Board Also Hires Environmental Director for SABAY
SEADRIFT, TX – The Board of Directors of the San Antonio Bay Foundation (SABAY) confirmed the appointment of Tommie Rhoad as the new executive director of the foundation. Concurrently, the directors also approved Stephanie Shelly to take on responsibilities as the foundation’s environmental director. The San Antonio Bay Foundation was organized by the Guadalupe-Blanco River Authority in July 2008 as a vehicle to protect and steward the resources of San Antonio Bay and its associated estuarine system.
Rhoad, who earned her bachelor’s degree in geography from the University of Texas at San Antonio, will be responsible for the operation and management of all aspects of the San Antonio Bay Foundation under the direction of the Board of Directors.
“The San Antonio Bay Foundation will play an important role in building relationships and collaborative partnerships in an effort to educate the public about the needs and challenges associated with the bay area,” Rhoad said.
“With Tommie on board, the San Antonio Bay Foundation is ready to move forward on issues that are important to people who live along the bay and the Gulf coast area,” SABAY Board Secretary/Treasurer Todd Votteler, Ph.D., said. “She brings a wealth of experience in assessing needs and assisting communities,” he added.
Before signing on as executive director for the San Antonio Bay Foundation, Rhoad served as GBRA’s economic development manager for seven years. In that capacity, she assisted city, county and local agencies in determining area needs by developing business and tourism assessments, promoting partnerships and building consensus among interested parties. Rhoad was also the driving force behind the creation of the Gorge Preservation Society; an environmental organization dedicated to preserving the 110 million-year-old geological phenomena that was discovered after the flood of 2002 at Canyon Reservoir. This non-profit organization successfully brought together a diverse group of stakeholders and scientists by identifying common goals and interests.
Stephanie Shelly earned her bachelor of science degree in wildlife and fisheries science from Texas A&M and has a strong background in marine biology. In addition to her work with SABAY, she continues to serve as chief operator of GBRA’s Port Lavaca Water Treatment Plant (PLWTP) where she coordinates daily operations between GBRA and its municipal customers and ensures that the water produced at the PLWTP meets or exceeds the requirements of the Safe Drinking Water Act. “Stephanie will be a great asset to the foundation in project development and implementation,” Rhoad said.
Both Rhoad and Shelly are avid outdoors women and look forward to incorporating their hobbies with their positions within the San Antonio Bay Foundation.
