Kiersten began serving as CBBEP’s Executive Director on September 1, 2022. Prior to this, she served as CBBEP’s Director of Partnerships, during which time she worked to cultivate individual, corporate, government, and foundation partnerships that further CBBEP’s mission. Her roles and responsibilities with CBBEP have also included working closely with staff and partners on strategic planning related to budgeting, programmatic goals and implementation, and governance. In her role as Executive Director, Kiersten will continue working to cultivate partnerships and funding support for CBBEP’s programs and projects, and she will also be responsible for working closely with the CBBEP Board of Directors and for managing the ongoing business and operations of the Program. Kiersten received her B.S. in Biology from Augustana College and her Ph.D. in Marine Science from The University of Texas at Austin. Prior to working at CBBEP, Kiersten served as a Research Associate with the Mission-Aransas National Estuarine Research Reserve at The University of Texas Marine Science Institute, where she focused on integrating research and education to improve the stewardship of coastal resources. Phone (361) 336-0315.
Alice’s responsibilities include oversight of all program finances, budget and planning, as well as administration of state and federal contracts for the CBBEP. She has more than 21 years experience in financial and contract related matters and has worked as Contract Manager for the program. Phone (361) 336-0307.
Jake is CBBEP’s land manager, coordinating and assisting with habitat protection and conservation projects for the CBBEP 12-county area. He received a Bachelor’s Degree in Recreation, Park and Tourism Science from Texas A&M University-College Station and interned at CBBEP. Phone (361) 336-0309.
David is the Director of the Coastal Bird Program, which focuses on habitat management, stewardship, and conservation-oriented monitoring and research on the diverse coastal bird life of the area. His staff works with partners across the whole Texas coast and has also conducted projects with our neighbors in Louisiana and Mexico. David earned a Bachelor’s degree in English from the University of Houston, studied coastal fisheries for his Master’s degree from Texas A&M University – Corpus Christi, and completed his Ph.D. in Wildlife Science at Texas A&M University-Kingsville conducting research on an endangered shorebird, the Red Knot. Phone (361) 336-0312.
Melissa was born overseas and raised in a military household. She has lived in Corpus Christi for the last 15 years. She earned her B.S. in Business Administration from University of the Incarnate Word and her Master of Accountancy from Texas A&M University Corpus Christi. One of her career goals is to earn her CPA certification. Melissa has always been an environmental minded person and enjoys living by the water. Prior to working with CBBEP she worked at H.E.B, leading the Business Center, for 14 years. Phone (361) 336-0317.
Michelle is the CBBEP's Administrative Assistant. Michelle was born and raised in the Corpus Christi area and is a graduate of South Texas Vocational Institute with a degree in Medical Assisting. Prior to working for the program, Michelle served as a Transportation Security Administration Agent at Corpus Christi International Airport, and for ENT & Associates as a Certified Medical Assistant and Allergist. Phone (361) 336-0304.
Brooke is part of CBBEP’s Coastal Bird Program. She is working to help discover the cause of coastal bird declines through research and analyses, as well as assisting in efforts to conserve and maintain waterbird habitat in the Texas Coastal Bend. She earned her B.S. in Biology from Texas A&M University - Corpus Christi, and her M.S. in Wildlife Biology from the University of Alaska - Fairbanks. She has over 14 years of experience researching shorebirds in a variety of habitats, including Piping Plovers and Least Terns on the Missouri River System and Arctic-breeding shorebirds on the coastal Alaskan tundra. Phone (361) 336-0313.
Matt is working for Delta Discovery at the Nueces Delta Preserve and will coordinate and implement field trips and other educational activities. Matt has been passionate about animals and the environment his entire life. He earned his B.S. in Chemistry from Colorado State University and his B.S. in Biology from Metropolitan State University in Colorado. Prior to coming to Texas, Matt worked as an educator at the Downtown Aquarium in Denver, Colorado.
Adrien oversees and manages water and sediment quality projects. He previously worked at the Corpus Christi Museum of Science and History as an Educator and Camp and Evening Programs Manager, and with CBBEP's Delta Discovery Program. Adrien received his B.A. in Geoarchaeology from Hamilton College in 2013. Phone (361) 336-0316.
Rosario oversees and manages habitat enhancement and water quality monitoring projects. She previously worked as a project scientist with Naismith Engineering, Inc. performing environmental site assessments and remediation work. Rosario received Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in environmental science from Texas A&M University – Corpus Christi. Phone (361) 336-0308.
Justin is part of CBBEP’s Coastal Bird Program. Based in Corpus Christi, he manages rookery islands for declining colonial nesting waterbirds, monitors shorebird productivity at various important breeding sites, and assists in the field with numerous other important avian research projects. Justin grew up in Vermont and received a B.S. in Wildlife and Fisheries Biology at the University of Vermont. His passion for wildlife conservation and the outdoors led him to work in the wildlife field in five different states before landing in South Texas in 2016. He has also dedicated thousands of volunteer hours to various wildlife research projects, habitat restoration, wildlife rescues, and outdoor education.
As a Conservation Specialist for CBBEP, Travis coordinates with and assists the Director of Land Conservation. His duties include property management and implementing common habitat management practices to conserve native coastal habitats. Prior to joining CBBEP, Travis worked as an environmental consultant on a variety of projects along the coastal bend. Travis received a B.S. in Range and Wildlife Management from Texas A&M University-Kingsville.
Leigh oversees and manages projects for the CBBEP. She previously worked at CBBEP's Nueces Delta Preserve. She received her Bachelor’s degree in marine science from Texas A&M University-Galveston. Phone (361) 336-0304.
Kathryn oversees and manages projects for the CBBEP. Prior to working for the CBBEP, Kathryn served as a Natural Resource Specialist with the Texas General Land Office where she specialized in natural resource permitting, and interagency coordination and communication. Kathryn also has experience in grant management, education and outreach, and a strong understanding and appreciation of the Texas Coastal Bend’s natural resources. Kathryn received her B.S. and M.S. in Marine Biology from Texas A&M University - Corpus Christi. Phone (361) 336-0311.
Aaron oversees and manages a variety of projects throughout the Texas Coastal Bend. He previously worked as a Research Specialist with the Center for Coastal Studies at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi where his research focused on Texas diamondback terrapins. Aaron received his B.S. and M.S. in Biology from Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi. Phone (361) 336-0314.
Quinn is operating as the Communications Manager for the CBBEP. Growing up on the Coastal Bend instilled a deep affinity and appreciation for the native landscapes and wildlife of the region. Graduating from Texas A&M University - Corpus Christi with a MA in Strategic Communication, he coordinates outfacing communication efforts and content creation to highlight the efforts that forward the CBBEP mission. Phone (361)336-0305
Lisa is the Grants Director for the CBBEP. Originally from Connecticut, she earned a B.S. in Marine Science and Biology from the University of Miami and Ph.D. in Marine Science from the University of Texas Marine Science Institute. At her last position, she served as the Atlantic Coastal Fish Habitat Partnership Director at the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission in Arlington, Virginia. She has conducted field work in the Florida Keys, coastal Texas, Gulf of Maine, and Great Barrier Reef, and has expertise in fish development and behavior, estuarine ecology, and coastal habitats. Phone (361) 336-0306.
As the Migratory Shorebird Habitat Specialist focused on monitoring non-tidal migratory shorebird habitats such as seasonal and agricultural wetlands and post-fire grasslands with the aim of contributing to a more comprehensive landscape-level approach to flyway conservation. Jason is from Rockport, Texas, but his background extends to East Asia where for many years he was heavily involved in shorebird conservation at the local and international level throughout the Yellow Sea eco-region of the East Asian-Australasian Flyway. He is currently completing his Master's in Range and Wildlife Management at Texas A&M Kingsville.
Lauren Piorkowski coordinates volunteer programs for CBBEP and assists with educational activities for the Nueces Delta Preserve. She has previous experience working for local organizations including the Oso Bay Wetlands Preserve and Padre Island National Seashore. She is passionate about creating hands-on opportunities for our community to learn more about protecting our environment. Lauren has a B.S. in marine science with a concentration in biology from Kutztown University of Pennsylvania. Phone: 361-558-7767
Mary oversees and manages a variety of projects for the CBBEP. Prior to working for the CBBEP, Mary completed a Bachelor’s degree at Oklahoma State University in Natural Resources Ecology and Management as well as a Master’s degree at Texas A&M University – Corpus Christi specializing in socio-economic drivers of surface water quality impairment and coastal community resilience.
Sheryl is the CBBEP's Accounts Administrator. She was raised in Louisiana, but settled down in Portland, Texas after her husband retired from the United States Navy. Sheryl earned her B.A. in Psychology as well as her M.S. in Counseling from Texas A & M University Corpus Christi. Sheryl loves to travel and spend time with family.
Alexander is part of CBBEP’s Coastal Bird Program. Based in Corpus Christi, he manages rookery islands for sensitive colonial nesting waterbirds, monitors waterbird productivity at various important breeding sites, and assists on numerous research projects aimed at understanding and addressing the factors driving declines in several waterbird species found throughout the Coastal Bend. Alexander is from Pennsylvania, where he earned an Associate's and Bachelor's degree from the Pennsylvania State University in Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences. From there, Alexander earned a Master of Science in Biology Degree from Ball State University, where he studied the state-endangered Cerulean Warbler and a Ph.D. in Coastal and Marine System Science from Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi, where he studied the annual cycle movements of Little Blue Herons wintering on the Gulf Coast of Florida.
Roy grew up in Jones County, Mississippi. When it came time to attend college, Roy earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Biology at the University of Southern Mississippi. His first environmental education job was in Reno, Nevada. There he worked with the Great Basin Institute as an environmental educator.
Roy would spend the next few years working as an environmental educator across the United States and beyond. Most recently, Roy has accepted a job offer with the Coastal Bend and Bays Estuaries Program and he is eager to start work.
Cheyenne earned a Bachelor’s in Range and Wildlife Management from Texas A&M University-Kingsville and is currently working on a Master’s in Business Administration focusing on energy and finance. Previously, she worked on a hunting lease on the King Ranch as a Wildlife Biologist and administrative lead. She most recently worked as a 319 Watershed Technician for the Kleberg-Kenedy SWCD focusing on working with producers through a cost share incentive program so that they may use best management practices on their property to overall help improve the quality of the San Fernando Creek, Petronila Creek, and Baffin Bay watershed.