Governor Ron DeSantis announced the appointments of Charlette Roman, Charlie Martinez and Cheryl Anne Meads to the board of the South Florida Water Management District in Naples. The governor was joined by all three appointees as well as Secretary of the Department of Environmental Protection Noah Valenstein.
“I’m pleased to announce the appointments of Charlie Martinez, Cheryl Anne Meads and Charlette Roman to officially serve on the board of the South Florida Water Management District,” said Governor DeSantis. “Each of these individuals have demonstrated an aptitude for public service and a firm understanding of the vital role of clean water to Florida’s livelihood. I look forward to working with them to protect our natural resources and water quality for all Floridians.”
Charlette Roman
Since 2002, Roman has been a full-time resident of Marco Island. She settled there after serving 26 years in the U.S. Army, retiring as a full colonel. Colonel Roman’s experience has given her extensive leadership and management experience in supervising and training personnel. After retirement, she moved to Marco Island and began serving her new community. Notably, in 2013, the Collier County commissioners unanimously appointed Charlette to serve as the first at-large environmental commissioner on the Collier County Planning Commission.
Carlos “Charlie” E. Martinez
Carlos “Charlie” E. Martinez is president of CEM Investments LLC, where he has served since 2010. He also serves as partner of Grove Bay Group and has vast experience in residential development. He has been a member of the Everglades Foundation for the last eight years and holds a bachelor’s degree in building construction from the University of Florida.
Cheryl Anne Meads
Cheryl Meads is CEO of Trumpet Calls, LLC (real estate) and a member of the Islamorada Village Council. In her career, Meads has worked as a contractor to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, performing research and development creating test methods found in the Code of Federal Regulation Title 40-Protection of Environment. Her leadership experience gives her a unique perspective for the challenges facing Florida’s environment. Meads holds a chemistry degree from Western Carolina University and has experience in biology and microbiology.
Governor Ron DeSantis also announced the appointment of Jacqui Thurlow-Lippisch to the board of the South Florida Water Management District in Stuart. The appointment came just hours after the governor announced the appointments of Roman, Martinez and Meads to the board of the South Florida Water Management District at an event in Naples. The governor was joined by Congressman Brian Mast as well as Secretary of the Department of Environmental Protection Noah Valenstein.
“Floridians are excited about the new leadership at the South Florida Water Management District and our mission to protect our state’s environment and water resources,” said Governor DeSantis. “Jacqui will be a champion for our environment and for Floridians everywhere. I’m proud to announce her appointment and look forward to her continued stewardship of Florida’s environment.”
Jacqui Thurlow-Lippisch
Jacqui Thurlow-Lippisch grew up in Stuart and Sewall’s Point in Martin County and is the former mayor of Sewall’s Point, which is surrounded by the St. Lucie River and the Indian River Lagoon. Since 2008, Thurlow-Lippisch has dedicated herself to learning and writing about the Northern Everglades system. She also served on Florida’s Constitution Revision Commission, where she chaired the General Provisions Committee, Article II, Section 7, known as the “environmental section” of the constitution.