Dr. Lisa Beever joined the CHNEP as director in March 2002 but participated in its programs within a year after it was established in 1995. She presented original research at the CHNEP’s first watershed summit and implemented a restoration grant on behalf of a local non-profit organization. From 1993 to 2002, Dr. Beever was the director for the Charlotte County-Punta Gorda Metropolitan Planning Organization. Her agency won the highly competitive Environmental Excellence award from Federal Highway Administration for work that was accomplished in partnership with the NEP. Prior to that, she served as Lee County, Florida’s Environmental Sciences Director, in charge of environmental planning, permitting, and enforcement. She wrote the Protected Species Ordinance, which became the model for local listed species ordinances in the State of Florida. She began her career in 1985 as a planner with the City of Austin Parks and Recreation Department. Dr. Beever earned her Ph.D. in Urban and Regional Planning from Texas A&M University in 1987 and a Master of Landscape Architecture from North Carolina State University in 1983.
Liz Donley joined the CHNEP staff as the program's first Grants and Contracts Manager in August 2003. In August 2007 she became the deputy director. She works with CHNEP partners to identify and capture funding for projects that forward the priority actions presented in the Comprehensive Conservation and Management Plan. Ms. Donley has more than 20 years of technical and regulatory experience, with more than 13 years directly related to environmental compliance, enforcement and restoration contracts. She has managed all aspects of environmental restoration projects, provided technical support and project management expertise, developed and implemented capture plans for multiyear, multi-million dollar Federal contracts, has written successful proposals, and has created project teams and managed subcontractors. Previously, she was involved in land acquisition for Everglades restoration projects. Ms. Donley received her B.S. in zoology from Michigan State University, M.S. in Environmental Science for Johns Hopkins University and J.D. from the University of Maryland.
Maran Brainard Hilgendorf joined CHNEP as communications manager in January 2000. She provides staff support for the Citizens Advisory Committee (CAC), develops annual public information and education workplans and implements those projects, including coordinating National Estuaries Day events, producing videos, managing outreach grants, publishing a 12-page quarterly newsletter, developing the program website and more. From 1998 to 2000 she served as Director of Marketing and Communications for The Conservancy of Southwest Florida, an organization dedicated to the conservation of Southwest Florida's natural environment. She handled a comprehensive marketing and communications program for the organization’s work in research, policy, wildlife rehabilitation, nature centers, school programs, camps and other education initiatives as well as membership and donor development. From 1984 to 1997 she worked with Ohio Sea Grant College Program, a cooperatively funded university-based National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) program that studies the oceans and Great Lakes. As assistant director she was responsible for a multi-million dollar granting process (from 1990 to 1995, $11.3 million was received for 44 projects) and for a comprehensive communications program. Ms. Hilgendorf received a B.S. in Journalism from Ohio University in 1982 and completed a Management Business Administration Program that same year.
Judy Ott joined the CHNEP as the program scientist in July 2008. She has been actively involved with the CHNEP since 1995 as a partner in estuary resource management activities and the Technical Advisory Committee. As program scientist, Judy facilitates exchange of scientific information throughout the CHNEP watershed to enhance implementation of the Comprehensive Conservation and Management Plan. She provides staff support to the TAC and coordinates implementation of technical and restoration projects. Judy's professional experience includes over 15 years as a biologist and resource manager with the Charlotte Harbor Aquatic Preserves. She developed and implemented regionwide seagrass and water quality monitoring programs, including a volunteer water monitoring program which received a Gulf of Mexico Program partnership award in 2007. Judy has co-authored numerous technical publications, reports and presentations relating to estuary management. Previously, she conducted watershed management activities for the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources and water quality field work on the Great Lakes for the U.S. EPA, as well as taught community college and middle school science. Judy has an M.S. in Water Resources Management from the University of Wisconsin and a B.S. in Biology, Earth Science and Secondary Education from Central Michigan University.