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Professional Soil Scientists, Wetland Professionals, and Geologists, Board for

Labor

Purpose

The purpose of the Board for Professional Social Scientists, Wetlands Professionals, and Geologists is to protect the health, safety, and welfare of the public through the regulation of soil scientists, wetland delineators and geologists.

Term

Four year terms

Composition

The Board for Professional Soil Scientists, Wetland Professionals, and Geologists shall be composed of 13 members as follows: three licensed professional soil scientists, three certified professional wetland delineators, three geologists, and three citizen members. The State Geologist shall serve as an ex officio member of the Board. The geologist members shall be of varied backgrounds. The professional soil scientist members shall have experience in at least one of the following areas: (i) soil mapping and classification, (ii) soil suitability and land use, (iii) teaching and research in soil science, and (iv) environmental protection regulations. Of the wetland professional members, one shall have experience in wetland delineation and description, one shall have experience in teaching and research in wetland science, and one shall have experience with natural resource regulations. Terms of the members shall be for four years.

The Board shall annually elect a chairman from its membership. Seven board members, consisting of at least two soil scientists, two professional wetland delineators, two geologists, and one citizen, shall constitute a quorum.

The Governor may select the professional soil scientist members from a list of at least three names for each vacancy submitted by the Virginia Association of Professional Soil Scientists. The Governor may notify the Virginia Association of Professional Soil Scientists of any professional vacancy other than by expiration among the professional soil scientist members of the Board and nominations may be made for the filling of the vacancy.

The Governor may select the wetland professionals from a list of at least three names for each vacancy submitted by the Virginia Association of Wetland Professionals. The Governor may notify and request nominations from the Virginia Association of Wetland Professionals of any professional vacancy other than by expiration among the wetland professional members.

Vacant Seats

The seat descriptions indicate if there is a specific requirement for that seat (a profession, consumer, someone who lives in a certain congressional district, etc.). If there is only a number listed (Seat 7), there is no specific criteria for that seat. A “citizen” seat requires someone who is not affiliated with that profession. If you're interested in any of these seats, please submit an application here.

Member of the General Public	1 seat
Total seats available: 1

Current Board Members

Ms. Shannon S. George

Geologist Membership expires on 6/30/2026

Mr. Steven Yob

Member of the General Public Membership expires on 6/30/2026

Justin T. Brown

Wetland Professional (Natural Resource Research) Membership expires on 6/30/2026

Cayman Lowe

Member of the General Public Membership expires on 6/30/2027

Mr. Ernest W. Beasley

Geologist Membership expires on 6/30/2028

Alexis Emily Jones

Soil Scientist (Soil Mapping & Classification) Membership expires on 6/30/2028

Jay Frank Conta

Soil Scientist (Environmental Protection Regulations) Membership expires on 6/30/2028

Emily Salkind

Wetland Professional (Wetland Delineation & Description) Membership expires on 6/30/2028

John Pollard

Geologist Membership expires on 6/30/2029

Emily Drahos

Wetland Professional (Teaching & Research in Wetland Science) Membership expires on 6/30/2029

Richard Michniak

Soil Scientist (Soil Suitability & Land Use) Membership expires on 6/30/2029