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Water Education Staff

Aminta Liu, Environmental Programs Coordinator

Aminta joined our team in April 2019.  After completing her undergraduate degree at Cornell University, she spent three years working as an environmental health inspector specializing in lead poisoning prevention and integrated pest management for New York City’s Department of Health & Mental Hygiene. 

Education:

  • Bachelor of Arts (Biology & Society), Cornell University, 2015

Facilitator Certifications:

  • Project WET, Wild & Learning Tree

Educator/Volunteer Certifications:

  • Monarchs in the Classroom
  • Getting Little Feet Wet (Project WET)
  • Climate, Water & Resilience (Project WET)
  • Adopt-A-Stream Chemical & Biological 
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a circular portrait of Aminta Liu

Angie Marcus, Environmental Programs Supervisor

Angie joined our team in July 2015, coordinating the Brooke and Branch puppet show before promoting into  and led community outreach programs. Her background includes work in youth counseling as well as environmental education with Virginia 4-H and Learning Tree Farms.

Educations: 

  • Master of Social Work (Family), Kennesaw State University, 2014
  • Master of Ed (Outdoor Ed Admin), GA College & State University, 2000
  • Bachelor of Arts (Sociology), Lenoir-Rhyne University, 1997

Facilitator Certifications:

  • Project WET, Wild & Learning Tree
  • Challenge Course Trainer
  • Adopt-A-Stream Chemical Trainer

Educator/Volunteer Certifications:

  • Outdoor Wildlife Leadership School
  • Leave No Trace
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a circular portrait of Angie Marcus

Elizabeth Brewer, Program Leader (part-time)

Elizabeth joined our team in July of 2022, and assists with the Brooke and Branch puppet show.  Her background includes work in water treatment and quality assurance testing, as well as education.

Education:

  • Bachelor of Science (Biology), Kennesaw State University, 1988

Educator/Volunteer Certifications:

  • Adopt-A-Stream Chemical
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a circular portrait of Elizabeth Brewer

Gabriel James, Intern (seasonal)

Gabriel joined the Cobb Water team in May 2023. She is a senior at Kennesaw State University where she serves as president of EcoOwls: Students for Sustainability. She is also a member of the Adopt-A-Stream chapter at Kennesaw State University and was elected the Senator of Sustainability as part of KSU's Student Government Association. Her previous experience includes working as the Public Programs intern at Zoo Atlanta. 

Education: 

  • Pursuing Bachelor of Science (Environmental Science) and Bachelor of Art (Theatre Performance Studies), currently enrolled at Kennesaw State University

Educator/Volunteer Certifications:

  • Adopt-A-Stream Chemical & Bacteria

 

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a circular portrait of Gabriel James

Jennifer McCoy, Communications & Education Division Manager

Jennifer has worked for Cobb County since 2000 as an environmental educator and as an environmental compliance inspector. Her work as a naturalist at a nature center, an instructor at a science museum, and a biologist for an environmental consultant contributes over 20 years of professional experience to our program.

Education:

  • Master of Public Administration (Nonprofit Mgmt), Kennesaw State University, 2011
  • Master of Science (Enviro Ed), Lesley University, 2007
  • Bachelor of Science (Biology), Kennesaw State University, 1997

Facilitator Certifications:

  • Project WET, Wild & Learning Tree
  • Monarchs in the Classroom
  • Leopold Education Project
  • Native Waters
  • Native Seasons
  • Biodiversity Basics
  • Healthy Water Healthy People
  • Adopt-A-Stream Chemical/Biological/Bacteria Trainer
  • Master Gardener
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a circular portrait of Jennifer McCoy

Julie Knobbe, Environmental Programs Coordinator

Julie taught in Cobb County schools as a STEM Instructor before joining our team in June 2022.  Previously, she coordinated school and youth programs for the Missouri Botanical Garden and the Wyman Center in St. Louis, Missouri in addition to teaching as a naturalist and garden educator in New York and Maryland. 

Education:

  • Bachelor of Science (Ecology),  University of Illinois, 1988

Facilitator Certifications:

  • Adopt-A-Stream Chemical/Biological/Bacteria Trainer

Educator/Volunteer Certifications:

  • Project WET, Wild & Learning Tree
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a circular portrait of Julie Knobbe holding a chicken

Kernal and Nibblet, Watershed Ambassadors

Kernal and Nibblet are captive bred corn snakes. They joined our staff in 2007, shortly after hatching at a local nature center. They visit Cobb County residents to educate about the connection between water quality and wildlife.

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a circular picture of watershed snakes

Kristin Picken, Program Assistant (seasonal)

Kristin was hired in November of 2022 to perform the Brooke & Branch Puppet Show.  Her background is in pediatric respiratory therapy, including several years with Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta-Scottish Rite as an Education Specialist.

 

Education:

  • Bachelor of Science (Respiratory Therapy), Georgia State University, 1999
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photo of Kristin Picken

Kristina Ha, Communications Specialist III

Kristina Ha has worked in communications for the Water System since 2008.  Her primary roles include website management and graphic design.  Prior to working for Cobb County, Kristina was an entrepreneur, worked for a law firm, and did marketing for a residential developer.  

Education:

  • Bachelor of Fine Arts (Interior Design), Georgia State University, 1999
  • Multimedia Web and Graphic Design, the Art Institute of Atlanta, 2000

Educator/Volunteer Certifications:

  • Adopt-A-Stream Chemical
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a circular portrait of Kristina Ha

Mike Kahle, Environmental Programs Supervisor

Mike joined our team in October 2011. He has previously worked as a program coordinator with The Nature Conservancy and as a naturalist with both the Orange County Department of Education in California and Chattahoochee Nature Center.

Education:

  • Bachelor of Science (Geographical Sciences), University of Nevada, 2008

Facilitator Certifications:

  • Project WET, Wild & Learning Tree
  • Adopt-A-Stream Chemical/Biological/Bacteria Trainer
  • Master Gardener
  • Master Herpetologist
  • Monarchs In the Classroom
  • Trail Crew Leader

Educator/Volunteer Certifications:

  • Wonder of Wetlands
  • Our Shared Forest
  • Certified Interpretive Guide
  • MS4 Compliance & Enforcement Certified Inspector
  • Leave No Trace
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a circular portrait of Mike Kahle

Sarah Dunn, Environmental Programs Coordinator

Sarah taught biology and chemistry at a school in the GISA system in Atlanta, GA, before joining our team in June 2023. Previously, she worked for nine years as the science department chair and biological sciences at a school in the ISAS system in New Orleans, Louisiana.

Education:

  • Master of Science (Fish and Wildlife Sciences), Mississippi State University, 2007
  • Bachelor of Science (Fish and Wildlife Sciences), Mississippi State University, 2003

Educator/Volunteer Certifications:

  • Adopt-A-Stream Chemical/Bacterial/Biological
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a circular portrait of Sarah Dunn

Virma Velez, Communications Specialist II

Virma has worked at Cobb Water since 2018 and joined our team in 2020. She has years of experience working with children and youth in outdoor and classroom settings. Virma handles social media, writes and publishes newsletters and press releases, and translates valuable information that goes out to our community.

Education:

  • Master of Arts (Communications - Writing), Universidad del Sagrado Corazón, 2015
  • Bachelor of Arts (Communications - Public Relations & Advertising), Universidad de Puerto Rico - Río Piedras Campus, 2011

Facilitator Certifications:

  • Project WET
  • Climate, Water & Resilience (Project WET)
  • Adopt-A-Stream Chemical Trainer

Educator/Volunteer Certifications:

  • Monarchs in the Classroom
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a circular portrait of Virma Velez