_______________________Contact Us!______________________

Jeff George, Curator.

No one person could have ever filled Ila Loetscher's shoes running Sea Turtle, Inc. but I was given the opportunity in 2000 after volunteering for 8 years. It is only through a team effort that we continue Ila's legacy and grow as a non-profit organization. The dedicated staff, volunteers and interns make Sea Turtle, Inc. a success and my job a pleasure. Trained as a mathematician and a retired steel industry manager, working with these beautiful animals is a childhood dream come true.

Favorite Sea Turtle Species: Kemp's ridley; it is our native species and we can proudly say that we were involved in its recovery as an endangered species.

Jeff.george@seaturtleinc.org

Adrienne McCracken, Zoologist & Gift Shop Manager

I began working with sea turtles in the summer of 2007 as an intern at Sea Turtle, Inc. In the past couple years I have taken over the gift shop, website and photography for the organization. I have a Bachelor's of Science in Zoology from Michigan State University. I absolutely love working for Sea Turtle, Inc. and educating the public about sea turtles and their need to be conserved. It's the best job in the world!

Favorite Sea Turtle Species: The hawksbill because I rescued a baby one as an intern. Ever since I helped rehabilitate and release "Whittle" I have fallen in love with hawksbills.

Adrienne.m@seaturtleinc.org

Kat Lillie , Environmental Educator

I am so excited to be the new educator for Sea Turtle, Inc! I was born and raised in Indiana and have a BS in Wildlife and a BA in Spanish Languages and Literature from Purdue University. I had my first experience working with sea turtles in North Carolina in 2008. After I saw my first nesting turtle (a 350 pound loggerhead), I knew that I wanted to continue working to conserve these amazing animals. I’m so proud to be a part of an organization that dedicates itself to this cause. I think the best part of my job is watching people react to seeing sea turtles for the first time. I hope that my work here will inspire a new generation of environmentally-conscious sea turtle protectors!!

Favorite Sea Turtle Species: I will always have a soft spot for loggerheads since they are the first sea turtle I ever worked with! After a summer of seeing nesting mommas and helping hatchlings down to the ocean, it’s easy to fall in love with them!

Kat.lillie@seaturtleinc.org

Chris Devlin , Veterinary Technician

I began as an intern at Sea Turtle, Inc. during the 2010 season after acquiring an interest for these amazing reptiles from a leatherback nesting experience in Costa Rica. I am from Buffalo, NY, and obtained an Associates and Bachelors degree in Veterinary Technology from Medaille College along with an AVMA board certified license. I am looking forward to providing Sea Turtle, Inc. with as much medical assistance as possible in order to ensure that these animals will be around for generations!

Favorite Sea Turtle Species: Although, my first sea turtle experience was with Leatherbacks, I believe that my favorite species is the Atlantic Green sea turtles. They have an attitude that is sure to brighten up any bad day! However, I fell in love with Tex the Kemp’s ridley this summer as an intern!

Chris.devlin@seaturtleinc.org

Mary Laddis, Part Time Staff Member

Mary has worked with Sea Turtle, Inc. since 1994. She began as a volunteer with our founder and has been hooked with the organization ever since. Mary works part time as a staff member. She has traveled all around the world diving with many species of sea turtle.

Favorite Sea Turtle Species: Atlantic green sea turtles are my favorite species. They are the layed back vegetarians of the ocean. It's impossible to not love those "cool" greens!

Mary.laddis@seaturtleinc.org

Dave Cromwell, Part Time Environmental Educator

I have been blessed having three wonderful careers . It has always been a joy for me to "go to work." Although I'm there only three days a week, Sea Turtle Inc. is an absolute first rate place to work. And to be afforded the opportunity to be on the Federal permit responding to nesting Kemp's ridleys each turtle season is really icing on the cake. Vivan las tortugas!

Favorite Sea Turtle Species: The Atlantic Green because my first encounter with sea turtles involved assisting with 13 nesting females in one night in Costa Rica in 1996.

Dave.cromwell@seaturtleinc.org

SPX, Nest Recovery Dog

SPX is a red heeler who is now part of our nest recovery team. His owner, Dave Cromwell trains SPX to sniff out nests. The previous year's eggshells are kept to train SPX during the off season. His worker's union only lets him work three days per week but he works for cookies!!!!

Sea Turtle, Inc. has always relied heavily on volunteer labor in order to maximize its contributions to sea turtle conservation. Annually, volunteers provide over 4,000 hours of labor. An internship program began in the summer of 2001, providing a hands-on learning experience for university students. We expect to expand and continue to use our formal volunteer and internship programs in order to minimize salary expenditures while maximizing community involvement.

Dr. Patrick Burchfield, PhD
Chairman Scientific-Advisory Board, Sea Turtle, Inc.

• United States Kemp’s ridley Sea Turtle Recovery Field Group Coordinator for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
• Gladys Porter Zoo Director, Zoologist
• Dr. Burchfield is considered to be one of the world’s leading authorities on the Kemp’s ridley sea turtle. Also, his expertise in nesting conservation practices is sought from around the world.

Mr. Robert Cackley, B.S.
Merrill Lynch Financial Advisor

• Mr. Cackley has worked as a sea turtle field biologist in Mexico and also lends expertise in non-profit financial planning.

Ms. Carol DeMoss
Owner, Camp Lula Sams Wildlife Refuge

• Ms. DeMoss has over 20 years of professional fundraising expertise.

Mr. Jeff George, B.S.
Curator and Treasurer, Sea Turtle, Inc.

• Mr. George has been associated with Sea Turtle, Inc. since 1992. He was an active volunteer and President until 2000 when he was hired as STI’s first full-time Curator. He has 15 years management experience and 15 years of experience in education.

Mr. Les Hodgson
Co-owner Marco Sales

• Mr. Hodgson represents the United States on the Consultative Committee of Inter- American Conference on Sea Turtle Restoration. He is a board member on the
  Texas Shrimper’s Association. He also serves on the Kemp’s ridley Sea Turtle Recovery Team. He is considered an expert by the Department of Interior on the fishing industry and its relationship with sea turtles.

Ms. Mary Laddis
Secretary, Sea Turtle, Inc.

• Docent, Gladys Porter Zoo
• Legal Assistant
• Ms. Laddis has worked as a volunteer at Sea Turtle, Inc. since 1994. She has also volunteered at other sea turtle conservation projects in the U.S., Mexico, Honduras, Venezuela, Costa Rica and Africa.

Ms. Vera Perrera, B.A.

• Ms. Perrera has worked in the marketing departments of HEB grocers and Coca Cola Co. in Mexico. She is currently working as a marketing director for a large bi-national construction company.

Mr. Shane Wilson, M.S.
President, Sea Turtle, Inc.

• Administrator, Point Isabel Independent School District
• Mr. Wilson has also worked in corporate staff development.

Ms. Peggy Trahan
Vice-president, Sea Turtle, Inc.

• Business owner, Peggy’s Treasures
• Ms. Trahan is a former Mayor of South Padre Island, Texas

Dr. Patrick Burchfield, Chairman

Dr. Kimberly Herrin, DVM.
A veterinarian with many years of experience in treating injured sea turtles.

Mr. Jack Woody
Former National Sea Turtle Coordinator, USFW

Dr. David Owens
Director, Grice Marine Laboratory, University of Charleston, Charleston, SC

Dr. Joe Flanagan, DVM
Senior veterinarian for the Houston Zoo with many years experience treating sea turtles