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

Education: 

• 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

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

Holly joined the Cobb Water team in August 2024. She has volunteer and professional experience in farming, community gardening, sustainability, and working with children. 

Education:

• Bachelor of Science (Public Health), College of Charleston, 2018

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

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

Justin joined the team in June of 2024. He has previous experience as an Environmental Educator and Team Lead for the Central Florida Zoo and Botanical Gardens.

Education: 

• Bachelors in Environmental Studies, University of Central Florida, 2023

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.

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

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
• Associate of Fine Arts (Multimedia Web and Graphic Design), the Art Institute of Atlanta, 2001 (56 hours completed)

Educator/Volunteer Certifications:

• Adopt-A-Stream Chemical

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

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

Tappy the Turtle has been the proud mascot of the Cobb County Water System since 2015. Tappy is certified in making smiles and educating about water quality and conservation. Hobbies include taking shellfies and floating down the Chattahoochee River. Please come say hello at community events!

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