Leaders in Stormwater: DAVID WOOD

This month, SMC’s LEADER IN STORMWATER has contributed to the development of BMP expert panel reports through the Chesapeake Bay Program and core training including the Chesapeake Urban Stormwater Professionals Program - David Wood, Executive Director of the Chesapeake Stormwater Network (CSN).

As a college intern, David first became interested in stormwater management while restoring oyster reefs on the St. Mary's River in southern Maryland. David found it eye opening to see the direct correlation between landscaping choices and the living resources they restored as he installed stormwater BMPs on the waterfront properties - and he was hooked!

Prior to joining CSN, David was a staffer for the Chesapeake Bay Program's Urban Stormwater Workgroup where he learned a great deal under the supervision of Lucinda Power, and alongside colleague, Norm Goulet. It was there that he met Tom Schueler, Executive Director of CSN. In 2016, David began working with CSN as Stormwater Coordinator, later earning the title of Executive Director in 2022. In this role, David says he often serves as the "stormwater help desk”. While CSN is known for their formal training and workshops, they also provide resources to stormwater professionals across the Chesapeake Bay watershed; and David is on-call to answer questions about BMPs and stormwater on a broader scale. The rest of his time is devoted to applying creative thinking to advance the field - collaborating with other leaders, developing new tools and resources to fill a need, or anticipating the next challenge the community will face. Since becoming Executive Director, David nods his head to Joe Battiata, Board President, who has been very supportive as he’s transitioned into this role. And David reflects on the inspiration he’s drawn from his predecessor, Tom Schueler, and the large influence Tom has had on his career as he's entrusted David to fill his shoes. David has admired Tom’s ability to identify the "next big thing" in the field and concisely communicate how convoluted topics can become actionable.

David is inspired by the impact effective stormwater management can make on a community, and says it plays an important role in public health through flood protection and water quality improvement. He points out the priorities of having more meaningful engagement with the community - making sure the right voices are heard at the table and setting aside preconceived notions to ensure solutions to local needs are being addressed; and improving resilience to climate change as storms increase their intensity - mitigating losses in anticipated infrastructure performance due to greater maintenance demands and undersized treatment.

David’s community involvement extends to his personal life as he is a member of the Gunpowder Valley Conservancy watershed group - where he enjoys hiking among other outdoor activities with his wife Carly and their two young children, Nora and Everett.