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 22 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
Mike Allen
UF/IFAS Nature Coast Biological Station, Director
David Barber
Barber Seafood, Owner
Bert Boldt
Franklin County Commissioner, District 2
Frank Gidus
CCA Florida, Director of Habitat & Environmental Restoration
Anita Grove
Apalachicola City Commissioner
Chad Hanson
The Pew Charitable Trusts, Fisheries Science and Policy Analyst
Jenna Harper
Apalachicola National Estuarine Research Reserve Manager
Shannon Hartsfield
Oysterman and Seafood Management Assistance Resource and Recovery Team (SMARRT)
Becca Hatchell
Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission, Marine & Estuarine Habitat Conservation & Restoration Biologist
Gayle Johnson
Indian Lagoon Oyster Company,
Director of Operations
Katie Konchar
The Nature Conservancy,
Program Project Manager
Erik Lovestrand
Florida Sea Grant Extension Director, Franklin County
Chuck Marks
Acentria Insurance, Vice President (ret.)
Roger Mathis
Oysterman and 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
Devin Resko
FWC Marine Fisheries Management, Disaster Relief Coordinator
Portia Sapp
Florida Dept. Agriculture & Consumer Services, Division of Aquaculture, Director
Chadwick Taylor
Riparian County Stakeholder Coalition
Paul Thurman
Northwest Florida Water Management District (NWFWMD), Environmental Scientist
TJ Ward
Buddy Ward & Sons Seafood