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^∗ President & Program Chair

Andee Naccarato grew up in Naples and earned a Master's Degree in Environmental Science from Florida Gulf Coast University in 2011. She became further immersed in the world of native plants by working at Naples Botanical Garden and Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve. Andee joined FNPS in 2013 and has served on the board of directors as Chair of Membership, Conservation, and Education, and President. Andee received a Silver Palmetto Award in May 2021 for her service as FNPS Director at Large.

^∗ Vice President & Plant Sales Chair

Evan Barr is a Naples native. He holds a B.A. degree in Economics and a Permaculture Design Certificate. He has over 10 years of experience in horticulture, ranging from farming to landscaping to gardening. His passion is working within the intersection of native plantings and residential gardens to improve biodiversity in the landscape.

^∗ Secretary & Outreach Chair

Karyn Allman currently works as a senior supervisor for the Lee County Conservation 20/20 program. She has a Master's Degree in Conservation Biology from the University of Kent Durrell Institute of Conservation and Ecology. Karyn grew up in Maine and has spent her life exploring the outdoors as a part of her professional and personal life. She enjoys hiking, diving, camping, kayaking, birding, and of course taking the time to stop and learn new plants wherever she goes! Karyn has been a member of the Naples Chapter for 12 years. Karyn can be contacted at Naplesoutreach@fnps.org.

^∗ Co-Treasurer

Becky Troop is retired from The Naples Players, where she was the Director of Volunteers for 17 years and the Director of Development for two years. Within the last four years, Becky completed both the Florida Master Naturalist and Master Gardener programs through the University of Florida. Becky has volunteered with Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary, Rookery Bay, and the Florida Trail Association. She landscaped her home garden with Florida native plants and Florida friendly plants, with particular interest in adding pollinator plants and littoral plants (along a small lake).

^∗ Co-Treasurer & Co-Conservation Chair

Wade Gurley received his B.S. and M.S. degrees in wildlife biology through the Texas A&M University system. He moved to southwest Florida in 2010 and has worked since as a biologist in the region on projects involving sea turtles, mangrove cuckoos, rare orchids, prescribed fire, white tailed deer, Everglades mink, bonneted bats, and red cockaded woodpeckers. In 2020, Wade served as Treasurer and Membership Chair for the Naples Chapter.

^∗ Co-Conservation Chair

Liberty Gibson graduated from The Ohio State University with a bachelor’s degree in Landscape Horticulture. She fell in love with Florida flora (and fauna) when she moved to Naples to complete an internship with the Conservancy of Southwest Florida. Liberty joined the Naples Chapter board in 2019.

^∗ Chapter Representative

Kara Driscoll is a native Floridian and has been involved with the Florida Native Plant Society for seven years. She first joined the Society while living in Tallahassee and worked closely with the Magnolia Chapter, serving as field trip and program coordinator. She is currently pursuing her Master's degree in environmental science at Florida Gulf Coast University and conducting research on one of Florida's endemic milkweed species. Kara also serves the Florida Native Plant Society on the Council of Chapters. Kara received a Green Palmetto Award in May 2021 for her mission-driven service to FNPS.

^∗ Membership Chair

Connie Nagele describes herself as a very curious person with many passions. Professionally, she is a small business consultant specializing in back-office setup/organization and building teams. Connie is also active in the outdoors and enjoys hiking, kayaking, and fishing in Florida's natural areas. Butterflies are her special joy! Connie is restoring and maintaining the Butterfly Garden at Sugden Regional Park as part of her commitment to making a positive difference in her community.

Website Designer

Now retired, Michael Troop designs websites for a hobby. He knows nothing about plants and animals and depends on his wife, who is a master gardner to explain the birds and the bees (and plants) to him. In his prior life, he served in the military for 20 years and retired as a Lieutenant Colonel. He holds a master of science degree in nurse anesthesia from Wayne State University in Detroit Michigan and has practiced anesthesia for over 40 years. He loved the business...he thought it was a "gas".

Facebook Volunteer

Alicia Schwartz moved to Naples, FL in 2017, after living in New York and Puerto Rico. She is a recently retired nurse. As an active member of the Community Emergency Response Team, Alicia volunteered for disaster relief in New York City (after 9/11 and Superstorm Sandy) and in Puerto Rico (after Hurricane Maria). Alicia always had a love for growing plants, even when all the space she had was a New York City terrace. Alicia is a recent graduate of the Florida Master Gardener program and has a special fondness for orchids.

YouTube Volunteer

Danny Cox began editing the Naples Chapter's YouTube videos in May 2020, when the coronavirus pandemic necessitated a shift to online meetings. Danny is the Aquatic Areas Manager at Naples Botanical Garden. He is also a Past President of the Naples Chapter. His favorite Florida native plant is blue-eyed grass (Sisyrinchium angustifolium).