Christopher Cortina Email & Phone Number

Greater Denver Area

Annapolis, Md

- Led internal/external communications and directed performance measurement tracking for departmental unit of 68 employees with annual budget of $100M in state and federal funds. Oversaw programs aimed at achieving healthy coastal ecosystems, resilient communities, and vibrant coastal economies. Implemented and managed internal systems for conducting ongoing outcome measurement and assessment of federal and state grant programs.- Led development, tracking, and reporting of state and national program performance measures, such as community projects to prevent damage from coastal hazards, coastal habitat acreage, and pounds of nutrients removed from water bodies. Streamlined and translated metrics to satisfy state/federal reporting requests; disseminated metrics to constituencies and incorporated data into publications, reports, and other communications for public access.- Liaised with Office of Communication and handled media inquiries per guidelines. Drafted, reviewed, and edited press releases. Reviewed reports, publications, presentations, videos, and materials for policy and branding compliance.- Developed all print and online materials, including one-pagers, fact sheets, annual reports, posters, flyers, and signage.- Served as unit’s internet content manager, working with staff to refresh content and with web team to publish updates on web pages. - Created and published 8-10 issues of electronic newsletter annually, reaching 1,200+ subscribers representing all levels of government, non-profit organizations, volunteer groups, academic institutions, businesses, and general public in Maryland’s coastal zone.- Planned inaugural Maryland State of the Coast Conference providing forum on dynamic conditions of state coastal communities, environment, and economy, resulting information used in restoration and protection efforts, policies, and decision-making. Attracted 220 attendees involved in policy, science, strategy, business, restoration, and management.

Annapolis, Maryland

- Supervised Hazard Assessment and Coastal Planning Section staff of three natural resources planners providing financial and technical assistance to local governments to reduce region’s coastal hazard risk and vulnerability. Developed objectives and determined scope for annual projects through networked partnerships with other state agencies in support of unit goals.Developed and implemented strategic priorities for Section, collaborating with staff, networked partners, and stakeholders to address coastal management challenges identified through national priorities, state planning efforts, and program plans and to deliver assistance.- Prepared annual grant proposal and semiannual progress reports to National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) for $2.8M in federal coastal zone management funds; administered $4.5M annual budget with state/local match.- Administered CoastSmart Communities and Working Waterfront Enhancement competitive grant programs, resulting in ~ $250K in annual grant awards to local governments.- Led development, updates, and long-range goals for Maryland’s Coastal Atlas and provided raw geospatial data, technical assistance, and GIS training to local governments.- Spearheaded development and ongoing revisions of custom web-based grants management program, CCS Grants Online, workflow solution that improved delivery of financial assistance for 200+ grantor, grantees, and project managers. Oversaw three grant programs and provided user and tech support to grantees, project managers, and grant managers for 100+ new projects/year ($60M of $100M annual unit budget).- Planned, promoted, and executed public outreach and stakeholder engagement events on issues such as offshore wind energy, and regional ocean uses.- Organized and implemented annual coastal community exchanges to provide opportunities for public outreach, stakeholder engagement, and peer-to-peer discussions on issues facing communities and best practices.

Annapolis, Md

- Administered NOAA coastal zone management program small-scale construction and acquisition grants and coastal community planning grants for coastal communities.- Collaborated with resources experts from state/federal government, academia, and non-profits to plan and execute series of Coastal Community Exchanges for local representatives involved with proposed, ongoing, and completed projects. Created theme and presentations to spark discussion and share resources, best practices, and new research.- Assembled spatial data into mapping portal to develop state’s Coastal Atlas containing data used to advance offshore wind energy siting and leasing. Designed progressive series of large posters for open house, self-guided tour; provided information on issue, data sources and collection, use of data in decision-making, and subsequent process/timeline. Oversaw staff onsite Coastal Atlas portal demonstrations. Uploaded materials and information to website.- Served as communications specialist, coordinating with Department Office of Communications to develop press releases, printed materials, and content for web pages, magazine, and other publications.- Participated on professional committees: Mid-Atlantic Regional Council on the Ocean (MARCO), International Coastal Atlas Network (ICAN), U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Silverjackets, Maryland Coastal Bays Program Implementation Committee, and Coastal and Watershed Resources Advisory Council (CWRAC).

Baltimore, Md

- Performed Phase I Environmental Site Assessments (ESAs) and associated Phase II sampling and analysis for industrial and commercial properties. Conducted air quality and mold analyses, underground storage tank identification and remediation, drinking water and groundwater sampling/monitoring, well remediation, and petroleum spill clean-up and monitoring.- Walter Reed Army Medical Center (WRAMC), Washington, DC - Conducted hazardous materials surveys, indoor air quality assessments, mold assessments, asbestos air sampling, lead-based paint assessment, and quantification of PCB ballast, mercury vapor light tubes, and mercury containing thermostats in three buildings.- BGE Westport Generating Station, Baltimore, MD - Performed hazardous materials site assessment that identified petroleum products, mercury-/PCB-containing equipment, flammable materials, compressed gas cylinders, lead acid batteries, and tires. Completed removal and coordinated proper disposal of all hazardous and regulated materials.- Maryland Department of General Services (DGS), various locations - Assessed properties per ASTM Guidelines, including underground storage tanks, groundwater monitoring wells, hazardous materials, abatement design/monitoring, and mold/ air quality. Sampled, analyzed, and disposed of hazardous waste. Prepared specifications, bids, and estimates.

Arnold, Md

- Managed all aspects of student activities office and advised 50+ student organizations.- Served as advisor to the Campus Activities Board overseeing the planning, promotion and production of social activities for the entire campus community. - Organized bi-annual Student Activities fairs, Earth Day Fair, and informational/recruitment sessions for campus organizations.

Delaware, Oh

- Served as the program’s communications specialist. - Served as advisor and program consultant for all areas of student activities, including 80-plus student organizations.- Advised student organizations on their rights and responsibilities, the presentation of programs, the preparation of budgets, the use of University facilities, group process, and risk management.- Led one of two environmental and experiential learning-based pre-Orientation trips to Hocking Hills State Park in Ohio.

Vancouver, Wa

Managed Environmental Management System (EMS) per voluntary international standard 14001 specifications. Enforced standard operating procedures (SOPs) and regulatory compliance. Implemented corrective/preventive actions. Updated training records and audit schedules. Collected and analyzed metrics for recycling, waste, chemical usage, and emissions. Inspected hazardous waste storage areas weekly and arranged for disposal/management.

Oxford, Oh

- Planned and coordinated 2001 and 2002 Summer Orientation Programs in conjunction with Director and student staff consisting of 15 back-to-back, two-day sessions attended by over 5,000 parents and new students.- Coordinated with five college deans and other university offices vital to the mission of summer orientation to determine their role in staff training and the summer program.- Designed posters, flyers, table tents, and ads using the suite of Adobe publication design software (PageMaker, Photoshop, Illustrator) for a recruitment campaign that more than doubled the number of orientation leader applicants from previous year from 39 applicants in 2001 to over 90 in 2002 for 24 positions.- Devised a staff-training program using experiential learning techniques to create opportunities for team building, self-discovery, conflict-resolution, problem solving, decision-making, and thoughtful reflection. - Organized staff spring retreat and pre-orientation training activities that were highlighted by two staff trips to Oklahoma to assist the Miami Nation Indian tribe with their annual powwows in 2001 and 2002. - Determined content and design of the 4-issue orientation newsletter/magazine, “Explore” that won an award for best orientation newsletter at the National Orientation Directors Association Annual Conference (Baltimore, MD) in 2002.

Cincinnati, Oh

- Assisted and consulted the Greenspace Planner in working with local governments, business interests, conservation groups, and the OKI Land Use Commission to create a Greenspace master plan for 8-county, tri-state region.- Acquired and evaluated geographic information system (GIS) files from county planning offices and Internet databases to enable a detailed inventory and evaluation of existing and potential greenspace in the region. - Researched topics related to greenspace planning and land conservation and regularly prepared reports and presented findings to the Regional Greenspace Planning Commission. - Presented periodic plan updates to Greenspace Office partner, the Regional Greenspace Initiative (RGI), the non-profit citizens’ group conducting public awareness, organizational development and fundraising for greenspace protection.

- Enforced General Fraternity risk management policies through collaborative efforts with the university administration, alumni volunteers, and other authorities to prescribe appropriate corrective action (e.g. sanctioning and fine system).- Facilitated risk management/liability presentations, workshops and assessments along with on-site discipline reviews.- Administered mandatory event planning program in which participating chapters submit event registration forms for approval. - Provided leadership consultation and training for undergraduate members at over 50 institutions and completed due diligence evaluations of chapter management after each visit using Microsoft Office (Word, Excel) applications. - Evaluated, developed, and implemented chapter operating plans, which included financial planning for chapters with annual budgets upwards of $250,000.- Facilitated multimedia educational programs utilizing Microsoft PowerPoint and CD-ROM technology on recruitment, goal setting, retreat assessments, sexual assault, and alcohol education.- Assisted in the planning, preparation, and execution of an annual leadership conference for over 600 undergraduates and alumni; a biennial convention for 450 representatives; and an annual President’s Conference for nearly 150 undergraduate leaders.

Ma, Geography

Ba, Environmental Studies/Geography, Biology