THE PHOENIX ENVIRONMENTAL GROUP, INC.

EDUCATION
Randolph-Macon Woman’s College – B.A. Communications/Economics 1983
RollinsCollege – B.A. Environmental Studies 1999
University of Florida - Master Wildlife Conservationist Certification 2000
University of Florida - Master Gardener Certification 2000
38-Hour U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Wetland Delineation & Management Training Program


PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS
Florida Audubon Society
Indio Trail, Inc. – Board Member
Inter-tribal Council of AT&T Employees – Past National Secretary (retired)
Leon County Extension Horticultural Program Advisory Committee member
Wakulla County Extension Natural Resources Advisory Committee member



EXPERIENCE SUMMARY
Valerie Weeks is currently employed by The Phoenix Environmental Group, Inc. (Phoenix) in Tallahassee, Florida.  She came to Phoenix from the ornamental horticulture industry, where her specialty was Florida native plants and coastal landscaping.  She is a certified Master Gardener and Florida Yards and Neighborhoods (FYN) specialist, and through this program, has helped Phoenix clients develop homeowner covenants and restrictions that comply with the FYN program. As more and more counties in Florida require new developments to adhere to strict xeriscaping and environmentally friendly practices, Ms. Weeks’ knowledge in this area has been most helpful. As a certified Master Wildlife Conservationist (MWC), Ms. Weeks is experienced in fish and wildlife habitat management, and nonpoint source pollution prevention. MWC volunteers teach local residents the benefits of managing landscapes for wildlife, preventing groundwater pollution and land stewardship. Volunteers also assist state and county governments in various land management projects.  Ms. Weeks has worked on the development of the Panacea Mineral Springs purchase for the Florida Birding Trail, has taught local middle school students the effects of stormwater runoff, and has lectured local civic groups about the ecosystems of the Big Bend. In addition, Ms. Weeks helped plan and write a series of Big Bend ecosystem environmental education supplements for the Tallahassee Democrat newspaper in 2000.

From 1984 until 1999, Ms. Weeks worked in the information systems arena as a program manager for
large telecommunications network projects.  Specifically, Ms. Weeks managed the installation, maintenance, capacity management and quality assurance of data networks between AT&T and the Regional Bell
Operating Companies,which carried over $20 billion in long distance revenue yearly.  In keeping with AT&T’s ethic of community involvement, Ms. Weeks was instrumental in developing a local partnership between AT&T and the Florida Audubon Center for Birds of Prey in Maitland, FL.  AT&T provided volunteers to help Florida
Audubon with the re-development of the center, which is one of the premier raptor rehabilitation organizations in the country. Projects such as these led Ms. Weeks to a career change from information systems management to land and wildlife habitat
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