LEADERSHIP

2022-23 Board of Directors

We see Rookery Bay protected forever—a working landscape, where people, industry, and nature thrive together. As one of the last remaining undisturbed mangrove estuaries in North America, Rookery Bay will remain a wellspring of life and a source of inspiration.

President

Curt Witthoff

Term: 2017-2021
Town of Residence: Marco Island
Lived in Town Since: 2001
Employer: Discovery Education
Education: BS Zoology, Michigan State University, MS Education, Instructional Media Wilkes University

Curt is also a board member with the Marco Island Nature Preserve and Bird Sanctuary.

Don Tilton | Friends of Rookery Bay Board of Directors | Rookery Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve

Vice President

Donald Tilton

Term: 2019 – 2022
Town of Residence: Naples, FL
Lived in Town Since: 2010
Employer: Retired Vice President
Hometown: Ann Arbor, MI

Don has been retired from active environmental science consulting for approximately 6 years although he is still active in the education programs at Rookery Bay Reserve. He enjoys building wooden kayaks and paddling in the waters of Rookery Bay Reserve. When he is not in the shop or on the water, he is an amateur photographer, golfer, and granddad to two grand daughters.

Treasurer

Jim Shea

Term: 2019 – 2022
Town of Residence: Pelican Bay
Lived in Town Since: 2010
Employer: Retired
Education: Iona College BBA, Wharton School MBA

Jim serves on the Greater Naples Leadership, University of PA Medicine, Grey Oaks Board, Orpheum Theater in Memphis TN, AutoZone Liberty Bowl.

In his free time, Jim enjoys golf, boating and his grandchildren.

Secretary

Eileen Gallagher

Term: 2021-2023
Town of Residence: Naples, FL
Lived in Town Since: 2012
Employer: JP Morgan Chase
Education: City University of NY Computer Programming, Adelphi University BS Business and Communications, FGCU Cannabis Certification

Eileen is an advocate for spine surgery patients and has volunteered as an educator in the medical Cannabis industry for 3 years. In her free time she enjoys boating here in FL and in Long Island, NY.

Ray Carroll

Term: 2018-2021
Town of Residence: East Naples
Lived in Town Since: Birth
Employer: Carroll & Carroll, Inc., Real Estate Appraisers & Consultants
Education: Bachelor of Science, Real Estate, 1975, Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton

Ray has also volunteered his time at Naples Zoo, Friends of Fakahatchee, and Bonita Wonder Gardens

Board Member | Friends of Rookery Bay | Rookery Bay Research Reserve | Leadership

Alp Erol

Term: 2022-2025
Town of Residence: Naples, FL
Lived in Town Since: 2001
Employer: JW Marriott Marco Island Beach Resort
Education: BA in Banking and Finance,1996, Bilkent University – Ankara, Türkiye

Alp enjoys traveling and spending time with his family. In the past, Alp has also volunteered with United Way of Collier County and Habitat for Humanity Naples, FL.

Donna Fiala

Term: November 2020 – 2022
Town of Residence: Naples, FL
Lived in Town Since: 1974
Employer: Collier County Commissioner District 1
Hometown: Cleveland, OH

Donna Fiala has been very active in the community of Naples and Marco Island. She is apart of more than nine clubs and organizations; four of which she is president.

Matt Flores

Term: 2019 – 2022
Town of Residence: Naples, FL
Lived in Town Since: 1994
Employer: Zampogna Flores, PLLC
Education: University of Florida and Ave Maria School of Law

Matt practices in the areas of real estate law, business law, and commercial litigation. Matt has lived in Collier County for over 25 years and is involved with many organizations, including Friends of Rookery Bay, Naples Jaycees Great Dock Canoe Race, Naples Junior Chamber, Multiple Sclerosis Center of SWFL, Gator Club of Naples, Growing Associates in Naples, and the Collier County Bar Association.

James Fourqurean

Term: 2018 – 2021
Town of Residence: Palmetto Bay, FL
Lived in Town Since: 2004
Employer: Florida International University
Education: PhD in Environmental Science, 1992, University of Virginia; MS in Environmental Sciences, 1987; BA in Biology and Environmental Science, UVA, 1983.

In his free time, Jim enjoys working on classic cars, fishing, running with his kids.

Tom Marquardt | FORB Board Member | Rookery Bay Research Reserve

Thomas L. Marquardt

Term: 2017-2021
Town of Residence: Naples, FL
Lived in Town Since: 2016
Employer: Retired CEO
Education: Bachelors Degree in Journalism, Central Michigan University, Mt. Pleasant, MI

In his free time, Tom writes a syndicated, weekly wine column and blog. He also enjoys fishing in the waters that encompass the Rookery Bay estuary and appreciating everything that he strives to protect for future generations. Tom even volunteers his time as a member of Rookery Bay Research Reserve’s Team OCEAN program.

Alexandria Olson

Term: 2020-2023
Town of Residence: Naples
Lived in Town: Since 2020, attended High School here
Employer: Customer Success Manager Central & East, Straumann Group

United States Army Veteran, Alexandria is an avid scuba diver and outdoorsmen. She also loves volunteering and giving back to the community.

Paul Tateo

Term: 2018-2021
Town of Residence: Marco Island
Lived in Town Since: Birth
Employer: Horizons Real Estate
Education: Georgetown Univ, School Foreign Service, 1976, BSFS, Washington DC

Paul also volunteers his time at Marco YMCA, Marco Historical Society, and St Marks Church.

Steve Markert

Term: 2018-2021
Town of Residence: Naples, FL
Lived in Town Since: 2001
Employer: Retired
Education: LaSalle BS ’73 Accounting, MBA ’81 Finance, CPA

Steve’s hobbies include sailing RC sailboats and motorboats, playing pickleball and spending 20+ years in Scouting with 3 Eagle Scouts in the family. He currently volunteers at Rookery Bay Research Reserve as a docent and as a Team OCEAN boat captain.

Emeritus

The Friends of Rookery Bay would like to acknowledge the following individuals for their past service to the Board of Directors

Coral Aiken-Miller
Bob Bachard
Beth Barth
Michael Bauer
Tom Beauchamp
Ted Below
Dr. Bob Berlam
Marcus Borman
Buddy Braunlich
Donna Braunlich
Leslie Breland
Clay Brooker
Jim (James) Burch
Sharon Bush
Karyn Capozzo
Pat Carroll
Bob Clausman
Dianne Cole-Bronczyk
Joan Cox
Robert E. Davy Jr.
Mike Devlin
Christopher Doherty
Dr. Julie Edmister
Jami Ensor
Carlos Escarra
Shelby Evans

Ed Farmulare
Ferguson
Guy Fischer
Tom Fish
Jim Flagler
Mary Beth Ford
Scott Frankie
Al Gal
Bob Galloway
Aaron Goddard
David Gordely
Robert Gore
Carol Haberkern
Bill Hammond
J Hammond
Judy Haner
Marvin Hendry
Andy Hill
Ginger Hinchcliff
Paul Hinchcliff
Scott Hopkins
Todd Hopkins
Jayson Horadam
Judith Hushon
Beth Inman

Darlene Jarvi
Georgia Jeppesen
Jim and Stacey Kanzler
Carla Kappmeyer
Allen Kassman
Robert Klus
Bob Klussmann
Lisa Koehler
Ellie Krier
Langston
Lynda Lambert
Bruce Layman Layman
Harold P. “Skip” Lee
Chris Lombardo
Gina Lostracco
Ashley Lupo
Gary Lytton
Pat Lytton
Gail Martin
Jerry Martin
George McBath
M. Richard Mellon
William Merwin
Diane Murray

Steve Mutart
Charlie O’Connor
Barbara Olko
Nancy Olson
Susie O’Rourke
Chad Ott
Nick Penniman
Frank Perrucci
Bruce Powell
Ed Powers
Barbara Prynoski
Lisa Rahn
James Ray
Dan Riley
Susan Ritas
Bruce Robertson
Michael Savarese
Craig Seibert
Lois Selfon
Lance Shearer
Mike Shirley
Kristen Smith
Tom Smith
Camille Sonesen
Dan “GUY” Sonesen

Sharon Soppe
Sharda Spahr
Christian Spilker
Georgia Stamp
Mark Strain
Ron Swaim
Steve Theberge
Kris Thoemke
Sharon Thurston
Michael Tighe
Greg Tolley
Jason Trohalides
Evelyn Tullock
Milda Vaivada
Courtney Vass
Tom Wagor
Terry Walker
Linda Weinland
Paul Westberry
Trudi Williams
Mary Wilson
Sandra Wilson
Curt Witthoff
Lois Yoder-Swaim

Make a Difference

Volunteers are the heart and soul of the Friends of Rookery Bay. We are actively seeking candidates to serve on our Board or Committee, as well as assist with administrative and event needs.

Volunteer for the Friends of Rookery Bay

Adopt a Precinct | Rookery Bay Research Reserve

Visit Rookery Bay

Guided Eco-Tours

Activities

Upcoming Events