In this episode of Water for Fighting, Brett talks with Lisa Kelley, attorney and former Assistant Executive Director of the St. Johns River Water Management District. Lisa discusses growing up in Florida’s Panhandle, discovering environmental science while in college, and beginning her career as a volunteer with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection before serving more than 20 years in a variety of regulatory and leadership roles.
The conversation covers drinking water and wastewater regulation, improving compliance through proactive communication, earning a law degree while working full time, and helping lead statewide regulatory consistency at DEP. Lisa also shares her experience at the St. Johns River Water Management District, where she worked on environmental restoration, land acquisition, and operational leadership.
The conversation concludes with Lisa’s transition into the private sector and the launch of Lisa Kelley LLC, where she helps utilities and clients navigate Florida’s environmental regulations through practical compliance strategies and regulatory guidance. She also offers advice to the next generation of environmental professionals, emphasizing the importance of networking, finding work you’re passionate about, and gaining hands-on experience.
Listeners interested in connecting with Lisa or learning more about her work can visit www.lisakelley.com
This episode is brought to you by my friends at Sea and Shoreline.
Sea and Shoreline is the Southeast’s leading innovator in protecting coastal communities from devastating storms and restoring ecosystems that once faced ecological collapse. Visit their website at www.Seaandshoreline.com.
This episode is also brought to by my friends at Resource Environmental Solutions (RES)
RES is the nation’s leader in ecological restoration, helping to restore Florida’s natural resources with water quality and stormwater solutions that offer communities guaranteed performance and outcomes. Check them out at www.res.us
Please be sure to check out the Florida Specifier Podcast hosted by Brett Cyphers and Ryan Matthews, as part of a new venture where we’re striving to become Florida’s first source for environmental news, educational tools, and unique perspectives on our state’s natural environment and the events that shape it. To learn more about its flagship print publication and more, visit The Florida Specifier.
You can follow the show on LinkedIn and Instagram @flwaterpod, and you can reach me directly at FLwaterpod@gmail.com with your comments and suggestions for who and/or what you’d like to know more about.
Production of this podcast is by Lonely Fox Studios. Thanks to Karl Sorne for making the best of what he had to work with. And to David Barfield for the amazing graphics and technical assistance.
And finally, a very special thank you goes out to Bo Spring from the Bo Spring Band for giving permission to use his music for this podcast. The song is called Doing Work for Free, and you should check out the band live, or wherever great music is sold.
