ABSI Community Advisory Board Members
A key component of the ABSI project is to involve stakeholders in a meaningful consensus building process for development and implementation of an ecosystem-based oyster management and restoration plan. This is accomplished through the Community Advisory Board (CAB), assembled by Florida State University and tasked with providing input into that initiative. The 23 members of the CAB include local government officials as well as representatives from the seafood industry, recreational fishing industry and environmental groups. To find meeting dates, deliberations, and reading material for all CAB Meetings, please refer to this page.
Georgia Ackerman
Apalachicola Riverkeeper, Executive Director
Chip Bailey
Peregrine Charters, Owner
Lee Edmiston
Apalachicola National Estuarine Research Reserve, Former Reserve Manager
Jim Estes
FWC Division of Marine Fisheries, Deputy Director
Tom Frazer
Professor and Dean, University of South Florida, College of Marine Science; FL Dept. Environmental Protection, Chief Science Officer
Frank Gidus
CCA Florida, Director of Habitat & Environmental Restoration
Anita Grove
Apalachicola City Commissioner
Chad Hanson
PEW Charitable Trusts, Fisheries Science and Policy Analyst
Jenna Harper
Apalachicola National Estuarine Research Reserve Manager
Shannon Hartsfield
Apalachicola Seafood Workers Association
Ricky Jones
Franklin County Commissioner, District 1
Erik Lovestrand
Florida Sea Grant Extension Director, Franklin County
Chuck Marks
Acentria Insurance, Vice President
Roger Mathis
Oysterman, R.D.'s Seafood
Mike O'Connell
Saint George Island Civic Club, 2025 Vision
Steve Rash
Water Street Seafood, Owner
Alex Reed
Florida Dept. Environmental Protection, Office of Resilience & Coastal Protection, Director
Portia Sapp
Florida Dept. Agriculture & Consumer Services, Division of Aquaculture, Director
Denita Sassor
Outlaw Oyster Company, Co-Founder
John Solomon
Apalachicola Chamber of Commerce, Executive Director
Chadwick Taylor
Riparian County Stakeholder Coalition
Paul Thurman
Northwest Florida Water Management District (NWFWMD), Environmental Scientist
TJ Ward
Buddy Ward & Sons Seafood