Our Team
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Calusa Waterkeeper Program Staff
John Cassani
Calusa Waterkeeper
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. John is a courtesy faculty member at FGCU in the Department of Marine and Ecological Sciences with research interests in the areas of exotic species and biodiversity. 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. Due to John’s expertise as a fisheries scientist and water manager, he has been sought out as a consultant to private industry, government and academia. John was a founding member of CRCA (now Calusa Waterkeeper) in 1995, and has served in many officer, director and committee chair roles since 1997. In December 2016, John accepted the position of Calusa Waterkeeper, a member of the international Waterkeeper Alliance.
K.C. Schulberg
Executive Director
Noted community organizer and international media specialist, K.C. Schulberg was appointed Calusa Waterkeeper’s Executive Director effective July 1, 2018. Schulberg’s background merges film, television, marketing and fundraising with hands on civic engagement and community organizing, allowing him to bring a new global set of administrative tools to Calusa Waterkeeper’s mission. In a sense, this appointment brings Schulberg full circle as his first exposure to the SWFL ecosystem came when, at the age of five, his father and uncle produced the first studio-financed environmental-themed feature film, Warner Brothers’ “WIND ACROSS THE EVERGLADES” starring Oscar-winner Christopher Plummer in 1957.
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.
Officers
Jim Watkins
President
Jason Pim
Vice President
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.
Ruth Watkins
Treasurer
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.
Kathy J. Cookman
Secretary
BS, CSTR, CAISS, EMT-P, FMNP, CWKR
Born in 1959, Kathy grew up in central Ohio and has a passion for manatees. For several years, she was a Docent and “Manatee Coast” Region Leader at the Columbus Zoo & Aquarium. She is a Florida Master Naturalist, Calusa Waterkeeper Ranger, a volunteer of CROW and co-owner of Manatee & Eco River Tours.
2021-2022 Board of Directors
Manuel Aparicio IV, PhD
Director
Chuck Avery
Director
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.
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.
John Paul
Director
John R. Paul, III is a fourth-generation citrus farmer and owner of Car Two Citeu Brokerage and Paulopolis Natural Products. He also manages properties for various uses such as agriculture and industrial. John Paul is a maverick, determined to be both an agriculturalist and an environmentalist. John Paul served as the president of CRCA/Calusa Waterkeeper from April 2015 to April 2017.
Linda Penniman
Director
Linda has been a Florida resident for over 20 years and an advocate for clean water and sound planning that entire time. She is a former elected official and member of many organizations in Collier County. She is currently on numerous boards and organizations addressing growth, water and infrastructure in Southwest Florida.
Howard Simon
Director
Nikki Tinsley
Director
Committees
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Board Advisory Committee
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Executive Committee
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Finance and Fundraising Committee
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Nominating Committee
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Legal, Regulatory and Policy Advocacy Committee
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Membership, Volunteers and Interns Committee
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Program and Events Committee
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