Board
The Conservancy of Southwest Florida is governed by a member-approved board of directors. Board members come from diverse backgrounds in public service, private industry, education, media, finance and philanthropy. Members provide leadership, financial oversight and help set strategic plans for our organization. These dedicated volunteers are an invaluable asset to the Conservancy’s protection of our water, land, wildlife, and future.
Officers
John R. Walter
Board Chair
John R. Walter
OFFICER: VICE CHAIR AND TREASURER
EMPLOYER
CEO, Ashlin Management Company
BIO
John R. Walter is Chairman of Ashlin Management Company, a private investment and management services firm. He is the retired President and COO of AT&T Corporation, a position he held from 1996 to 1997, and retired Chairman and CEO of R.R. Donnelley & Sons Company, a position he held from 1989 through 1996. Mr. Walter joined R.R. Donnelley & Sons Company in 1969 and held various positions during his career.
Mr. Walter has served as a Director of Manpower Inc. since 1998 and served as Non-Executive Chairman of the company from 1999 to 2001. Mr. Walter also serves as Director of ecoAmerica. He previously served on the boards of other companies, including Echo Global Logistics, VASCO Data Securities, Media Bank, LLC, Groupon, Deere & Company, Abbott Laboratories, Inc., AT&T Corporation, Target Corporation, and Jones Lang LaSalle. Mr. Walter was the founding Chairman of InnerWorkings, Inc. Mr. Walter also served as Chairman of SNP Corp. of Singapore and an Advisory Member of the Singapore Economic Development Board.
Mr. Walter is on the Board of Trustees for Steppenwolf Theater, Northwestern University, and was previously a Director of NorthShore University Health System and Chairman Emeritus of the North Shore University Health System Foundation Board.
Mr. Walter was a Director of the African Wildlife Foundation, the Metropolitan Pier and Exposition Authority, and the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. He earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Management, and holds an Honorary Doctorate Degree from Miami University, Oxford, Ohio.
Charles Mueller
Charles Mueller
EMPLOYMENT
President - West Florida Region, Northern Trust
EDUCATION:
- University of Illinois
- College of Commerce & Business Administration
- CTFA
- CPWA
AFFILIATIONS:
- Naples Yacht Club
- Naples Zoo Board
- Naples Historic Society Board
- Marie Selby Gardens Trustee Past Trustee
- The Nature Conservancy - Illinois Chapter
BIO:
As the President of the West Florida Region for Northern Trust, Charlie is responsible for leading the delivery of holistic advice and client service through investment, fiduciary, banking, and wealth planning professionals. He has over 37 years of experience in serving business-owning families, corporate executives, professionals, not-for-profits, and other wealth owners in a variety of wealth management and commercial banking roles.
Charlie graduated with honors from the University of Illinois College of Commerce and Business Administration in Urbana-Champaign in 1982 with a B.S. degree in Finance. He holds the certifications of Certified Trust and Financial Advisor, CTFA, and the Certified Private Wealth Advisor, CPWA.
Charlie is married to his wife, Toni, of 35 years. Toni is a Certified Naturalist. They have two children: Charlie, a Physicist, and Katherine, a Nurse. Charlie is an avid pilot and enjoys flying on weekends. He also enjoys fishing, sporting clays, kayaking, hiking, golf, reading, and travel.
Rob Moher
Rob Moher
OFFICER: PRESIDENT AND CEO
BIO:
Rob Moher, President and CEO of the Conservancy of Southwest Florida, has more than 25 years of experience in local, regional, and international conservation.
Prior to his position as President and CEO, Moher held several positions at the Conservancy from 1999-2013. As Vice President of Development and Marketing, Moher led strategic philanthropic initiatives and oversaw the largest capital campaign ever in its time in Naples for $38.8 million, which funded new construction and renovation to enhance the Nature Center and grow the endowment. During Moher’s 22-year tenure at the Conservancy, more than $130 million has been raised in philanthropic support. He is currently leading additional fundraising initiatives for the Susan and William Dalton Discovery Center and John and Carol Walter Discovery Center expansion, a new Environmental Studies Dormitory, and additional endowment.
In his current role as President and CEO, Moher’s key focus is to build upon the Conservancy’s outstanding 57-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 continually establishes 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 the 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 Master 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 completed his certification as Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE) and earned 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.
Leslie Frécon
Leslie Frécon
EMPLOYMENT:
LFE Capital - Managing Partner & Chief Executive Officer
EDUCATION:
MBA in Finance, UCLA
BA with Distinction, Stanford University
AFFILIATIONS:
- Audit Committee Chair, The Ryland Group, NYSE
- Advisory Boards of WomenVenture and Enterprising Women Magazine
- Minnesota Women’s Economic Roundtable
- Former Trustee and Executive Committee, Greater Twin Cities United Way
- Former Trustee, MacPhail Center for Music, Breck School, and the Minnesota Opera
BIO:
Prior to founding LFE Capital, Leslie was senior vice president, corporate finance for General Mills, a global consumer foods company. In that position, she was responsible for the treasury, corporate development, and risk management functions. As a member of the senior executive team, she worked with operating management developing and executing growth strategies. Prior to joining General Mills, Leslie was a commercial loan officer with Bank of America in Los Angeles, managing banking relationships for manufacturing and agribusiness companies.
Leslie regularly speaks at business conferences and authors articles about growth equity investing and women in business. She has been featured in such publications as the New York Times, Enterprising Women, The Business Journal, and the Minneapolis StarTribune. She has received numerous awards, including “Director of the Year” from Women on Boards and “Outstanding Director” from Twin Cities Business.
She is married and has two children.
Phil Douglas
Phil Douglas
EMPLOYMENT:
Retired Public School Administrator
EDUCATION:
- B.A. Ball State University, Language Arts and Political Science
- M.A. Education, Ball State University, Economics and Secondary School Administration
- M.A. plus 60 hours in Secondary School Administration and Curriculum Certification
AFFILIATIONS:
- Served on the Board of my local homeowner’s association in every board office since 2004 and was President of the LHB Master Association for five years
- Member of the Estero Council of Community Leaders and was the Environmental Director for three years from 2012 to 2015
- Awarded the Village Visionary Award in 2012 by the ECCL
- Elected supervisor of The Brooks Community Development District # 1 and have been a CDD supervisor since 2008
- Helped chair The Brooks Conservancy membership campaign for the last five years
- Life member of the National Education Association, a member of Our Lady of Light Catholic Church, and have worked as a Lighthouse Bay community co-chair for the United Way of Lee County
BIO:
My wife and I are full-time Florida residents, having relocated from Indiana in 2003. We have lived in Lee County 14 years and have four children and two grandchildren.
I have been retired from public education since 1997, having spent 39 years teaching high school government, economics, and philosophy. The last 17 years of my educational career was spent as a school district administrator working in the areas of human relations and school and community relations.
I am a veteran of the United States Air Force, having been commissioned an officer after graduating from college AFROTC.
My interests are swimming, reading, traveling, and community service.
SUMMARY OF MY BASIC BELIEFS:
Living in Southwest Florida, I see the need to strongly support the Conservancy’s mission to preserve our land, water, and wildlife. I have been an active participant in the Estero community, and I am committed to doing whatever I can to enhance, improve, and maintain the quality of life in Southwest Florida.
I have been actively involved in the I-75/Coconut Road Interchange issue, the preservation of Edison Farms for conservation, and most importantly, water quality and preservation issues as they relate to the quality of life in south Lee County and the DRGR.
I am committed to the preservation of our land and water, supporting proper growth planning along with enhancing the ecology and environment in Southwest Florida. To me, having individuals who are willing to commit and address many of our environmental issues regardless of personal affiliation is most important.
From my perspective, maintaining balanced growth while safeguarding the natural beauty of our greater habitat, the integrity of our water supply, protecting our wildlife, and maintaining the future integrity of our land is crucial in community growth planning and the preservation of our future.
A visit to the Galapagos in 2012 left me with a lasting impression of the importance and value of preserving our natural habitat.
Board Members
Nancy Anthony
Nancy Anthony
EMPLOYER:
Chair of Fernwood Council LLC
EDUCATION:
Northwestern University, B.A. in Economics
DePaul University, Masters in Accounting
University of Illinois, CPA
AFFILIATIONS:
- Pioneer Institute, Trustee
- Hathaway Brown School, Trustee
- Boston Children’s Hospital Trust Finance Committee
- National Council of McLean Hospital
- Head’s Council of the Roxbury Latin School, Trustee
- The Massachusetts Historical Society, Overseer
- Epiphany School of Dorchester, Overseer
BIO:
Nancy is Chair of Fernwood Council LLC, a family office, and serves as an independent trustee for another family. She has been in the investment management business
for 38 years. Nancy has been active with numerous educational, medical, and civic institutions in the Greater Boston area and other communities of importance to
her. Currently, she serves as a Trustee of Pioneer Institute and the Hathaway Brown School.
She practiced in tax before joining Fernwood in 1983, and prior to that, worked for Cutler Hammer (now Eaton Corp).
Nicolas "Nick" Batos
Nicolas "Nick" Batos
Nick Batos was selected as the first mayor of the Village of Estero at the very first meeting of the then newly elected Village Council on March 17, 2015.
He went on to serve two terms as District 6 Council member acting as liaison to the Lee School District and Lee Health, with areas of strategic concern being the SUN Trails, CSX railroad, Bike/Pedestrian Pathways and Zip Codes.
Batos had served as the Chairman of the Estero Council of Community Leaders (ECCL) from 2012 through 2014 and led the successful effort to get the incorporation of Estero on the November 2014 ballot, which passed by a resounding 86 percent.
He joined the ECCL in 2005 to help address some of the issues facing Estero at that time which included mining in south Lee County and protecting the Density Reduction Groundwater Resource (DR/GR) area where the majority of Lee County’s drinking water supply comes from. In 2010, the ECCL honored him with the Village Visionary Award for his many contributions to protecting and enhancing Estero’s quality of life.
In 2007, Batos founded the Brooks Concerned Citizens to address issues specific to The Brooks, such as the proposed I-75/Coconut Road interchange, large culverts under I-75 draining into Halfway Creek, the Agripartners’ ditch and the proposed site of Edison Farms for the Boston Red Sox stadium.
Batos also served on the south Lee County Hospital Committee, Chairman of the Estero Community Improvement Foundation and Chairman of the South Lee County Committee for the Conservancy of Southwest Florida.
He became a full time resident of Shadow Wood at The Brooks in 2002 where he served on the Shadow Wood Country Club member’s board and on the Shadow Wood Home Owners Association Representatives group.
Batos worked in the hospitality industry in New York City for 38 years and spent the majority of his career as (1) Vice President of Food and Beverage operations for the 6 Helmsley Spear Hotels in Manhattan, (2) General Manager COO of 2 private country clubs in the New York City area, and (3) Instructor of Food and Beverage Courses for career development for Michigan University (Kellogg Institute).
He also served on the Board of Directors of the Children’s Museum in New York City.
Stefan Bothe
Stefan Bothe
EMPLOYER:
Founder, Chairman and CEO of Flexi Software
EDUCATION:
California State University - Northridge, Bachelor of Science in Marketing and Finance
Columbia University, MBA
AFFILIATIONS:
- Naples Botanical Garden
- Naples Yacht Club
- The Port Royal Club
- Port Royal Association
- No Barriers USA
- Connecticut Junior Republic
- Connecticut Business and Industry Association
BIO:
Stefan founded Flexi Software in 1992, where he continues to serve as its Chairman and CEO. Before that he worked for Colgate-Palmolive, Hertz, CIT Financial Services, and Computer Associates. He is a director of the Connecticut Junior Republic, which serves at-risk youth in Connecticut. He is also Director Emeritus of the Connecticut Business and Industry Association.
Mr. Bothe is originally from Germany and has resided with his wife Jennie Cheng, a former Board Member of the Conservancy, in Naples since 2000. He is past president of the Port Royal Association and former director and secretary of the Naples Yacht Club.
Mr. Bothe and his wife are avid supporters of the Conservancy of Southwest Florida and the Naples Botanical Garden.
Pam Brown
Pam Brown
EMPLOYER:
Ranch Owner
EDUCATION:
USF & Georgia Southern University
AFFILIATIONS:
- Immokalee Civic Association Immokalee Master Plan Committee
- Lake Trafford Restoration Task Force
- Friends of Roberts Ranch
- League of Women Voters of Collier County
- 2020 U.S. Census Complete Count Committee
- Metropolitan Planning Organization’s Citizens Advisory Committee
- Friends of Collier County Museums
BIO:
As a lifelong resident of Immokalee, Pam Brown’s personal mission is to foster best practices and sensible approaches for Collier County’s growth that promote stewardship of south Florida’s unique environment. Brown’s 30-year commitment to civic service began with an appointment to the Immokalee Water and Sewer District Board of Commissioners by former Governor Bob Graham, a position she held for 12 years. During her tenure, the district pursued grants and implemented a successful service area expansion. Elected to the Board of Commissioners of the Immokalee Fire Control District, ultimately serving as Chair, Brown oversaw transitions in
administration that increased transparency and accountability.
Currently, Brown serves the broader Southwest Florida community as a member of the 2020 U.S. Census Complete Count Committee, the Metropolitan Planning
Organization’s Citizens Advisory Committee, and the Friends of Collier County Museums Board of Directors.
Phil Collins
Phil Collins
EMPLOYMENT:
William Raveis Real Estate | Exceptional Properties Specialist
EDUCATION:
Graduate of University of Miami, B.B.A. in Finance
Graduate of Lake Forest Academy, Lake Forest, IL
AFFILIATIONS:
- President of The Dellora A. and Lester J. Norris Foundation
- Naples Board of Realtors
- Florida Association of Realtors
- National Association of Realtors
- Sigma Chi Fraternity
BIO:
Originally from St. Charles, Illinois, Philip has been a full-time resident of Naples for 27 years. Philip and his family have been instrumental in helping create what Naples is today through their philanthropic endeavors. His grandparents, Dellora and Lester Norris, were founding members of the Conservancy and helped thwart the efforts to create the “Road to Nowhere.” They owned and protected Keewaydin Island and the Keewaydin Club for almost 40 years, rebuilt the Naples Pier after 1960 Hurricane Donna and again in 1970 when pilings had to be replaced, and fought to ensure the pier would remain open free of charge. They also built the Norris Center at Cambier Park and founded the Big Cypress Nature Center.
The Norris/Gaynor/Collins family has supported local marine research, purchased the Gulf-front property for Delnor Wiggins Pass recreation area (named after both his grandmother and grandfather), were instrumental in the founding of the Naples Community Hospital, as well as other notables. Phil has carried on the Norris tradition by giving generously to charitable organizations such as the not-for-profit Youth Haven, where he served on the board, the Golisano Children’s Museum of Naples, and the YMCA. Also, he is the President of the Norris Family Foundation.
Philip is a Broker Associate with William Raveis Real Estate, and has represented a wide range of clientele to include entertainment executives, celebrities, real estate developers, high net-worth individuals, entrepreneurs, and international investors. Philip is acknowledged for his track record of success, world-class representation, and unsurpassed discretion.
Sheila Demkovich
Sheila Demkovich
EMPLOYMENT:
Retired
EDUCATION:
Governor’s State University, University, Park, IL, BA
Indiana University, Biology Lab Tech
AFFILIATIONS:
- Naples Orchid Society
- Conservancy of Southwest Florida
- Barron Collier High School Chorus
- Naples Christian Academy
BIO:
Born in Hammond, Indiana, Sheila and Paul are parents of four children. They moved to Naples, Florida in 1994 for Paul’s job location.
Sheila has volunteered in the von Arx Wildlife hospital since 2007. She helped develop routine lab tests for animal parasites with the help of the Conservancy’s veterinarian, and she trains interns to perform this testing. She serves on the Volunteer of the Month nominating committee as well.
Sheila has been an avid bird watcher for 50+ years, including international travel. Her North American life list is near 500 species, and her world life list is 1,000 species. She has personal enjoyment in seeing different environments and the representative birds, animals, and reptiles in those habitats. She is also an orchid grower and enthusiast with a collection of 200 plants.
Terry Edwards
Terry Edwards
EMPLOYMENT: RETIRED
Art Gallery Director
Editor
EDUCATION:
BS in Foreign Service, Georgetown University
AFFILIATIONS:
- Naples Children & Education Foundation (Trustee)
- Naples Zoo (Board of Directors)
- Bay Colony Golf Club
BIO:
Terry Edwards and her husband, Bob, are committed to the Naples community. They are trustees of the Naples Children & Education Foundation and former chairs of the Naples Winter Wine Festival.
The Edwards have received Gulfshore Life magazine’s Man & Woman of the Year award, the Community Impact Award from the Naples Art Association, and Stars in the Arts recognition from the United Arts Council.
Terry chaired the 2017 and 2018 Naples Zoo galas and has served on the Conservancy’s Magic Under the Mangroves committee. She is a former board member of The Shelter for Abused Women & Children.
A native of St. Louis, she moved to Naples in 2004. She is passionate about education and wildlife and water conservation. The Edwards are proud parents of three children, one granddaughter, and one Great Dane.
Barry Frank
Barry Frank
EMPLOYER:
Retired, President of Arrow Pool Service Co.
EDUCATION:
New York University
AFFILIATIONS:
ENVIRONMENTAL/CONSERVATION:
- EPA Advisor for Swimming Pool & Environment in S E Pennsylvania
- Interested in Wildlife Conservation
BIO:
Mr. Frank earned his BA degree at New York University. He was the owner of Home Fuel Oil Co. and Swimming Pool Service and Construction. He has been a member of the Conservancy since 2006. He is married to Susan Regenstein.
Phil Gresh
Phil Gresh
EMPLOYER:
Retired Executive Vice President, Illinois Tool Works, Inc.
EDUCATION/SERVICE:
Penn State University, BA
US Navy – 3 years Active; 8 years Active Reserve, achieving rank of Lieutenant Commander
AFFILIATIONS:
Mr. Gresh was on the Board of Directors of The Duchossois Group, Chicago, IL for 13 years, as lead director of Chamberlain; Chairman of American Profol, Cedar Rapids, IA for 10 years; and spent 5 years on the board of Rensa Air Filtration, an Edgewater company. He is a Board Member of the non-profit Conservancy of Southwest Florida, Naples, FL, and previously served on the Board for 2013-2021. He is a former Chairman of the Ocean Conservancy, Washington, DC. He also previously served as a Board Member of Keep America Beautiful, Stamford, CT, and The Edward Hospital Foundation, Naperville, IL.
BIO:
Phil Gresh retired as an Executive Vice President from Illinois Tool Works, Glenview, IL, in March 2012 and has been coming to or been a resident of Southwest Florida for over 20 years. He was responsible for 110 ITW companies worldwide in the Industrial Packaging (Signode), Foils and Thermal Films business segments of ITW with revenues of $2.0+ billion. Prior to that, he was responsible for 100 ITW businesses of the Consumer Packaging segment. During his time as EVP, his groups acquired 42 companies with revenues in excess of $600 million. Prior to joining ITW, Mr. Gresh held sales and management positions with Continental Can Company for 16 years.
Phil has been married to his wife, Susan, for 51 years. They reside in Estero, Florida, and have two children and four grandchildren.
Linda Harvey Grijalva
Linda Harvey Grijalva
EMPLOYMENT:
Retired Vice President & Legal Counsel for
Mizuho Corporate Bank (NYC),
Associate, Dewey Ballantine (NYC)
EDUCATION:
Columbia Law School, Juris Doctor, Harlan Fiske Stone Scholar
University of Florida, Bachelor of Arts (Political Science), Phi Beta Kappa
AFFILIATIONS:
- Conservancy of Southwest Florida Environmental Advisory Committee Chair, Governance, and Magic Committee Member
- New York State Bar Association and Bar of the U.S. Supreme Court
- Former Naples Children & Education Foundation Trustee and Grant Committee Member
- Collier’s Reserve County Club Board of Directors Member, Secretary, and Sports & Racquets Committee Chair
- Daughters of the American Revolution (Big Cypress Chapter)
- Mother Cabrini High School, former Trustee, and Finance Committee Chair
- Patron, Central Park Conservancy and New-York Historical Society
BIO:
Linda and her husband, Victor, have been Florida residents since 2013 and spend their summers at their homes in Manhattan and Connecticut. She enjoys tennis,
genealogy, and reading, and she and Victor have taken up golf and enjoy traveling and visiting their four children and five grandchildren. With a black belt in Shotokan
karate, Linda was a USA Karate Federation Senior Women’s National Champion. She is delighted to support the Conservancy’s mission to protect Southwest Florida’s
water, land, and wildlife, and has a special interest in Everglades restoration and environmental policy.
Bruce Groves
Robin Hamilton
Robin Hamilton
EMPLOYMENT:
Retired: Vice-President Wealth Advisor for Morgan Stanley Private Wealth Management
EDUCATION:
BS – University of Florida
AFFILIATIONS:
- 2019 Chair “Magic Under the Mangroves” event benefiting the Conservancy of Southwest Florida
- Board member of the Women’s Foundation of Collier County
- Professional Advisors Council – Community Foundation of Collier County
- Leadership Collier Class of 2013
- Confrérie de la Chaîne des Rôtisseurs – Naples Chapter, Vice Conseiller Gastronomique Honoraire
BIO:
Robin has worked in the financial industry for 23 years, both in Pittsburgh and Naples, and has become proficient in the financial planning and wealth management side of the business.
After growing up in Chicago, Robin’s family moved to Florida, where she graduated from the University of Florida and began working in the hospitality industry. It was during her tenure at The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island where she really began to appreciate the delicate nature of Florida’s environment. Being an avid scuba diver and boater, Robin recognizes the compelling challenges our water and wildlife face.
While growth in Collier County is vital, so is protecting our land, water, wildlife, and future, hence the natural attraction Robin has to the Conservancy. She and her husband have lived in Naples since 2006.
Judy Hushon
Kimberly Leach Johnson
George Lawton
George Lawton
EMPLOYMENT:
Retired Deluxe Corp and Ameriprise Financial
EDUCATION:
BBA in Management, University of Georgia
AFFILIATIONS:
- Naples Botanical Garden
- Society for Corporate Compliance & Ethics
- International Association of Privacy Professionals
BIO:
Now retired, George’s professional life spanned Los Angeles, Philadelphia, Atlanta, and Minneapolis. His diverse career evolved from sales and business development to compliance and privacy leadership roles, all within two large Twin Cities-based companies: Deluxe Corp and Ameriprise Financial.
After having vacationed in Naples for many years, George and his spouse made Naples their primary residence in 2013 and are proud to call it “home” while also maintaining a summer residence in Minneapolis.
George’s appreciation of nature and love of boating made volunteering as boat captain and kayak tour guide at the Conservancy a perfect fit. In March 2017, he became co-Coordinator of the Boat Program and President of the volunteer organization’s Connection Board in March 2021. While not originally intending to become so deeply involved, his growing passion for environmental issues and for the Conservancy’s mission made it seem like a natural progression.
As President of the Connection Board serving as a Conservancy Board member, George is honored to have the opportunity to continue collaborating with volunteer and staff leaders to enhance the guest and volunteer experiences at the Conservancy of Southwest Florida.
Katrina Lundmark-Kash
Katrina Lundmark-Kash
EMPLOYMENT: RETIRED
- Owner Canyon Road – Retail Store, New Canaan, CT
- Owner K. Lundmark Design – Interior Design
- Art Teacher Chicago Public Schools
- Motion Picture Set Decorator for Films and TV Commercials
EDUCATION:
- Southern Illinois University, BA – Art Education, Art History
- Columbia College, MFA – Advanced Film Degree
AFFILIATIONS:
- Naples Children’s Educational Foundation – Trustee
- NCEF Grant Committee Member
- Naples Yacht Club
- Naples Botanical Gardens
- Pelican Bay Tennis Club
- Pelican Marsh Tennis Club
- Bay Colony Association
- Lincoln Park Tennis Club – Chicago
BIO:
Katrina and her husband Rick spend their time in Naples and Chicago. They became full-time residents of Naples in 2015 and spend the summers in Chicago and traveling. She is an avid tennis player, bike rider, and amateur wildlife photographer.
Katrina has an extensive art background which included owning a Gallery/Boutique in New Canaan, CT, working as a Set Decorator in Film and Photography, and as an art teacher working with underprivileged and at-risk youth in Chicago. Here in Naples, Katrina is proud to be a Trustee of Naples Children’s Education Foundation and a member of the Grant Committee. Katrina was very active in the Equestrian Community in Barrington Hills, IL, and part of the Save Five Acres group that successfully defeated a National Land Developer from breaking the existing five-acre zoning.
Katrina and Rick travel the world and Katrina’s favorite place on earth to visit is Africa!
Jon Kukk
Jon Kukk
EMPLOYMENT:
Kukk Architecture & Design, P.A.
EDUCATION:
Cornell University
AFFILIATIONS:
- American Institute of Architects (AIA)
- Bonefish Tarpon Trust (BTT)
- Coastal Conservation Association (CCA) - Life Member
- CBIA - City of Naples Government Affairs Council
- Naples Gulfshore Sunset Rotary
- Naples Historical Society (NHS), Board Member
- National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB)
BIO:
Jon is of Estonian descent, born and raised in Ohio. He attended Cornell University, where he obtained his architectural degree in 1991. He moved directly to Naples, Florida, and in 2001 founded Kukk Architecture and Design, P.A. with his sister.
He has served numerous positions in the American Institute of Architects at both the local and state level, including AIA Florida SW chapter president and state director. Jon was a founding member and chairman of the City of Naples Design Review Board, where he served two terms and helped craft the City ordinance that still governs local commercial design today. He is an active volunteering member of Rotary, the CBIA, the Naples Historical Society, and of the Conservancy of Southwest Florida through the RedSnook Fishing Tournament. He is primarily focused on water quality issues and guiding the Conservancy’s long-range planning and future campus expansions.
Jon enjoys architecture, travel, numismatics, and especially fly fishing. Julie, his wife, is a Naples native, and together, they enjoy raising their two children in this tropical paradise.
Paul Myerson
Paul Myerson
Paul is a retired finance executive having spent most of his career at GE and GE Capital. He and his wife Giselle have been in Naples since 2017 and split their time between Naples and Westport Connecticut. Paul earned a BA in biology from Princeton University and MBA in finance at Columbia University. In Connecticut, Paul was on the board of a public charter school serving inner‐city youth in Bridgeport, and volunteered for many years as a board member and treasurer of his homeowner’s association and as a governor at Cedar Point Yacht Club in Westport.
Since moving to Naples, he has volunteered his time in several local agencies including St Matthew’s House, Champions For Learning, and Habitat For Humanity. Paul is a member of Class 26 in the Greater Naples Leadership program and has taken on the role of Class Representative. He plays the French horn in the Naples and Westport concert bands. His love of the Conservancy is partly due to accompanying Ian and Ian on a python hunt.
James Nolte
James Nolte
EMPLOYMENT: RETIRED
EDUCATION:
- Fairleigh Dickenson University, BS
- Emory University, Goizueta Business School, MBA
AFFILIATIONS:
- Greater Naples Leadership
- Grey Oaks Country Club
BIO:
Jim’s professional accomplishments have been marked by his ability to identify opportunities and lead companies to achieve their potential. His track record includes sales and strategy positions at AT&T, BellSouth and Atlanta Gas & Light which brought him to the role of leading sales at Zayo Group - a global digital infrastructure provider, where he helped the company achieve hypergrowth and ultimately go public. Jim went on to become CEO of a private equity-backed broadband infrastructure business, based in Sunnyvale, CA. There he built a highly-functioning management team and operation while acquiring marquis customers like Amazon, Apple, and Microsoft, building over 250 miles of state-of-the-art fiber optic networks and reaching sales of nearly $100M in three years.
These days Jim, who grew up in New Jersey, is retired and lives in Naples with his wife Laura, a fourth-generation Floridian. As the couple mapped plans to give back to their community, conservation was a natural fit for Jim. He started his environmentally conscious journey at the age of 10 when he convinced his middle school to start a recycling program and has continued to be passionate about our environment, most recently creating a sellout friend-raising event to draw support for the work done by the Conservancy of Southwest Florida.
Nicholas G. Penniman IV
Nicholas G. Penniman IV
EMPLOYER: RETIRED
Publisher of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch
Senior Vice President of Newspaper Operations for Pulitzer Publishing Company
EDUCATION:
- Princeton University
- Wharton Graduate School of the University of Pennsylvania
- Washington University St. Louis, M.A.
ENVIRONMENTAL/CONSERVATION:
- Smithsonian Environmental Research Center, Board Chair
- Everglades Foundation, Trustee
- Past Chair of American Rivers
- Conservancy of Southwest Florida, Chair Emeritus
- Collier County Growth Management Oversight Committee, Vice-Chair
BIO:
Nicolas G. Penniman IV retired in 1999 as publisher of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch and as senior vice president of newspaper operations for Pulitzer Publishing Company, responsible for 22 other daily newspapers from Hawaii to Vermont.
Penniman has been deeply involved in environmental advocacy. He is a former member of both the Coastal Advisory Committee and the Environmental Advisory Committee for the county.
His first book, Nature’s Steward: A History of the Conservancy of Southwest Florida, was published in 2014.
Married for 50 years, he and his wife, Linda, have two children and five grandchildren. They reside in Naples.
Nanette Rivera
Nanette Rivera
EMPLOYMENT:
Retired: Managing Partner (2008-Present)
- Merton Partners, LLC; Operations Excellence Consulting
Employed: Pharmaceutical Industry (1980-2008) - Abbott Labs; Bristol-Myers Squibb; Johnson & Johnson; Shire Pharmaceuticals: Manufacturing, Sales Operations, Research & Development
EDUCATION:
MBA - University of Chicago, Booth School of Business – Finance, 1987
BS – Georgia Institute of Technology – Industrial Engineering, 1980
AFFILIATIONS:
- Board - Big Cypress Basin: Governor DeSantis appointment
- Vice-Chair - Planning Board City of Marco Island
- Ranger - Calusa Waterkeeper
- Member - Marco Island Columbiette: Woman’s Catholic Civic Assoc.
- Certified Crew - US Coast Guard Auxiliary – Marco Island
- Chair – Lunch Events: Marco Island - US Sail & Power Squadron
BIO:
Nanette and her husband, Gene Wordehoff, live and have owned on Marco Island since 1999.
Global Pharmaceutical Industry 40-year Career:
- Engineer to Corporate VP Supply Chain Strategy – specialized in Global Supply Chain restructuring
- Head of Strategy for Oncology Division – product portfolio divestiture and investment re-alignment for new technologies
- Global head of Integration Office for Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A) - led the integration of DuPont Pharma acquisition into BMS
- Managing Partner - Pharmaceutical Operations Management Consulting Practice - specialized in Restructurings, Off-shoring Operations, Consolidations and Optimizations of Plants & Divisions.
Nanette is bilingual in English & Spanish. Her father was an executive for an American multinational, which led her to live & study in Central & South America. She graduated from High School in Atlanta after completing her junior year in Johannesburg, South Africa.
Current Environmental/Restoration Interest:
Nanette and her husband share a passion to study and understand what has led to the decline of the waterbody health in Marco Island. They focus on science and fact-based analysis using water-sample data to identify the root point-sources of excess nutrients. Nanette hopes their learnings will lead her to influence environmental policy in the State of Florida.
Sue Schulte
Sue Schulte
EMPLOYMENT:
Retired
EDUCATION:
School of Government and Public Administration, American University BA
AFFILIATIONS:
- Naples National Golf Club
- Hole-in-the-Wall Golf Club
- Naples Yacht Club
BIO:
Sue was born in Washington D.C. and often moved around the country.
Sue and her husband Fred moved to Naples in 1996, and she has been a member of the Conservancy since 1998. She has served on the Magic Under the Mangroves Committee for five years and has been an active supporter of the von Arx Wildlife Hospital.
Most of her working career was spent in various senior positions at the Chicago Board of Trade and the Chicago Mercantile Exchange, and private commodity and options trading firms in Chicago and San Francisco before becoming an independent trader.
Being a life-long animal lover, Sue has always been actively involved with rescue groups, developing animal rescue and adoption centers through policy, fundraising, and operations. She has also supported the initial efforts in Collier County to develop a spay & neuter clinic.
Sue and Fred maintain a part-time residence in Park City, UT, where she has continued to support local animal and wildlife activities.
Cedric A. Shaw
Cedric A. Shaw
EMPLOYER:
Retired Group President, Illinois Tool Works, Inc.
EDUCATION:
University of Iowa, BA
AFFILIATIONS:
- Olde Cypress Country Club
- Chicago United
- La Rabida Children’s Hospital - Board Member
- Golden Aluminum Inc. - Board Member
- Colbert Packaging Inc. - Board Member
- Lupton Ventures Inc.- Board Member
BIO:
Cedric Shaw retired as Group President from Illinois Tool Works, Glenview, IL, in 2015. He was responsible for the Signode Americas Industrial Packaging businesses, including Software technologies and worldwide innovation leadership. Prior to that, he was responsible for ITW Strength Films businesses worldwide.
In 1993, Mr. Shaw joined ITW Newtec as General Manager. He became Group GM of ITW Stretch Packaging Systems in 1996. He also held VP and GM positions in ITW’s Power Systems and Food Equipment organizations. Prior to joining ITW, Mr. Shaw held positions with Continental Can, Figgie Packaging Systems, and Package Machinery Company over a 13 year period.
Mr. Shaw was a four-year letterman and team captain for the University of Iowa Hawkeye Football team. Cedric has been married to his wife, Pepper, for 34 years, and they reside in Naples, Florida and have two children and two grandchildren.
Penny Taylor
Penny Taylor
Penny Taylor has been a full-time resident of Naples Since 1979. She worked as a photographer for the Naples Daily News for one year and then established her photography Studio serving the public of Collier County.
In 2000, she was elected to the Naples City Council and served for 10 years on that board, including two years as Vice-Mayor. In 2014, she was elected to the Board of County Commissioners of Collier County and served eight Years as District 4 Commissioner.
During her time on the commission, Taylor served as the Collier County representative for the County Coalition for Responsible Management of Lake Okeechobee, the St. Lucie and Caloosahatchee Estuaries and was appointed the Collier County representative of the Florida Association of Counties Water and Environmental Sustainability Policy Committee. She was also Chair of the BCC during 2017 when the red tide outbreak in Gulf of Mexico made headlines across the world.
Taylor is a strong and active advocate of the environment, and especially the environmental impact over-development has on our community.
Sharon von Arx
Sharon von Arx
EDUCATION:
Harris Teachers College
BIO:
Sharon von Arx and her husband Dolph made Naples their home in 1992 after seven years as “snowbirds.” They have three children and seven grandchildren.
Sharon has been very active in the community over the years. She has chaired fundraising galas for Youth Haven, the Humane Society, and the Shelter for Abused Women and Children. She has served on local non-profit boards, including Youth Haven, the Community Foundation, and the Shelter for Abused Women. Artis Naples and NCH have benefited from her involvement and volunteering. At the Conservancy of Southwest Florida, Sharon has been active on both the “Magic Under the Mangroves” committee and at the Wildlife Rehab since their beginnings.
She has been recognized for her endeavors with many awards, including “Women of Style” by N Magazine and the “AWBA” Award for Women Making History.
Working side by side with Dolph, they have jointly been the recipients of “Philanthropists of the Year” by the Community Foundation (2005), “Humanitarians of the Year” (2011) by Hodges University, the “Walter Turkin Award” (2011) by the Humane Society, and in 2015 they received “The Eagle Award,” the highest honor bestowed by the Conservancy.
Currently, Sharon is active on both the Conservancy’s Wildlife Committee as Co-Chair, a member of the 2016 Magic Committee, and remains as Director Emeritus at the Shelter for Abused Women and Children.
Tom Watkins
Tom Watkins
EDUCATION:
William & Mary, B.A. Accounting
University of Chicago Booth School of Business M.B.A.
AFFILIATIONS:
Board of Visitors, William & Mary
Board of Directors, Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago
Member, Royal Poinciana Golf Club
BIO:
Tom and his wife, Wendy, have been visiting Naples and Southwest Florida since the early 1990s and became Florida residents in 2016.
A former pharmaceutical and biotechnology company executive, Tom now serves on several corporate and non-profit boards. He and Wendy are strong supporters of the Conservancy’s mission.
They are particularly passionate about the challenges of ensuring clean water for all of the residents of Southwest Florida and the related issue of controlling the growth of development in our surrounding areas.
Tom and Wendy divide their time between Naples, Lake Forest, Illinois, and West Virginia.
Roger Weston
Roger Weston
Roger L. Weston was born on March 2, 1943 in Waukegan, Illinois, United States.
Roger holds a Bachelor of Science from MacMurray College (1965) and a Master of Business Administration, Washington University, St. Louis (1967).
Roger served as the Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of GreatBanc, Inc. from 1986 – 2006. He currently serves as a Director of numerous public and private companies.
Career Highlights:
- Investment Adviser: Harris Trust & Savings Bank, Chicago, 1967-1969
- Senior Investment Counselor: Security Suprs., Chicago, 1969-1970
- General Partner: Sierra Capital Group, Chicago, 1970-1985
- Executive Vice President, Treasurer, Chief Finance Officer: Telemed Corporation, Hoffman Estates, Illinois, 1971-1979
- Vice Chairman: Bank Lincolnwood, Illinois, 1979-1985
- President, Chief Executive Officer: GSC Enterprises, Lincolnwood, 1979-1985
- Chairman, Board of Directors, President, Chief Executive Officer: GreatBanc, Inc., Aurora, Illinois, 1986-2006
- Roger sold GreatBanc, Inc. in 2006
Conservancy Support
- Roger and his wife Pam have supported the Conservancy though Magic Under the Mangroves in 2019 and 2020.
- Roger has participated in three separate python necropsies since being introduced to the work of the python team last year. He is very hands-on
- Roger's sister Cynthia has been involved with the Conservancy since 2015 as a donor and since 2016 as a Development Committee member. She is also on the Magic Committee.
Points of Interest
- Roger is an avid fisherman and when in Naples fishes nearly every day.
- In 2009 Roger Weston became a life trustee of the Art Institute of Chicago, collects Asian art, and has donated many pieces to the museum. The Roger L. and Pamela Weston Wing and Japanese Art Galleries, which opened at the museum in 2010, displays many of those pieces.
The Weston Foundation
The Weston Foundation is a Chicago-based private charitable trust established in 2007 by Roger L. Weston and is governed by a small trustee board that designates over 50 grants/yr ranging $500 – $10,000 in size. The Weston Foundation was created with the following mission: "to promote the greatest good, with a particular emphasis on helping children, animal welfare, and the environment."
