Who We Are

Ed Sherwood became TBEP’s Executive Director in 2018 after serving as the Program Scientist since 2008. Ed is responsible for maintaining TBEP’s strong interlocal partnership and continuing the bay’s science-based restoration and recovery strategies. He directs TBEP’s technical and public outreach initiatives and serves as the primary policy liaison between its many public and private partners. Ed holds a B.S. degree in Marine Biology from the University of West Florida, and a M.S. degree in Marine Fisheries and Ecology from the University of Florida. In his spare time, he enjoys boating on the bay and travelling with his wife and two kids.

Maya manages the Tampa Bay Environmental Restoration Fund, including habitat restoration and water quality improvement projects; facilitates the Technical Advisory Committee, the Tampa Bay Nitrogen Management Consortium, and the Tampa Bay Climate Science Advisory Panel; and distills Tampa Bay research for decision makers and resource managers. Previously, Maya coordinated the Agency on Bay Management and worked as an environmental planner for the Southwest Florida Water Management District. She is a graduate of New College of Florida (Political Science & Environmental Studies). Outside of work, you’ll find her hiking at Boyd Hill or relaxing at Fort DeSoto with a good book.

Having returned to the Tampa Bay Area after spending some years in New York and California, Steffanie wanted her career to reflect her passion for the environment, and the Bay in particular, despite being a non-science-major graduate of FSU. She found an opportunity to do this through bringing her years of administrative experience to TBEP, handling invoice payment, financial tracking, general correspondence, and other duties as needed. Outside of the office, she enjoys dragging family on long hikes in inclement conditions, exploring parks, working on nature-focused art, and spending time with her daughter and dogs.

Marcus is the Program Scientist for TBEP and is developing data analysis and visualization methods for Bay health indicators. He received his BS in Zoology from the University of Florida in 2007 and his MSc and PhD in Conservation Biology from the University of Minnesota in 2009 and 2013. Marcus has experience researching environmental indicators and developing open science products to support environmental decision-making. Marcus is also an avid software developer and creator of online dashboards that facilitate science communication. Outside of work, Marcus enjoys exploring the Tampa Bay area with his wife, son, and their dog.

As TBEP’s Restoration Ecologist, Kerry works with partners to support habitat restoration, design research and monitoring projects, and identify relevant ecological indicators for success. Previously, as a marine fisheries research scientist with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Kerry spent 18 years studying fish community dynamics and how different life stages of fish use estuarine and coastal habitats. Kerry holds a B.S. in Biological Sciences from Florida State University and a M.S. in Biology/Coastal Zone Studies from the University of West Florida. Kerry spends her free time camping, kayaking, and hiking with her husband and two sons.

Blake is the Environmental Social Scientist for TBEP, focusing on the human dimensions of conservation across Tampa Bay and creating pro-environmental behavior change that benefits nature and society. Using his interdisciplinary background, Blake works with partners throughout the watershed to design and implement research projects and social marketing campaigns that span the fields of psychology, ecology, economics, and political science to address modern conservation challenges. He holds a B.S. in Biology and Ecosystem Science and Policy from the University of Miami, a M.S. in Biology from the University of Antwerp (Belgium), and a Ph.D. in Conservation Science from the University of Queensland (Australia). Outside of the office, he teaches environmental decision-making for the Harvard Extension School and enjoys painting, writing, and spending time on the beach with his dog.

Hailing from the coast of North Carolina, Jessica joined the Estuary Program in 2021 as its Program Support Specialist.  She has a B.S. in Marine Biology from College of Charleston and has had the privilege of working with agencies and nonprofit organizations across the southeastern US.  She brings her diverse background in marine research (fisheries, harmful algal blooms, sea bottom mapping), project management, legislative policy, and environmental justice to the Program to support the prolific work of the science, management, and policy teams.  Jessica spends her downtime paddleboarding in the Bay, volunteering with nonprofits, exploring parks across the state, and pretending to be a foodie about the town.

Sheila manages the Bay Mini-Grants (grants funded by the Tarpon specialty license plate for community initiated Bay restoration and improvement projects), facilitates the Community Advisory Committee, and coordinates community engagement through Give-A-Day for the Bay volunteer events. Previously, Sheila managed the Seagrass and Water Quality Monitoring Programs and Community Outreach Program for Sarasota County. She received a B.S. in Plant Science from the University of Florida and an M.S. in Conservation Biology from the University of South Florida. Outside the office, you can find Sheila backpacking along the National Scenic Trail System or paddleboarding through mangrove tunnels found along Tampa Bay.