Conservation Florida Announces New Leadership and Members on its Board of Directors
Photo by Adam Bass
Conservation Florida Welcomes Three New Members to its Board of Directors and Elects New Executive Committee
Orlando, Fla. (May 16, 2022) – Conservation Florida is rapidly expanding its team to protect more wildly beautiful Florida land. Passionate supporters and volunteers, including board members, support the organization’s mission-critical work throughout the state.
"We are truly grateful to have a board of directors filled with dedicated partners who give so much to our organization because they are committed to protecting Florida’s natural and agricultural landscapes for future generations,” said Traci Deen, Conservation Florida’s CEO. “I am excited to expand our board with three new members and to work alongside the new executive committee as we shape Florida’s conservation future together.”
NEW BOARD MEMBERS
ADAM BABINGTON
Adam is the Vice President of External Affairs at The Walt Disney Company, where he has worked for 10 years. He is a current board member of South Lake Chamber of Commerce. He earned his bachelor's degree from Florida State University and graduated with his law degree from the University of Florida. Adam was raised in Central Florida, and lives in Winter Garden with his wife and three daughters.
"I’m thrilled to join an organization that is doing so much to protect wild Florida," said Babington. "Walt Disney World’s long-standing commitment to conservation efforts in our state aligns perfectly with Conservation Florida’s mission to protect natural Florida for future generations. I can’t wait to see what we will be able to achieve together."
JUSTIN BECK
Justin has a deep appreciation for the natural world and loves all things conservation. He lives in Pensacola with his wonderful wife Kristin and their three children. He has a BS in Business Management from the University of Alabama at Birmingham and is the CEO of Beck Partners, a commercial real estate services firm.
He’s a former chair of the Greater Pensacola Chamber of Commerce, current chair of the Ascension Sacred Heart Foundation, and trustee at Episcopal Day School in Pensacola. In his free time, he enjoys the outdoors, especially fishing and hunting.
"I am thrilled to be a part of Conservation Florida. Preserving the unique places that make Florida so special is critical to our success as a state now and especially in the future," said Beck.
MIKE MILLER
Mike is the Chief of External Affairs for the Florida Virtual School. He has a history degree from the University of Florida and an MBA from Rollins College. He holds a Florida real estate license and serves on the boards of Goodwill, the Central Florida Alzheimer’s Association, and The Florida Network for at-risk youth.
After meeting and marrying his wife Nora in DC, Mike relocated to Central Florida and served as the District Director for US Congressman Ric Keller (Orlando) from 2000-2004. He served two terms as a Member of the Florida House of Representatives representing District 47. Mike has two children and currently resides in Winter Park with his wife.
"Having watched the great work being done for the past several years by the team at Conservation Florida, I am honored to join the board! The time is now to protect the future of Florida's unique ecological character," said Miller.
NEW EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
Conservation Florida’s board of directors has elected a new slate to serve its executive committee – Chair, Neil Asma; Vice Chair, Matt Pearce; Secretary, Courtney Barnard; and Treasurer, Mike Forrester. These leaders bring invaluable experience, skills, and insight to our growing team, and we are so thankful to have such knowledgeable and passionate volunteers dedicated to our mission.
"The Conservation Florida board of directors is a team of actively involved and emotionally engaged individuals who are excited for 2022 and beyond. As directors, our aim is to be influential and impactful advocates, ambassadors, and strategists. We accomplish this by championing the mission, engaging through organizational programming, vocalizing the cause of the organization to our individual networks, and giving meaningfully to this cause we all love," said Neil Asma, Chair of the Conservation Florida board of directors. "We are ready for a rewarding year as part of Conservation Florida. I am proud to serve as chair, lead this talented team, and welcome our new directors sincerely to a cause that will shape the future of Florida for the better."
NEIL ASMA - CHAIR
Neil is a third generation Floridian from Winter Garden, where he is the Vice President of Toole’s Ace Hardware, an organization of eleven Ace Hardware stores in Central Florida. He received his BA in English from Washington & Lee University and MBA from Rollins College.
Neil learned to love nature while backpacking and camping with the Boy Scouts of America, reaching the rank of Eagle Scout. He and his wife, Sarah, are passionate about ensuring their daughter will grow up with the same chance to love natural Florida.
MATT PEARCE - VICE CHAIR
Matt is a Florida native and 7th generation Florida cattle rancher who is passionate about protecting habitat for ranching and wildlife. He owns and operates Pearce Cattle Company, a family-owned cow/calf operation with locations throughout South Florida and Central Georgia.
He has served on the Florida Cattlemen’s Association Board for 10 years, and is the immediate past president. His goal is to serve the industry and assist in successfully passing down the ranching lifestyle to the next generation.
COURTNEY BARNARD - SECRETARY
Courtney serves as the director of government affairs in Florida for Verizon. Her areas of focus include local government relations and community engagement. Courtney has over a decade of experience working in public policy and grassroots engagement in Florida. Prior to her role with Verizon, Courtney worked in housing advocacy with the Florida Realtor Association and Florida Apartment Association. Outside of work, she volunteers locally and is a lifetime member of Leadership Florida.
Courtney received her master’s in political science, international studies track at the University of Central Florida and her bachelor’s in politics and international relations at Scripps College in Claremont, CA. She also holds a certificate in public policy from the University of Washington, Jackson School of International Relations.
Courtney is a native of California, but has lived in Central Florida for a decade. She is passionate about her local community and loves having nature on her doorstep. In her free time, she enjoys hiking, stand up paddle boarding, yoga, baking, and reading.
MIKE FORRESTER - TREASURER
Mike was born in Orlando and grew up in Osceola County. His great-grandfather was a steamboat captain on the Kissimmee River in the late 1800's. His grandfather introduced him to Florida history, while he and his dad traveled the state, visiting many of Florida’s iconic sites and historic locations.
Mike has been a freelance producer and cameraman for The Weather Channel, National Geographic, Bloomberg, CNN and other networks. He is president of Orlando Webcasts which produces live, online corporate meetings, town halls and conferences.
He spends his free time visiting state parks and conservation areas, learning more about our state's fragile ecosystem, and has become endeared to the Florida Scrub-Jay. His concern for the loss of Florida's wildlife corridors and natural habitats led him to become active with Conservation Florida.
About Conservation Florida:
Conservation Florida is a statewide accredited land conservancy working to conserve Florida’s water, wildlife, wild places, and protect the Florida Wildlife Corridor. Our conservation projects support Florida’s native plants and wildlife, fresh water, wildlife corridors, family farms and ranches, the economy, and nature-based recreation. Since its founding in 1999, Conservation Florida has prioritized strategic and evidence-based land protection and has saved over 30,000 acres of critical habitat.