Advisory Council
Tomas BoitonAs a transportation consultant who designs and implements transportation programs for area non-profits, he recently received federal funding to be the Mobility Manger for Palm Beach County. This program was developed to serve seniors, children at risk, low income families, and mentally and physically disabled. He is the founder of nonprofit transportation advocacy coalition and sits on the Palm Tran Service Board. Tomas was one of the original core Paddlers who took part in the historic six-day River of Grass Canoe expedition bringing awareness about the Everglades to our community.
Minx Boren, MCC
Master Certified personal and business Coach; Founder, Coach Minx, Inc.; Co-Founder, AWE - Authentic Woman Enterprises, LLC; Founding Coach, Empower Parties & Purpose Journey; author, poet, magazine columnist; motivational speaker, workshop facilitator; Board Member and Officer, Executive Women of the Palm Beaches; Board Member, Women's Foundation of Palm Beach County - Girls Leadership Institute planning committee; member, Women’s Chamber of Commerce of Palm Beach County; member, Int’l Coach Federation.
Jenny Prior Brown
Elected to the Palm Beach County School Board for District 4, Jenny is a 4th generation native of West Palm Beach. After graduating from Princeton University, she taught for two years before attending Southern Methodist School of Law. In 1995, Jenny joined the United States Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Florida. The following year she was Associate Deputy Attorney General in Washington, D.C., where she worked on civil rights and immigration matters. Jenny is married and the mother of two adorable twins.
Newton Cook
Executive Director, United Waterfowlers – Fl, Inc. where he is active in Everglades restoration projects; Member, Ducks Unlimited & Delta Waterfowl; Member, South Florida Water Management District Water Resources Advisory Council Lake Okeechobee Committee; Board of Directors Future of Hunting in Florida, Inc, Member Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission Deer Management Technical Assistance Group worked for 26 years as a plant manager and director of commercial and international sales for DAP, Inc., in Dayton, OH, then was self-employed as a manufacturer's representative in the paint and hardware industry. Bachelor's degree in chemistry, University of Memphis.
Paul Fisher
Paul is a private art dealer and owner of the Paul Fisher Gallery in West Palm Beach, Florida since 1990. He represents the works of internationally renowned artist Dale Chihuly and others. Passionate about the environment, Paul often showcases nature-themed work by notable artists including the legendary Jean-Louis Dubois, French wildlife photographer praised by Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis as "a talent and vision that comes along once in a lifetime." This year’s exhibitions at his gallery have been among the most celebrated in the Palm Beaches and included shows by Bruce Helander, America's most prominent collage artist; Kimberly Du Ross, daughter of Kate Ford, the automobile heiress; and painter and sculptor Edwina Sandys.
Judith M. Garcia
General Manager, The Education Network (T.E.N.), the television production studios of the School District of Palm Beach County, producing distance learning courses, staff development/training, enrichment programming and community education and information. Previously, she served in a similar position with Fairfax County Public Schools’ (Virginia) Fairfax Network, doing national and international programming. In 1985, she was selected as on of the top three teacher astronauts in NASA’s Teacher in Space Project, and during a two-year tenure, she trained and spoke before President Reagan and audiences throughout the USA and many other countries. She received a B.A. from West Virginia University, M.Ed. from George Mason University, and an Ed.D. from Oklahoma State University. She also attended and presented at leadership conferences at Oxford University and studied at the Université de Savoie in France.
Jaimie Goodman
A resident of Jupiter with a law practice based in downtown West Palm Beach, Jaimie Goodman has nearly 30 years of legal experience in both Michigan and Florida. The Cornell Law School graduate has worked in complex employment litigation for a Fortune 500 company and as a practicing courtroom attorney, covering such areas as occupational safety and health matters, discrimination and harassment, administrative hearings and multi defendant product liability law.
Carrie Hill
Retired Assistant Deputy Executive Director for Corporate Resources for the South Florida Water Management District, Carrie Hill was appointed to the Palm Beach County School Board by Governor Charlie Crist in late 2007, and was elected to the position the following year. A native Floridian who received her BS degree in Business and her Masters degree in Public Administration from the University of Florida, Carrie Hill’s 28-year professional career has been spent in city and county government. She has lived in Palm Beach County since 1990 and has served as the City Manager for Boynton Beach and the Village Manager for the Village of Golf. She is very active in the community, serving on the Boards of the Schoolhouse Children's Museum and the "I Have a Dream" Foundation. In addition to serving as the Board's representative to the Marshall Foundation, she also represents the Board to the Special Taxing District for the Children's Services Council.
Bobbi Horwich
Along with her husband Harry, Mrs. Horwich is a noted Palm Beach philanthropist who is active in a variety of local causes. She is a board member for the League of Women Voters and Very Special Arts, was The Champion of the Everglades in 2010, and has chaired the boards of numerous local libraries. She is also a political delegate to Florida’s legislature. Before retiring, Mrs. Horwich owned a chain of pharmacies and surgical supply stores. She is a graduate of the University of Florida and Barry University.
Debora Kerr
Debora Kerr, MA, Chief Operating Officer of the Florida Public Health Institute, has a 12-year non-profit background in building cross-industry collaboration and project development for healthcare, biotechnology, environmental health, education, youth programs, and workforce development sectors. She has been involved in numerous leadership roles in community efforts locally and regionally.
Jack Lansing
Mr. Lansing is a member of the ARMF Advisory Council. He also serves as the Florida Public Health Institute board secretary. Jack is currently involved with various projects with the Institute relating to water security and technology as a public health topic.
Bobbie Lindsay
Bobbie Lindsay is a principal with the commercial real estate firm, Sequoia Holdings LLC, and is a member of the Shore Protection Board. She has a BA in biology from Cornell University, where she specialized in ecology and systematics.
Martha Musgrove
President & Founder, Decision Makers Forum, Inc., a nonprofit, educational organization that explains and promotes Everglades Restoration and attendant issues. Prior to founding the organization, Martha spent 37 years in the news business as a reporter, columnist, and editorial writer, retiring in 2001 as associate editor of The Miami Herald. Since then she has been a consulting editor and writer, and has authored occasional articles for newspapers, magazines and anthologies. Martha's numerous awards and recognitions include the Communications Award from the Treasure Coast Chapter of the Florida Association of Environmental Professionals in 2004, the Al Burt Award from 1000 Friends of Florida in 1998 and, in various years, being named journalist/communicator of the year by the Sierra Club Miami Group, Florida Audubon Society, Florida Wildlife Federation, and Florida Agricultural Council. She is currently a director of the Florida Wildlife Federation and of the Friends of the Gale Academy of Environmental Science & Technology at Forest Hill High School, an active Deacon at Lakeside Presbyterian Church, and member of the Forum Club of the Palm Beaches and Audubon Society of the Everglades.
Janice G. Owens
Co-Director of the Preservation Foundation of Palm Beach, Janice Owens, is an advocate for preservation of national, statewide, and local treasures. Working collaboratively throughout Florida and more closely in Palm Beach County, she has formed valuable partnerships; among them are: the National Trust for Historic Preservation, the Florida Trust for Historic Preservation, the School District of Palm Beach County, the Historical Society of Palm Beach County, the Palm Beach County Cultural Council and the Arthur R. Marshall Foundation. She serves as a guide for visiting dignitaries, national and international; participates on numerous local and state committees; and is often the spokesperson on topics of preservation and education. Janice has long been a supporter of Everglades restoration, now serving on the Marshall Foundation's Education Committee.
Harvey E. Oyer, III
A partner in the law firm of Shutts & Bowen LLP, Harvey E. Oyer, III also is an Adjunct Professor of Law at the University of Miami School of Law, and an Adjunct Professor at the Florida Atlantic University Honors College. He is a fifth generation native Floridian and served for seven years as the Chairman of the Historical Society of Palm Beach County. Oyer has received numerous awards, including the Thomas Jefferson Award for Public Service.
Sylvia Pelizza
Sylvia Pelizza is most often referred to as the "Manager" of the Arthur R. Marshall Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge, but her official Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) title is Project Leader. A Native American with a BS in Wildlife Science from New Mexico State University, she has spent 30 years with FWS, 20 as the Project Leader at five stations, including refuges in Hawaii, California, South Dakota, and New Jersey. Experienced in wildlife and endangered species rehabilitation and management, water quality and quantity, and wildfire management, Pelizza has earned numerous Department of Interior and FWS commendations, including nine Star Awards.
Charlotte Pelton
As President of Charlotte Pelton & Associates, Inc., her professional experience has included corporate marketing and strategic planning responsibilities at two Fortune 100 companies, followed by 15+ years as a consultant to non-profits across the country. She and her team of nine professionals focus their 100+ years of experience and expertise in the areas of planning, marketing and resource development. Charlotte earned a BS in Business Administration (Marketing) from the University of Southern Mississippi, and began her fund raising experience as a volunteer for the United Way while living in Memphis, TN. A member of MENSA and the Association of Fundraising Professionals, Charlotte was recently tapped for the board of the Menopause & Women’s Health Research Center of the Torrey Pines Institute for Molecular Studies, and the advisory board for the Vaccine & Gene Therapy Institute (VGTI) of Florida. She is also an active member of Executive Women of the Palm Beaches, having served on its board of directors and as chairman of Executive Woman Outreach, its charitable arm.
Julia Pimm
Mrs. Pimm of Key Largo, is a former travel agent who now serves as assistant to her husband, Stuart Pimm, a noted ecologist who studies species extinction in the Florida Everglades.
Deena Reppen
Deena Reppen is well-versed in environmental and water resources issues, having served in several capacities with Florida's Department of Environmental Protection prior to joining the staff of the South Florida Water Management District in 2007, where she was named Deputy Executive Director for Government and Public Affairs. Ms. Reppen's communications and citizen services experience also includes serving as Press Secretary to former Florida Governor Jeb Bush and as the Director of Operations for the Reef Environmental Education Foundation -- a marine conservation organization based in Key Largo, Florida. Born and raised in London, England, Ms. Reppen received a Bachelor of Science degree in Zoology from Kings College, University of London and a Master's Degree in Public Administration from the University of North Florida.
Deborah Robinson
Deborah (Dee) Robinson brings over 20 years of management experience as a Vice President for University Advancement, and related development work with non profits. She is currently a PhD student completing her dissertation on strategic thinking and its relationship to vision integration. Since 2009 she has been the Chief Development Officer for The Haven; creating and implementing a comprehensive sustainable funding model for the non-profit. Since 2006, Dee has also worked with Network4Leaders, Inc. (N4L): Strategy consulting services; including editing new business proposals, franchise prospectus development, prospect development and higher education focused strategy objective development.
Judy Schrafft
Chairman and director of the Coral Reef Society; founding member of the Loggerhead Marine Life Center; Chairwoman, Marshall Foundation Annual Recognition Luncheon; published writer and journalist; author of several travel books; past affiliations include directorships of the Animal Rescue League, the Palm Beach Zoological Society, the Science Museum and Planned Parenthood; one of the first woman members of the Explorers Club of New York City; a world-class scuba diver, has dived in and written about diverse dive locations that including Indonesia, New Guinea, and the Solomon Islands.
Joseph A. Schweigart
President, JAS Water Resource Consulting, Inc; retired civil engineer with South Florida Water Management District, serving for 38 years in various capacities with particular emphasis on water resources management and Everglades restoration; recipient of numerous national and state awards; U.S. Naval Reserve military career, retiring in 1996 with the rank of Commander, CEC, USNR; serves on board of directors of YMCA of the Palm Beaches.
Allen Trefry
Mr. Trefry, of Palm Beach Gardens, retired from a career as Environmental Director for the Resources Protection Division of the Palm Beach County Department of Environmental Resources Management. Now, he spends much of his time volunteering with numerous Palm Beach County organizations, including Special Olympics, Kravis Center, National Association of Eagle Scouts, Palm Beach County Environmental Resources Management, Palm Beach Marathon, SunFest, Grassy Waters Preserve Nature Center, Pack and Paddle, Gator Snow Ski Club, Palm Beach County Historical Society, and Palm Beach Post Pathfinders.
Joel VanArman
An environmental scientist, Joel retired from a 35-year career with the South Florida Water management District in 2007. He now runs his own consulting business and has taught at the university level. He has co-authored numerous articles that have appeared in peer-reviewed and technical publications, and he’s received a variety of professional honors, including membership in Sigma Xi, the Scientific Research Society.
Dr. Peggy VanArman
Professor of Biology at Palm Beach Atlantic University, where she has been teaching and conducting research since 1985. Past President and board member of Friends of the Environmental Science and Technology Academy (Forest Hill Community High School); board member of the Palm Beach County Science and Engineering Fair. Member: Sigma Xi Research Society, Florida Academy of Scientists, International Association of Astacologists (crayfish), Florida Association of Environmental Professionals, American Association of University Women. Dr. VanArman is a published author who has influenced countless students through the years through her dedication to the environment and science-based projects focused on restoration of the Everglades ecosystem.