COMITE RESOURCES - Key Persons
Dr. Hunter earned an M.S. in Biology from Tennessee Technological University and a Ph.D. in Oceanography and Coastal Sciences, with an emphasis in Wetland Biogeochemistry, from Louisiana State University. After graduating from LSU in 2000, she traveled to Thailand on a Fulbright Post-Doctoral Fellowship where she conducted research on using mangrove wetlands to uptake nutrients from shrimp pond effluent. In 2001 Dr. Hunter began working with MWH, Global in Fort Collins, Colorado, where she gained experience with many types of land and water management issues unique to water-limited areas. In addition, a large portion of her time was spent in the development and use of ecological models. In October 2006, Dr. Hunter moved back to Louisiana and began working with Dr. John Day at LSU focusing on coastal wetland restoration. She started working with Comite Resources at the same time. Dr. Hunter has extensive experience in watershed management, focusing particularly on assessing environmental and management impacts on functions, ecology, and biogeochemical processes in freshwater wetlands and brackish and saltwater marshes. Much of her research has focused on the use of created and natural wetlands for assimilation of treated effluent and non-point source pollution. In the past few years, Dr. Hunter has been involved in investigating the impacts of oil and gas exploration and extraction on Louisiana's coastal wetlands. This work has focused on the impacts of hydrologic modifications, produced water and induced subsidence on Atchafalaya Basin swamps, freshwater floating wetlands, and freshwater, intermediate, brackish, and salt marshes. In 2022 Dr. Hunter, along with Drs. John Day and H.C. Clark, published a book titled "Energy Production in the Mississippi River Delta: Impacts on Coastal Ecosystems and Pathways to Restoration." In addition, Dr. Hunter has many years of experience in project management and she regularly publishes research results in peer-reviewed scientific journals.
Job Titles:
- Chief Operating Officer for Comite Resources, Inc
Dr. Robert R. Lane currently serves as the Chief Operating Officer for Comite Resources, Inc. after spending 23 years as a wetland and coastal research scientist at Louisiana State University (LSU), College of the Coast & Environment. Dr. Lane has published numerous papers in peer- reviewed scientific journals concerning water quality and management of coastal and inland wetland systems. He also co-authored the first carbon sequestration methodology for creating and monetizing carbon offset credits from a broad range of wetland restoration activities in coastal Louisiana. Dr. Lane has designed and carried out several carbon quantification studies, including one measuring the release of greenhouse gasses during wetland loss, and another of a forested wetland receiving inputs from a wastewater treatment plant. Dr. Lane assisted with the planting and monitoring of over 6000 mangrove seedlings along the Louisiana coast, and the collection of over half-a-million mangrove propagules for dispersal by airplane, both carbon sequestration projects. Dr. Lane was a contributor to the 2022 State of Louisiana Comprehensive Energy Plan. Dr. Lane has also studied the impacts of river diversions on coastal water quality, wetland surface elevation, vegetative and aquatic primary productivity, and soil porewater chemistry, as well as the effectiveness of restoration techniques including sediment fences, hydrologic alterations, living shorelines, municipal effluent application, and cypress and mangrove plantings. In addition, Dr. Lane developed a mangrove restoration plan for Guam Navy Base. Dr. Lane has also studied the effects of oil from the 2010 BP oil spill on phytoplankton productivity, analyzed extensive datasets to develop nutrient criteria for rivers and streams as well as wetlands in Louisiana, and designed and oversaw construction of several multi-acre wetlands for water quality improvement of stormwater runoff. Dr. Lane has presented numerous talks at scientific conferences concerning his work, and has been a guest presenter for several graduate level classes.
Dr. Lane has had close collaboration with many investigators at LSU and other universities, private consulting firms, state municipalities, and state and federal environmental agencies for various projects, proposals, and submission of numerous manuscripts and reports.
Jason Day is the Field Director for Comite Resources, overseeing activities pertaining to assessment, site development, data collection and monitoring. Mr. Day received a B.S. degree in Zoology from Louisiana State University and has attained Professional Wetland Scientist certification (PWS#3440). Mr. Day speaks fluent Spanish and has worked in Mexico, Australia, France, Spain and Italy on wetland and avian ecological projects with multi-national teams. Mr. Day has carried out extensive research on the ecology and management of the Mississippi River Delta and co-authored several publications. Mr. Day is certified to carry out Wetland Delineations and is a licensed Nuisance Wildlife Control Operator. Mr. Day can identify vegetation and wildlife species of Louisiana and the Gulf of Mexico, including bird species by sight and call. He expertly handles many types of field equipment and vessels, and is a certified airboat operator.
Joe Mistich's academic achievements include a Master of Architecture (M1) degree from Tulane University, a Bachelor of Architecture degree from Tulane University, and a Bachelor of Science degree from Louisiana State University (LSU) with an emphasis in Construction Management. Joe has over 28 years of experience managing commercial, residential, land, and infrastructure projects.
Joel Mancuso is a wetland biologist for Comite Resources and he regularly works on site assessments, data collection, data input, and monthly monitoring of all projects. Joel earned his B.S. degree from Southeastern Louisiana University where he studied under Dr. Gary Shaffer assisting in many different wetland restoration experiments. He is skilled in the operation of many types of field equipment and currently possesses a Louisiana Boater Education Program and Nuisance Wildlife Control Operator License.