About Us
Staff Bios
Della Barbato - Manager of Education Programs
Della Barbato has been with GBF since March 2007. She comes from a science educator background, serving as the middle school science teacher and developer
of curricula at an accredited Montessori school for five years. Her duties include giving Bay Ambassador presentations to local schools as well as within
other partner programs; and continuing existing and developing other classroom environmental projects such as Get Hip to Habitat with local schools and
community organizations. She has a B.S. and M.S. in the College of Agriculture from Texas A&M University.
Contact info: (281) 332-3381 x212 dbarbato@galvbay.org
Vicki Conley - Marketing and Membership Coordinator
Vicki Conley joined the GBF staff in May, 2007, after a twenty year career in marketing. Vicki is in charge of managing and recruiting members for the
Galveston Bay Foundation and has overseen GBF's recent database conversion to the online database E-Tapestry. Vicki's expertise in marketing will help GBF
continue to raise its profile in the Galveston Bay community.
Contact info: (281) 332-3381 x213 vconley@galvbay.org
Jim Dobberstine - Land Programs Manager
As Land Programs Manager at the Galveston Bay Foundation, Jim is focused on conserving wetlands and other important coastal habitats. He manages projects
ranging from ecological research to land conservation and habitat restoration. Jim received a B.A. in biology in 1993 from Concordia College in Portland,
Oregon, a Masters in Environmental Management from the University of Houston Clear Lake (UHCL) in 2005, and a Masters in Environmental Science in 2007, also
from UHCL. Jim enjoys other professional interests including teaching environmental science, and is active in numerous professional organizations, including
the Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry, the Society for Wetland Scientists, and as a board member of the Texas Association of Environmental
Professionals.
Contact Info: (281) 332-3381 x215 jdobberstine@galvbay.org
Lynne Donoghue - Financial Administrator
Lynne has served as GBF's financial administrator since October, 2006. She has both a B.S. and an M.A. in Accounting from the University of Alabama. She
is in charge of all GBF accounts payable and receivable and handles grant billing for GBF.
Contact Info: (281) 332-3381 x202 ldonoghue@galvbay.org
Courtney Miller - Grants Administrator
Courtney Miller has been with GBF since March 2002, previously as Habitat Restoration Coordinator and currently as Grants Administrator. In her current
position, she manages GBF’s active grants, seeks opportunities for additional habitat restoration project and general funding, and participates in project
development. She graduated summa cum laude with a B.S. in Environmental Biology from the University of Houston–Clear Lake, where she was active in the
Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry (SETAC) and participated in a low water expedition on the Amazon River.
Contact info: (281) 332-3381 x214 cmiller@galvbay.org
Vanessa Mintzer – Director of Community Programs
Vanessa Mintzer recruits and trains GBF volunteers, plans community restoration projects, coordinates GBF outreach and education events, and takes on a
variety of other tasks that promote appreciation and stewardship of Galveston Bay. Vanessa has a B.S. in Environmental Science from the University of
Florida (Go Gators!) and a Masters in Environmental Management from Duke University. Her love for marine life has guided many aspects of her life and
she feels very fortunate to work for an organization that strives to conserve natural resources.
Contact info: (281) 332-3381 x 207 vmintzer@galvbay.org
Philip Smith - Habitat Restoration Coordinator
Philip Smith joined GBF in May 2006. Prior to joining GBF, Philip worked as a contract employee to NOAA Fisheries (Galveston, TX and Panama City, FL)
for 6 years focusing on commercial fishing data collection, data management, quality control, and at-sea safety. Philip is a 1997 graduate of the
University of Alabama and received a B.S. in biology and marine science.
Contact info: (281) 332-3381 x210 psmith@galvbay.org
Bob Stokes - President
Bob Stokes is a 1990 graduate of Yale University and a 1994 graduate of the University of Texas School of Law. After practicing law for ten years,
Bob joined the Galveston Bay Foundation as President in June, 2004. Bob had served on the board of the Foundation for five years prior to taking over
as President and had served as the board’s chair for the previous two years. Bob has also served on the Houston Wilderness Board of Directors since
2004 and on the Governing Board of Earth Share of Texas beginning in 2007.
Contact info: (281) 332-3381 x211 bstokes@galvbay.org
Lee Anne Wilde - Special Projects Coordinator
Lee Anne Wilde received a B.A. in Anthropology in 1990 from Texas A&M University - College Station and an M.S. degree in Marine Resource Management in
2005 from Texas A&M University - Galveston. Lee Anne has worked on the Foundation's annual Marsh Mania event for three years. In addition, she has
recently begun working with private landowners on the Foundation's Living Shorelines Initiative, a program geared toward habitat restoration and
enhancement on private lands.
Contact info: (281) 332-3381 x205 lwilde@galvbay.org
