Greater Naples Leadership Masters Class XXIV

Environment Day January 29, 2020

Session Day Materials - Table of Contents

A. Goals & Objectives

B. Agenda

C. Biographies

D. Volunteering and Resources

E. Locations and Directions

(please click on a heading to be directed to that section in the document)

Dress Code: Casual clothing, comfortable walking shoes, sunscreen, hat, andrain gear depending upon weather forecast. It is suggested that you bring a sweater/wrap for air-conditioned sessions.

Venue: Naples Botanical Garden

Session Leaders: Joe Roller (Team Lead), Jack Condon, Robbie Hutchison, David Larkin, Cynthia Lynch

Goals and Objectivesï Inform GNL Class XXIV about critical environmental issues in the area regarding

Water and the balance between the competing objectives of preserving the environment, business and development concerns, and the effect on health and quality of life in the Greater Naples area.

ï Inspire Class XXIV to contribute, volunteer, and actively engage in the various issues presented.

ï Highlight volunteer opportunities in environmental organizations in the region and inspire active involvement.

Environment Day Agenda - Follow the water

8:00 Meet at The Naples Botanical Garden(See section E for address and directions, guides will direct participants

to parking and Buehler Auditorium)

Morning refreshments

8:15 Welcome and Announcementsï Gunther Winkler, Class XXIV Chair,ï Chad Washburn, Vice President of Conservation, Naples

Botanical Garden Welcome to the Botanical Garden

8:25 Excerpt Video from “The Swamp”, American Experience Documentary on PBS,

Introduction and Welcome Video from Michael Grunwald, Author, “The Swamp”

8:30 Team Introduction and Overview of the Dayï Joe Roller, Team Leader

8:35 History and Development of the Everglades Land Usageï Nicholas Penniman, Board of Trustees, The

Everglades Foundation 8:55 Q&A

9:20 Comfort Break

9:35 Nobody Ever Said Saving the Everglades Would be Easyï Dr. Michael Parsons, Director of Marine

Science, FGCU; Member: Blue-Green Algae Task Force

ï Howard (Howie) Gonzales, U.S. Army Corps. of Engineers, Chief, Ecosystem Branch Programs and Project Management Division Jacksonville District

10:15 Q&A

11:00 Tour through the Florida Ecosystems Represented At Botanical Garden

12:00 Grab Boxed Lunch, Collect Belongings, Find Your New Seat, Say Hello to Your New Neighbor

12:15 Recycling Presentationï Stephanie Kissinger, Government Affairs Manager for Waste

Management, Southwest Florida

12: 40

1:00

Q&A

How are we doing? Perspectives on Environment & Estuary Report Card

ï Rob Moher, President, Conservancy

of Southwest Florida

1:20 What Progress Has Been Made Since Governor DeSantis Ordered Environmental Initiatives?

ï Drew Bartlett, Executive Director, South Florida Water Management District

1:40

2:00

2:15

Q&A

Comfort Break

Agriculture and Water Qualityï Gary Ritter, Florida Farm Bureau Federation, Assistant Director of

Government and Community Affairs

2:45 Q&A

3:00 How Can We Impact Environmental Improvement?ï Nicholas Von Hofen, General Manager, Colliers Reserve Golf Clubï Ken Kleinedler, Superintendent, Colliers Reserve Golf Club

3:20 Q&A

3:50 Perspective on the Day and Sign Up Information for Optional Rookery Bay Tour on March 4, 2020

ï Joe Roller

4:00 Next for Masters Class XXIVï Gunther Winkler, Class XXIV Chair

4:05 Hand in Evaluations & Tent Cards

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BiographiesDrew Bartlett, Executive Director, South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD)

Drew Bartlett previously served as the Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s (DEP) Deputy Secretary for Ecosystem Restoration before becoming SFWMD’S Executive Director on April 1, 2019. At DEP, he was responsible for overseeing statewide water supply; restoring and protecting Florida’s aquatic ecosystems including the Everglades; managing aquatic research, monitoring, and laboratory analysis; funding water and wastewater infrastructure and governing coastal protection and resiliency. Bartlett also previously served as Director of the Division of Environmental Assessment and Restoration, responsible for setting water quality standards, monitoring and assessing surface water quality, establishing restoration goals and adopting restoration plans. Prior to his service at DEP, Bartlett spent 17 years implementing the Federal Clean Water Act and Safe Drinking Water Act for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Bartlett holds a B.S. Degree in Industrial Engineering from the Georgia Institute of Technology and received a Master’s Degree in Business Administration from Georgia State University.

Howard (Howie) Gonzales, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Chief, Ecosystem Branch Programs and Project Management Division Jacksonville District

Howard (Howie) Gonzales Jr. is a Program Manager and Chief of the Ecosystem Branch, Programs and Project Management Division, with the U.S. Army Corps. of Engineers Jacksonville District. As a Program Manager, Gonzales provides leadership and management to project managers and teams to ensure timely and quality accomplishment of the planning, design, and construction of South Florida Ecosystem Restoration (Everglades Restoration) program and projects.

Gonzales began his career with the Corps. in May 1994 as an Engineering Intern with the New Orleans District. Prior to arriving at the Jacksonville District in September 2009, he was a Program Manager with the Sacramento District (from July 2007 to September 2009), a Senior Project Manager with the Albuquerque District (from June 2004 to July 2007) and a Study and Project Manager with the New Orleans District (from January 1995 to June 2004). Gonzales also served as a Senior Program Manager for the Gulf Region Division, North District (Tikrit, Iraq) from January to July 2009. During these periods, he led and managed multiple water resources programs and projects.

Gonzales was born and raised in New Orleans, Louisiana. He graduated from the University of New Orleans in December 1994 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Mechanical Engineering, in 1998 with a Master of Science Degree in Engineering Management, and in 2001 with a Master of Business Administration.

Stephanie Kissinger, Government Affairs Manager for Waste Management, Southwest Florida

Since 2011, Stephanie Kissinger has been an environmental thought leader in the Southwest Florida region. Working closely with municipalities, Ms. Kissinger helps foster relationships to advance Waste Management’s “Think Green” message to encourage clean recycling efforts. As an active leader in the community, Kissinger is the Immediate Past President of the Charlotte Chamber of Commerce Government Affairs Committee and is on the executive board for the Collier Farm City BBQ and Big Green Egg Fest. She

is a proud Rotarian, serving a variety of leadership positions in the Rotary Club of Bonita Springs and is president of its Foundation Board of Trustees. She is a board member of Recycle Florida Today, serves on the Legislative Committee of the Florida Chapter of the National Waste & Recycling Association, and is active in many industry groups. She is a graduate of Leadership Florida, Leadership Charlotte, Leadership Collier, and Leadership Bonita.

In her previous role as Executive Vice President for the Bonita Springs Area Chamber of Commerce, she developed extensive relationships within the community while facilitating the Leadership Bonita program. Kissinger’s resume also includes Lead Trainer for the State of Florida/Children’s Network of Southwest Florida prior to that. Kissinger holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Sociology from Montana State University but has married into the Gator Nation and spends much of college football season in Gainesville watching the University of Florida games.

Ken Kleinedler, Golf Course Superintendent, Collier’s Reserve

Ken received a Turfgrass Management Degree from Ohio State University in 2007. He relocated to become an Assistant Superintendent at The Ritz-Carlton Members Club in Sarasota, FL, then joined Collier’s Reserve as an Assistant Superintendent in 2009. In September 2016, Kleinedler became the Golf Course Superintendent at Grey Oaks Country Club’s Estuary Course. He oversaw the entire operation of the 120 – acre course with TifEagle Greens, Bermudagrass fairways and Paspalum practice range tees. He then returned to Collier’s Reserve in 2017 with a wealth of knowledge about the golf course, irrigation system and long-term master plan. Ken, his wife Sam, and his son live in Estero and enjoy sports and fitness.

Robert J. Moher, President and CEO, Conservancy of Southwest Florida

Rob Moher, President and CEO of the Conservancy of Southwest Florida, has more than 25 years of experience in local, regional and international conservation. He recently celebrated his 20th anniversary at the Conservancy.

As Vice-President of Development and Marketing, Moher led strategic philanthropic initiatives and provided leadership support for the successful Conservancy “Saving Southwest Florida” Capital Campaign which raised$38.8 million toward the construction and renovation of the enhanced Conservancy Nature Center as well as funding for various programmatic endowments.

In his current role as President and CEO, Moher’s key focus is to build upon the Conservancy’s outstanding 55 year history in Southwest Florida with a keen eye on future environmental challenges. He believes in collaborative and science-based approaches in order to balance economic growth with environmental conservation. Moher is establishing cooperative partnerships with local individuals, businesses, governmental and non-governmental institutions to further the Conservancy’s mission to protect Southwest Florida’s water, land, wildlife and future.

Prior to joining the Conservancy, Moher served as Regional Director for the Bahamas National Trust where he was responsible for protection, management and development of three national parks including coastal and marine parks. Prior to that, he served as a Research Officer for the International Development Research Center in Ottawa, Canada where he was involved in environmental policy research on an international level.

Moher earned a Masters of Arts in International Affairs from Carleton University, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada and received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Queen’s University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada. In addition, Moher is a Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE) and completed his Certificate in Fundraising Management (CFRM) from Indiana University Fundraising School. In 2012, Moher was named Fundraising Executive of the Year by the Association of Fundraising Professionals, Everglades Chapter.

Dr. Michael Parsons, Professor, Florida Gulf Coast University; Member, Blue-Green Algae Task Force

Dr. Michael Parsons is a professor of marine science at Florida Gulf Coast University and director of FGCU’s Vester Marine and Environmental Science Research Field Station. At FGCU he teaches marine ecology and data collection and analysis. He was appointed to the Blue-Green Algae Task Force by Florida Governor Ron DeSantis in 2019. Parsons has built a successful research career, receiving over $20 million of extramural funding to study ciguatera fish poisoning, harmful algal blooms, coral reef ecology, and phytoplankton ecology, including the recently funded Greater Caribbean Center for Ciguatera Research, funded through the Institutes of Health. He is also a collaborator in three Gulf of Mexico Research Initiative Consortia studying the impact of the Macondo oil spill on coastal ecosystems in multiyear projects worth over $30 million. Dr. Parsons received a Bachelor of Science in Biology and Geology from the University of Rochester; a Ph.D. in Oceanography and Coastal Sciences from Louisiana State University and was a Post- doctoral Fellow at Louisiana Universities Marine Consortium. He is affiliated with the Harmful Algae Editorial Board; Board of Directors for Ft. Myers Beach Chamber of Commerce; Past Member of the National Harmful Algal Bloom Committee; and an Instructor of US Harmful Algal Bloom Taxonomy Workshop.

Nicholas G. Penniman IV, Trustee, Everglades Foundation

Nicholas G. “Nick” Penniman IV is a resident of Naples, Florida, and Baltimore, Maryland, and former publisher of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Penniman has been deeply involved in environmental advocacy work. He is currently a Trustee of the Everglades Foundation and chair emeritus and board member of the Smithsonian Environmental Research Center. He served as chair of American Rivers in Washington, D.C., and chair of the Conservancy of Southwest Florida. He is past chairman of the Washington University Interdisciplinary Environmental Law Clinic, past chairman of Forest Park Forever, and served a four-year term as a member of the Collier County Environmental Advisory Council. He is the retired Chair of the Collier County Growth Management Oversight Committee and a former member of both the Coastal Advisory Committee and Environmental Advisory Committee for the county. He is also a registered Florida Master Naturalist.Penniman is a graduate of Princeton University (Religion), and did graduate work at the Wharton Graduate School of the University of Pennsylvania (Finance) and at Washington University in St. Louis where he received an M.A. in American Culture Studies in 1999. Nicholas G. Penniman IV retired in 1999 as publisher of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch and senior vice president of newspaper operations for Pulitzer Publishing Company responsible for twenty-three daily newspapers from Hawaii to Vermont after 38 years in the daily newspaper business.

Gary Ritter, Florida Farm Bureau Federation, Assistant Director of Governmentand Community Affairs

Gary Ritter has worked for the Farm Bureau for a little over 5 years representing agriculture in south Florida mostly on natural and water resource issues at the local, state and federal level. He also provides support to agriculture at the local level when it comes to helping local governments in their understanding of the Right to Farm Act, Agritourism and the important role small farms play in helping educate the public about agriculture.

The Farm Bureau is a grass roots organization that supports Everglades Restoration and recognizes the importance of agriculture’s role in the restoration process.

As a representative of the Farm Bureau, Ritter is a member of the Loxahatchee River Management Council, the Indian River Lagoon Management Board and the newly formed SFWMD Water Resources and Accountability Collaboration group.

Prior to working at the Farm Bureau Ritter spent 36 years at the South Florida Water Management District evaluating the quality of non-point source runoff, helping develop BMPs, designing water quality monitoring networks, and working with rural governments north of the Lake.

As a former Council member for the City of Okeechobee he continues to be very active in the Heartland region as a member of the Career Source Heartland Board and the Chair of their Children’s Services Council. Ritter also sits on the Board of Trustees of Raulerson Hospital in Okeechobee and the Board of Center State Bank of Okeechobee. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Florida School of Forest Resources and Conservation and an AS in Biology from the University of South Florida.

Nicholas von Hofen, General Manager, Collier’s Reserve

Nicholas von Hofen was appointed General Manager of Collier’s Reserve in January 2017, following an impressive tenure at CRCC. Starting as the Greens Superintendent in 2009, he expanded his role to become the Director of Golf Grounds and Building Maintenance. Prior to Joining CRCC, he spent 13 years in golf course supervision at Elyria Country Club, Muirfield Village Golf Club, Old Marsh, Golf Club, PGA West, Lost Tree Club and the Ritz- Carlton Members Golf Club in Sarasota, FL. While at the Ritz-Carlton, von Hofen oversaw the $32 million golf course construction and hired/trained the entire 32-person golf course maintenance staff. Moreover, in 2007, he participated in the coveted Ritz-Carlton Leadership Training Program, which is recognized within the hospitality industry as the “gold standard” in professional training and service. He augmented this specialized training with a BS Degree in Finance in 2014 from Rasmussen College, and a Hospitality Management Certification in 2016 from eCornell University. Von Hofen served as President of the 350 member Everglades Golf Course Superintendents Association in 2014, and has numerous recognition awards in golf course maintenance and environmental leadership. He is a member of the Club Managers Association of America and is working to achieve his Certification in Club Management. Nicholas lives in Naples with his wife and son.

Chad Washburn, Vice President of Conservation, Naples Botanical Garden

In his role as Vice President of Conservation at Naples Botanical Garden, Chad Washburn leads the development of the Garden’s plant conservation programs in south Florida and across the Caribbean and Central American region. He has been with the Garden in a leadership capacity from the early stages of development and planning through the completion of each phase of the Garden’s construction and restoration of the preserve areas. As the previous Director of Education and Conservation, he was responsible for the development and direction of the Garden’s education programs.

Washburn received his Bachelor of Arts in Biology from Hanover College in Hanover, Indiana, and completed his Master’s Degree in Applied Ecology form the School of Public and Environmental Affairs at Indiana University in 2002. He is the Past-President of the Naples Chapter of the Florida Native Plant Society and a member of the Greenscape Alliance and Collier County Commercial Horticultural Advisory Team. He is a recipient of the 2012 Chanticleer Scholarship for professional development.

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Volunteer Opportunities and Other Resourceshttps://floridadep.gov/sites/default/files/Final

Consensus %231_0.pdf https://www.flgov.com/wp-

content/uploads/2019/01/EO-19-12-.pdf Audubon of

the Western Evergladeswww.audubonwe.org

Conservancy of Southwest Florida www.conservancy.org

Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary www.corkscrew.Audubon.org

Corkscrew Regional Ecosystem Watershed (CREW) Land and Water Trust www.crewtrust.org

Friends of Barefoot Beach Preserve www.friendsofbarefootbeach.org

Friends of Fakahatchee Strand Preserve State Park www.friendsoffakahatchee.org

Friends of the Florida Panther Refuge www.floridapanther.org

Friends of Delnor-Wiggins Pass State Park www.delnorwiggins.org

Naples Botanical Garden www.naplesgarden.org

Naples Garden Club www.naplesgardenclub.org

Naples Pathways Coalition www.naplespathways.org

Naples Florida Native Plant Society www.naples.fnpschapters.org

Rookery Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve www.friends@rookerybay.org

Southwest Florida Land Preservation Trust www.gordonrivergreenway.org

Public Sector Opportunities with an Environmental FocusCollier County Advisory Committees: www.

colliergov. net Collier County Coastal Advisory

CommitteeConservation Collier Land Acquisition Advisory CommitteeCollier County Planning Commission Parks and Recreation Advisory Board Floodplain Management Planning Committee

City of Naples:

www.naplesgov.com

Planning Advisory BoardCommunity Services Advisory Board Community Redevelopment Advisory Board Naples Bay Citizens Advisory Board Moorings Bay Citizens Advisory Board

City of Marco Island:

www.cityofmarcoisland.com Beach

Advisory CommitteeParks and Recreation Committee Planning Board Waterway Committee

Note: Not listed are other opportunities for civic volunteer work which involve environmental issues, e.g., community area landscaping and beautification committees with home owner associations (think Florida Friendly Landscaping).

Other ResourcesRegional and South Florida Environment Government SitesBig Cypress National Preserve www.nps.gov/bicy/index.htm

Fakahatchee Strandhttps://www.floridastateparks.org/parks-and-trails/fakahatchee-strand-preserve-state-park

South Florida Water Management District https://www.sfwmd.gov/

Rookery Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve www.rookerybay.org

National Estuarine Research Reserve System www.nerrs.noaa.gov/ReservesMap.aspx

Florida Environmental Non-Profit Organizations1000 Friends of Florida www.1000friendsofflorida.org

Audubon of Florida www.audubonswfl.org

Bonefish & Tarpon Trust www.bonefishtarpontrust.org

Clean Water Fund of Florida www.cleanwaterfund.org/fl

Conservancy of Southwest Florida www.conservancy.org

Defenders of Wildlife www.defenders.org/southeast

Florida Friendly Landscaping www.floridayards.org

Florida Green Building Coalition www.floridagreenbuilding.org

Florida Gulf Coast University - Water Schoolwww.Fgcu.edu/thewaterschool

Florida Master Naturalist Program www.masternaturalist.ifas.

ufl.edu

Florida Native Plant Society www.fnps.org

Florida Wildlife Foundation www.fwfonline.org

Sierra Club Floridawww.sierraclub.org/florida

Everglades Restoration Project - GovernmentEverglades National Park www.nps.gov/ever/index.htm

Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission www.myfwc.com

Florida Department of Environmental Protection www.dep.state.fl.us

South Florida Restoration Project www.ce.utexas.edu/prof/maidment/grad/dugger/GLADES/glades.html

US Fish and Wildlife Service www.fws.gov

US Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/site/national/home/

Non-Profit

Collier County Waterkeeper www.colliercountywaterkeeper.org

The Everglades Foundation www.evergladesfoundation.org

The Everglades Hub www.evergladeshub.com/index.htm

Everglades Law Center www.elc-web.org

Everglades Wetland Research Park, Florida Gulf Coast University http://fgcu.edu/swamp/

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Location and

Directions Venue:

Naples Botanical Garden4820 Bayshore Drive

Naples, FL 34112(239) 643-7275

Click on map to make live

Naples Botanical Garden is located at the corner of Bayshore Drive and Thomasson Drive, a short ride from Southwest Florida International Airport in Ft. Myers and just 10 minutes from downtown Naples, Florida.

From US 41 east, take Bayshore Drive south. Travel 1.5 miles to the stop sign at Thomasson Drive. Keep straight staying on Bayshore Drive and enter the Garden on your right.

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