LEADERSHIP

2024-25 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: 2023-2026
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: 2023-2026
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

Steve Markert

Term: 2023-2026
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.

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

Secretary

Alexandria Olson

Term: 2023-2026
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.

Jully Burau-Seybert

Term: 2024-2027
Town of residence: Naples
Lived in town since: 2018
Employer: Retired from General Motors

Education: Bachelor’s of Mechanical Engineering

Since retiring, Jully has enjoyed her #1 goal of outside physical activities and fitness, especially on Cape Cod and in SW Florida, where there are so many opportunities for walking and biking. Jully volunteers for the National Park Service on Cape Cod and in the Everglades, The Conservancy of Southwest Florida, her church and the Eastham Historical Society.

Ray Carroll

Term: 2023-2026
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

Marisa Carrozzo

Term: 2023-2026
Town of Residence: Naples, FL
Lived in Town Since: 2011
Employer: National Parks Conservation Association
Education: B.A. Environmental Principles & Practice and English Literature, Miami University, Oxford Ohio, graduate certificate in Public Administration, University of Central Florida (in progress)

Marisa loves exploring the outdoors and introducing people to the unique natural wonders of southwest Florida, like Rookery Bay. She chairs “Explore Collier” for the Leadership Collier Alumni Association and is an appointed member of the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary Advisory Council. Past service includes co-chair of the Everglades Coalition and as a trustee for the CREW Land & Water Trust.

Doug Corbett

Term: 2023-2026
Town of Residence: Naples, FL
Lived in Town Since: 2010
Employer: JW Marriott Marco Island

James Fourqurean

Term: 2023-2026
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 and running with his kids.

Kevin Mangan

Term: 2023-2026
Town of Residence: Naples
Lived in Town Since: 2001
Employer: Stantec Consulting Services Inc.
Education: Bachelor of Landscape Architecture (BLA) 1985, State University of New York (SUNY) College of Environmental Science and Forestry

Kevin practices Landscape Architecture in domestic and international markets. His professional interests combine the opportunity in creating healthy, vibrant communities integrated with natural lands and ecosystems that benefit from the best practices of design with nature. In his free time, Kevin enjoys time spent with family, gathering with friends, playing golf and pickleball, art, history and being in nature.

Thomas L. Marquardt

Term: 2023-2026
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.

Paul Tateo

Term: 2023-2026
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.

Barbara Woodcock

Term: 2024-2027
Town of Residence: Naples
Lived in Town Since: 2012
Employer: Cole, Scott & Kissane
Education: B.A. for English at University of Miami, JD at Florida International University College of Law

Barbara is a partner at Cole, Scott & Kissane practicing litigation. She is a graduate of Associate Leadership Collier 2016 and Leadership Collier 2024. She is the Program Chair of Youth Leadership Collier and serves on a committee for Empowerment Farm. Barbara is a Gulfshore Business 40 Under 40 recipient and a 2024 Best Lawyers in America recipient. Barbara enjoys traveling and visiting national parks with her husband and son.

Alan Zagier

Term: 2023-2026
Town of Residence: Marco Island
Lived in Town Since: 2000
Employer: Priority Marketing
Education: B.A., M.A., University of Maryland. M.B.A, Missouri University of Science & Technology

Alan Zagier is a veteran journalist, educator, communications consultant and public affairs strategist. A Baltimore native, he spent more than a decade as an Associated Press correspondent in St. Louis and Columbia, Missouri, as well as a reporter and editor for news organizations in D.C., North Carolina and Southwest Florida, where he served as Marco Island bureau chief and an investigative reporter for the Naples Daily News.

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
Donna Fiala
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
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