Julie Simmons
Saline,MI
Summary
Dynamic and results-driven Program Manager with over 20 years of experience leading large-scale environmental restoration and habitat management initiatives, primarily across the Great Lakes region. Proven leader in federal program oversight, strategic planning, interagency collaboration, and regulatory compliance. Expert in managing multimillion-dollar budgets, with a successful track record of securing funding and delivering high-impact projects on time and within scope. Recognized with multiple federal awards for innovation, strategic partnerships, and community-driven solutions. Adept at NEPA processes, stakeholder engagement, and building lasting coalitions among scientists, policymakers, and community partners. Highly skilled in operations, process optimization, and staff development, with a passion for advancing ecological resilience and sustainable resource management. Committed to empowering high-performing teams and translating complex challenges into actionable, evidence-based outcomes.
Overview
21
21
years of professional experience
Work History
Great Lakes Habitat Restoration Program Manager/Supervisor
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)
Ann Arbor, MI
05.2010 - Current
- Oversee efforts to restore habitat in the Great Lakes with funds provided by the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI), Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, Inflation Reduction Act, and through recovery of damages through natural resource damage claims
- Supervise Great Lakes regional staff and provide oversight of priority habitat restoration projects being implemented by technical staff to ensure projects are completed successfully, on time, required reporting, NEPA compliance, and communication
- Support overall effectiveness of operations and management of employee workload, schedules, leave requests and travel within agency rules and regulations
- Develop strategies for implementing federal funding in the Great Lakes including annual budget formulation and execution including outyear planning
- Execute process for selecting projects for funding that addresses multiple priorities with various funding sources requiring coordinating with finance, leadership and technical staff
- Serve as the NOAA Trustee Council representative on various natural resource damage assessment cases and provide oversight into the development and implementation of restoration plans to compensate the public for natural resource damages at hazardous waste sites and oil spills
- Provide vision for restoration strategies and priorities for the Office of Habitat Conservation and develop recommendations for funding habitat restoration projects
- Prepare periodic reports and updates on accomplishments, finances, and performance measures
- Develop and maintain strategies for communication and oversight of outreach activities within the Great Lakes including regional legislative and congressional activities and briefing leadership
- Develop and implement strategic plans for restoration efforts in coordination with federal, state, tribal, and local partners
- Develop comprehensive risk management strategies that identify potential project risks, implementing proactive strategies that reduce vulnerability
- Develop project frameworks that standardize workflows across the program, resulting in improved consistency and operational efficiency
- Played a key role in negotiating settlement with responsible parties at four Natural Resource Damage Assessment sites across the Great Lakes including St
- Lawrence River (NY), Enbridge oil spill (Kalamazoo River, MI), Sheboygan River (WI), and St
- Louis River (MN)
- Managed the execution of over $200 million of GLRI funds across the Great Lakes resulting in restoration of more than 4,600 acres of habitat and opened almost 500 miles of stream for fish to access their habitat
Environmental Quality Analyst
Michigan Department of Environmental Quality
Lansing, MI
03.2004 - 05.2010
- Served as project manager, community liaison, and technical expert for Michigan’s Great Lakes Areas of Concern program
- Represented the State of Michigan in binational and multi-jurisdictional groups managing Lake Superior and Lake Michigan with a focus on toxic substances, water quality, coordinated monitoring, habitat restoration, and developing shared restoration priorities across stakeholders
- Managed an invasive phragmites control and demonstration project in Saginaw Bay as part of the Lake Huron Binational Partnership to exhibit the effectiveness of various phragmites control methods
- Assisted in facilitation of Michigan’s Environmental Advisory Council that was established to advise the department on its major programs an policy issues
- Chaired a workgroup to develop state priorities for habitat restoration across multiple departments and program priorities
Education
Master of Science - Natural Resources and Environment
Michigan State University
East Lansing, MI12.2009
Bachelor of Science - Environmental Biology and Zoology
Michigan State University
East Lansing, MI05.2002
Skills
- Program & Project Management
- Management Financial Concepts
- Operational Excellence
- Environmental Planning & Permitting
- NEPA Documentation & Compliance
- Habitat Restoration & Aquatic Ecology
- Natural Resource Damage Assessment
- Watershed & Coastal Resource Management
- Budgeting & Grant Management
- Regulatory Compliance (CERCLA, OPA, Clean Water Act, ESA)
- Community Engagement & Public Outreach
- Interagency & International Collaboration
- Technical Report Writing & Policy Analysis
- Risk Assessment & Mitigation Planning
- Field Investigations & Ecological Monitoring
- Process Optimization & Operational Efficiency
- Team Leadership & Staff Supervision
- Strategic Partnership Development
- Contract Management & Financial Oversight
- Structured Decision Making
- Environmental and Natural Resources Policy
- Organizational Leadership and Team Building
- Organizational Change Management & Strategic Visioning
Professional Highlights
- Program Manager: 15 years of managing NOAA’s Restoration Center activities in the Great Lakes and the execution of over $200 million to restore critical habitat across the Great Lakes.
- Project Leadership: Directed multiple high-stakes projects with budgets exceeding $20M, ensuring alignment with organizational goals and delivering projects on or ahead of schedule.
- Stakeholder Engagement: Cultivated strong relationships with stakeholders, leading to enhanced communication and collaboration; facilitated meetings resulting in an increase in project satisfaction ratings.
Certifications And Awards
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Bronze Medal Award, Large scale restoration in Muskegon Lake, 2022
- Certified Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR II), 2014-2024
- Department of Commerce Bronze Medal Award, Innovative Partnerships & Coastal Habitat Protection, 2016
- Department of Commerce Bronze Medal Award, $22.7M Settlement for St. Lawrence River Restoration, 2011
- Environmental and Natural Resource Governance Fellow, Michigan State University, 2010
- Professional Certificate in Watershed Management, Michigan State University, 2009
Area Of Expertise
- Program & Project Management
- Management Financial Concepts
- Operational Excellence
- Environmental Planning & Permitting
- NEPA Documentation & Compliance
- Habitat Restoration & Aquatic Ecology
- Natural Resource Damage Assessment
- Watershed & Coastal Resource Management
- Budgeting & Grant Management
- Regulatory Compliance (CERCLA, OPA, Clean Water Act, ESA)
- Community Engagement & Public Outreach
- Interagency & International Collaboration
- Technical Report Writing & Policy Analysis
- Risk Assessment & Mitigation Planning
- Field Investigations & Ecological Monitoring
- Process Optimization & Operational Efficiency
- Team Leadership & Staff Supervision
- Strategic Partnership Development
- Contract Management & Financial Oversight
- Structured Decision Making
- Environmental and Natural Resources Policy
- Organizational Leadership and Team Building
- Organizational Change Management & Strategic Visioning
Timeline
Great Lakes Habitat Restoration Program Manager/Supervisor
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)
05.2010 - Current
Environmental Quality Analyst
Michigan Department of Environmental Quality
03.2004 - 05.2010
Master of Science - Natural Resources and Environment
Michigan State University
Bachelor of Science - Environmental Biology and Zoology
Michigan State University
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