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SWFMD

SWFMD executive director wins geology alumni award

February 23, 2021 By B.C. Manion

When Brian Armstrong received the 2020 Geology Alumni Society Award from the University of South Florida — he was both surprised, and humbled by the honor.

Armstrong, who is executive director for the Southwest Florida Water Management District (SWFMD), knew that he was going to play a role at the Jan. 30 awards banquet, but didn’t know whether it would be to bestow, or receive, an award, he said.

Brian Armstrong, executive director of the Southwest Florida Water Management District, received the 2020 Geology Alumni Society Award from the University of South Florida. Winners are selected by members of the USF GAS and the USF Program in Geology/School of Geosciences. Armstrong said he’s aware of previous recipients of this award and was humbled by his selection. (Courtesy of Southwest Florida Water Management District)

Upon learning that he was the recipient, Armstrong said he felt humbled because he realizes the caliber of the previous winners of this award.

Plus, Armstrong noted, it felt a bit odd to receive an individual award.

“I almost feel a little bit guilty, in that, I know all of the people who have helped me along the way,” Armstrong said.

In his role at the helm of SWFMD, Armstrong leads a team of 574 full-time equivalent employees, plus some student interns.

The district includes all or parts of 16 counties, including Pasco and Hillsborough counties within The Laker/Lutz News coverage area. Its four areas of responsibility are water supply, flood protection, natural systems and water quality.

The district manages those areas of responsibility in various ways, including its regulatory and cooperative funding programs, Armstrong said.

In the cooperative funding program, the district and its cooperators build projects together — pooling resources to create alternative water supply projects or complete restoration projects, for example, he said.

The district also collects a tremendous amount of data, Armstrong said, “so we can keep an eye on the resources, in the areas of water quality, water levels, rainfalls.”

The SWFMD executive has great respect for the work his team does to carry out the district’s  mission.

“We have a brilliant group of scientists who are able to take that data, interpret it for us and help us make recommendations for the board,” Armstrong said.

The district’s greatest challenge — as it has been for the past 20 years — is water supply, he said.

“We’re trying to develop alternative supplies,” he said, such as surface water, desalination plants and reservoirs.

When he’s not working, Brian Armstrong, of San Antonio, enjoys the great outdoors. Here, he shows off a success in fishing. (Courtesy of Brian Armstrong)

“Matter of fact, you know, we’ve had tremendous population growth over the past two decades, but our actual groundwater use has gone down and the actual use per person has gone down. That is something we’re really, really proud of at our district,” Armstrong said.

The use of reclaimed water also has increased, and he expects that resource to play a greater role in the future.

On a personal level, Armstrong said he gets enormous satisfaction from doing work that is so closely related to his interests.

“I am an avid outdoorsman. I love nature. And, when I was able to connect science to my passion, that was it for me. I found something that I could do, and also help protect the resources that I love in Florida,” he said.

Initially, his goal was to be an engineer, like his father.

But he decided to pursue geology, instead, after finding out more about it from his brother-in-law, Tony, a geologist.

Armstrong is delighted to be able to combine his love for mathematics, science and nature in his work.

He and his wife, Pam, have two sons — 12-year-old Noah, who attends Centennial Middle School, and 14-year-old Dillon, who attends Pasco High School. Pam teaches first grade at Watergrass Elementary.

The family lives in San Antonio now, but will be making a move to an area off U.S. 98, between Dade City and Zephyrhills, Armstrong said.

“Everywhere I move just starts to explode (with growth), so I just keep moving.”

Published February 24, 2021

Filed Under: Local News, People Profiles Tagged With: Brian Armstrong, Centennial Middle School, Geology Alumni Society, Pasco High School, Southwest Florida Water Management District, SWFMD, U.S. 98, University of South Florida, Watergrass Elementary

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April 20, 2021 By Special to The Laker/Lutz News

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What’s Happening

04/21/2021 – Democratic Club

The Central Pasco Democratic Club will meet on April 21, via Zoom, to discuss voting rights and current legislative issues. Socializing starts at 6:30 p.m., followed by the meeting at 6:45 p.m. For information, email , or call 813-383-8315. … [Read More...] about 04/21/2021 – Democratic Club

04/21/2021 – Financial wellness

The Hillsborough County Public Library Cooperative will present “Strategies for Short-Term Financial Wellness” on April 21 at 6:30 p.m., for adults. Participants can learn tips and information for building emergency funds, managing debt and increasing cash flow. Registration is through the calendar feature at HCPLC.org. … [Read More...] about 04/21/2021 – Financial wellness

04/22/2021 – Coalition meeting

The University Area CDC Partners Coalition’s second quarter meeting presentation will be available on the University Area CDC’s  YouTube channel starting April 22 at 9 a.m. Viewers can learn about programs and initiatives happening in the uptown/University area. The presentation includes “Community Investment/Uptown Sky”; a panel conversation in juvenile and criminal justice; and “Small Biz = Big Impact.” For information, visit UACDC.org. … [Read More...] about 04/22/2021 – Coalition meeting

04/22/2021 – Virtual Earth Day

UF/IFAS Pasco County Extension will host a Virtual Earth Day Celebration on April 22 from 10 a.m. to noon. Educational sessions, with guest speakers, will include: Composting, gardening, getting outside, water conservation, forest services and recycling. To register, visit bit.ly/registrationpascoearthday. To join in on April 22, visit bit.ly/zoom2021earthday. … [Read More...] about 04/22/2021 – Virtual Earth Day

04/23/2021 – Improv Night

Live Oak Theatre will present an Improv Night on April 23 at 7:30 p.m., at the Carol & Frank Morsani Center, 21030 Cortez Blvd., in Brooksville. The family friendly event will feature the Conservatory’s Improv Troupe with games, skits and actor’s choices inspired by the audience. Doors open at 7 p.m. Seats are $10 per person in advance and $15 at the door. For information and tickets, visit LiveOakTheatre.org, call 352-593-0027, or email . … [Read More...] about 04/23/2021 – Improv Night

04/24/2021 – Butterfly release

Cindy’s Secret Place, 34953 Blanton Road in Dade City, will host a Butterfly Release on April 24 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., with the release at 1 p.m. (cost is $5). The event will include raffles, a plant sale, vendors and butterfly houses. Guests can bring chairs and blankets. For information, call 352-457-4030 or 352-424-4972. … [Read More...] about 04/24/2021 – Butterfly release

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