Poff Named Coastal Engineering President       By STEVE REILLY -Englewood SunSTAFF WRITER

Michael Poff drew accolades and congratulations after being named president of Coastal Engineering Consultants on Thursday.”I’m absolutely delighted for Michael Poff,” Charlotte County Commissioner Stephen R. Deutsch said Friday.

“He’s a competent, skilled engineer who has provided invaluable consulting services and support for people of Charlotte County,” Deutsch said.

For decades, his firm has been the consultants for Charlotte County’s Stump Pass long-term dredging and management plan, the Manasota Key beach re nourishment plan now underway and other local coastal projects and studies.

Poff said he plans to continue to oversee Charlotte County’s Manasota Key beach re-nourishment project to its resolution.

With Coastal Engineering for 23 years, Poff takes over its presidency from co-founder Michael F. Stephen, who will continue to serve as the company’s CEO. In his new position, Poff’s duties will include managing “day-to-day” operations, as well as focusing on coastal restoration and waterfront development projects, a press release stated.

“I am not at all surprised,” said Clif Kewley, who chairs Charlotte’s Beaches and Shores Advisory Committee. Poff updates the advisory committee regularly on the Stump Pass and beach re nourishment projects.

Kewley described Poff as highly articulate, someone who can clearly explain te! technical issues to the public.

Chuck Mopps, a former Charlotte County coastal manager and now an engineer with Atkins Global, described Poff as a coastal engineer “whose reputation is above reproach.” Poff is someone who creates a “team atmosphere with his clients,” Mopps said.

An engineer for 27 years, Poff has overseen and worked on coastal projects all along the Gulf Coast. He’s a licensed engineer in Florida, Alabama, Mississippi and Louisiana.

Poff earned a bachelor’s and master’s degree in engineering from the University of Delaware. He also studied environmental law at Stockton State College in New Jersey.