Ms. McDaniels specializes in water resources management, sustainable site design, hydrologic analysis, and Geographic Information Systems (GIS).  She combines her backgrounds in both ecology and civil engineering to develop innovative and restorative stormwater designs.  She has designed BMPs for new construction and redevelopment projects in commercial, residential, institutional, and urban areas that focus on mitigating the effects of urban development and restoring healthy watershed functions.   Much of Ms. McDaniels’ work focuses on stormwater BMPs in highly urban environments to reduce combined-sewer overflows, improve water quality, restore habitat, and support urban greening initiatives.

Meliora Design

Ms. Hoekstra’s professional experience includes water resources management in urban areas, computer aided drafting (CAD), and Geographic Information Systems (GIS).  She uses her foundation in environmental science and policy to aid in decision making for sustainable water management designs.  She has supported the development of site design and stormwater management plans for small- and large-scale development projects throughout the country. Ms. Hoekstra also has international experience in sustainable water management. She conducted independent research in Oaxaca, Mexico on water management and public health.

Ms. Adams is the President and founder of Meliora Design.  For more than 23 years, her work has encompassed  environmentally sensitive site design and sustainable water resources engineering.   Building on a multi-disciplinary approach, her work includes both master planning and design for campuses, urban restoration projects, commercial and residential installations, public facilities, and environmental education centers.  In all her work, Ms. Adams seeks to combine  sound engineering science with an understanding of natural systems.  She is a frequent lecturer and educator on the topics of water and sustainability, and has provided technical expertise to clients ranging from watershed advocacy organizations to corporations.

Ms. Julian specializes in water resources engineering with a focus in non-point source pollution, Best Management Practices (BMPs), and the conservation of natural resources.  Her background is unique in that her degree is a balance of a typical engineering curriculum with an emphasis on sustainability, natural resources, and non-traditional design practices. Ms. Julian also has international experience in water resources and watershed management.  She participated in a study abroad program in Espírito Santo, Brazil during which she worked closely with both professors and students from the Federal University of Espírito Santo observing the country’s current water management system as well as its watershed protection plans.

Ms. Evasic has extensive experience utilizing Geographic Information Systems for planning and sustainable watershed management. For over two years, she led community-based natural resource management and sustainable watershed planning and mitigation efforts in Honduras while volunteering for the Peace Corps. There she collaborated with community groups, local governments and non-profit organizations, trained environmental technicians in applying GIS to natural resource management, coordinated the organization and training of community forestry advisory councils, and conducted field work related to water quality protection. She also co-authored a GPS & GIS Training of Teachers (TOT) manual for fellow Peace Corps Volunteers and their community partners.

Ms. Evasic has also worked as GIS Technician for both non-profit organizations and private environmental consulting firms. She has experience in data collection, spatial analysis, and cartography. She is also fluent in Spanish.

Mr. Hickman specializes in Water Resources and Environmental Engineering.  A recent graduate of Villanova, he competed his Master’s thesis – “Evaluating the Role of Evapotranspiration in the Hydrology of Biofiltration and Bioretention Basins using Weighing Lysimeters” in 2011.  He was a member of the Villanova Chapter of Engineers Without Borders and he is an active participant in numerous organizations and conferences that promote and support Sustainable Stormwater Management.

Mr. Adams brings over 20 years of electric traction experience to Meliora Design and over twenty six years of total structural experience.  He is responsible for all aspects of Rail Systems, including both Design and Construction Management activities in catenary engineering, structural engineering, traction power engineering, civil engineering, and project management.  His experience includes design and layout of catenary systems (including light rail, commuter rail and heavy rail), design and analysis of railroad catenary, feeder, and high voltage support structures; design and analysis of steel and concrete bridges; surveying, design and analysis of residential, commercial, and industrial, buildings; geotechnical investigations; and design of deep and shallow foundations.  This experience also includes project principal or project manager responsibilities for many multi-disciplined Rail Transit projects for various clients including Amtrak, PennDOT, NJDOT, NJ Transit (NJT), Conrail, MNR, CTDOT, DRPA and SEPTA. 

Having earned his Bachelor of Science in Landscape Architecture from Temple University’s School of Environmental Design, Joshua joined Meliora Design in mid 2011. His undergraduate studies, shaped his interest in sustainable site design and stormwater  management. Joshua currently assists in the rendering and construction documentation of various projects.

Ms. Sitler specializes with water resources management, site design, and hydraulic/hydrologic analysis and modeling.  She has designed water resource management facilities and site-specific BMPs for commercial, residential, institutional, and transportation/highway development and redevelopment projects that focus on restoring and maintaining water quality.  Ms. Sitler also has experience in environmental permitting as well as coordination and development of watershed stormwater plans, abandoned mine reclamation projects, and municipal government operations.