Groundwater Assessment Program Staff

Marlon Cook, Director
205-247-3692
mcook@gsa.state.al.us

Mr. Cook is the Manager of the Hydrogeology Group at the Geological Survey of Alabama.

Mr. Cook earned a Bachelor of Science in Geology and a Master of Science in Geology (specializing in hydrogeology) from the University of Alabama.

He worked for 8 years as an Exploration Geophysicist in oil and gas exploration in East Texas, North Louisiana State Line Trend, Mississippi Smackover Shelf, and Southwest Alabama including Mobile Bay Miocene and Norphlet. He was located in Tulsa, Oklahoma, Jackson Mississippi, and Houston, Texas.

He has worked for 19 years as a hydrogeologist with the Geological Survey of Alabama where he is involved in research to protect and develop the groundwater and surface-water resources of Alabama. This work includes aquifer assessments, hydrostratigraphic and geochemical analyses, watershed investigations including nonpoint source pollution, flood and sedimentation assessments, and public water supply assessments.

Steve Jennings, Geologist
205-247-3543
sjennings@gsa.state.al.us

A graduate of public schools in Pensacola, Florida, Steve holds a Bachelor of Science degree in geology from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University and a Master of Science degree in geology and geological engineering from the University of Mississippi. He was employed as a petroleum exploration geologist in the southeastern U.S. from 1975 to 1986. In 1987 he made a career shift to hydrogeology, working first for the State of Mississippi and more recently for the Geological Survey of Alabama, where he conducts groundwater and surface-water investigations, hydrogeological assessments, and other research.

Neil Moss, Geologist
205-247-3557
nmoss@gsa.state.al.us

Neil grew up in Kenmore, New York, and received his Bachelor of Science in Geology from the University of New Orleans and his Master of Science in Geology from the University of Alabama. Prior to his 18 years with the Geological Survey of Alabama, he worked 3 years with P.E. LaMoreaux and Associates in Tuscaloosa, Alabama.

Mac McKinney, Geologist
205-247-3549
mmckinney@gsa.state.al.us

Mac grew up in Greensboro, Alabama, and received his Bachelor of Science in Geology (BSG) from the University of Alabama. He joined the Survey staff in 2009 working first with the Energy Investigations Program and later the Groundwater Assessment Program. Prior to joining the Survey, he worked at ADEM for 2 years. 

Arthur McLin, Scientific Aide
205-247-3544
amclin@gsa.state.al.us

Arthur McLin began working for the Geological Survey of Alabama in 1976. In 1977 he started work with the U.S. Geological Survey where he learned water-sampling techniques, stream gaging and other hydrologic field skills. In 1983 he returned to the Alabama Survey stayed until his retirement in 2007. Arthur currently works on a part-time basis maintaining and operating the Survey's continuous monitoring wells.

Geochemical Analyses Section

Bob Meintzer, Chief Geochemist
205-247-3594
rmeintzer@gsa.state.al.us

Bob Meintzer grew up in Maryland and Virginia. He earned a Bachelor of Arts with distinction in Geology from the University of Virginia before being commissioned as an Ensign in the U.S. Navy. Bob served in the Navy for 11 years before returning to the University of Virginia to earn a Master of Science in Environmental Sciences. He went on to earn a Ph.D. from the University of Manitoba in Geological Sciences, where he conducted research on the petrology and geochemistry of pegmatitic granites in Manitoba and the Northwest Territories. He joined the Geological Survey of Alabama in 1990 as a geologist in the Mineral Resources Division and subsequently became Chief Geochemist in charge of the Geochemical Analyses Section. In addition to overseeing the Geochemical Analyses Section, Bob also serves as Facilities Manager for the Survey/Oil & Gas Board and has served as President on the Board of Directors for Legacy, Partners in Environmental Education.

Mirza Beg, Chemist
205-247-3624
mbeg@gsa.state.al.us

Mirza Beg was raised and educated in India. He received a Bachelor of Science degree from Aligarh University and a Master's degree from Roorkee University in Uttarakhand, India. He taught at Roorkee University in Uttarakhand for 6 years prior to coming the United States and joining the Geological Survey of Alabama in 1975. Mirza's work at the Survey has been broad in scope. He currently works in the Geochemical Analyses Section performing analyses on water and rocks.

Rick Wagner, Chemist
205-247-3622
rwagner@gsa.state.al.us

Rick Wagner was raised in a small town in central Texas and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry from the University of Texas at San Antonio in 1982.  He worked as an Analytical Chemist and Laboratory Manager in the chemical industry for over 25 years both in Houston, Texas and in Tuscaloosa, Alabama.  He joined the Geological Survey of Alabama as a Chemist in 2011 and works in the Geochemical Analysis Section analyzing water and sediment samples.