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Our Team

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Calusa Waterkeeper Staff & Contractors

Codty Pierce

Codty Pierce

Calusa Waterkeeper

Codty Pierce is a life-long resident of the Caloosahatchee watershed. Growing up along one of its many tributaries helped shape his passion, love and admiration for the area’s history and biodiversity. This complex ecosystem that has supported flourishing civilizations longer than written record, has been a natural inspiration to him, while growing up in the community. Codty’s early background in reptiles, wetland restoration and native plant landscaping coupled with a career as a professional fishing guide has created a unique collage of in-the-field experience across local uplands, wetlands, estuaries and nearshore Gulf waters. To protect and restore the Caloosahatchee River from Lake Okeechobee to Coastal Waters is the mission–and in Codty you will find the passion to unite and protect this special watershed.

Robin Serne

Robin Serne

Director of Engagement and Advancement

Robin is a graduate student in the FGCU Environmental Studies program, focusing on conservation and nonprofit management. She is an avid birder and enjoys exploring the local ecosystems by hiking and paddling often. Before moving to Florida for graduate school, she worked at a wildlife hospital in coastal North Carolina. Robin is excited to work with Calusa Waterkeeper to increase engagement with volunteers, collaborators, and the local community working to restore our waterways.

Cindy Swisher

Cindy Swisher

Administrative Coordinator

Originally from Ohio, Cindy spent most of her life in Michigan. In 2007 she left the Great Lakes for Florida’s Gulf coast. Cindy and her husband, Keith, have seven adult children and nine grandchildren. In 2019, after a 40-year hiatus, Cindy graduated from the University of South Florida. She is committed to the support and defense of our waterways and the guarantee of clean water for all.

Julie Althaver

Julie Althaver

Fundraising and Donor Relations

Julie Althaver joins the Calusa Waterkeeper team as an experienced fundraiser. A graduate of Michigan State University, Julie has been a fundraiser and communication professional for more than ten years, securing millions of dollars in individual, corporate, and foundation gifts for academic institutions and nonprofit organizations. She has implemented and managed several multi-faceted fundraising appeals during her career, including annual and endowment campaigns, major and planned giving programs, and special fundraising events.

Board Officers

Bruce Rueben

Bruce Rueben

President

Bruce is an avid fly fisherman and kayaker currently living in Fort Myers, Florida with his wife, Kim Hostetler. They have six children and three grandchildren. Bruce was born in Richmond, Virginia and spent most of his life there. He earned his degree at Virginia Commonwealth University and an MBA at the University of South Carolina. His career in healthcare advocacy, representation, and policy began in Virginia and progressed to becoming President/CEO of the Hospital Association in Maine, Minnesota and finally Florida, where he served until retiring in 2020.

Chuck Avery

Chuck Avery

Vice President

As a construction executive, Chuck lived and worked where great rivers, the Colorado, Mississippi, and the Nile, had major impacts on peoples lives. Now retired, he kayaks the Estero Bay, Spring Creek, and the Gulf. A member of numerous environmental organizations, he co-founded his community Eco Club in order to get residents aware and involved in local issues.

Nikki Tinsley

Nikki Tinsley

Treasurer

Nikki spent her career evaluating the success of government programs including serving as the Inspector General for the Environmental Protection Agency. Prior to moving to Florida, she was also a member of the Citizens Advisory Committee to the Chesapeake Bay Executive Council, advising Bay State Governors on the Chesapeake Bay restoration. She has a master’s degree in management and is a Certified Public Accountant.
Jason Pim

Jason Pim

Secretary

Jason is a Southwest Florida native, business owner and boater. With roots in Cape Coral since 1972, the Pim family enjoys regularly sailing and fishing throughout Florida and the Bahamas. Over the years, Jason has become increasingly active in working to conserve local waterways and lands, advocating at a variety of coalitions, citizens groups and governing bodies. Jason hopes to ensure future generations enjoy the unique natural resources he experienced while growing up in the SWFL outdoors. 

Board of Directors

Manuel Aparicio IV, PhD

Manuel Aparicio IV, PhD

Director

“Manny” is a native Floridian, but his career as a computational neuroscientist led him elsewhere, both with IBM and founding his own data analytics company, Saffron Technology. In addition to many patents, publications, speaking and teaching engagements, he served IBM as a board director for two international non-profit organizations. He received his doctorate from USF in Applied Experimental Psychology, including study of Environmental Psychology. Now retired and living in Fort Myers with his wife of 40 years, Manny is a CWK Ranger and board member, concerned for public health while enjoying our precious local waters.
Brandi Couse

Brandi Couse

Director

Brandi, formerly a public-school educator and non-profit administrator, now leads the MashGrape Technologies team in SWFL. She has lived and worked in four counties in Florida and takes joy from her experience in those regional differences. She and her family are avid lovers of the outdoors and helping others see the beauty and importance of a healthy environment on human and economic wellness is a personal passion that has lead her to seek avenues for action.
Solemi Hernandez

Solemi Hernandez

Director

Mother to two wonderful young boys, who motivate her ongoing environmental justice work, she is enrolled as a Political Science student at FGCU and has been a grassroots activist and community organizer for years. She volunteers for organizations advocating for the environment and Everglades restoration, and is inspired to create the political will for climate solutions.

Tim Huyck

Tim Huyck

Director

Tim spent most of his professional career in investment management in Boston, Dallas and New Hampshire. He and his family have been visiting Southwest Florida for 30 years and have owned property on Captiva and Sanibel since 2010 and 2016 respectively. Upon retirement in 2019, he and wife Louise have lived on Sanibel eight months of the year. An avid fisherman and boater, Tim is acutely aware of the fragility of our waterways and joined the CWK board to contribute to improving water quality for Southwest Florida citizens and visitors.

Howard Simon

Howard Simon

Director

Howard Simon retired after serving in Michigan and Florida as the American Civil Liberties Union’s most senior state Director. He organized Clean Up Okeechobee Waters, a project with doctors and scientists to address the public health threat of Harmful Blue-Green Algae. Simon received a Ph.D. from the University of Minnesota.
Jim Watkins

Jim Watkins

Director

Jim has been visiting Florida since the 1950’s and went to the University of Miami in the 60’s. He’s been a waterfront property owner here since 2004. He has served as President of numerous Boards of water quality watch dog groups, such as the Clark Fork Coalition and the Rock Creek Alliance as well as founding the Kaniksu Land Trust. He is an avid boater and fisherman and attended the first class for Waterkeeper Rangers. Jim has served as both Treasurer and President of the board.

Ruth Watkins

Ruth Watkins

Director

Ruth Watkins has over 30 years experience working for water quality-focused environmental organizations in the Pacific Northwest. Much of that time was spent coordinating with agencies, local governments and diverse groups to undertake multifaceted projects to protect vulnerable water resources. Ruth has served as both Treasurer and President of the board.

John Cassani

John Cassani

Calusa Waterkeeper Emeritus

John’s professional career as an ecologist started here in Lee County in 1978 after receiving degrees in Biology and Fish and Wildlife. From 1978 to 2014 he worked as a resource manager for local government, managing waterways of Southwest Florida. He has authored both peer-reviewed scientific publications and popular media sources on resource management, history, water policy and conservation issues. His service on advisory boards, his commitment to community and involvement with land and water conservation has led to recognition from various civic groups, Including the Florida Audubon Society, Estero Bay Agency on Bay Management, Lee County Government, the Everglades Coalition, the American Fisheries Society, and the Alberta provincial government. In November 2016, John accepted the position of Calusa Waterkeeper, a member of the international Waterkeeper Alliance. In December 2022, John retired and the board bestowed the title of Calusa Waterkeeper Emeritus to honor his incredible service and leadership.

Committees

  • Board Advisory Committee

  • Executive Committee

  • Finance and Fundraising Committee

  • Nominating Committee

  • Legal, Regulatory and Policy Advocacy Committee

  • Membership, Volunteers and Interns Committee

  • Program and Events Committee

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