1. MICHELLE E. GARZA
171 Harmon Drive San Antonio, Texas 78209 | (210) 859-8867 | shellgarza@gmail.com |
http://tinyurl.com/MEGprofile
CAREER OBJECTIVE
Seeking position in the field of Sustainability Management and Environmental Science to be a part of bettering our community and
natural spaces through responsible environmental stewardship and sustainable practices.
SUMMARY OF QUALIFICATIONS
• Educated as an Environmental Scientist in the Geosphere - Environmental Assessment (EIS focus), Remediation
Engineering, Environmental Law, Valuation & Evaluation of Ecosystem Services, Renewable Energy, Engineering Geology,
and Chemistry & Toxicology. SARA LID (Low impact Development) workshop and EAA Sustainability Workshop in 2014.
• Management experience – 17+ years experience providing excellent customer service to both internal (employees) and
external customers alike. Highly respected servant leader. Thrive working with a team to streamline processes while
committing to excellence along the way.
• Field Work - Six months experience in monitor well sampling and monitoring. Texas Hydro Geo Workshop 2014 trained in
stream gauging and water and sediment sampling. Instruments used: Heron Oil Water Interface Meter, PID Meter, and Super
Sting Earth Resistivity Imaging & Swift.
• Interpersonal savvy/Teamwork - Able to work within diverse, multidisciplinary, cross-functional groups, attentive to all
thoughts and opinions, poised and confident under pressure, and willing to ask for help.
• Research - More than five years experience in data acquisition and applying previous experience demonstrating the ability to
learn on the job as well as finding creative solutions while problem solving.
• Community Outreach – 17+ years experience in detailed planning and successful event execution for multiple entities both
in and out of the workplace.
• Leadership experience - 17+ years: District manager leading and training to lead employees at Starbucks Coffee Company:
Store Managers, Assistant, Shift Supervisors, and Baristas, as the President of R3
, Roadrunners for Renewable Resources at
the UTSA, and Undergraduate Research Assistant leading students, and as the Chair of the UTSA Green Fund leading
students, staff, and faculty.
• Computer skills: MAC, PC, Microsoft Office, GIS, GFortran, R (statistic program), StatPlus, and Earth Imager.
EDUCATION
The University of Texas at San Antonio May 2014
Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science Cumulative GPA: 3.00 Major GPA: 3.30
Alamo Community College, San Antonio, Texas
2 + 2 Program for Environmental Science at The UTSA Associate Degree in Art, August 2012
EXPERIENCE
Field Personnel Site Management - DAI Environmental, Inc. – San Antonio, TX August 2014 - Present
• Collect data and samples on over forty monitoring wells on a remediation site for a remote project engineer.
• Sample, measure, collect, and report findings to the remote project engineer for the site.
• Manage supply inventory, determine additional supplies necessary and continually update the project engineer on my findings
to discuss project direction.
• Run site tests including overseeing monitor well drilling and installation, soil boring identification and PID readings, operate
and set-up Super Sting Earth Resistivity Imaging & Swift, and monitoring well slug testing.
Teaching Assistant - Department of Chemistry at The University of Texas at San Antonio July 2014 - May 2014
• Trained in grading and data entry for a new learning assessment program QLP, Quantitative Literacy Program, for Basic
Chemistry. Graded QLP assignments 5 times per semester for over 250 students, giving students access to timely grades and
feedback.
• Assisted in proctoring and grading exams as well as grade calculation and entry, personable and helpful through exams
(making students feel accountable and comfortable) as well as always offered extra help to the professor and fellow TA’s

2. (getting the job done quicker, creating a spirit of camaraderie and balancing work load for all).
Undergraduate Research Assistant - Texas Sustainable Energy Research Institute, UTSA October 2011 - May 2013
• Worked in sustainability and outreach initiatives directly with Dr. Afamia Elnakat, designing institute reports, crafting The
‘Momma Knows More’ Campaign, and organizing STEM outreach events and initiatives.
• Researched and wrote a literature review for the Institute’s energy engenderment study.
• Spearheaded the Institute’s student organization, Roadrunners for Renewable Resources (R3
), which connects the Institute
with students to make a difference at The UTSA, as a founding member and President for 2 years 7 months. Leading a team of
no less than 10 students officers and 20+ members per semester to take part in and put on yearly, Earth Week at The UTSA
(2011-2014), Switch the documentary and panel discussion (2011-2014), and take part in most campus wide events to bring a
sustainability theme wherever we could.
• Involved in student committees; The Sustainability Alliance at The UTSA formerly The UTSA Earth Week Committee for
three years (where I helped plan an effective Earth Week at The UTSA reaching over 3,000+ students) and The Rowdy Bike
Share Committee (where I and other green student organizations came together to initiate a bike-share program and bicycle
infrastructure overhaul at The UTSA utilizing the green fund proposal process and meeting with key university staff).
• Involved in university committees: The UTSA Green Fund Committee (where I chaired 15 student/staff/faculty and managed
a close to 1 million dollar student green fee budget and worked directly with University faculty and Staff to push select Green
Fund Proposals through) and The UTSA President’s Sustainability Council (where I updated the council on the Green Fund
and weighed in on the direction The UTSA would take on sustainability, helping pave the way for the creation of
Sustainability Director of The UTSA).
District Manager (DM) - Starbucks Coffee Company - San Antonio, TX January 2005 - July 2008
• Lead a multi-unit (district up to 13 stores), multi-million dollar enterprise (total district annual budget up to 10 million
dollars), seeing the business at a higher level.
• Developed store managers and helped them learn to solve problems and drive business results.
• Accountable for having all stores in the districts meet every standard of quality. Responsible for hiring and termination of
Store Managers.
• Responsible for building local strategies to manage district’s performance by using knowledge of local markets, communities
and customers.
Store Manager (SM) - Starbucks Coffee Company - San Antonio, TX October 2001 – January 2005
• Ran a million-dollar business—from managing store operations to responsibility for financial results from the front of the
house, not the back room. On the front line, connected with customers and partners.
• Developed teams, hired and welcomed new partners and future leaders. Responsible for termination of underperforming
partners
Assistant Store Manager (ASM) - Starbucks Coffee Company - San Antonio, TX February 1999 – October 2001
• Inspired customers while developing management skills on the journey to running a future great store.
• Managed a P&L (profit and loss statement) for a Fortune 100 company, built schedules, lead a team and nurtured talent—
allowing those partners to become their personal best.
Barista and Shift Supervisor (SS) - Starbucks Coffee Company - San Antonio, TX February 1996 – February 1999
• The face of Starbucks and an important part of customers’ day. An expert in handcrafting deliciously perfect beverages.
Connecting and creating the moments that make a difference in each person’s day.
• Worked passionately at every level to enrich people’s daily lives within local and global community.
• Help direct work on the floor, run shifts, lead a team, and make decisions that impact store operations.
• Developed leadership skills and expand responsibility. Help create great experiences for partners and customers alike.
ACTIVITIES AND HONORS
Earth Week Committee, member, and 2011-2014
The UTSA Green Fund Committee, Secretary 2013, Chair 2014
Roadrunners for Renewable Resources at The UTSA, Founding President, 2011-2014
Texas Sustainable Energy Research Institute, volunteer, 2013-2014
Texas Land Water Sustainability Forum – SARA, volunteer, 2012-2014
Exxon Mobile Science Fair, Volunteer, 2012
The UTSA Student Government 38th University Life Awards, finalist, 2014
The San Antonio Business Journal Going Green Awards, Up & Comer, 2012 (recognition for my sustainability efforts in and out
of work and school)
The UTSA Honor Roll, fall 2012 & Spring 2014
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3. The UTSA Campus Greening Idea Contest, First Place winner, 2012
Texas Space Grant Consortium Undergraduate Scholarship, Recipient, 2011 (first award ever at The UTSA)
Elequa Tech (Water purification through electrocoagulation), Development Team Volunteer, 2014-2015
National EV (Electric Vehicle) Day in San Antonio, Planning Committee Volunteer, 2014-2015
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