Otto’s interest in marine and environmental science was sparked when he met famous oceanographer, Jacques Cousteau, at a young age. He earned his M.S. degree in Natural Resource Science from the University of Maryland Eastern Shore and received B.S. degrees in Biology and Environmental/Marine Science from Salisbury University and the University of Maryland Eastern Shore, respectively. From 1996 to 2001, Otto served as a U.S. Merchant Marine. He joined the United States Coast Guard Reserves in 1998 and has held numerous roles since then. He currently serves as a First Class Petty Officer Boatswain’s Mate.
In 2018, Otto joined McCormick Taylor in our Salisbury, MD office with 14 years of experience. Prior to that, he served as District Manager at the Maryland Department of Environment, where he supervised the environmental compliance specialists for the Water and Science Administration's Eastern Compliance Division, performed highly complex, multimedia compliance inspections in regards to water pollution control laws and State and Federal Permits, and approved recommended course of action for violation case disposition. Throughout his career, Otto has had the chance to work alongside McCormick Taylor employees, all of whom made an everlasting impact on him.
“I always looked up to McCormick Taylor and the folks there," said Otto. "When I had the opportunity to join the company, I looked at several things but most importantly, I considered who I would be working for, how long everyone has been here, and the overall work environment. Everyone I knew that was working for McCormick Taylor years ago is still here and they are all great people.”
A typical day for Otto starts with a hot cup of coffee and then he dives straight into proposals, following up on marketing leads, communicating with onsite staff, reviewing reports, monitoring budgets, and attending meetings. The busier the day, the better for Otto. He is currently working to expand services and work in the Delmarva region for our Salisbury office. His role is challenging at times, but he knows it will be rewarding.
When Otto is not in the office, you can find him skateboarding, surfing, or listening to music. All three passions have been a part of his life since childhood. As a father, he looks forward to sharing and passing along his passions with his children.