Who We Are

Thomas E. Penders, MS, RPA

President and Principal Owner

Principal Archaeologist

Mr. Penders is the founder and president of Thomas Penders and Associates, LLC. He was raised in Titusville, Florida and is a life-long resident of Central Florida. He earned his Bachelors of Science and Masters of Science degrees in anthropology with a specialization in archaeology from Florida State University. He has been a practicing professional archaeologist since 1984 and was a member of the famous Windover Archaeological Research Project from 1984 to 1987. Since 2006, Mr. Penders has been the cultural resources manager for the US Air Force/US Space Force at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. He also worked in the environmental and safety field at Kennedy Space Center for 10 years. Mr. Penders also holds a secret level security clearance.

In addition to being the principal of TPA, LLC, he is also the founder of Archaeologists for Autism a 501c3 nonprofit organization which brings the experience of archaeology to children and young adults on the autism spectrum.  Below are summaries of his credentials and awards.

Credentials
• Registered Professional Archaeologist
   (RPA No. 47012626)

• 40 Hour OSHA Hazardous Waste Operations &     
   Emergency Response Certification

• E-Rail Safeline Certification

• Section 106 Essentials Training Certificate

• Process Hazard Analysis Certification

• Authorized OSHA 10-hour and 30-hour General
   Industry Safety Instructor Certificate

• DOT Hazardous Material Train the Trainer   
   Certification

• Master of Science (Anthropology)

• Bachelor of Science (Anthropology & History)

Awards and Recognition
• Department of Defense Cultural Resources   
   Management Award
   Secretary of Defense Individual Award for
   Management of  Cultural Resources

• 8 time winner of the General Thomas D. White   
   Cultural Resources Award
   Best installation program, Cape Canaveral Air
   Force Station/Patrick Air Force Base.

• Letter of Recognition
   For archaeological investigations as part of the
   FDLE investigation of the Harry T. and Harriette
   V. Moore murder investigation.

• Eagle Rare Life Devotion Award
   Father, Innovator, and Devoted to Children with
   Autism

• Jefferson Award for Public Service
   For years of service to the Brevard County
   Environmentally Endangered Lands Program and
   the Pine Island Conservation Area Archaeological
   Project.

• Space Flight Awareness Team Award
   For outstanding contributions during the STS-114     Solid Rocket Booster De-stack and Bore     
   Inspection.

• United Space Alliance Certificate of Recognition   
   For outstanding contributions during the   
   recovery and investigation of the Space Shuttle
   Columbia accident. 

• Outstanding Young Men of America

Memberships and Affiliations
• Archaeological Society of New Jersey
• Eastern States Archaeological Federation
• Florida Anthropological Society
• Midwest Archaeological Conference
• Minnesota Archaeological Society
• Register of Professional Archaeologists
• Southeastern Archaeological Conference

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Mary H. "Nell" Penders 

Vice President and Office Manager

Ms. Penders is  co-founder  and serves as the office manager. She is a lifelong resident of Central Florida and is a graduate of Astronaut High school in Titusville. She brings to TPA, LLC over 25 years of experience in the retail and management fields. 

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