Retired U.S. Rep Francis Rooney honored
NAPLES, Fla. (Jan. 21, 2021) – The Conservancy of Southwest Florida members elected four new directors for four-year terms on the board of directors. Nancy Anthony, Pam Brown, Leslie Frécon and Tom Watkins were elected at the organization’s 57th Annual Members’ Meeting on Jan. 19, held virtually.
During the meeting, retired U.S. Rep. Francis Rooney was awarded the Eagle Award, the Conservancy’s highest honor. The award recognizes Rooney’s work on science-based conservation priorities, including efforts to ensure continued funding of the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan, bringing federal resources to bear on water quality issues in the region, advocating for elimination of subsidies to sugar growers polluting area waters and the Everglades and promoting science-based climate change policy recommendations.
New board member Anthony is chairperson of Fernwood Council LLC, a family office, and serves as an independent trustee for another family trust. She has been in the investment management business for 38 years, as well as being active with numerous educational, medical and civic institutions in the Greater Boston area. Her grandfather, Sidney Swensrud, was an early board member of the Conservancy and established the first fund for hiring a professional CEO. She is passionate about growth management, knowing the importance of protecting natural habitats for native wildlife, protecting water, and ensuring that the ecology of Southwest Florida is protected for generations to come.
Brown is a ranch owner and lifelong resident of Immokalee. Her personal mission is to foster best practices and sensible approaches for Collier County’s growth that promote stewardship of south Florida’s unique environment. Pam’s 30-year commitment to civic service began with an appointment to the Immokalee Water and Sewer District Board of Commissioners by former Governor Bob Graham, a position she held for 12 years.
Prior to founding LFE Capital, Frécon was senior vice president, corporate finance, for General Mills, a global consumer foods company. In that position, she was responsible for the treasury, corporate development and risk management functions and, as a member of the senior executive team, worked with operating management developing and executing growth strategies. Frécon is passionate about wildlife and is very interested in the financial sustainability of the Conservancy and is a great advocate for best business practices. She is a long-time volunteer on the Conservancy’s Finance Committee, was appointed to the Board last year and was officially elected at the annual meeting.
Watkins is a former pharmaceutical and biotechnology company executive, and now serves on several corporate and nonprofit boards. He is a strong supporter of the Conservancy’s mission and is particularly passionate about the challenges of ensuring clean water and the related issue of controlling the growth of development in surrounding areas.
“Members of our board of directors help us serve our community by protecting our land, water and wildlife and securing a better future for ourselves and future generations,” said Rob Moher, president and CEO of the Conservancy of Southwest Florida. “We are grateful that these volunteers with various areas of expertise are willing to roll up their sleeves to provide leadership, financial oversight and help set strategic plans for our organization.”
The Conservancy’s board of directors is led by Board Chair Van Williams, Vice-Chair and Treasurer John R. Walter and Secretary Gerri Moll.
The annual meeting was presented by LFE Capital with support by Gulfshore Insurance and William Raveis Real Estate.
ABOUT THE CONSERVANCY OF SOUTHWEST FLORIDA
The Conservancy of Southwest Florida is a not-for-profit environmental protection organization with a 57-year history focused on the issues impacting the water, land, wildlife and future of Collier, Lee, Charlotte, Hendry and Glades counties. The Conservancy accomplishes this mission through the combined efforts of its experts in the areas of environmental science, policy, education and wildlife rehabilitation. The Conservancy of Southwest Florida, world-class Nature Center and von Arx Wildlife Hospital are headquartered in Naples, Florida, 1495 Smith Preserve Way, south of the Naples Zoo off Goodlette-Frank Road. Learn more about the Conservancy’s work and how to support the quality of life in Southwest Florida www.conservancy.org.
