Tarpon Springs Chapter
The Tarpon Springs Chapter was formed in September 2008 and is primarily focused on the vast Springs Coast of Florida. The majority of the near-shore areas of the Springs Coast has not been investigated or mapped, but possesses a diverse system of spring rivers, tidal creeks, and marine waters. This area provides the unique opportunity for the Tarpon Springs Nauts to be scientific pioneers. Other opportunities lie in the mapping and adoption of reefs, studying seagrass, associated ecosystems and investigating of spring vents that are known to exist but have not been located.
Current and Future projects include:
- Archaeological surveys
- Boater education on clean boating and reef protection
- Fauna and flora surveys of reefs and ledges
- Field guide to coral and sponges of the Springs Coast
- GIS mapping projects of seagrass and hardbottom
- Offshore spring surveys
- Reef and wreck clean-up projects
- Seagrass scar monitoring
- Underwater navigation maps
The Chapter will also partner with our sister organizations in training and in summer trips that will expand our opportunities to learn and gain experience in diverse settings with fellow Nauts of various backgrounds and experiences.
Tarpon Springs Chapter Mission Statement
The mission of the Tarpon Springs Chapter of SCUBAnauts is the long term study of natural hard bottom, seagrass, and reef habitats of the Florida Springs Coast and the associated fishes, turtles, sponges and corals.
Chapter President and Acting Unit Dive Coordinator (UDC)
 Mike Waugh is a native West Virginian, 10 year veteran of the United States Marine Corps and a graduate of the University of Florida. He became involved in SCUBA diving as an opportunity to do something unique with his son and, as a result, discovered SCUBAnauts.
Mike is an active member of the Marine Corps League and he and his family are energetic volunteers for the Toys for Tots program each year.
Currently an Account Director with Jabil Global Services, Mike manages an international account primarily focused in the Americas and Europe and has had extensive experience in China.
He is married to Katie Waugh, the chapter Chief Fundraising Officer (CFO), and they are the proud parents of Courtney, a student at the University of Florida, and Connor, a Senior First Class SCUBAnaut.
Mike has been a parent volunteer since May of 2006. His certifications include PADI Advanced Open Water, PADI Nitrox (EANx), NAUI Rescue Diver and he recently earned his NAUI Divemaster certification. He is also a certified DAN instructor in CPR/FA/AED and O2 Provider.
Chapter Operations Officer
 Randy Hutchisson is a former US Navy corpsman. After graduation from East Carolina University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting and Masters degree in finance, he attained designations as a Certified Financial Planner (CFP) as well as a Chartered Retirement Plan Specialist (CRPS). His family wealth management practice is located in Trinity, Florida.
Randy earned his open water certification in the summer of 2008. He and his wife Rene have been married for 17 years and live in the East Lake area with their two sons Trey (15) and Conner (14).
Fundraising Officer
 Katie Waugh is a mother, volunteer and former elementary school teacher. This native West Virginian is an Honors graduate in Education from the University of Florida.
Katie is also active in the Marine Corps League Auxiliary and is the Agency Coordinator for the Toys for Tots program with the Clearwater Marine Corps League. She has been an active volunteer with schools in Pinellas County and with the Meals on Wheels program.
Married to Mike Waugh, the chapter President, they have two children, Courtney, a student at the University of Florida, and veteran SCUBAnaut Connor.
Katie is not a diver, but loves what the SCUBAnaut Program has brought to kids though education and experience and wants to ensure those opportunities continue for the current and future generations of interested kids.
Chapter Chief Scientist
 Keith Kolasa has managed natural resource restoration and protection projects for nearly 20 years and is currently a Senior Environmental Scientist with the Southwest Florida Water Management District. Projects that he has completed in the past include lake and wetland restoration projects, pollutant and water quality investigations, and biological assessments. His most recent projects include the Chassahowitzka Spring restoration project and several stormwater treatment improvement projects to reduce pollutants entering various lakes and rivers. Additionally, Keith is overseeing the Springs Coast Seagrass mapping project that will provide a spatial database of the second largest area of seagrass beds in the state. This information is needed to properly manage this extensive area of seagrass vital to the state's fishing, shellfish, and shrimp industries. He has recently presented results of the seagrass project at national level conferences including the American Society of Limnology and Oceanography (Ocean Sciences Meeting) and the American Society for Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing. Keith received his Bachelor of Science in Limnology from the University of Central Florida. He is a native Floridian and has been a certified diver since 1985.
Education Officer
 Julie Galkiewicz graduated from College of William and Mary, Virginia, in 2006 with a B.S. in Biology. She is currently conducting her Ph.D. research at the University of South Florida. As part of her research, she is cataloguing and categorizing the bacterial communities associated with several Pacific corals. Her research provides a general idea of the common bacteria present on corals throughout different seasons and in different areas of the Pacific, ranging from American Samoa to the Northwest Hawaiian Islands. Julie is an inspiring mentor for the SCUBAnauts.
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