The Archaeologists
Thomas T. Taylor
Manager, Senior Archaeologist
Tom has been an archaeologist with SCE since 1979. He has a BA and MA from California State University, Fullerton, and has been the manager of the Biological and Archaeological Resources (BAR);Group;since 2004. Tom’s BAR Group activities focus on planning, strategy, and organizational effectiveness.
Contact Tom: thomas.t.taylor@sce.com;or at;626-302-9540.
Koral Ahmet M.A., RPA
Senior Archaeologist
Koral joined the BAR Group as an archaeologist in 2007. He has a BA and MA from the University of Manchester, UK, with a background in Old World archaeology, but has been working mainly in the desert regions of California and Arizona for the past eight years. His areas of interest include prehistoric settlement patterns, industrial technologies, and low elevation aerial photography using a kite or helium balloon. Koral’s primary activities at SCE include working on GO131D, O&M (Operations and Maintenance), Fiber Optic, and Capital Projects.
Contact Koral: koral.ahmet@sce.com;or at;626-302-7098.
Sara joined the BAR Group as an archaeologist in 2008. She has her BA from University of California, Riverside, and MPH from Loma Linda University. She has worked in the field of archaeology since 1999 with an emphasis in prehistoric archaeology of the desert regions of California and Southwestern Arizona. Her areas of interest include lithic and shell identification, historic artifact identification, prehistoric and historic settlement patterns, and methodologies in data collection techniques at excavation sites. She is currently working on Deteriorated Pole Program, O&M, Fiber Optic installation, Hydroelectric projects and Capital Projects.
Contact Sara: sara.bholat@sce.com;or at;626-862-0783.
David C. Hanna, Jr. M.A., RPA
Archaeologist
Dave joined the BAR group as an archaeologist in 2009. He has an MA in Anthropology from California State University San Diego, a BA in Sociology-Anthropology from Occidental College, and 35 years of experience in environmental consulting. His emphasis is prehistoric archaeology, with some involvement in historic archaeology and eligibility evaluation. His experience also includes environmental project management and master document preparation under CEQA and NEPA, as well as regulatory permitting. His background is in private-sector consulting, with several years at the County of San Diego Department of Public Works. Dave’s primary activities at SCE include working on Operations and Maintenance, GO131-D, Cellular, and Capital Projects.
Contact Dave: dave.hanna@sce.com;or at;626-302-5419
Katherine Pollock M.A., RPA
Senior Archaeologist
Katherine joined the BAR group in 2006, coming from a private consulting company. She has worked in the archaeological field since 1994 and has a BA from the University of Arizona and an MA from Washington State University. Her areas of interest include historic period architecture and settlements, prehistoric lithic, technologies, and prehistoric architecture. Within SCE, Katherine works on hydroelectric, DSP, O&M (Operations and Maintenance), GO 131-D, and Capital Projects and conducts environmental awareness training.
Contact Katherine: katherine.pollock@sce.com;or at;626-302-4860.
Adam Sriro M.A., RPA
Senior Archaeologist
Adam has been an archaeologist with SCE since 2002. He has a BA in Cultural Anthropology, with an emphasis in archaeology from the University of California, Santa Barbara, and an MA in Cultural Resources Management from Sonoma State University. Adam is a Registered Professional Archaeologist with the State of California and has a background in use-wear and lithic analysis, prehistoric settlement patterns, and underwater archaeology. He is currently the project archaeologist for the Tehachapi Renewable Transmission Project (TRTP);and coordinates the environmental awareness training for Corporate EH&S.
Contact Adam: adam.sriro@sce.com;or at;626-302-3926
Natasha Tabares
Archaeologist
Natasha joined the BAR Group as an archaeologist in 2009. She has a BS in Geology from the Universidad EAFIT (Colombia) and an MA in Anthropology, emphasis archaeology, from California State University, Northridge. Since 2000 she has worked primarily in the Great Basin, California Desert and urban Los Angeles. Her areas of interest include prehistoric lithic technology, exchange networks, subsistence, and settlement patterns among prehistoric peoples of the Desert West. She is currently working on Fiber Optic installation, GO131D, and Capital projects.
Contact Natasha: natasha.tabares@sce.com;or at;626-302-5548.
Audry Williams
Senior Archaeologist
Audry has been an archaeologist with SCE since 2006. She has worked in the archaeological field since 1998, has a BA from California State University, Bakersfield, and is currently finishing her MA. Her areas of interest include Mojave Desert and Great Basin prehistory, faunal analysis, settlement patterns, and trade networks. She is currently the environmental coordinator and archaeologist for SCE’s deteriorated pole program. Audry also is the archaeologist for Devers Palo Verde 2 and the Bark Beetle Project.
Contact Audry: audry.williams@sce.com;or at;626-302-4864.
The Biologists
Jill Fariss
Manager, Senior Biologist
Jill has been a biologist with SCE since 1999. She has BS and;MS degrees in Environmental Biology from California State University, Northridge and has been the manager of the biologists within the Biological and Archaeological Resources Group since 2006.;Jill’s BAR Group activities focus on providing guidance to the biologists regarding specific work activities, overall workflow, allocating financial/employee resources, strategies for proactive solutions to compliance, and working with other organizations within SCE to develop programs and procedures that provide compliance support to help them get the job done.
Contact Jill:;jill.fariss@sce.com;or at 626-302-8545.
Maija Benjamins
Senior Biologist
Maija has been a biologist with SCE since 2005. She has a BS in Biology from Binghamton University and an MS in Ecology from SUNY-College of Environmental Science and Forestry. Her background includes a variety of ecological concepts, including endangered species management, ecosystem function and management, entomology and ornithology. At SCE, Maija coordinates Distribution Substation Planning (DSP) projects and works on several large capital projects, such as the Tehachapi Renewable Transmission Project (TRTP) and Devers-Mirage System Split project. Maija also conducts environmental awareness training and works on O&M (Operations and Maintenance);projects.
Contact Maija: maija.benjamins@sce.com;or at 626-302-3936.
Kristi Boken
Senior Biologist
Kristi has been a biologist with SCE since 2003. She has Bachelor Degree in Environmental Biology from the University of Northern Iowa. Her background includes a variety of biological niches with a focus in restoration ecology and the overall function of ecosystems. At SCE, Kristi coordinates O&M (Operations and Maintenance);and small capital projects. She also works on large capital projects, the Bark Beetle Project, and conducts environmental awareness training.
Contact Kristi: kristi.boken@sce.com or at 626-302-4818.
Kara joined the staff of the biology group in 2007. Kara has a MS in Raptor Biology from Boise State University and has a BS in Anthropology-Zoology from the University of Michigan. Her background is primarily in avian biology, having worked on several research projects throughout the country since 1996. As a biologist for SCE, Kara primarily works on updating and developing SCE’s avian protection plan, providing support to field crews on issues with birds, and in conducting training on general environmental awareness and nesting and bird issues.
Contact Kara: kara.donohue@sce.com;or at 626-302-5528.
Jack Goldfarb, M.S.
Biologist
Jack joined the staff of the biology group in 2009. He has a BS in Biology from Moravian College and an MS in Biology from East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania. Jack’s background is primarily in the field of herpetology, although he has experience with several other fields of biology and ecology. He has conducted numerous research projects on the ecology of amphibians and reptiles throughout his career, many of which focused on critically endangered species including the Virgin Islands Rock Iguana. As a biologist for SCE, Jack is primarily working on the Tehachapi Renewable Transmission Project (TRTP), a large capital project, and also conducts Environmental Awareness Training.
Contact Jack: jacob.goldfarb@sce.com or at 626-302-8523.
As a biologist, Lisa joined the BAR group in the spring of 2009. She received a B.A. in Biology from Cal State University, Sonoma. Lisa has over 8 years of experience working on compliance-based projects in riparian, wetland, coastal and desert habitats. Previously, she worked in private consulting and in northern California she worked in storm water management for a local municipality. Since joining SCE, Lisa has been working on O&M (Operations and Maintenance) planning which includes collaborating and negotiating with SCE staff and contractors.
Contact Lisa: lisa.gonzales@sce.com;or at 626-302-8995.
Andrew Keller MS
Biologist
Andrew Keller joined the BAR Group in January 2009. Andrew holds a BS in Environmental Science from Northern Arizona University and an MS in Biology from Arizona State University. Andrew’s research background is in landscape ecology with a focus on reptile and amphibians in the southwestern United States. Andrew has also conducted behavioral research on California sea lions, food web ecology research on the San Pedro River in Arizona, and home range ecology research on reptiles throughout Arizona and northern California. Andrew’s projects at SCE include new substation projects, Catalina Island projects, DSPs, and the Hazardous Tree Removal Projects in the San Bernardino and Angeles National Forests.
Contact Andrew: andrew.keller@sce.com;or at;626-302-4839
Jennifer Leung
Senior Biologist
Jennifer joined the BAR group as a biologist in 2007. She has a BS in Applied Ecology from the University of California, Irvine. Her primary responsibilities with SCE include Capital projects, O&M (including Catalina Island) activities, and cell site leases.
Contact Jennifer: jennifer.leung@sce.com;or at 626-302-9541.
Adelina has been a biologist with SCE since 2006. She has a;BS degree in Botany from University of California, Riverside. Her background is primarily as a botanist and in habitat restoration. At SCE, Adelina is the biologist for Deteriorated Pole projects. She also works on large capital projects, Devers-Palo Verde II, and Little Lake Incident.
Contact Adelina: adelina.munoz@sce.com;or at 626-302-3088.
Roger Overstreet
Senior Biologist
Roger joined Edison in 2007 after working as a consultant on Edison projects for several years. Roger studied general biology and plant ecology at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo where he received his BS and is finishing his MS. In addition to his interest in the various habitats of Central and Southern California and the Mojave Desert, he is also knowledgeable in GIS/GPS technology and applying computer technologies to biology. His duties at SCE include working as project biologist on large capital and O&M (Operations and Maintenance) projects. Roger also conducts environmental training and helps with GIS and mapping issues.
Contact Roger: roger.overstreet@sce.com;or at 626-302-4788.
Johanna Page
Senior Biologist
Johanna joined SCE’s biological resource group in early 2006. Previously she worked as a wildlife technician with the U.S. Forest Service in Klamath National Forest, specializing in work with various endangered and threatened raptors. Johanna also worked with the Center for Native and Urban Wildlife (CNUW) in Scottsdale, AZ. Her work with CNUW included restoration projects, desert ecology work, and environmental education of the Sonoran Desert. Johanna graduated from Humboldt State University with a degree in biology, with an emphasis on ecology, and she also received a minor in geography. Since joining SCE, Johanna has worked on various projects ensuring that the company is in compliance with all local, state, and federal laws and regulations.
Contact Johanna: johanna.page@sce.com;or at 626-302-4861.
Jeff received his Bachelor of Science in Biology from U.C. Riverside in 1991. Much of his career has involved Integrated Natural Resources Management Planning and Bird-Aircraft Strike Hazard analysis. Although Jeff's career has spanned 7 States including Maine, he spent a great deal of time at Edwards AFB where he provided natural resources support for UAV programs, rocket testing, space shuttle exercises, and unexploded ordinance removal. Prior to joining SCE, Jeff also worked on watershed planning and environmental compliance supervision for critical infrastructure construction. Jeff currently works on CEQA exemption analyses for a variety of upgrades and new construction, including renewable generation tie-in.
Paul Yamazaki
Senior Biologist
Paul joined SCE in 2007 after 7 years of experience as a biologist working on highway projects for the California Department of Transportation in Los Angeles. Paul has a BS degree in Environmental Studies, with an emphasis in Biology, from the University of Southern California. His background and experience is in general biology and how current environmental regulations protecting plant and wildlife apply to construction projects. His current responsibilities at SCE include a variety of O&M (Operations and Maintenance);Projects, Capital Projects, biological reviews for Corporate Real Estate Environmental Site Assessments, and conducts environmental awareness training.
Contact Paul: paul.yamazaki@sce.com;or at 626-302-1117.