Everglades Foundation Staff

Staff

Eric Eikenberg

Chief Executive Officer

Appointed to the position of CEO by the Foundation’s board in 2012, Eric Eikenberg has extensive policy and political experience in Tallahassee and Washington. He served as chief of staff for former Gov. Charlie Crist and former U.S. Rep. E. Clay Shaw. Since 2010, Eric has served as senior policy advisor for Holland & Knight, co-chairing the firm’s Florida Government Advocacy Team with former Gov. Bob Martinez. As the CEO of the Everglades Foundation, he will lead the Foundation's science, advocacy, communications and legal teams, which are nationally recognized for their expertise in Everglades restoration. A graduate of American University, Eric and his family live in Miami.

Stanley Boynton

Executive Vice President

A native of Naples, Fla., Stanley Boynton has extensive professional experience in the non-profit world -- including fundraising and leadership -- both in the United States and Latin America. Boynton has lived and worked in Colombia, Puerto Rico, Panama and Guatemala. In the United States, he has worked for extensive periods of time for the Navajo Tribe in Ariz., Tuskegee University and the Guadalupe Center of Immokalee in Immokalee, Fla. A life-long environmentalist, he has served on the boards of the Panama Audubon Society and the Collier County Audubon Society. He studied at Eckerd College and the New School University. He speaks English and Spanish fluently. Boynton is a resident of South Miami.

Susan B. Ervin

Vice President of Development

Susan B. Ervin is an accomplished development and external relations professional with 20 years experience in comprehensive fundraising programs with nationally recognized health, education and arts institutions. Most recently, Ervin was Executive Director of Development at Bascom Palmer Eye Institute at the University of Miami's Miller School of Medicine. In previous professional capacities, Ervin served as the development director for several Miami organizations including the University of Miami's School of Business Administration and the Miami Art Museum. Ervin is a board member of Locust Projects in Miami and a member of the Rotary Club of Miami. She graduated from St. Mary's University San Antonio, Texas, with both a bachelor's and master's degree in English-Communications.

Tom Van Lent, Ph.D.

Senior Scientist

Runner, swimmer, bike rider, aficionado of Icelandic poetry, soccer referee...Thomas Van Lent is a 21st-century Renaissance man. In addition to aforementioned pursuits, Van Lent is currently the senior scientist at the Everglades Foundation, where he works on providing scientific and technical support to non-governmental environmental organizations supported by the Foundation. His responsibilities include presenting expert analysis of hydrologic, engineering, and ecological information to assist in development of Everglades restoration alternatives and meeting Everglades restoration and protection objectives. Van Lent has a distinguished career as a scientist and engineer. He graduated from South Dakota State University before attending the University of Minnesota and Stanford University where he received master’s and doctorate’s degrees respectively. He has also worked at the South Florida Water Management District, Everglades National Park and as an assistant professor at South Dakota State University. Van Lent is a resident of the Florida Keys and received the George M. Barley Conservationist of the Year Award for his ability to convey highly technical information in understandable terms to decision-makers on Everglades restoration.

G. Melodie Naja, Ph.D.

Water Quality Scientist

G. Melodie Naja is the Foundation's water quality scientist. Prior to joining the Everglades Foundation, Naja—a former resident of Montreal, Canada, and graduate of University Henry Poincaré in Nancy, France--was a research officer at the National Research Council of Canada and visiting professor at McGill University in Montreal. She holds a bachelor’s degree in physical chemistry, a master’s degree in molecular and physical chemistry and her doctorate in environmental physical chemistry and chemical engineering, all from the University Henry Poincaré. Naja has conducted research as a consultant for government institutions, non-governmental organizations and the corporate sector.Naja has a penchant for delighting the Foundation staff with offerings of the Middle Eastern pistachio and honey-laden dessert known as bird nest.

Stephen E. Davis III, Ph.D.

Wetland Ecologist

Davis, a native of Ohio, graduated from Georgetown College in Georgetown, Ky., with a bachelor’s degree in biology and environmental science. In addition, he attended Morehead State University in Morehead, Ky., and received a master’s degree in biological and environmental science. He attained his doctorate of philosophy in Miami, Fla., from Florida International University. In his role as wetland ecologist with the Foundation, Davis continues his extensive body of wetland research that dates back more than a decade -- most recently at Texas A&M University in College Station, Texas -- where he served as an assistant professor then associate professor for the past eight years. Davis leads Everglades research projects on mangrove wetland biogeochemistry and carbon dynamics.

Vivian Miller

Everglades Education and Outreach Director

Vivian Miller is the Foundation's Everglades Education and Outreach Director. In her role, Miller coordinates and oversees Everglades tours and educational briefings for lawmakers and supporters to educate them about the benefits of restoration. Prior to her position with the Everglades Foundation, Miller was Director of Community Relations at the University of Miami, and an artifact curator for the Archaeological and Historical Conservancy. She graduated from Florida State University with a bachelor’s in anthropology and obtained her masters at the University of Miami.

Jessica Hodder

Multimedia Associate

Jessica Hodder is the Multimedia Associate in the Foundation’s Communications department. She works with all things related to online, visual and print media. She can often be found tweeting, checking-in, instagram-ing, liking, commenting, interacting, pinning and sharing on the Foundation’s various social media profiles. A Miami native, Jessica graduated from the University of Miami with a bachelor’s degree in Visual Journalism and English Literature.

Aida Arik

Ecological Engineer

Originally from Tucson, Arizona where she earned her bachelor’s degree in Hydrology and Water Resources from the University of Arizona, Aida Arik joins the Everglades Foundation as the Ecological Engineer. Having a passion for finding the interface between humans and the environment, Arik moved to Oregon to work in the field of ecosystem restoration. While in Oregon, she earned her master’s degree in Water Resources Engineering from Oregon State University. Although she misses the rock climbing in Arizona and the mountain biking in Oregon, Arik is enjoying the diverse outdoor activities that South Florida has to offer.

Hong Xu

Environmental Engineer

Hong Xu is the Foundation’s Environmental Engineer. She graduated from Tsinghua University in Beijing, China with a Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Engineering. She obtained her Masters in Civil and Environmental Engineering from the University of Miami. In addition to being registered in Florida as a professional engineer, she has also had experience in hydraulic and hydrologic modeling and design for CERP projects. As an environmental engineer at the Everglades Foundation, she conducts ecosystem modeling (hydrologic, water quality, economic) and performs mathematical and computational analyses for environmental engineering issues.

Gloria Calle

Development Assistant

Gloria Calle joins the Foundation as the development assistant. Prior to her position with the Everglades Foundation, she worked at Excalibur Electronics, Inc., an international electronics product company. The long-time Miami resident was formerly employed with the multi-national oil and gas company, Cooper Energy Services. She is a graduate of Grace Institute Business School in New York City.

Moni Barrios

Office Administrator

Moni Barrios serves as the Everglades Foundation’s Office Administrator. In her role at the Foundation she works directly with the Executive Vice President on a variety of operational projects. Barrios brings extensive business experience including office administration, project management and human resources. Barrios' previous employment includes The Early Childhood Initiative Foundation, Carnival Cruise Lines, Sandals Resorts and The Home Depot. A Miami native, Barrios enjoys the outdoors through her passion for motorcycles, fishing and traveling.