OUR TEAM
Cleaning Florida's waterways and natural lands since 1993
Executive Director: Nicole Llinás
Nicole studied Coastal Biology and Philosophy at the University of North Florida, specializing in watershed ecosystem management and applied ethics. Her research measured the health of marsh grass used in shoreline restoration and was an award recipient at the Florida Lake Management Society symposium.
Throughout the course of her career, Nicole has focused on research and education initiatives at the intersection of restoration, ecology, and human interaction with the environment. Prior to her role as Executive Director of Current Problems, Nicole was on staff at Alachua Conservation Trust after completing their Women in the Woods program. She also served as a Marine Science Educator at the Smithsonian Marine Station in Ft. Pierce, FL, Grades of Green educator, and has also worked with the GTM National Estuarine Research Reserve, the St. Johns Riverkeeper, the Florida State Park Service, and the St. Johns River Water Management District. She previously served on the Communications Task Force for the Coastal and Estuarine Research Federation and Board of Directors of the League of Environmental Educators in Florida.
Nicole is passionate about integrating scientific endeavors into local communities and reconnecting citizens with their shared land and natural resources.
President: Dan Rountree
Dan has been with Current Problems since the very beginning. He is a dedicated steward of the environment, involving himself in a variety of cleanup and educational events around North Florida. Dan is a talented artist and often incorporates his love of nature into his personal artwork.
Vice President: Ruth Steiner
Ruth Steiner is a Professor and Director of the Center for Health and the Built Environment. Her research focuses on planning for sustainable communities, especially for transportation. Since 1980 she had been an enthusiastic recycler and composter. She routinely picks up trash when she goes for walks in her neighborhood.
Ryan Smart
Ryan Smart lives in Jacksonville Beach and holds a Master's in Water Policy & Public Administration from the University of Florida, where he was honored for his environmental advocacy work as the 2017 University of Florida – Bob Graham Center Young Floridian of the Year.
He took the helm as Florida Springs Council's first Executive Director in 2018, after having served as the Director of the Florida Conservation Coalition and President of 1000 Friends of Florida.
Byron Flagg
Byron Flagg is a third generation Floridian with deep roots in Alachua County. A licensed Florida attorney since 2005, Byron started his legal career as a criminal prosecutor for the 8th Judicial Circuit, State Attorney's Office with special experience working with the Alachua County Environmental Crimes Task Force. He returned to the University of Florida College of Law in 2011 to earn an LL.M. Degree in Environmental and Land Use law and since then has worked in the private and public sectors across the state, including for the St. Johns River Water Management District as an Assistant General Counsel. He is experienced in land use, environmental, real estate, local government and coastal issues throughout Florida. Byron is also a veteran of the U.S. Coast Guard.
Hollie Greer
Hollie works for the Alachua County Environmental Protection Department water resources group and has worked in environmental public outreach in Alachua County for many years. She has degrees in wildlife ecology and psychology. She is most at home in the water or barefoot in the garden.
Mike Byerly
Mike Byerly has served on our board for many years. His love of nature is reflected in many ways. He studied Zoology and Ecology, serves on several environmental non-profit boards, and can often be found kayaking. hiking, or photographing nature.
Interested in Joining our Board of Directors?
Please contact cleanup@currentproblems.org if you are interested in joining our team!