Heather Askew, Events & Office Coordinator
Contact: HeatherA@DiscoverELC.org
Prior to joining the ELC in 2006, Heather A (we call her Heather A since we have 2 Heathers on staff) worked as Education Coordinator for the Marine Resources Council in Palm Bay. She is currently attending Brevard Community College working toward her undergraduate degree. She enjoys fishing, camping, kayaking and boating. Her husband makes a yummy fish dip.
Rosemary Badger, Naturalist
Contact: Rosemary@DiscoverELC.org
Rosemary started with the ELC in 1999. Her previous environmental education experience includes Gumbo Limbo Environmental Complex in Boca Raton and National Audubon Society in Miami. She has two undergraduate degrees, one in environmental studies and the other a double major in mathematics and German. In her free time, she runs with her dog, Fisher, in agility courses throughout the state.
Janet Barkett, Development Director, part time
Contact: Janet@DiscoverELC.org
Janet has been with the ELC since 1998. She first served as Volunteer Coordinator, then became Special Events Coordinator in 2006. She has a Bachelor’s degree in Communications and spent 8 years as Director of Development and Promotion for a public radio affiliate before moving to Vero Beach.
Holly Dill, Executive Director
Contact: Holly@DiscoverELC.org
Holly became Executive Director of the ELC in 1989. Her graduate degree is in Public Administration, specialized in Growth Management. She worked as a long range planner for the Planning Office in Palm Beach County, Florida and Teton County, Wyoming. She also served as Executive Director of the Jackson Hole Alliance for Responsible Planning, a non-profit land use advocacy organization.
Mary Haaksma, Administrative Assistant/Bookkeeper
Contact: Mary@DiscoverELC.org
Mary is the newest member of ELC's staff starting in 2009. She has extensive experience in customer service, data management, inventory management and has exceptional computer skills. She has a master certification as a Microsoft Office User Specialist obtained in 2001.
Dan Perkins, Caretaker
Contact: Dan@DiscoverELC.org
Dan joined the staff of the ELC in 2004. His experience includes owning a home improvement business and selling real estate in New Jersey. His broad background includes plumbing, electrical, painting, and carpentry.
Nancy Puglio, Volunteer Coordinator, part time
Contact: Nancy@DiscoverELC.org
Nancy became part of the ELC staff in 2006. She and her family moved to Florida from New Jersey in 2003. She worked in the finance/lease end of the auto industry before her three boys arrived. Nancy was active in St. Edwards Parent Association before joining ELC in 2006.
Sarah Rhodes-Ondi, Naturalist
Contact: Sarah@DiscoverELC.org
Sarah started with the ELC in 2006 as a part time Naturalist. She was then promoted to full time in 2008. She has two degrees in Marine Biology, a Bachelor of Arts from New College in Sarasota, Florida and a Master of Science from Florida Institute of Technology (FIT) in Melbourne, Florida. Her undergraduate thesis focused on the behavioral ecology of the mangrove tree crab and her Master’s thesis focused on the physiological ecology of Mclaughlin’s hermit crab in the seagrass beds of the Indian River Lagoon. Environmental education has been a passion of hers since she planted a butterfly garden with elementary school children in Brownsville, Texas as an undergraduate project. In Sarah’s free time she loves kayaking, swimming, kickboxing, doing yoga, snorkeling, SCUBA diving and finding shells on the beach. In 2009, Sarah became recognized by the National Association of Interpretation as a Certified Interpretive Guide.
Heather Stapleton, Education Coordinator
Contact: Heather@DiscoverELC.org
Heather Stapleton joined the ELC in 2003. She graduated from Indiana University with majors in Environmental Studies, Political Science and French. Upon graduation, she was a Peace Corps Volunteer in Benin, West Africa for three years. During this time, she traveled a lot and fell in love with environmental education—and that’s what she’s been doing ever since. She volunteers for the Caribbean Conservation Corporation and Pelican Island Preservation Society and is a Life Coach at the Vero Beach Community Church. She enjoys gardening, traveling, SCUBA diving and kayaking.