Mike is a retired Partner with Ernst & Young, LLP Auditing and Advising. As a senior partner at EY, Mike has served large public and private companies in a variety of industries including aerospace and defense, oil and gas, energy, consumer products, and transportation. Mike also served as the managing partner for the Tampa and Jacksonville offices, and for the Florida and Caribbean practices as well.

As an avid diver, Mike took a special interest in Reef Renewal USA as it combines his love for scuba diving with his concern for the Florida Keys’ community wellbeing. Mike holds a divemaster certification, and loves nothing more than diving and working in the nursery to make a tangible difference for the future of the reef.

Mike’s commitment to his local community is evident in the long list of boards he has served on. In addition to his Board of Director role at RRUSA, he currently serves as a Board Member of the Tampa Bay History Center. He has served as a Board Member and Chairman of the Audit Committee of Children’s National Medical Center, one of the top pediatric health systems in the country. He previously served as Chairman of the Board of Trustees and Treasurer of the United Way of Tampa Bay, Board Member and Chairman of the Finance Committee for the Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce, and Board Member and Chairman of Junior Achievement of Tampa Bay. He is also a member of the Palma Ceia Golf & Country Club and the Tampa Yacht and Country Club (for the latter of which he served on the Board of Governors and as Treasurer). In Jacksonville, he served as a Board member and as Chairman of the Audit Committee of the United Way of Northeast Florida.

Mike and his wife, Karen, reside in Tampa, Florida. They have three grown children and two grandchildren.

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To reach Mike, please visit our contact us page.

Autumn is a visionary, entrepreneur, cosmetic chemist, and ocean advocate and the formulator and CEO of Stream2Sea, a company setting the new standard for sustainable, safe body care products and sunscreen. She holds a B.Sc. in Chemistry with a minor in Environmental Geology from Eckerd College in St. Petersburg, Florida. As a cosmetic chemist, herbalist and entrepreneur for over 24 years, Autumn sold her first start-up in 2009 to the publicly-traded Nutraceutical Corporation. She has dedicated her career to creating natural and effective plant-based formulas safe for humans, marine life and the planet. Her formulations have won multiple awards including Best of Natural Beauty from Better Nutrition, Best of Show from Natural Products Expo, Delicious Living’s Beauty & Body and Taste for Life Essentials. A triple-bottom-line may be a relatively new business term, but it’s been a lifelong passion for Autumn. Formulating products that contribute first to people and the planet and then to profit has been her goal throughout her entire career.

Growing up in Sarasota, Florida, Autumn has always been passionate about the outdoors. She became a NAUI certified diver at 14, and spent her youth diving, backpacking the Appalachian Trail and kayaking the Peace River. Recently inducted into the Women Divers’ Hall of Fame, she’s also a technical diver, shark advocate, underwater photographer and SCUBA Instructor.

Autumn is an active member of the Society of Cosmetic Chemists and the American Botanical Council and is a founding member of the Safe Sunscreen Council, a coalition of environmentally conscious companies with a mission to study the issue and raise awareness about the impact of sunscreen ingredients on the planet.

“This journey began on a liveaboard trip to explore one of the most beautiful reefs in the world. I watched, with increasing frustration, as the divers and crew bathed on deck after every dive – the soap, sunscreen and conditioner residues washing right overboard into these pristine waters. I watched as the divers and crew reapplied sunscreens, then shortly after, dove back in to repeat the process. As a cosmetic chemist, I understood that many of the ingredients used in these products could be highly toxic to our fragile aquatic ecosystem. Understanding the adverse and long-term effects they could have on the coral reefs, I thought… we can do better!”

With over 30 years of experience in market research, Lisa has built her career around strategic initiatives. Lisa particularly focused on optimizing services, products and offerings to strategically improve customers, members, and subscriber satisfaction.

Her commitment to service extends beyond her professional work. She has dedicated over two decades to supporting non-profit organizations. She currently serves on the boards of The Academy at Ocean Reef, Greenwich Riding Trails Association, and the Intercollegiate Equestrian Foundation. Outside of her professional and non-profit work, Lisa is an avid hunter-jumper rider and was the head coach and director of riding in Equestrian for 20 years. With a strong interest and commitment to protecting underwater ecosystems, Lisa, her son Henry, and Jesus Gudino came together to purchase The Dive Shop at Ocean Reef in 2018.

Casey graduated from the University of Colorado in 1995 with a BA degree and is a nationally recognized diving professional and conservation leader with more than 25 years of experience advancing marine operations, diving safety, and applied underwater research within AZA-accredited organizations. Casey has built and led industry-benchmark diving programs, overseeing large occupational dive teams and pioneering initiatives that connect conservation, science, and public engagement.

Casey’s work includes leading the underwater survey that resulted in the USS Narcissus being designated Florida’s 13th underwater preserve, leading multiple complex technical diving expeditions in support of marine conservation initiatives, launching the first “Guest in the Water” program at a nonprofit aquarium, and founding a scientific diving coral conservation program at Palm Beach Zoo. A former President of the Association of Dive Program Administrators and an AZA Accreditation Inspector, Casey is widely regarded as a trusted voice in conservation diving, technical dive operations, and marine operations.

Casey is the Chief Operating Officer of the Palm Beach Zoo & Conservation Society and resides in Jupiter FL.

Ben is President of Dynasty Marine Associates Inc., the world’s premiere supplier of tropical marine fish and invertebrates to public aquaria, wholesale, and the pet trade since 1983. Ben has been involved in the collection, holding, and transport of living collections of over 75 aquariums.

Ben is also President of Florida Keys Aquarium Encounters Inc., a purpose-built, interactive public educational facility with over 50,000 guests per year and is a Florida registered aquaculture facility breeding several species of fish, sharks, and rays.

Additionally, Ben is President of REACH, a 501(c)3 nonprofit arm of Florida Keys Aquarium Encounters that focuses on: Rescue, Research, Rehabilitation, Education and creating Awareness in our Community around the importance of animals and the Habitats in which they live.

In addition to Ben’s service as a Board Member of RRUSA, he is V. P. of the Florida Marine Life Association, Vice Chair of the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary Advisory Council, WAZA Member (World Association of Zoos and Aquariums), ATA Member (Animal Transportation Association), EUAC Member (European Union of Aquarium Curators), Marathon Chamber of Commerce–Tourism/Lodging Committee Member, Monroe County DAC III–Advertising Committee Member, and is a volunteers with Manatee Rescue to help protect and rescue injured and distressed manatees. Ben holds multiple diving and diving instruction certifications with IANTD, NAUI, and PADI, and he earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Florida State University in 1995.

To reach Ben, please visit our contact us page.

Mike graduated from Florida State University in 1979 with a B.S. in Biology and a minor in Chemistry. He then attended and graduated from South Texas College of Law in 1983. After running his own law firm and practicing law for 28 years, he left to focus on nonprofit and charitable causes.

Mike served on the Board of Directors for the Florida Aquarium, Inc. (FLAQ) in Tampa Florida for 10 (ten) years and was the Board Chair for (3) three years. During that time, he was also a volunteer diver and was trained to serve as a Scientific Diver. He served on the FLAQ rebreather team and completed three deep dive cruises to Pulley Ridge on project entitled “Understanding Coral Ecosystem Connectivity in the Gulf of Mexico from Pulley Ridge to the Florida Keys.” He also participated as a diver in some of the very early coral spawning efforts.

Mike also served on the Board of Directors for the Coral Restoration Foundation, Inc (CRF) for 6 (six) years and was its Chair for 4 (four) years. CRF grew dramatically during that time. Mike also served CRF as a dive volunteer.

Mike helped form Reef Renewal USA, Inc, in 2019 to carry on efforts to help grow and plant corals faster, better and less expensively by using innovative nursery and out- planting techniques.

mike@reefrenewalusa.org

Tom earned his B.A. in Economics from St. Lawrence University, a M.A. in Positive Psychology from The Union Institute & University, and a Ph.D. in Psychology and Organizational Development from the University of Twente (The Netherlands). Tom’s research and doctoral dissertation included Appreciative Inquiry (AI) and management applications from Jung’s “Synchronicity Theory.”

Tom is passionate about all aspects of business, education, and positive organizational development. He spent his early professional career as a ski racing coach, a fitness trainer, an entrepreneur, and an economic development official when he served as Director of International Trade and Investment for the state of Vermont. In 2001, he moved to higher education where he was a full professor and Chair in the Stiller School of Business at Champlain College for over twenty years.

Today, Tom leads TriSync Impact, LLC., a strengths-centered consulting firm with a focus on management & strategy, positive organizational development, and entrepreneurship & leadership. He is certified in Appreciative Inquiry, Emotional Intelligence (EQi-2.0), Myers-Briggs Type Indicator, and StrengthScope Assessments for individuals and enterprises.

Tom is also a founding board member of Reef Renewal USA and is also an avid technical diver (GUE), which includes exploring Lake Champlain (VT) year round.

Additionally, he enjoys biking, birding, cooking, fly-fishing, and social science research. Tom lives with his wife, Julie, in Jericho, VT and they have two grown sons, Will and Charlie.

To reach Tom, please visit our contact us page.

JM “Marty” Tanner has been in the Aquaculture industry for over 35 years. He has owned and operated one of the largest production ornamental hatcheries in the US. With an early background in accounting and tax preparation, he left to start his first farming operation in the early 1990’s. He grew the operations to 4 sites in Polk and Hillsborough Counties. He recently sold those operations and in 2023 founded Seagrass Restoration Institute to put his years of production experience to work to support the declining aquatic environment.

He continues to stay active in the industry. His experience includes:

Florida Aquaculture Association – Past President of 15 years

SRAC – Industry Advisor to the USDA in Aquaculture for the Southern Region – Chair

Florida Farm Bureau Federation – Industry Advisor – Chair

FDAC – Aquaculture Review Council – Member

Bob hails from California, but has been a Florida resident for most of his life, calling South Florida home. He is a graduate of Florida State University and has spent the majority of his career working as a sports marketing professional in college sports.

Bob is an avid outdoorsman and loves fishing, diving, biking, competing in triathlons and enjoying all of the things Florida’s great climate offers. His passion for the sea is unmatched and he has a deep concern for the environment. Bob gives his all to initiatives that he believes in, and the mission of Reef Renewal USA is close to his heart.

An educator for over twenty years in private, independent and public schools, Andrea began her career as a long-term substitute kindergarten teacher; has worked as an admission director, special programs director, operations director and education consultant; taught French and American Sign Language in middle and high school; and taught dance. Most recently, she worked as an education consultant advising nonprofits on topics that included curriculum, S.T.E.M. and organizational structure. She regularly presents at workshops and conferences on topics ranging from best practices to diversity issues to panel discussions.

An alumna of Spelman College, Andrea needed a course to complete her hours in graduate school at Ohio University and was first introduced to diving then. That was thirty- one years ago! Her certifications include: PADI Instructor Development Course Staff Instructor, DAN Instructor, CPR, Rescue, Enriched Air, Dry Suit, Equipment Specialist, AWARE Coral Reef Conservation, Digital Photography, Coral Restoration Team Leader and several more. Andrea’s love of teaching and scuba led her to volunteer for CRF, and now join Reef Renewal USA’s board. A member of Aquatic Voyagers Scuba Club (AVSC in NYC) and National Association of Black Scuba Divers (NABS), Andrea is the current vice president of NABS, serving in her second term. In 2019, she was named NABS Diver of the Year in Cairo, Egypt.

An avid traveler, Andrea has dived all over the US, Caribbean, Dubai, Brazil, Costa Rica, Egypt, Mexico, Maldives, Belize and the Philippines. When not underwater, Andrea enjoys skiing, reading, golfing, ballroom dancing and spending time with her family.