Board of Directors
Sherry Sass-President
Trained as a biologist; all of Sherry’s professional experience (in Massachusetts) involved marine life--mostly fish. When she relocated to Arizona in 1988, she had a lot to learn about this very different environment, so worked through a master's degree in public administration, focusing on water resources and public policy. Since then Sherry has run two small health-care businesses, and never did use that extra education in a career, but it came in handy when Sherry and a small but plucky group of local folks started FOSCR in 1991. Sherry currently works part-time for Santa Cruz County on their GIS system, and hopes someday to successfully germinate an Arizona walnut.
Amy McCoy-Vice President
Amy has enjoyed serving for over 5 years on the board of Friends of the Santa Cruz and considers it an honor to work with such an outstanding board on conserving the Santa Cruz River. Currently, Amy works at the Sonoran Institute in Tucson where she focuses on river conservation, science, and policy. In her spare time, she claims to also be working on her dissertation, though she’s probably cycling, gardening, hiking, or traveling with her husband Brian.
Lah-May Bremer-Secretary
Lah-May Bremer has been a member of Global Community Communications Alliance-a nonprofit organization, church, and religious order for 14 years. Besides being an ordained minister, she has been editor of the publication the Alternative Voice for 5 years addressing local, national, and global issues from a more spiritual perspective. She moved to Tumacacori in April of 2007 and, as part of the organization, is involved in sustainability, water, organic farming, community supported agriculture issues, and eco-village living.
Jennifer Parks-Treasurer
Jennifer Parks is a Park Ranger at Sonoita Creek State Natural Area, which is within the Santa Cruz River watershed. Her work interests include protecting wild places and strives to instill an appreciation of nature in today’s youth. Away from work she enjoys just about anything that involves playing outside, reading, traveling and being a part of FOSCR.
Ann Audrey
Ann has been on the Board of FOSCR since 2002. She has a long time interest in rivers, and has worked on Santa Cruz River issues in both Santa Cruz and Pima County since 1999. She currently works at the City of Tucson’s new Office of Conservation and Sustainable Development (OCSD) where her focus areas are riparian habitat preservation and restoration, promoting rainwater harvesting and other sustainability techniques, and working with wildlife corridor issues. Prior to her City position, Ann managed riparian restoration projects for Tucson Audubon Society, where use of sustainable design principles and techniques, including water harvesting, were integral to the success of major restoration efforts. Ann has also worked in the fields of water resources planning and environmental consulting. Ann has a master’s degree in Water Resources Administration and advanced training in permaculture design.
Dustin Garrick
Dustin joined the FOSCR board in 2007 and has lived in Arizona since 2002. He is finishing a PhD in Geography at the University of Arizona with a focus on water policy and environmental water allocation in the semi-arid Western U.S. In addition to his academic research, he is active as a consultant for conservation groups seeking to conserve Arizona's natural and cultural heritage, most recently by launching the Desert Rivers Initiative with the Arizona Open Land Trust. In his (rare) spare time, Dustin enjoys spending time with his wife, Heather, and hiking, running and touring desert rivers.
Marty Jakle
Marty Jakle lives in Rio Rico with his dog and pal Freedom. Marty has been in Arizona 30 years; he moved to Rio Rico last year after a retiring as a biologist from the Federal Government after 25 years, the last 10 years spent with the Fish and Wildlife Service.
Marty is current a member of the Santa Cruz Co. Planning and Zoning Commission and interested in how development impacts especially the riparian ecosystem of the County. He is currently on the Friends Board of Directors.
Ben Lomeli
Ben has a B.S. Watershed Management - U of A. He is a consulting Hydrologist and Natural Resources Scientist with over 28 years working experience, both in government and private sector. He specializes in Water Rights, Riparian Ecosystems, Flood Control, Riverine Morphology, Grazing Systems, Erosion Control, Site and Water Development, Groundwater and International Issues.
Tony Sedgwick
Tony sedgwick’s family have ranched in Santa Cruz County since the 50’s, he operates a ranch foundation in the Upper Santa Cruz River basin dedicated to advancing issues in education agriculture and environmental conservation.
Cynthia Shoemaker
Cynthia as been involved in environmental education in Santa Cruz County many years. The Santa Cruz River, Its People and Environment has taught thousands of local school children about their community as it relates to the Santa Cruz River, as well as teachers, park docents, university professors, and other interested people. Through this program Cynthia has built partnerships and collaborations with a variety of organizations to educate people so they can have an appreciation for the river and want to protect it. Because of her work with this program she has been recognized at the national, state, and local level. In 2001 Cynthia received a distinguished teaching award from the National Council for Geographic Education, an award from the AZ State Superintendent for Public Schools, and recognition by the Nogales Unified School District school board. Cynthia is also currently serving on the board of the Santa Cruz Valley Heritage Alliance. In addition she tries to capture a sense of place through photography locally and around the world.
Curtis Smith
Curtis has been a board member since 2006 and has an educational background in Biology and Geography with a master’s degree in Printing Technology from RIT. Curtis has been living in the Tubac area for eight years and is a real estate associate broker with Long Realty Company. He focuses on rural ranch properties and some commercial real estate for work and get out to hike and bird in the region between Tubac and Patagonia in his off time. Land use planning, water resources and drainage are of significance for the upper Santa Cruz River as the area becomes more developed. Curtis is dedicated to helping the area grow responsibly by use of careful planning.