Board of Directors

Danny Rivera, President

Danny was born in Brooklyn, New York and lived his teenage years in Utuado, Puerto Rico. He retired after 23 years as a Chief Warrant Officer in the U.S. Coast Guard. He specialized in Security and Disaster Management. Danny’s transition to the non-profit industry was a personal decision to pursue a course for the better good of Puerto Rico, his second home.

​He holds a Master’s Degree in Public Administration and an MBA degree in non-profit organization management. He has been married to Anamarie for over 20 years. 

​To learn more about Danny, visit his LinkedIn page at https://www.linkedin.com/in/danny-rivera-mpa-mba-505910b1/

Anamarie Rivera, Vice President

Anamarie was born in Florida but has spent much of her life in Puerto Rico with her family in Utuado. Growing up she spent summers on her grandparent’s farm helping collect coffee beans, feeding the chickens and pigs, and riding horses. She also spent time with family playing in the rivers and visiting the beaches. ​Anamarie met her husband, Danny Rivera, while he was stationed at the U.S. Coast Guard Base in San Juan. They travel from Florida to Puerto Rico several times a year. 

​Anamarie obtained Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Environmental Science & Policy and has worked for 18 years for Pinellas County Government. She currently oversees several environmental compliance and outreach programs for watershed protection.

​To learn more about Anamarie, visit her LinkedIn page at https://www.linkedin.com/in/anamarie-rivera-a227559/

Melanie Weed, Treasurer

Melanie Weed grew up in France and spent all of her time on the Brittany coast as a child sailing, where she developed an early love for the ocean. She later moved to the U.S. and finally to Florida, where she graduated from Eckerd College with a degree in Environmental Policy. Melanie has worked for Pinellas County government for 23 years, and is currently the Division Director for Environmental Management. Part of her experience includes coordinating with state and local agencies, and finding opportunities to cooperate with local businesses.

To learn more about Melanie, visit her LinkedIn page at https://www.linkedin.com/in/melanieweed/

Ryan Deibler, Board Member

Ryan grew up in Tidewater Virginia, catching butterflies, and collecting fossils, shells, rocks, and anything else he could find while exploring the woods and beaches. He decided at an early age that protecting the environment, and specifically endangered species, would be his lifelong pursuit. Ryan earned B.S. and Master’s degrees in biology from the College of William and Mary in Virginia. After several years working  for environmental consultants in Florida, Ryan started GreenSource Environmental Professionals, Inc in March 2009. His firm specializes in large-scale ecosystem restoration projects, wetland mitigation banking, and endangered species conservation banking. 

To learn more about Ryan, visit his LinkedIn page at https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryan-deibler-16115921/

Rafael Rivera, Board Member

Rafael was born in Santurce Puerto Rico and was raised between the towns of Amelia, Guaynabo, Cataño, and Bayamon. He left Puerto Rico after joining the US Coast Guard where he was a Maritime Law Enforcement Officer which included enforcing environmental laws and regulations. He retired in Florida after 21 years of service with his wife and 2 kids. Rafael spends his time as an avid paddle boarder, cyclist, and board member of the local Bike Club. 

To learn more about Rafael, visit his LinkedIn page at https://www.linkedin.com/in/rafaelriveranieves