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