Tom was named the Executive Director in June of 2013. He holds a bachelor’s of science degree in Environmental Policy & Behavior from the University of Michigan’s School of Natural Resources and Environment and a Juris Doctor from Florida State University’s College of Law.

A licensed Florida attorney, Tom has worked as a staff attorney for a large not-for-profit healthcare organization and a public housing authority. For seven years, he worked as a litigator in civil, criminal, and real estate matters. He has volunteered on local and national political campaigns and interned in U.S. Senator Bill Nelson’s Tallahassee office during law school. He serves on the Board of Directors as Chair of the Partnership for Gulf Coast Land Conservation, a coalition of more than two dozen local, regional and national conservation organizations that work to increase the pace, quality and permanence of voluntary land and water conservation within the five state Gulf Coast region. He also previously served as the President of the Alliance of Florida Land Trusts, the umbrella organization for the state's 22 land trusts.

Heather has been working with Florida non-profits for more than 14 years and joined the land trust community in 2019. She was born in Florida and grew up on the Gulf Coast. Heather received her B.A. in English Literature in 2010 from Florida State University and her Juris Doctor with Honors in Environmental and Earth Law in 2013 from The Dwayne O. Andreas Barry School of Law. She is licensed to practice law in Florida and has gained experience in environmental law, property law, non-profit management, and transactional real estate.

Heather started her professional career in springs science and conservation in 2014 with the Howard T. Odum Florida Springs Institute before joining ACT. She currently leads the land conservation projects and acquisitions team as ACT’s Associate Director. Heather also assists with ACT’s communications, outreach, grants, and educational programming.

Barry comes to Alachua Conservation Trust from 36 years at the Florida Forest Service where he focused on instructing prescribed fire training, working with private landowners and most importantly, actually conducting burns at various state forests and private lands in the north Florida region. His focus is assisting private landowners and helping them get prepared to implement their prescribed burning goals.

Lesa Holder is a life-long resident of Alachua County, and has worked as ACT's Office & Finance Manager since 2007. Her background in administration encompasses work in both the public and private sectors, including program development and delivery at an eco-tourist facility and organic/biodynamic demonstration farm, executive staff support posts in state and local government, and as Assistant Editor with the State of Florida's official administrative law reporter.

Jeffrey Forbes brings a wide range of experience and expertise to the Alachua Conservation Trust (ACT). Jeffrey holds a B.A. in Anthropology from the College of William and Mary in Virginia. Prior to joining ACT, Jeffrey spent 10 years working for the Goodwin Heart Pine Company of Micanopy, Florida. He has quite an affinity for distinct styling and unique architecture, admiring the work of esteemed architects, including his favorite, A. Hays Town.

Jeffrey considers himself an avid student of all southern culture, literature, flora, fauna, architecture and history, and, most especially, food! Jeffrey is also an accomplished musician. He sings and plays guitar, dulcimer, mandolin and banjo (a little).

Jeffrey is a member of the Sweetwater Shapenote Singers and is also the senior warden of the Episcopal Church of the Mediator in Micanopy, Florida. Jeffrey is President of the Friends of Paynes Prairie Inc. (citizen’s support organization).

Leisure activities include reading books by his favorite authors (William Faulkner, Thomas Wolfe, Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings and C.S. Lewis), traveling and spending time with his lovely wife, Megan.

Ema is an Alachua County native who joined ACT after completing dual degrees in Environmental and Sustainability Science and Developmental Sociology at Cornell University. She specialized in water resource management, education, and policy. Ema worked as an undergraduate research assistant where she assisted in soil and nutrient studies of restored wetlands in the Upstate New York area. Her favorite part of her work is engaging with the community and is always ready to meet and chat with you at an event. She is passionate about ensuring the natural spaces are conserved, accessible, and equitable to the communities that depend on them today and into the future.

Keara is a life-long nature enthusiast who joined ACT after completing a Master of Science in Wildlife Ecology and Conservation. Her focus is on Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion initiatives (JEDI) and the intersection of JEDI with science communication efforts.

Keara currently serves as the coordinator for the Creekside Environmental Ed for Kids (CrEEK) program, working to foster a future of diverse nature lovers and environmental leaders through hands-on learning and engagement at Little Orange Creek Nature Center. 

Kimberly Tillman joined ACT in September of 2022 as the Partnership Coordinator. She will be coordinating and helping to grow the Local Implementation Team for Longleaf restoration in North Florida as well as assisting with the continued development of the CrEEK Program with local schools.

Kimberly is a wildlife biologist with 17 years of experience in natural resource management, conservation, and education. Kimberly was a Land Management Specialist with the St. Johns River Water Management District where she specialized in habitat management and population recovery of threatened and endangered species like the Red-cockaded woodpecker and Florida Scrub-jay. As a private contractor she has collaborated with federal and state agencies and private landowners focusing on land conservation, habitat management, population management for listed species, and educational program development.

Kimberly worked with the Florida Museum of Natural History in Gainesville Florida to develop a program that brings butterfly gardens to Florida schools and promotes habitat and wildlife conservation with outdoor learning. Most recently, Kimberly coordinated the Ocala to Osceola Wildlife Corridor Program and Partnership. Where 26 organizations have joined together under the mission of protecting and connecting a 100-mile-long wildlife corridor to support plant and animal diversity, room to roam, clean air and water, recreation, military buffers, working lands, and resilience in the northeast portion of the state of Florida.

Kimberly has a Bachelor’s degree in Biology. She is a certified prescribed burn manager, aerial ignition operator, authorized gopher tortoise agent, a trained bander for Red-cockaded woodpecker and Florida Scrub-jays as well. Kimberly and her husband have two young children that love to be outside.

Suzy joins ACT to support its Regional Conservation Partnership Programming (RCPP). Suzy's mother calls South Florida home, and she also spent time as a teenager in the Tampa area. It was there with her father that she enjoyed adventures along the coast and in North Central Florida's springs, fueling her appreciation for the natural world. She is excited to make Florida her home now too, relocating west of Gainesville.

Suzy most recently led a nationwide grant program in support of women, minority, and veteran-owned small business owners, as well as community contributions for Sam's Club, and the Walmart Foundation from its home office in Bentonville, AR. In 2018, she joined the Northwest Arkansas Land Trust (NWALT) to lead its Farmland Preservation, Access, and Support Program which was key to a broader initiative to strengthen the local food system. For NWALT, this work included a farm-linking effort, and easement acquisition funding to make farmland more affordable to next-generation farmers in part through RCPP opportunities. In addition, from 2017 to 2024, she served as the Fair and Events Manager/Executive Director of the Benton County Fair, a beloved historic community event focused on youth in agriculture.

Suzy has a B.S. in Business, and Public Relations from Ferris State University in Big Rapids, MI. She has led corporate communications functions for a variety of large enterprises across diverse industries, which led to her passion and capabilities in implementing and managing philanthropic program initiatives. Suzy and her husband Bob enjoy the outdoors and horseback riding.

Sophie Szymula joined ACT in October 2024 as Communications Coordinator. She has a Bachelor’s of Science in Business Administration from the University of Florida with a focus in Marketing and Mass Communications.

Originally from the Space Coast of Florida, she grew watching and helping her mother run the family’s nonprofit, falling in love with the behind-the-scenes work. She worked as an undergraduate research assistant at the UF Nonprofit & Advocacy Research Lab.

In her free time, Sophie enjoys SCUBA diving, photography, and travelling.

Born in Gainesville Florida, Susan spent most of her life living in and studying North Florida’s natural areas and ecology. Susan joined ACT in late 2021, and works to accelerate land conservation by matching conservation opportunities with conservation minded landowners. Susan’s work history is long and varied, including previous positions with nonprofit organizations (land trusts, The Nature Conservancy), academia and the Federal government (U.S. Forest Service and Natural Resources Conservation Service). Susan has three degrees in various ecological study: a B.S. in Botany from the University of Florida, a M.S. in Plant Biology from Louisiana State University, then later a Ph.D. in Wildlife Ecology and Conservation from UF. Her graduate research focused on floristic diversity of fire-maintained pinelands across Florida, and fostered a deep appreciation for Florida’s natural landscapes. Susan serves on several nonprofit Boards of Directors, including the Florida Native Plant Society and Jacksonville Arboretum and Gardens.

Megan is an Alachua County native, who joined ACT in December of 2024 as an Agricultural Lands Outreach Specialist. She has a Bachelor’s of Science in Agriculture from Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College with an emphasis on Cattle Production.

Before joining ACT, Megan worked alongside researchers at Archbold Biological Station’s Buck Island Ranch. While there, she bridged the gap between research operations and cattle production on the 10,500 acre property.

Megan’s appreciation for open spaces and working lands was inspired early. Many canoe camping trips down the Suwannee River and dives in the local springs fostered her appreciation for Florida’s natural beauty.

On the weekends Megan can be found paddling one of Florida’s beautiful rivers, freediving in springs across the state, or in her garden with her dogs.

Danny grew up exploring natural areas in and around Alachua County. He attended the University of Florida where he received his bachelor's degree in Natural Resources Recreation Management and his master's degree in Forest Resources and Conservation with a Graduate Certificate in Environmental Education.

After college, Danny spent a year serving in the Florida State Parks Americorps program where he worked and camped in 39 state parks. After a short stint as a certified firefighter and paramedic, Danny spent 6 years with the City of Gainesville, first as a park ranger at Sweetwater Wetlands Park and then as an environmental educator. Danny is interested in how prescribed fire shapes and maintains many of our ecosystems and is looking forward to further help protect our natural areas. He enjoys birdwatching, nature photography, and exploring with his family.

Rachelle joined ACT in May 2024. She is a native South Floridian with a background in environmental management, higher education industry, and sustainable agriculture. Rachelle has been a scientist and scholar for over 15 years working both in field and laboratory.

She is a triple gator and earned her Master’s at the University of Florida in Soil Water and Ecosystem Sciences, a Graduate Certificate in Sustainable Agriculture and Urban Land Management as well as her B.S. in Environmental Management in Agriculture and Natural Resources.

Rachelle has been very involved within the community serving as President, Vice-President, and Secretary on university and industry associations. Rachelle has had extensive hands-on experience in soils, nutrient management, best management practices, irrigation, and crop production.

Rachelle loves exploring national parks, Florida’s natural springs and being outdoors. She is passionate about sustainable ecosystems, natural resources, Florida wildlife, and farming.

Outside of rangelands, Rachelle can be found attending hockey games, figure skating, at a polo tournament, salsa dancing or fishing out on the intercoastal.

Cameron joined ACT in December of 2022. He grew up in Land O’ Lakes, Florida where he found a strong interest in the state’s native trees and ecosystems. He graduated from the University of Florida in May of 2022, with a B.S. in Forest Resources and Conservation.

While obtaining his degree, Cameron worked as a Student Assistant at UF’s Austin Cary Forest and as a Tree Improvement Technician for the UF Cooperative Forest Genetics Research Program. He is excited to learn more about conservation land management and to get more hands-on experience with prescribed fire. In his free time, he enjoys exploring Gainesville, playing ping pong, and relaxing indoors with his cats.

Josh joins ACT with a broad spectrum of natural and technical experience. He spent two years in AmeriCorps and another four years with the Florida Park Service. During this time, Josh has gathered much experience with exotic invasive plant species, prescribed fire, and how to manage Florida's natural ecosystems.

Josh also has an A.S. degree from Santa Fe College in Information Technology.

You will most likely catch Josh spending time with his family, hiking trails, or on the disc golf course.