Providing You and Your Clients Customized Environmental Solutions.

Jon Shepherd has worked as a professional environmental consultant in east central Florida since 1997 and is President of Atlantic Environmental of Florida, LLC (Atlantic Environmental). Jon received his BS in Biological Sciences at Florida State University in 1996 and his MS in Ecology at Florida Institute of Technology in 2002. In addition to the above qualifications, Jon has been granted the designation of Senior Professional Wetland Scientist (PWS 00001400) by the Society of Wetland Scientists, is a State and Federally approved manatee observer, FWC bald eagle observer, and an FWC Crested Caracara observer, as well as an Authorized Gopher Tortoise Agent (FWC Permit GTA-09-0138H) through the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.

Over the years, Jon has directed and consulted on the environmental aspects of development or conservation of tens of thousands of acres throughout the state of Florida. Jon’s community work has included board positions with Brevard County, Housing for the Homeless, Environmentally Endangered Lands, and the City of Melbourne.

David Purkerson is a biologist and the Vice-President at Atlantic Environmental with over 25 years of professional ecological experience. David earned his BS in Marine Biology at the University of Miami in 1992 and his MS in Conservation Biology at San Francisco State University in 2000. David is a Senior Professional Wetland Scientist (PWS 00001759) and an Authorized Gopher Tortoise Agent (FWC Permit GTA-09-1039G), FWC bald eagle observer, and an FWC Crested Caracara observer.  David serves as a lead contact with our clients for projects involving wetlands, threatened and endangered species, as well as all other facets of environmental permitting. David is an expert in Geographic Information Services (GIS) and continues to expand the company’s GIS capabilities. His ability to conduct “desktop” property reviews utilizing GIS software saves clients of Atlantic Environmental time and money throughout their due diligence process.

Prior to joining Atlantic Environmental, David was employed at the Florida Department of Environmental Protection within the Environmental Resource Permitting section. David has served on boards relating to protecting the Indian River Lagoon and is an active member of the Society of Wetlands Scientists Re-Certification Committee.

Tommy Evans joined Atlantic Environmental as a Senior Ecologist and Project Manager in 2026.   Tommy earned his BS in Biology with a concentration in Coastal and Marine Biology from the University of North Florida in 2013. 

Prior to joining Atlantic Environmental, Tommy was the Supervising Regulatory Scientist at St. Johns River Water Management District where he reviewed hundreds of Environmental Resource Permit applications and managed the Palm Bay office RS’s.  Tommy is an expert wetland delineator throughout Florida and is a Certified Wetland Evaluator.  Prior to his time at SJRWMD, Tommy was an Environmental Consultant in North Florida where he specialized in wetland mitigation, threatened and endangered species, wetland delineation, and water quality sampling.

Austin Beard has worked as a professional environmental consultant and project ecologist for Atlantic Environmental since 2019. Austin graduated from the University of Central Florida in 2019 with a BS degree in environmental studies.  Austin is an Authorized Gopher Tortoise Agent (FWC Permit GTA-19-00112), FWC bald eagle observer, and an FWC Crested Caracara observer.  Austin manages the field team at Atlantic Environmental, overseeing listed species assessments, wetland delineations, and submerged aquatic vegetation surveys.  Austin is proficient in GIS and regularly coordinates with the regulatory agencies in which he obtains permits through.

Michael Laskowski has worked as a professional environmental consultant and project ecologist for Atlantic Environmental since 2021.  Michael earned his BS in Environmental Science from the University of South Florida in 2020.  Michael is an Authorized Gopher Tortoise Agent (FWC Permit GTA-235-00040), FWC bald eagle observer, and an FWC Crested Caracara observer.  He is proficient in GIS, and conducts wetland delineations, threatened and endangered species assessments, and environmental permitting throughout Florida.

Heidi Grooms is an Ecologist and the Phase I Environmental Site Assessment lead for Atlantic Environmental.  Heidi has over 25 years of professional ecological and environmental experience with degrees in Environmental Science and Municipal Resources Management.  Heidi has been certified as a Professional Wetland Scientist, an FDEP Stormwater, Erosion and Sedimentation Control Inspector, an FWC Gopher Tortoise Agent, an FWC Bald Eagle observer, a USFWS and FWC manatee observer, and an FWC Crested Caracara observer.

Prior to joining Atlantic Environmental, Heidi was employed with the FDEP, Park Services and the Brevard County Environmentally Endangered Lands Program. Heidi’s community development includes board positions with Keep Brevard Beautiful and memberships with Girl Scouts of Citrus and Gateway Councils, National Audubon Society, and Space Coast Science Educators Association.  Heidi has completed over 200 Phase I ESA’s while working for Atlantic Environmental. 

Alyssa Drake has been the Office Manager at Atlantic Environmental since 2021,  following a 22-year career with Brevard Public Schools as a Speech-Language Pathologist and ultimately as a Support Specialist.  Alyssa has always enjoyed working with and getting to know people, listening to their questions and concerns and doing her best to help meet their needs.  She takes pride in keeping things running smoothly in the office and in building good relationships with the clients we serve.