GGE ADVISORY BOARD
Krista Dawn Blackledge
Having earned her bachelor’s degree in Geological Engineering from Ole Miss in 1982, Blackledge boasts a rich entrepreneurial journey spanning over four decades. Her illustrious career includes the establishment and successful sale of multiple companies.
Initiating her professional trajectory in the Gulf Coast petroleum industry, Blackledge later transitioned to Jacksonville, where she ventured into public service with the city’s nascent Department of Environmental Resources. Following a decade of combined private and public sector experience, she founded Aerostar Environmental Services Inc. in 1992—a comprehensive environmental engineering and remediation firm. Under her astute leadership, the company flourished into a thriving enterprise with over 80 employees and a presence in 12 offices across eight states, ultimately culminating in its successful sale in 2012. Subsequently, Blackledge founded the Blackledge Group, a company offering technical expertise to both public and private clients in the realms of water resources, environmental compliance, energy, and sustainability.
Identifying herself as an “entrepreneur” with a specialization in consulting services, particularly in the context of mergers and acquisitions, Blackledge’s passion for engineering remains undiminished. Balancing her roles in business consulting and engineering, she ardently champions the cause of small businesses, actively contributing to their success.
An unwavering supporter of the School of Engineering and the Department of Geology and Geological Engineering at Ole Miss, Blackledge dedicates not only her financial resources but also her time, establishing a scholarship in her commitment to nurturing future talent.
In recognition of her outstanding contributions, Krista Dawn Blackledge was bestowed with the prestigious title of University of Mississippi Engineer of Distinction in 2020.
Dr. Walter Guidroz
Walter Guidroz, currently serving as a Research Scientist Emeritus at the U.S. Geological Survey, held a pivotal role as the leader of the USGS Energy Resources Program. In this capacity, he steered the program’s strategic initiatives, offering crucial direction to energy-focused research and assessments. These efforts played a vital role in shaping U.S. energy policy and reinforcing the nation’s energy security.
With a wealth of experience spanning over 40 years in the energy sector, Dr. Guidroz’s professional journey includes significant tenures at Amoco, Enron, and BP. During these stints, he undertook diverse responsibilities in geoscience and management roles. His extensive background in the industry laid a robust foundation for his transition to the U.S. Geological Survey in 2016.
Dr. Guidroz is a distinguished scholar, holding a Bachelor of Science in geology from Nicholls State University, a Master of Science in geology from the University of Mississippi, an Master of Business Administration from the University of Texas at Austin, and a Doctorate in geological oceanography from Louisiana State University. His multifaceted educational background reflects his commitment to a comprehensive understanding of the geological and business aspects of his field.
Dr. Mike Miner
Dr. Mike Miner, the Director of Applied Geosciences at the Water Institute of the Gulf, brings to the table over two decades of expertise in geology and coastal science. A native of New Orleans, Mike earned both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in geology from the University of Mississippi, where he delved into the subsurface geology of southern Mississippi and Louisiana. His academic journey culminated in a Ph.D. from the University of New Orleans, focusing on barrier island systems and tidal inlets within the Mississippi River delta plain.
In 2007, Mike embarked on a pivotal role as a research geologist at the UNO Pontchartrain Institute for Environmental Sciences. Here, he played a crucial role in shaping the Louisiana Barrier Island Comprehensive Monitoring Program, collaborating with entities such as Louisiana’s Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority (CPRA), the U.S. Geological Survey, and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Notably, Mike spearheaded the long-term morphologic evolution study of the Chandeleur Islands Coastal System in partnership with the USGS.
Transitioning to the U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Ocean Energy Management in 2010, Mike continued his impactful work on the Marine Minerals Program. His responsibilities included managing federal offshore sediment resources for beach and barrier island restoration initiatives. Notably, he collaborated with state and federal partners on significant coastal restoration projects, such as the pioneering Caminada Headland Beach and Dune Restoration project, which utilized offshore sand from Ship Shoal.
During his tenure at BOEM, Mike served as the bureau’s representative on the Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration Task Force and played an integral role in the Department of Interior’s integrated teams supporting Gulf of Mexico science and restoration implementation. From 2016 to 2018, he assumed the position of Federal co-lead for the Gulf of Mexico Alliance, Regional Sediment Management/Beneficial Use of Dredge Material Working Group.
Beyond his government roles, Mike maintains an adjunct professorship at the University of New Orleans in the Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, further contributing to the academic realm. His diverse and impactful career underscores his commitment to advancing geosciences and coastal science while fostering collaboration between academia and government agencies.
Dr. Henrique Momm
Dr. Momm holds the position of Associate Professor in the Department of Geosciences at Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU) in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, U.S.A. His primary research focus lies in the integration of Geographic Information Science with Computational Science, a field known as Geoinformatics, aimed at enhancing our fundamental understanding of Earth’s functions. His specific research interests encompass watershed systems modeling and characterization, the examination of channel morphology and evolution through both laboratory and field experiments, and the advanced extraction of information from remotely sensed imagery.
In addition to his role at MTSU, Dr. Momm serves as a faculty member at the Center for Computational Science and holds the position of director at the Geospatial Research Center (GRC). The GRC is an interdisciplinary research and educational initiative designed to promote the utilization and awareness of Geographic Information Systems (GIS), spatial analysis, and remote sensing.
Prior to joining MTSU, Dr. Momm contributed valuable years to the National Sedimentation Laboratory (NSL), where he explored the spatial and temporal dynamics of erosional components across various scales. His approach involved a blend of Geoinformatics, hydrological modeling, field data, and laboratory experiments. Dr. Momm maintains ongoing collaborations with scientists at the NSL, participating in multiple research projects. He is also a crucial member of the scientific/development team for the U.S. Department of Agriculture-supported Annualized Agricultural Non-Point Source (AnnAGNPS) pollutant loading model.
Dr. Momm earned his Ph.D. degree in 2008 from the Department of Geology and Geological Engineering at The University of Mississippi, located in Oxford, Mississippi.
Justin Janaskie
Justin Janaskie earned his Bachelor of Science in Geological Engineering in May 2005, followed by a Master’s degree in May 2008 from the Department of Geology and Geological Engineering at The University of Mississippi.
Throughout his career, Justin’s professional trajectory has undergone a notable transformation, transitioning from a primary focus on oil and gas exploration to a current emphasis on defense, aviation, and aerospace. Commencing his career as a Client Representative, GIS Specialist, and Marine Geoscientist at AOA Geophysics in India, he embarked on a journey that would eventually lead him to his current role.
Presently serving as the Chief Technology Officer (CTO) and Director of C5ISR programs for MAG Aerospace in Huntsville, AL, Justin brings a dynamic approach to driving true industry advancement. His multifaceted role involves the management and direction of air, land, maritime, and space-based technology systems and sensors. In this operationally embedded position, he not only oversees the technical aspects but also provides a unique perspective for corporate growth and strategy. Justin Janaskie stands at the forefront of innovation, contributing significantly to the evolution of the industries he passionately engages with.