Brandon grew up on Siesta Key and developed a love for the water and bay at young age. He was avid rower and spent countless hours training on the bay, his rowing took him to Trinity College in Connecticut, after which he was determined to make it back to Sarasota to spend time on the water. To escape the cold Brandon attended the University of Florida for law school and moved back to Siesta Key after law school. Brandon is now an business litigation associate at Shumaker Loop and Kendrick LLP. When he is not practicing law Brandon can be found on the water, surfing, boating, fly-flying or paddle-boarding.

Brian Jung is the Regional Sales Manager for Aqua Lung America, providing dive equipment for recreational and professional use. Originally from Western New York, he moved to Florida to pursue a diving career and helped build one of the world’s largest dive retail operations. A lifelong water enthusiast, he became a certified diver at 12 and is dedicated to protecting waterways, serving on the Board of Sarasota Bay Watch. When not diving or selling gear, he enjoys gardening and skiing with his family. Brian lives in Sarasota, FL, with his wife Beth, and their son Benjamin attends Florida State University. He is a USCG Captain and a NAUI Instructor.

Ronda has been with Sarasota Bay Watch since 2007. During that time she has functioned in multiple roles within the organization and often refers to herself as the “Queen Bottlewasher”. She grew up in Colorado and enjoys outdoor activities and nature. She received her BS in Biology and Chemistry from Fort Lewis College. She is married to John Ryan, a founder of SBW, and has raised two boys. Ronda works as a critical care nurse and is the Executive Director of Sarasota Bay Watch. “The strength of Sarasota Bay Watch is its partnerships and its action; wet boots and dirty hands!”

Ernesto has been a biologist at the Lee County Hyacinth Control District since 1991, managing aquatic weeds and monitoring water quality. He holds a Master’s from Auburn University (1988) and a Doctorate from UCF (2004). For over 25 years, he has taught environmental science, biology, and microbiology at Southwest Florida universities. He serves on the Florida Sea Grant Advisory Board, the Charlotte Harbor National Estuary Program, and the Florida Lake Management Society. Passionate about conservation, he enjoys working with Sarasota Bay Watch, even with the travel.

Melinda is an avid scuba diver that wants to keep our waterways, clean and support life using environmental solutions. She received a Bachelor of Science in Finance and Business Management and has her MBA. She is the cofounder of the Roberts Bay Revitalization Initiative that was incorporated into Sarasota Bay Watch as their Southern District in March 2024. Melinda has served as Past Commodore and Environmental Chair person at the Venice Yacht Club.

Tracey has worked in the environmental field for 17 years – 13 years with Sarasota County in the Natural Resources Department and 5 years with a private environmental firm. She is very interested in helping the environment, be it land air, or water. Originally from Connecticut, Tracey has lived in Sarasota for over 30 years. She recently retired and is taking advantage of her newfound free time by volunteering on committees that are important to her.

John has been an environmental scientist and manager for Sarasota County Government for 30 years. A perfect day is out on the water with family and friends. John was a founding member of Sarasota Bay Watch and still loves pitching in on restoration projects and cleanups.

John Hoover grew up near Orlando, witnessing the transformation of citrus groves into theme parks, shaping his passion for Florida’s environment. In high school, he spoke out against poor flood control projects, and in college at UCF, he wrote on ecology for an underground paper. Moving to Sarasota in 2005, he fell in love with its waterways and has long volunteered with Sarasota Bay Watch. Now retired, he dedicates even more time to conservation, often planting trees, kayaking, or exploring backwaters. A lifelong advocate, he has fought to protect Florida’s natural beauty since childhood.

Reagan Dehn is studying for her bachelor’s in marine biology at the New College of Florida. Born and raised in Topeka, Kansas, she moved to Florida to pursue her dreams of studying mollusks. Although she only recently got certified, she enjoys scuba diving and getting involved in underwater cleanups. She also loves to be involved in restoration projects and on-land clean-up events. One of her goals as a board member is to get more of her peers involved in cleaning up the bay.

As a native of coastal Connecticut, Chris has a lifelong appreciation for the water. Relocating to Sarasota in late 2024, he met Sarasota Bay Watch through his mentorship to Florida Young Birders Club and his participation in the Jim Neville Marine Preserve Bird Monitoring project. Chris frequently visits Neville where he enjoys clearing and restoring trails and creating habitat for birds and animals that live on Neville or rely on its resources. He is also helping SBW expand the content and impact of its Young Leaders Program. The father of three adult children, Chris enjoys serving on boards of non-profit organizations focused on a variety of missions important to him.

Thomas Jackson is an 11th-generation Floridian and lifelong Sarasota resident whose roots run deep in Florida’s coastal culture and natural heritage. A dedicated diver, fisherman, and outdoorsman. Thomas has spent his life in the the waters from Sarasota Bay to the Florida Keys. His hands-on commitment to conservation reflects a lifetime of passion for Florida’s ecosystems and a drive to preserve them for future generations.

Miguel grew up on the eastern end of Puerto Rico, enjoying the tropical paradise offered by the Atlantic Ocean, the Caribbean Sea, and the tropical rainforest. The many islands, reefs, and open waters provided endless opportunities for watersports such as deep-sea fishing, snorkeling, spearfishing, scuba diving, and surfing. Growing up in this environment left a lasting impression of the marvels of Mother Nature. After high school, he moved stateside to study engineering at USF. After graduating, he enjoyed a 37-year career in manufacturing, building ships, spacecraft, and defense equipment. Since retiring, he has lived full-time in Sarasota. Miguel currently enjoys rowing and volunteering with Sarasota Bay Watch’s Jim Neville Project.