BOARD & STAFF

Paul “PJ” Marinelli was born in Tampa and grew up in Naples. At an early age he found himself enthralled in the outdoors whether playing in the woods behind his house or spending time with his family enjoying the area’s beautiful beaches. PJ went on to spend time camping and exploring natural South Florida and taking weekend dive trips to the Keys.

Amanda Moore is the Director of the National Wildlife Federation’s Gulf Program. Amanda joined NWF in 2009 after years of work on Florida conservation issues. She works with government officials, community leaders, and coastal science experts to raise awareness about coastal land loss and build support to move large-scale, comprehensive restoration projects forward. Amanda was part of the on-the-ground response to the 2010 BP oil disaster and has worked to pass and implement legislation to restore the Gulf in the years since. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Political Science from the University of Mary Washington and a master’s degree in Public Administration from the University of South Florida. Amanda resides in St. Petersburg with her two children, and they love exploring the beautiful Gulf Coast!

Blake Poole is a Vice President in the Tampa office of Bernstein Private Wealth Management. He specializes in providing comprehensive and impactful advice, strategies and solutions for endowments and foundations as well as high net worth individuals and families. Blake holds a BA in political science from Davidson College and a Master’s in Public Administration from Harvard University’s John F. Kennedy School of Government. Blake and his wife, Mary Kathryn, enjoy running, hiking, and fishing throughout Florida with their dog, Roux. As a fifth generation Floridian, he is passionate about maintaining the wilderness and its beauty for future generations to sustainably enjoy.

Tiffany Busby is a certified group facilitator and has supported committees and meetings related to natural resource-related plans throughout Florida. Prior to starting Wildwood Consulting in 2000, Tiffany was the Director of the Charlotte Harbor National Estuary Program where she directed the creation of the original Charlotte Harbor Comprehensive Conservation and Management Plan (CCMP). As the Manager of the Georgia Coastal Management Program in Brunswick, Georgia from 1996-1998, she drafted the state’s Coastal Zone Management Plan. For the past 20 years with Wildwood Consulting, Tiffany has supported numerous planning efforts involving local governments including more than 30 basin management action plans (BMAPs), which implement water quality standards for various Florida watersheds and springsheds.

Chad Allen Rischar serves as an Senior Environmental Scientist for DRMP, Inc in their Gainesville office. He’s a classically trained soil scientist and Professional Wetland Scientist. Chad’s a passionate sportsman and dynamic voice in conservation. He also serves as the Natural Resource Conservation Chair and Treasurer for the Keystone Heights Airport, a 2500-acre property within the Osceola-Ocala Critical Linkage. Chad also serves as Vice-Chair for the Southeast Chapter of Backcountry Hunters and Anglers, a North American NGO focused on public lands and access issues. Chad received a bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science minor in Soil and Water Science from the University of Florida and a fellowship from the Natural Resource Leadership Institute from the University of Florida. He resides in Keystone Heights, FL with his wife and three young children. In his discretionary time, you’ll find him chasing outdoor pursuits and land stewardship initiatives.

Oscar is a 3rd generation Floridian born into the citrus industry in Polk County. He has a deep understanding of government, serving at the highest capacities in the legislative and executive branches on the local, state, and federal levels. He has served as the chief lobbyist for Orange County Chairman Mel Martinez, managing the Congressional office in Washington DC and later promoted to Deputy Chief of Staff. Oscar specialized in the appropriations process and negotiated the passage of $75 million for the Administration’s American Dream Downpayment Initiative. He returned to Florida in 2003 as Chief of Staff and Assistant Secretary at the Department of Community Affairs (DCA) where he directed passage of the landmark Wekiva Parkway and Protection Act legislation and had a key role in the passage of the first overhaul to the state’s growth management laws in 20 years.

Gage Couch is one of the founding Principals of Cadence, a Landscape Architecture firm based in Fort Lauderdale, where he leads design and construction efforts for a wide variety of project types throughout the state of Florida and the southeast region. He couples this with a progressive problem-solving skill set, respect for nature and a strong attention to creating places which are mindful of their culture and climate. In his spare time, Gage finds respite in exploring wild Florida, is an avid native plant enthusiast and a FAA-Certified Remote Pilot. Gage has lived in South Florida since 2005 and holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Landscape Architecture from Clemson University.

Bert is the Chief Executive Officer of Martin Capital Management – an investment management firm with a family strategic focus. Previously, he has held positions with Suncoast Equity Management and the Sanibel Captiva Trust Company. Prior to Sanibel Captiva Bert was a partner at Caerus Ventures – a West Palm Beach, FL based venture capital firm. Bert received a Bachelor of Science in Economics from Rollins College where he played on the Men’s Tennis 2001 NCAA Division II National Championship Team. Bert enjoys traveling, hiking, and boating with his wife Mallory and their dog, Duck. He also serves on the board of directors of The St. Petersburg Free Clinic which provides for neighbors in need.

Kimberly Davis Reyher serves as the Executive Director of the Coalition to Restore Coastal Louisiana, a nonprofit that drives science-based action to rebuild the Mississippi River Delta. Kim joined CRCL in 2014 after 13 years with the World Wildlife Fund, where she promoted fisheries sustainability through engagement with the seafood industry and fisheries around the world. Kim co-led the development of a $29 million tuna management project with the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization, led the International Smart Gear Competition and supervised projects in 20+ countries.

Maurice “Mo” Pearson serves as Manager of Ecological and Natural Resources for MSE Group, a company of Montrose Environmental Group. He is a 2nd generation Central Floridian and a graduate of the University of Central Florida, where he earned his bachelor’s degree in Biology with a concentration in Conservation.  Mo has served on the Orange County Environmental Protection Commission, Urban Design Commission, and the Environmental Streamlining Taskforce. Most recently, he served on the FDEP Acquisition and Restoration Council. Mo, his wife, and daughter reside in Orlando, FL and spend as much of their free time as possible at the beach.

After a successful career in higher education and with a “seize the day” spirit, Lynn created a small business, Carpe Diem Community Solutions, to continue her quest in helping communities. Her extensive community-based experience in training, moderating and facilitating group discussion encompasses focus groups, board retreats, strategic long-range planning, visioning, and community forums. She creates public engagement and awareness strategies that focus on and garner community approval. Lynn has received numerous awards from local and state organizations for her leadership in community-based programs. What began as a girl scout, Lynn now has a passion for Florida’s outdoors. In 1995, she led the state acquisition process to acquire and support the development of Camp Helen State Park in Panama City Beach.

Scott Nolan is a non-profit executive whose fundraising programs have raised more than $70,000,000 in charitable support for worthy causes. He lives near Plant City with his wife, children and a menagerie of animals.

Scott enjoys camping, hiking, backpacking and kayaking and is driven to do what he can to ensure our children and grandchildren live in a world with vibrant wildlife and wild places.

Robert was admitted to the Florida Bar in 1986. He attended Washington & Lee University (B.A., cum laude, 1982) and the University of Florida (J.D., with Honors, 1985). He was an editor of the University of Florida Law Review, 1984-1985. He is a past board member of the National Association of Corporate Real Estate Executives and a past member of the Thirteenth Judicial Circuit Grievance Committee. He is a member of the Hillsborough County Bar Association and The Florida Bar. For the past 20 years, Robert has received an AV® Preeminent™ designation, the highest performance rating in Martindale-Hubbell’s peer review rating system. His practice areas include commercial real estate, commercial leasing, commercial finance, commercial loans and real estate development.

Carlton Ward Jr is a conservation photographer and National Geographic Explorer whose passion for nature was born from the Florida landscape. His mission is to inspire appreciation and protection of Florida’s original nature and culture – the endangered wildness that is often hidden in plain sight but very much needs our attention to be saved.

Mallory Dimmitt is the inaugural CEO of the Corridor Foundation and former Vice President of Strategic Development for Lykes Bros. Inc., a fifth-generation family-owned agribusiness based in Florida. Previously, Mallory led The Nature Conservancy’s Colorado Plateau Initiative from Telluride, Colorado, assessing large-scale conservation opportunities in a four-state region of the West, and prior to that directed the Southwest Colorado Project for the Conservancy’s Colorado Chapter. She has served as a member of Telluride’s Town Council and has worked with local, regional, state, and federal agencies and organizations on natural resource issues.

Marly is an award-winning marketing and communications expert who is passionate about telling stories that shape brands and bring good causes to life. Previously she served as the Executive Director for the Chesterfield Cultural Arts Foundation in Virginia. Operating at the intersection of creative strategy and social change, she has led organizations, such as the American Red Cross, through transformative leadership practices that enhanced donor relationships and employee engagement. After receiving her MBA from Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU), Marly advised strategic communications efforts in ecotourism for the Ambassador of Mayan Cultural Tourism in Guatemala and mobilized volunteers in partnership with Caoba Farms Antigua for remote road clean ups. Upon receiving her Bachelor of Science in Mass Communications from VCU, she worked in Los Angeles connecting some of the world’s most beloved brands to their audiences through the power of music. Today Marly lives in historic Palmetto with her husband and three boys. They love exploring wild Florida’s forests, parks, and waters and volunteer regularly to keep them clean.

Donayle is responsible for program oversight, including mural exhibits, expeditions, corridor partnerships, and various other events and initiatives supporting corridor protection and growth. She is a St. Louis native who currently resides in Clearwater, Fl. She brings over twenty years of nonprofit leadership, development, and advocacy. Holds a B.A. in Mass Communications from Southern University A&M College. She has served as a catalyst for change in various communities throughout her career. In her most noteworthy moments, she led School Choice Missouri a state-wide initiative which advocated for equitable educational opportunities for students throughout the State of Missouri and beyond. She also founded Ptah Academy of Arts & Sciences, St. Louis’s first Holistic Elementary School. She was Gubernatorially appointed to the St. Louis Board of Elections, Missouri State Board of Education, and Missouri’s Women’s Council. She has also served two consecutive federally appointed terms with the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights under Presidents George Bush Jr. and Barack Obama. She is a published author and poet who loves the beach life and is a proud parent of her two daughters and grandson.

Maureen is a homegrown Floridian with master’s degrees in anthropology (U of Florida) and public health (U of Miami). Through her extensive work with humanitarian, international health, domestic health, and nonprofit organizations, Maureen gained a passion for advancing purpose driven missions. She brings these experiences to the Florida Wildlife Corridor Foundation to help advance the organization’s core initiatives. Beyond the workplace, Maureen is passionate about wildlife rehabilitation and has served as a volunteer for animal rescue and rehabilitation organizations.

Avery Palmer has a double major in Biology and Environmental Studies from Eckerd College. Avery is a Florida native who cultivated her love of wild Florida exploring the beaches and state parks around her childhood home, Atlantic Beach. In her spare time, she enjoys practicing yoga, aerial arts, camping, and visiting springs around the state of Florida.