Panelists
Christopher C. Obropta, Ph.D., P.E
Extension Specialist in Water Resources, Rutgers Cooperative Extension, Associate Professor with the Department of Environmental Sciences, Rutgers University.
Prior to joining Rutgers, Dr. Obropta was an environmental consultant for 12 years at Omni Environmental Corporation. Dr. Obropta has a background in watershedmanagement, water quality modeling,hydrologic and hydraulic modeling, and coastal engineering. His specific experience includes watershed restoration, onsite wastewater treatment system design and management, wasteload allocations, TMDL studies, stormwater management, wetland design, effluent dilution analyses, longshore sediment transport, computer-aided design, and Geographic Information Systems (GIS).
He teaches Bioresource Engineering Design I & II, where he directs student design teams to develop solutions to complex real-life engineering problems. With his extensive and impressive background Dr. Obropta leads his highly specialized team of Program Associates who are determined to create innovative solutions to water quality issues in New Jersey. He has a doctorate in Civil Engineering from Stevens Institute of Technology, a M.S. in Civil Engineering from New Jersey Institute of Technology, and a B.S. in Civil Engineering from New Jersey Institute of Technology.
Kyra Hoffmann
Supervising Environmental Specialist, New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection.
Kyra has 25 years of experience with NJDEP with a focus on water resources communication and stormwater issues. Kyra is currently within the NJDEP Bureau of Nonpoint Pollution Control’s Municipal Stormwater Permitting Program which includes the renewal of MS4 permits and Stormwater Program Overhaul, as well as Watershed Restoration Grant Management, the Barnegat Bay Initiative and Cleanwater NJ outreach program.
Kyra’s prior experience includes grant management involving the preparation of watershed restoration plans, installation of watershed and stormwater best management practices including green infrastructure, Rutgers Environmental County Agent Pilot Program, Barnegat Bay Initiative Projects, communications and outreach initiatives, AmeriCorps NJ Watershed Ambassador Program, and implementation of other watershed restoration practices. Kyra is a graduate of Bowdoin College and holds a Master’s of Science in Ecology.
Sarah Dougherty
Welch Environmental Innovation Fellow, Natural Resources Defense Council
Sarah focuses on finance work in green stormwater infrastructure and clean energy. She has a work and an educational background in economics and finance, including 7 years at the Federal Reserve Bank. There she led, at different points, economic education and energy analysis. She had shorter stints at the Coalition for Green Capital, C2ES, a small solar EPC and the Federal Home Loan Bank—focused on asset backed securities risk analysis. Sarah is originally from Atlanta, GA and has a MA in economics with a focus in public policy.
Matthew Testa
Director of Construction, Bijou Properties
Matt manages all aspects of building design and construction for Bijou Properties and is a resident Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) accredited professional, helping anchor the company's focus on sustainable development practices. Matt also coordinates the firm’s marketing and networking initiatives.
Since graduating from Lehigh University in 2002 with a BA in Architectural Design and minor in Graphic Communications, Matt has worked across the real estate design, construction, and sales industries. Past development roles include project supervision, construction management, and design management and real estate sales. Notable achievements include the design and construction management of Hoboken’s first LEED Platinum building.
Melissa Muroff
Principal + Vice President, Roofmeadow
Melissa Muroff, Esq., Vice President, joined Roofmeadow, a Philadelphia-based green roof design and management firm in 2003. She serves as Roofmeadow’s managing director, overseeing marketing, risk management, and environmental advocacy.
Melissa relocated to Philadelphia from Washington, DC, where she gained seven years of experience in government affairs and management consulting. As an active member of the Green Stormwater Infrastructure Partners, the Delaware Valley Green Building Council and the Building Industry Association of Philadelphia, she advocates for the prioritization of practical green infrastructure solutions for urban stormwater management. She was accepted into the Pennsylvania Bar in 2006 and is a graduate of IIT Chicago-Kent College of Law, the University of Wisconsin – Madison, and the University of Notre Dame.