About David

HMS FOUNDER

Some professional pivots are gradual; others hit you like a wave.

Geologist by training. Systems architect by trade. Environmental steward by mission.

My professional focus was forged early, selected at age 16 for the Canadian Olympic Fencing Team. That immersion in elite competition instilled a high-performance mindset and a lifelong discipline for tactical strategy. Today, I apply that same rigor to solving complex environmental challenges—making the “complex” feel simple, understandable, and actionable for communities.

Throughout my career, I have operated at the intersection of three distinct disciplines that now define my approach to conservation:

Scientific Rigor: Deep roots in academia, from teaching Geology to working in Geochronology in one of the world’s largest radiocarbon labs. I understand the deep time cycles of our planet.

Operational Scale & Strategic Finance: Proven ability to bridge high-level business requirements with ecological goals. This includes managing logistics for 1M+ global users and developing a financial proforma with international relief leaders for high-stakes, 100,000-acre rainforest conservation acquisition.

Creative Outreach & Education: Create, manufacture, and distribute award-winning games reaching audiences in 55 countries with over 20K units. Developed a virtual world app downloaded over 600K times by teachers, parents, and students. I know how to translate procedures into tangible play and create educational tools for others to do so in their own worlds.

I don’t just see a river; I see a complex system that needs a community-driven framework. I believe that lasting sustainability requires more than just data—it requires organized communities, intuitive tools, and educational stewardship.

As the Founder of Headwaters & Marine Stewards (HMS), I am synthesizing this background to scale environmental monitoring through citizen science. Our mission on the NH Seacoast is to turn raw data into sustainable stewardship, empowering communities to protect their vital aquatic ecosystems from source to sea.

#EducationalStewardship   #NHSeacoast   #Sustainability   #SourceToSea   #CitizenScience

David René Miller

Environmental Consultant

Portsmouth, New Hampshire | david @ hmstewards.org | LinkedIn

Founder, Headwaters & Marine Stewards (HMS) | Geologist & Systems Architect | Scaling Environmental Stewardship via Citizen Science | High-Performance Strategy shaped by Olympic Fencing

Summary

Geologist by training. Systems architect by trade. Environmental steward by mission.

My professional focus was forged at age 16 when I was selected for the Canadian Olympic Fencing Team. That early immersion in elite competition instilled a high-performance mindset and a lifelong discipline for tactical strategy. Today, I apply that same focus to making the “complex” feel “simple” and actionable.

Throughout my career, I have operated at the intersection of three distinct disciplines:

  • Scientific Rigor: From teaching Geology to Geochronology in the world’s largest radiocarbon lab.
  • Operational Scale: Managing $6M regional logistics and deploying technical frameworks to 1M+ global users.
  • Creative Outreach: Publishing award-winning educational games to 55 countries and and curricula reached by audiences in 55 countries.

I don’t just see a river; I see a dataset that needs a community-driven framework. I believe that lasting sustainability requires more than just data—it requires organized communities and intuitive tools.

As the Founder of Headwaters & Marine Stewards (HMS), I’m now synthesizing my background as a scientist, L&D specialist, and firefighter/divemaster to scale environmental monitoring through citizen science. My mission is to turn raw data into sustainable stewardship for our most vital aquatic ecosystems.

Experience

Headwaters & Marine Stewards | Portsmouth, NH

Founder | December 2025 – Present

Architected the strategic and legal framework for a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, bridging the gap between environmental science and community-led aquatic stewardship.

Engineering scalable citizen science protocols and multidisciplinary curricula to transform raw environmental data into actionable literacy for K-12 and adult learners.

Skills
  • Nonprofit Governance
  • Environmental Program Development
  • Citizen Science & Community Engagement
  • Strategic Partnerships
  • Grant Writing & Fundraising
  • Science Communication

subQuark, LLC | Portsmouth

Founder & Publisher | March 1996 – Present

Scaled our publishing and distribution operation for tabletop games, managing international logistics for 20K+ units across 55 countries.

Pioneered award-winning digital learning innovations, including a mobile eLearning platform recognized for excellence at DevLearn DemoFest and an OpenSim application with 600K+ downloads.

Recognition: Winner of DevLearn DemoFest for mobile eLearning innovation

Innovation: Developed a free OpenSim app with 600K+ downloads

Skills
  • Small Press Publishing
  • Game Design & Manufacturing
  • Kickstarter Campaigns
  • International Product Distribution
  • Educational Technology Innovation
  • Digital Content Strategy

Amadeus Hospitality | Portsmouth

Senior Learning & Development Specialist | March 2005 – Present

Directed high-velocity, high-compliance project delivery in a SAFe (Scaled Agile) environment, utilizing UX strategy and human-centered design to optimize enterprise-wide adoption. Reduced product delivery time from 3 months to 2 weeks via online onboarding.

Designed a global technical framework, reaching over 1 million users across 194 countries by localizing complex SaaS systems into intuitive knowledge assets. Led MOODLE LMS deployment for 70 universities, enabling iPad self-service coursework for 25,000 students/year through a self-service, certificate-based, pay-as-you-play model, and created the associated e-learning content.

Skills
  • Project Management (Agile/SAFe)
  • Global Program Operations
  • Strategic Product Onboarding & UX Strategy
  • Technical Communications
  • Workflow Optimization
  • Data-Driven Decision Making
  • Cross-Functional Leadership

Bose Corporation | Boston

Senior Multimedia Designer | May 2004 – April 2005

Engineered a unified data architecture by consolidating six disparate databases into a single system, reducing daily maintenance by 75% and driving $1.3M in monthly sales growth through checkout UX optimization.

Orchestrated high-impact multimedia workflows and logistics, directing cross-functional teams to meet rigorous technical milestones while reducing cart abandonment by 18% through user-flow engineering.

Skills
  • Project Coordination & Resource Planning
  • User Flow & Process Optimization
  • Quality Assurance & Standards Oversight
  • Cross-functional Communication
  • Multimedia Design

Beta Analytic | Miami

Geologist | June 1993 – May 2004

Engineered the lab’s first database-driven tracking system, optimizing the logistical workflow for 20,000 annual samples and ensuring data integrity for the world’s largest geochronology laboratory.

Authored an award-winning OSHA safety framework that reduced workers’ compensation premiums by 15% and earned the Florida State Safety Award of Excellence for operational standards.

Skills
  • Radiocarbon Dating & Geochronology
  • Laboratory & Sample Logistics Management
  • OSHA Safety Planning & Compliance
  • Database Development & Process Automation
  • Quality Assurance & Incident Reduction

Miami Dade College | Miami

Professor of Geology & Environmental Science | June 1993 – May 2004

Pioneered technology-driven curricula by integrating interactive 3D learning models to translate complex geological and environmental science concepts for diverse student populations.

Orchestrated field research and mentorship programs, guiding students in the practical application of scientific concepts to real-world environmental stewardship and habitat assessment.

Partnered with high-level international disaster relief leadership to architect the financial proforma for the acquisition and establishment of a 100,000-acre rainforest nature preserve.

Skills
  • Science Communication & Mentorship
  • Curriculum & Assessment Design
  • Field Research Supervision
  • Interactive Learning & Technology Integration
  • College-Level & Large-Classroom Instruction

Circuit City Service Center | Dallas

Regional Manager | Jul 1990 – Jun 1993 | Dallas, TX

Multi-state Resource Management: Directed regional service and parts logistics across a four-state territory, managing a $6M annual parts budget to support 40,000 service requirements

Operational Efficiency: Engineered process improvements that reduced repair cycle times by 40% (from 9.8 days to under 6 days), optimizing throughput and resource allocation

Large-Scale Data Oversight: Managed high-volume inventory and service data, ensuring accuracy and compliance within a complex, high-velocity regional supply chain

Cross-State Coordination: Facilitated logistics and stakeholder communication across multiple jurisdictions, a framework now applied to coordinating municipal and state-level environmental projects

Skills

  • Regional Operations
  • Budget Oversight ($6M+)
  • Process Engineering
  • Logistics & Supply Chain Management
  • KPI Development
  • Stakeholder Coordination

Private Schools | Dallas

Science Educator & Curriculum Lead | Jul 1986 – Jul 1990

Science Educator & Curriculum Lead | Jul 1986 – Jul 1990

Multidisciplinary Science Instruction: Developed and delivered comprehensive curricula across Chemistry, Physics, Biology, Environmental Science, and Mathematics, fostering scientific literacy for students in grades 7–12

Science Communication: Specialized in breaking down complex scientific principles into actionable learning, a skill now applied to community outreach and stakeholder education for environmental initiatives

Program Leadership & Team Building: Coached varsity and junior varsity athletic programs to state-level success, demonstrating leadership in goal setting, team coordination, and performance mentorship

Student Assessment & Analytics: Managed data-driven student assessments to track learning progress and adapt instructional strategies—skills directly transferable to monitoring program outcomes and environmental reporting

Skills

  • Science Communication
  • Curriculum Development
  • Environmental Literacy
  • Team Leadership & Coaching
  • Multidisciplinary STEM Education

Education

The University of Texas at Dallas – M.A., Geoscience/Science Education
University of Houston-Clear Lake – B.S., Physical Science/Geology & Mathematics
University of Ottawa – Science and Engineering

Certifications

  • Salesforce.com Certified Administrator
  • UX Design & Prototyping (Multiple Certs)
  • NAUI Worldwide Divemaster
  • PADI Advanced Open Water Diver
  • Firefighter II & Driver/Operator – Texas Commission on Fire Protection
  • Paramedic – Texas Dept of State Health Services

Publications (Tabletop Games)

Awards & Honors

  • Florida State Safety Award of Excellence (OSHA)
  • International Mountain Bike Association Trail Grant
  • Pair of Dice Paradise Wings (Games)
  • Selected for the Canadian Olympic Fencing Team