Bobby is a native-born Floridian. He grew up in what he considers to be one of the most unique settings in the world, a mix of the old natural world of Florida and the exciting world of space technology.  Bobby watched Space Shuttle launches and watched sea turtles come to shore and lay eggs. Bobby and his siblings heard the cry of what they were sure were pterodactyls flying overhead, only to discover they were incredible sandhill cranes.

Bobby’s appreciation for nature grew during family outings on the Indian River Lagoon. Weekends were spent exploring the spoil islands, where they fished and discovered bizarre-looking horseshoe and hermit crabs along the shore.  Bobby used a seine net to find glass minnows and wonderous sea horses, leaving him to feel as though he were in a truly magical place.
Bobby’s appreciation for what he refers to as real Florida was enriched during his time with the Boy Scouts. His troop took trips to out-of-the-way places, and he learned about invasive species. Bobby earned the rank of Eagle Scout when he performed a massive Brazilian pepper tree bust along the Indian River Lagoon and planted over 200 mangrove seedlings in a single day.

As Bobby worked on his Eagle Scout project and his friends’ Eagle Scout projects, his thirst for knowledge about the Lagoon and natural Florida grew. As an adult, he served roles of Assistant Scout Master, Merit Badge counselor, and Native American advisor. Bobby reached out to organizations such as the Sierra Club, the Marine Resources Council, and Trail Partners. Bobby became increasingly active in lagoon restoration efforts, pepper tree busts, community cleanups, and educating groups on the significance of preserving Florida’s natural habitats and animal species.

The more active Bobby became, the more he learned about the scientific and political aspects of the environment. He attended a Conservation Specialist training program through the Marine Resources Council. While in college, he joined the Environmental Club. He held a leadership role sharing his knowledge through educational programs and during cleanups.  Bobby made sure the group had a lot of fun as he scheduled plenty of camping, canoeing, hiking, and snorkeling activities.

Bobby has taught Ecology Science at the high school level and summer youth programs at the community college. He worked as a trail guide for Forever Florida and has served on numerous boards and in advisory positions, including Grant-Valkaria Preservation Society, South Brevard Mainland Master Plan Effort, Central Florida Planning Initiative, Myregion.org, and Community Foundation for Brevard.

Bobby holds a Bachelor of Science in Public Administration with a Minor in Science Education from the University of Central Florida and a Masters’s degree in Business Administration (MBA) Marketing from the Florida Institute of Technology.

Bobby remains committed to preserving and maintaining Florida’s natural world so it will be available to future generations to enjoy just as he has enjoyed it throughout his life.