Water Intake Construction for the Hanalei National Wildlife Refuge, KPFF Engineers, Honolulu, HI. 2022-2023.
- Wetland Delineation Haena State Park Public Parking Lot, Hui Makaainana o Makana, 2023.
- Terrestrial Endangered Species Surveys of Plants and Animals for the Defense Policy Review Initiative (DPRI) and Naval Facilities Engineering Command Pacific (NAVFAC Pac) at eight DoD sites on Oahu. 2021-2022.
- Section 7 Consultation, Biological Assessment (BA), and Draft Environmental Assessment (DEA) for Construction and Operation of the U.S. Air Force Secure Information Support Laboratory (SISL) and Land Acquisition, Kihei, Maui, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Mobile District, 2020-2022.
- Natural and Cultural Resource Management Strategies and Programmatic Agreements, U.S. Coast Guard Air Station, Barbers Point, Oahu, HI. 2020-2022.
- Joint Region Marianas (JRM) Integrated Natural Resources Management Plan (INRMP), Naval Facilities Engineering Command Pacific, Honolulu, HI. 2017-2018.
- Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands Joint Military Training (CJMT) EIS/OEIS, Naval Facilities Engineering Command Pacific, Honolulu, HI. 2016-2018.
- Economic Assessment for the Main Hawaiian Island (MHI) Insular False Killer Whale Critical Habitat Designation, National Marine Fisheries Service, Honolulu, HI. 2017-2018.
- Instream Flow for Habitat Protection Evaluations in Hawaii, Guam, American Samoa, and the former Trust Territories of the Pacific Islands. 1988-2020.
- Permitting Support for Hydroelectric Power Generation, Gay & Robinson, Kauai, HI. 2014-2016. Maintenance-of-Way Compliance Planning, Sonoma-Marin Area Rail Transit (SMART), San Francisco, CA. 2014-2016.
- Green Infrastructure Economic Incentives and Hot Spot Mapping of the Maunalua Bay Watershed, Oahu for Malama Maunalua. 2019-2020.
- Waters of the United States (WoUS) Determination for Municipal Drainage Improvements, Lanai City, HI. 2015-2016.
- Watershed Restoration and Flood Control Project and Environmental Assessment (EA), Kamehameha Schools, Punaluu Valley, Oahu, HI. 2010-2014.
- Instream Flow Assessment Planning, Hawaiian Islands, Kamehameha Schools and Maui Land and Pineapple Company, HI. 2003 – 2012.
- Multispecies Habitat Conservation Plan Development and Support for NEPA Compliance at Kahuku Wind, Kaheawa II Wind, and Kawailoa Wind Farms. 2010-2012.
- Endangered Species Surveys for NEPA Compliance, MV-22 Osprey Deployment at DoD Airfields on Oahu, and Hawaii Islands. 2011.
- Feral Ungulate Management Plan for the Pacific Missile Range Facility at Makaha Ridge Kauai, Naval Facilities Engineering Command Hawaii, Honolulu, HI. 2010-2011.
- Marine Monitoring of Haputo and Orote Peninsula Ecological Reserve Areas, Guam. 2009-2010.
- Statewide Noxious Invasive Pest Program (SNIPP), Hawaii Department of Transportation Highways Division, 2009-2012.
- Natural Resources Compliance Support for a Confidential Commercial Client, Island of Lanai, HI. 2012- 2018.
- Habitat Conservation Planning for Wailea 670, Honualua LLC, Maui, HI. 2006-2012.
- Natural Resources and Watershed Condition Assessment and Resource Mapping for the Kalaupapa National Historic Park (NHP), Molokai; National Park Service, Honolulu, HI. 2009-2010.
- Phase I/II Site Assessments, Matson Shipping Lines, Polaris Point Industrial Park, Guam. 2009.
- Surveys and Recommendations for Conservation of the Listed Endangered Blackburn Sphinx Moth on Privately-Owned Commercial Property, Kahului, Maui. 2009-2010.
- Alternate Water Supply Study for the Navy in Southern Guam, Navy Region Marianas, 2008.
- Biological Consulting Support for Confidential Commercial Client, West Maui, Hawaii. 2008.
- Instream Flow Assessments and Recommendations for East and West Maui Surface Water Contested Case Hearings, Cades Schutte LLC, Honolulu, HI. 2003 – 2006.
- Vegetation Management Planning and Research, U.S. Marine Corps Base Hawaii, 2006.
- GIS Strategic and Implementation Planning, U.S. Air Force. 1999-2002.
- Installation Mapping and Enterprise GIS Development for Facilities and Environmental Resource Management for the Air Force, Marine Corps, and Navy within the PACOM AOR. 1994-2000.
- Stormwater Study at Marine Corps Air Station Futenma, Okinawa, Japan, General Services Administration, Arlington, VA. 2000 – 2001.
- Vegetation Community Mapping, MCB Camp Pendleton, CA. 1995.
- Guam National Wildlife Refuge Acquisition and Establishment, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Honolulu, HI. 1990-1992.
- Kilauea Forest National Wildlife Refuge Planning, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Honolulu, HI. 1989-1992.
- Oahu Forest National Wildlife Refuge Acquisition and NEPA EA, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Honolulu, HI. 1990-1992.
- Pacific Islands Hydropower Feasibility Study (Samoa and Hawaii), USACE, Honolulu District, HI. 1980-1981.
- Limnology of Lake Susupe for Flood Control, Honolulu District USACE, Saipan, CNMI. 1978 – 1980.
Accomplishments
Awarded an Internship by the Japan External Trade Relations Organization (JETRO), Tokyo and Naha, Japan, 1999.
Timeline
Senior Environmental Scientist/Indo-Pacific Business Development
SCOUT Environmental
07.2024 - Current
Environmental and Historic Preservation Specialist (Cadre)
Tidal Basin Group
04.2024 - 09.2025
Senior Associate Scientist, Natural Resources and Environmental Planning
Haley & Aldrich, Inc.
02.2022 - 09.2023
Senior Program Manager
Tetra Tech-EMI, Inc.
11.2018 - 02.2022
Pacific Operations Manager
Cardno-GS, Inc.
01.2016 - 08.2018
Senior Environmental Consultant/Expert Consultant
ICF International, Inc.
10.2012 - 01.2016
Principal and Office Director
SWCA Environmental Consultants
06.2003 - 06.2012
Vice President, Asia Pacific Operations Director
Geo InSight International, Inc.
04.1993 - 06.2003
Pacific Islands Land Protection Coordinator
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
06.1981 - 04.1993
Ecologist
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, USACE
06.1978 - 06.1981
Certificate - Exec Program in Natural Resources Management
Penn State University
M.S. - Zoology (Limnology)
University of Hawaii At Manoa
B.A. - Zoology (Marine Biology)
University of Hawaii At Manoa