Meet the Team
President: Dr. John Ackerman
Meet Dr. John T. Ackerman is a retired Professor of Political Science/National Security and former Lt Col in the US Air Force. John also holds Master’s Degrees in Informational Systems Management, Political Science, and a Bachelor’s Degree in Biology. His fiery enthusiasm for our community has sparked a wave of support for activities that keep our natural treasures safe and sound. Enter John, who jumped aboard the St. Andrew Bay Watch express in 2016, climbing the ranks to Board Member and later becoming the water quality wizard of West Bay Creeks in 2022! In 2018, he embraced his role by helping to secure a generous grant from the St. Joe Foundation for a shiny new sampling boat, because Hurricane Michael turned the old one into a fancy piece of driftwood!
Fast forward to 2020, and he was at it again, scoring funds for Bay Watch’s water quality program, ensuring our ecosystems are under the microscope for the next five years! John’s been a champion for the Grasses in Classes initiative and a key player in the Shoreline Restoration efforts. With dreams of boosting membership and securing lasting funds, he’s on a mission to make our Bay Watch crew stronger and more fabulous for years to come!
Vice President: Mercedes Franklin
Mercedes Franklin is the Picasso of artists and a true Hollywood-born water baby! She was splashing around by the age of 3 and became a competitive swimmer all through high school. After graduating with a BAA in Applied Arts from San Diego State University, she jetted off to Barcelona to join their Foreign Students Program. Mercedes kept her wanderlust alive for a few years until a spark of inspiration hit her in 1974 and she started her own jewelry company. In 1981, she left sunny California and made Florida her new home. But, when Hurricane Michael caused chaos, Mercedes decided to take action. She joined the St. Andrew Bay Watch and had a living shoreline installed at her property. Since then, her devotion to protecting our watershed is second to none, and she’s a fierce eco-warrior, fighting tooth-and-nail to shield North Bay from major development that could wreak havoc on the delicate ecosystem. It’s no wonder she’s the newest addition to the Board, bringing with her a flood of fresh ideas and an unwavering passion for St. Andrew Bay Watch’s mission.
Secretary: Shelia Nogueira-Prewitt!
Meet Shelia Nogueira-Prewitt! Armed with a Bachelor’s in Biology and a minor in Environmental Science from the Florida State University, this trailblazer is no stranger to aquatic ecosystems. Sheila is currently pursuing her M.S. in Microbiology and Cell Science. With six years under her belt as a Bay Watch Water Quality Volunteer and hired lab technician/volunteer coordinator from 2013-2017, she knows how to keep our waters crystal clear. But that’s not all- Shelia’s conservation expertise doesn’t stop there. She’s also a pro at oyster restoration in West Bay with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. With her eye on the prize of healthy, stunning estuaries, Shelia’s focused skill set and wealth of professional experience make her a perfect addition to the Bay Watch squad. Let’s go Seminoles!
Treasurer: Keith Hagen
Keith’s got serious street cred when it comes to Bay Watch. Not only has he been President before, but he’s also got 50 years of money, banking, and tech savvy under his belt. When it comes to the complex financial side of things, he’s the man with the plan. Plus, with a passion for all things aquatic, he’s determined to use his skills to help protect the Bay.
Director at Large: Velvet Gilchrest
Meet Velvet Gilchrist! After dedicating 12 years to educating Bay County’s youth, she’s become a pro at working with kids. That’s why we’re thrilled to crown her our Grasses in Classes Teacher Extraordinaire! Velvet has been a dedicated volunteer with St. Andrew Bay Watch’s Grasses in Classes and Water Quality Programs for six years. Her experience working with K-12 age groups and firsthand involvement in our conservation programs give her a unique perspective on the potential of Bay Watch’s future program plans, talk about dedication.
Director at Large: Dawn Dykes
Say hello to Dawn, the marketing mastermind with a degree in Marketing & Communications, ready to rock the business world! She’s been a Bay Watch fanatic since the early 2000s, and it’s no surprise since her dad, Jim Barkaloo, is one of the masterminds behind it all! Dawn joined the team and made waves with her firecracker energy. She’s now a Board Member, which means she’s all about the big ideas, from brainstorming to sampling. You could say Bay Watch is in her blood, and her passion for it is unstoppable!
Water Quality Volunteer Chair: VACANT
Looking to get more involved with St. Andrew Bay Watch? Consider serving on our Board!
Living Shoreline Volunteer Chair: Stephen Hoeckley
Introducing Steve, the eco-warrior! After years of service in the Navy Base, he’s hung up his boots and taken on a new mission: to save the planet! These days, he’s all about quality time with his family and being a guardian for St. Andrews Bay Watch. When he’s not being an awesome dad and husband, he’s exploring the jaw-dropping panhandle landscapes like a true daredevil! We bow down to Steve, the hero who’s taking care of our precious planet!
Grasses in Classes Volunteer Chair: VACANT
Looking to get more involved with St. Andrew Bay Watch? Consider serving on our Board!
Scientific Advisor: VACANT
Looking to get more involved with St. Andrew Bay Watch? Consider serving on our Board!
Our Staff
Water Quality Director: Christina Cantrell
Meet Christina, the brains behind the Bay Watch Programs, with a Master’s degree in Wildlife and Fisheries Science from the University of Tennessee (Go Vols!). As the Director of St. Andrew Bay Watch, she takes charge of the nitty-gritty details of water quality data analysis, grant and project oversight, and she supervises part-time staff. Her eagle eyes are on all Bay Watch programs, but her heart is with the Grasses in Classes program, where she gets to work with kids and educate folks about the importance of the watershed and all the critters who call it home.
Water Quality Lab Manager: Phil Maxwell
Say hello to Phil, the newest superstar at Bay Watch! He’s our go-to guy for keeping everything running smoothly. Phil’s in charge of rounding up our volunteer boat crews, who scoot across the entire watershed to gather water quality data from 70 different sites. He’s a total pro at filtering samples and getting the gear ready for our volunteers each month. Thanks to Phil, we know exactly what’s going on with the water.