President
Richard Sanchez
I am a lifelong resident of Tampa and I have been a member of the Alliance for more than five years. I have served as a Board member and am in my second year as President. I am on the Membership and Outreach Committee and was a part of the Discover the Island Committee for 2011 as well as volunteering for previous DTI’s. I am currently employed by the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office in the IT Department. Previously, I was employed by Verizon for 33 years in various positions. My interests include military history, lighthouses and the wildlife on Egmont Key. I volunteer at the Florida Aquarium as a diver and am a member of the Florida Lighthouse Association as well as the U. S. Lighthouse Society. I am also involved in the Friends of Narcissus organization and the Propeller Club, Port of Tampa. I am very interested in restoring the Egmont Lighthouse to its original appearance and preserving it as a historic site.
Treasurer
Kelly Kukacka
I was born and raised in St. Petersburg and have been a member of the Alliance for two years. I look forward to serving the organization as Treasurer for many years to come. My husband and I own a merchant processing company and serve our community and this organization with the ability to accept credit cards. Much of my childhood was spent on my father’s boat and on Egmont Key. Some of my best memories have been made on this island and I love that I now get to share it with my husband and two children to make memories of their own. My passion for Egmont Key has lead me to a wonderful group of people who are dedicated to preserving this beautiful island and I am honored to be a part of it.
Secretary
Barbara Samuel
I was born in Canada and have lived in the Tampa Bay area for 25 years. I am now retired but was a System Analyst for a company specializing in OCR technology and Data Entry. When I retired the first time, I traveled extensively with my husband and when not traveling I worked as an Administrative Assistant in my husband’s consulting business, and during tax season at H & R Block Premium Office in St Petersburg. I returned to full time work in 2007 and worked in Customer Service Department for AutoTrader Classics in Clearwater, FL .I have served as Secretary for Treasure Island Tennis and Yacht Club, Treasure Island FL (10 years) and the Egmont Key Alliance, (3 years). I recently gave up the position with the Alliance as Secretary, but am remaining on the Board of Directors. It is my desire to spend more time working on the Radio Room Committee and to pursue my love of lighthouses, photography, paper crafts and travel.
Membership
Patti Young
Directors
Doug Bradley
I am originally from Florida and have lived in Pinellas County for 49 years. I retired from Honeywell Military Avionics where I was an Electronics Technician and Work Director. Amelia, my wife, also retired from Honeywell. I have two children, a son and a daughter. I am a member of Skycrest Methodist Church and have been in volved with the Egmont Key Alliance for 15 years and have been a Board member for more than 4 years (now in third two year term).
Mark Hubbard
I was born in the Tampa Bay beaches area in 1963, and grew up with Captain Wilson Hubbard as my father. I played on the fishing boats and docks, and developed a natural instinct for fishing, boating and water. My other hobbies include surfing as well as playing basketball. I own and manage a Marina with charter party boat center, Hubbard's Marina with two 80 passenger Party Head boats and one 12 pack charter boat. We sub contract many local charter boats in area. This operation started two generations ago in 1928, and was incorporated in 1957, many boats later here we are. I have been a Board member of the Alliance for many years.
Janica Johnson
Having watched my son grow up in St.Pete, and when the time came for him to leave and go to college I was looking for something that might interest me. Taking me away from Radiology, and or working on Boats, I saw an article in the paper offering a ride to Egmont Key for the First Island Days. I was hooked! Over the years I have seen many changes, on the island and the management. Tom Watson (was a volunteer) is our Ranger now and Pete Krulder the manager. The State Park shares the island with The Friends of Tampa Bay NWR, the Coast Guard, and the Tampa Bay Pilots. All loving the island, and with hopes that we can keep and preserve the island. Jim Spangler (past president) along with a new group “SAVE EGMONT KEY” continues his tireless efforts for refurbishing the island. Egmont Key is a true treasure in the Tampa Bay Area. I am a proud member of the board, and continue to watch the many changes. I also encourage new memberships.
Jim Spangler
I was born and raised Oklahoma, worked for the E. I. DuPont Co. for 35 years in many different engineering, manufacturing, and general management positions. Retired and moved 1988. Have been an active boater for many years, joined the Egmont Key Alliance in 1990, and have served as a Board member, Treasurer, and President. I have been a member of the Agency on Bay Management, a part of the Tampa Bay Regional Planning Council for 10 years and have worked closely with the State of Florida Park Service, U. S. Corps of Engineers, and the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service, in the placement of dredged sand on the northwest shore line of Egmont Key in 2000, 2005, and 2010.
Bill Jordan
I grew up in Lakeland, graduated from the University of South Florida in Tampa, and have been a Pinellas County resident since 1983. I’m currently employed as a Medical Courier after retiring from a 23 year career in electronics, where I held various titles in engineering, training, and management for both a defense contractor and a large biomedical equipment manufacturer. I enjoy cycling, kayaking, and just about anything having to do with being outdoors – especially being on and in the water. I was SCUBA certified back in 1981, and fulfilled a lifelong dream in 2007 when I took courses and made my first solo skydive. I’ve been an avid nature and history buff since I was a young boy, so when I attended my first Discover the Island event in 2009, I was immediately hooked on both Egmont Key and Egmont Key Alliance, and became a member on the spot. In addition to enjoying monthly workdays and special events out on the island, it’s been my pleasure to work with fellow DTI Committee members to help plan, maintain and present to the public the same event that so captivated me back in 2009, and I look forward to doing so for many years to come.
Nancy Whitford
Having spent
35 years on Egmont Key caring for this island and all of these same years dedicated to all Florida State Parks throughout the state doing the same, in 2008 my journey began to focus solely on one park, Egmont Key State Park. I will continue to assist in any way possible to protect the natural and cultural resources of this island, as well as, the recycle efforts toward improvement for future generations. It is my pleasure to serve as a Board Member with the Egmont Key Alliance and many committees, to continue my dedication of support to the Florida Park Service.
Jim Igler
Having moved to the Tampa Bay area in 1987 from Kansas I saw brown water in the bay and assumed that was normal, being used to the waters in the Great Plains, I soon realized it wasn't the case and began volunteering with several groups active in restoring the Bay to now, pre 1950 levels. In the process I discovered the Island and the rest is history. I enjoy doing what I can to help Mother Earth in her battle with what we are doing to her. Along the way, I have met and worked/played with many new friends and look forward to continuing the efforts. If you have an interest in nature and all that involves, come give us a hand as we try to protect the various aspects of what Egmont Key represents
Mike Young
Born in England on a US military base and primarily raised in northern Illinois, I took a vacation to Florida in 1989. Immediately, I fell in love with Florida's beauty and mild climate. I decided to make the Tampa Bay Area my permanent residence in 1990 where I met my wife, Patti (a Tampa native), in 1995. With an Associate’s Degree in electronics and several certifications, I have engaged various IT field engineer positions which include (but not limited to) establishing and maintaining hospital network systems around the US and Canada including the installation of high security equipment at MacDill Air Force Base. Since 2010, I have worked at the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office in the electronics division of the Information Services Department. My interests include nature/wildlife photography, history, science, camping, hiking, cycling, motorcycle trips, classic automobiles, and most outdoor activities. My wife and I first set foot on Egmont Key in early 2010 and became members of the Alliance the same year. We are both proud to be associated with such a warm, passionate group of volunteers and look forward to future improvements of Egmont Key in the years to come.
Board Member Emeritus
Richard Johnson
My wife Cindi and I joined the Alliance in 1991 and have been active with the organization since. I have been a board member, secretary, vice president, president for a number of years, and am currently treasurer. I’ve made a career as a sailing instructor and sailing charter boat captain. One of my particular interests is maritime history, and I reenact a late 1800’s lighthouse keeper for our special events.
Florida Department of Environmental Protection, Division of Recreation & Parks
Peter Krulder, Park Manager
peter.krulder@dep.state.fl.us
Tom Watson, Assistant Park Manager
tom.watson@dep.state.fl.us
