SWCA Names Pasadena Natural Resources Program Director

PHOENIX—SWCA Environmental Consultants has promoted Michael Tuma to natural resources program director for the Pasadena operation. In this role, he is responsible for setting the vision of the program, developing new business, planning and implementing program structure and procedures, managing client relationships and projects, and managing and mentoring natural and paleontological resource program staff.

Tuma has more than 20 years of experience as both an archaeologist and a biologist. His most recent project successes have included studies and compliance monitoring in support of California Energy Commission permitting of the Riverside Energy Resource Center, as well as development of desert tortoise conservation plans for the Bureau of Land Management. In addition to being an accomplished environmental consultant, Tuma is a recognized turtle and tortoise specialist. He has investigated North American mud turtles and gopher tortoises, and he is currently pursuing research into the ecology of pancake tortoises in east Africa. He joined SWCA in 2003.

“Michael has played an instrumental role in the development and growth of SWCA’s natural resources service line in Southern California,” said Pasadena Principal Cara Corsetti. “He has managed many large, long-term, multi-disciplinary projects that have earned him kudos from clients, resource agency staff, and regulatory agency contacts.”

Tuma holds master’s degrees in zoology and anthropology from Eastern Illinois University and the University of Southern Mississippi, respectively. He is a Ph.D. candidate in the Integrative and Evolutionary Biology Program at the University of Southern California.

Tuma is a Registered Professional Archaeologist and is an assistant editor for the journal Herpetological Conservation and Biology. He is a member of The Wildlife Society, the Ecological Society of America, the Society for the Study of Amphibians and Reptiles, and numerous other professional organizations. He has published several papers in scientific journals and symposia.