The son of two educators, Edmunds grew up in an environment where education was prized. He was encouraged from an early age to explore and enjoy science and mathematics. In 1959 he graduated from high school, was student body vice president and a National Merit Scholar, and entered the University of Florida (UF).
Fascinated by construction, he alternated college attendance with full-time work over the next nine years. He became a construction superintendent at the age of 22. As a construction superintendent, he built subdivisions, roads, pipelines, and civil works in the Orlando area. During the Cuban Missile Crisis, he led the construction of the taxiway extension and jet blast deflector shields at McCoy Air Force Base; at the same time, armed B-52 bombers took off, landed, and cycled their engines on the taxiway to maintain flight temperature.
At UF, he received the Shands and Baker Award as an outstanding undergraduate civil engineering student. He was elected President of the Sigma Tau Engineering Fraternity and Tau Beta Pi Engineering Society. Majoring in hydraulics, he received the Bachelor of Civil Engineering degree with high honors, the Master of Civil Engineering degree with honors, and completed coursework and language requirements for a doctorate, which he did not complete.
Upon graduation, he returned to construction as a project engineer and assistant superintendent on two large mid-rise building construction projects.
In 1971, Dr. A.P. Black recruited Edmunds to his firm, Black, Crow, and Eidsness, Inc. (subsequently CH2MHill; now Jacobs Engineering), as Manager of Plant Design. At this firm, Edmunds was Engineer of Record for the first modified advanced wastewater treatment (AWT) plant in Florida, the first full AWT plant in the nation, and several other water and wastewater treatment facilities and pumping stations, including Cypress Creek Pumping Station, which supplies the majority of potable water to the Tampa Bay area.
In 1975, Edmunds joined Dr. Richard H. Jones in his firm, which became Jones, Edmunds and Associates, Inc. Initially consulting to industry, the firm has grown to be a leading regional engineering firm, consulting to cities, counties, and state and federal agencies.
Edmunds is a recognized expert in the design of pipelines and water and wastewater treatment and pumping facilities. He has led the design of many innovative and successful water and wastewater facilities for the government and industry. He also has led the design team in several solid and hazardous waste management projects, including assistance with regulatory permitting.