Ted J. Smith

Ted  Smith currently serves as Principal Geologist for his firm Earth &  Water Resources, LLC. His practice specializes in site characterizations  and project reviews with an emphasis on Karst geology and sinkhole  investigations, expert witness and litigation support, hydrogeological  evaluations, contamination and environmental site assessments. Mr. Smith  has over 30 years professional geological experience in environmental  and engineering geology, as well as an extensive background in mining  and mineral exploration. Since becoming a consultant in 1992, he has  worked on a wide variety of environmental and geotechnical projects,  including the assessment and remediation of contaminated industrial  facilities and geotechnical investigation of properties impacted by  sinkhole and karst activity. Projects range from the geotechnical  evaluations of hazardous elemental phosphorus tailings impoundments in  Florida, Idaho, and Newfoundland, to the closure of a phosphogypsum  stack and chemical plant in central Florida, as well as extensive  contamination assessments of various industrial facilities. Of  particular note, Mr. Smith served as the technical consultant for the  Veterans Expressway in Tampa, Florida, from 1992 to 1996 when he managed  the assessment and remediation of hazardous materials sites in the  project right-of-way, including the assessment and closure of a former  landfill.

Sinkhole and karst investigations are a specialized  area of skill. Since 1996, Mr. Smith has directed a technical services  group that has conducted over 3,000 forensic projects involving the  investigation of sinkhole damage claims for the insurance industry. He  has managed over 25 geologists, scientists, and technicians with annual  revenues in excess of $6 million dollars. Specific services ranged from  geologic and geophysical site evaluations, emergency response, to the  design, management, and oversight of sinkhole remediation and other  subsurface ground improvement projects. Mr. Smith has provided expert  testimony on numerous legal cases involving sinkhole activity and the  remediation of associated damages, and facility permit disputes.

From  1983 to 1991, Mr. Smith worked in mineral exploration and mine  development in the western U.S. as a Regional Geologist and Project  Geologist for various mining firms. At the White Pine Gold Mine in  eastern Nevada, he was responsible for the management of exploration and  mine geology programs. Mr. Smith was also a member of the development  and exploration teams at the Bullfrog and Richmond Hill Mines in Nevada  and South Dakota. In addition to his responsibilities for evaluating  regional and ore deposit geology and ore reserves, he directed surface  and groundwater quality testing programs for exploration and mine  permitting.

•  Director and senior project manager for more than 3,000 sinkhole and  karst investigations in Florida, including site evaluations and  preparation of remedial plans for subsurface grouting and underpinning. 
• Responsible  for the financial performance of the technical services group,  including profit and loss, budgeting, planning, and invoicing, with  annual revenues exceeding $6 million.
  
• Responsible for client development and management of client relations.
  
• Supervisor of over 25 geologists, scientists, and technicians.
  
• Developed investigation protocols and methods, reporting guidelines, and report formats.
  
• Prepared numerous technical presentations and professional papers.
  
  
  

• Senior  project manager for a multi-year investigation of a former elemental  phosphorus production facility involving evaluation of the extent of  impacted ground water and surface water as well as the resolution of  multiple regulatory issues.
  
• Managed the design and construction of a slurry wall and cap system for final closure of the facility.
  

• Project  geologist for in-depth hydrogeological investigations for a wastewater  reuse project at a citrus operation, a large residential development  project, sand mine and processing plant, and a closed phosphorus  production facility.
  

• Project manager for contamination and remediation issues on the Veterans Expressway in Tampa, Florida.
  
• Individual  projects included contamination assessments at several  petroleum-contaminated sites and a former un-permitted landfill, a  wetlands restoration project, emergency response activities, petroleum  storage tank closures, and construction dewatering in contaminated  areas.
  

Owner and Principal Geologist: 2011 to present

Project Geologist, Project Manager, Director, Associate: 1992 to 2011

Geologist, Project Manager: 1991 to 1992

Regional Geologist: 1990 to 1991

Project Geologist, Geologist: 1983 to 1990

Professional Geologist, Florida (No. 1368)

Licensed Professional Geologist, Tennessee (No. 6048)

Certified Professional Geologist, AIPG  (No. 9870)

Florida Department of Financial Services Certified Neutral Evaluator

Licensed Environmental Professional (No. 350)

OSHA Hazardous Water Safety Training

MSHA Mine Safety Training

American Institute of Professional Geologists

National Ground Water Association

Society of Economic Geologists

Vice President of Florida Association of Soil Stabilization Specialists