Team
Elizabeth Hoover • Rosemary Mann • Neil Hammerschlag
Elizabeth Hoover, known as Lacey, was born in North Canton, Ohio. Daughter of businessman Herbert W. Hoover, Jr. and Carl Good, she grew up in one of AmericaÕs premier industrial families. Her grandfather started the Hoover Vacuum Cleaner Company in the early 1900Õs and pioneered its early engineering and marketing innovations. Her father served as President of the Hoover Vacuum Company and led the business to the number one position in sales worldwide.
Inspired by her father, Lacey Hoover was involved in environmental issues from a young age. Mr. Hoover was an early leader in the conservation movement, fighting to protect Biscayne Bay and leading the effort to create Biscayne National Park. The Hoover Environmental Defense Fund and the Hoover Environmental Group were created to protect the fragile marine environment of South Florida. Working to provide accurate information through scientific research; create awareness through public information and education; prevent off-shore oil drilling; and provide support for Biscayne National Park, have been Hoover initiatives for over forty years. When her father passed away in 1998, Lacey took over the Herbert W. Hoover Foundation, based in North Canton, Ohio, and the Hoover Environmental Group based in Florida. She has continued her father's legacy of environmental protection, philanthropy and using scientific research to create awareness.
In her leadership of the Hoover Environmental Group, Lacey created a unique initiative to protect her father's legacy, Biscayne National Park. Recognizing the potential threat to this precious environmental resource from a proposed development of a commercial airport at Homestead Air Force Base, she developed the Hoover Environmental Group's proposal for a mixed-used alternative project.
Leading the effort to present the federal government with a viable alternative, Lacey championed the concept of development of demonstration projection for sustainable development centered on a world-class aquarium. In her usual determined manner that knows no boundaries, she identified the worldÕs leading aquarium designers, Chermayeff Sollogub and Poole, and engaged them in the project design.
Lacey's efforts resulted in creation of a serious alternative for South Dade to preserve its environment while also promoting its economic revitalization. It was recognized as a preferred alternative by the Federal government and played an instrumental role in preventing development of a commercial airport in a sensitive area.
Lacey is the Chairman of the Herbert W. Hoover Foundation, Hoover Environmental Foundation, and Hoover Environmental Group. She is serving on or has served on the boards of the Marine Conservation Biology Institute, Pew Institute for Ocean Science, Nova Southeastern University's Oceanographic Center, South Florida National Park Trust, National First Ladies Library and several others. Environmentalist, philanthropist, and mother, Lacey Hoover embodies a long tradition of community service, entrepreneurial skill and the teaching of the next generation to preserve their natural resources and leave the world a better place.
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A frequent consultant to non-profit, marine and business organizations, Rosemary Mann has extensive senior management experience in sales, fundraising, marketing and special events management.
Mann presently serves as the Program Director for the Herbert W. Hoover Foundation and Partner of the Hoover Environmental Group, a Florida based corporation dedicated to creating economic solutions for environmental challenges, through education, public outreach, community revitalization and economic development.
Mann served as the Director of Development for Nova Southern University's Oceanographic Center from July 2006 Š December 2007, where she developed a national board of advisors and implemented a $50 million capital fundraising campaign. Mann also raised $3 million to support the 11th International Coral Reef Symposium held in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida in July 2008.
From October 2003- June 2006, Mann served as Director of Operations and Program Development for the Pew Institute for Ocean Science. The Pew Institute for Ocean Science was founded in October 2003 at the University of MiamiÕs Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences, with the generous support of the Pew Charitable Trusts to develop world-class marine conservation science programs. In this position, she managed a staff of scientists and administrators working on international research and marine conservation programs, while also successfully fundraising to match the $3 million per year contribution of the Pew Charitable Trusts.
Her expertise in marine conservation and successful development campaigns was initiated in her position as Assistant Dean of Development (1995-2002) for the Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science at the University of Miami where Mann successfully developed and implemented a $30 million capital fundraising campaign strategy for the University of Miami's Center for Sustainable Fisheries. In connection with the campaign, she created and directed a board of advisors consisting of national CEOs and celebrities, while cultivating major gifts from corporations, foundations, and individuals.
MannÕs accomplishments also encompass the areas of leadership and development training, helping organizations enhance their internal skill sets. She has mentored and trained management, faculty, staff, and volunteers in the fundraising process, while helping to build marketing and public relations skills.
In the private sector, Mann has also demonstrated her ability to create successful and profitable business development strategies and practices.
Working as President and Chief Operating Officer for MedFacts, Inc., (February 2002 Š October 2003), a medical insurance audit firm, Mann successfully relocated the corporate headquarters and reorganized the corporationÕs management structure resulting in increased profits and productivity. MedFacts realized its most profitable year under MannÕs leadership. In addition to her duties as the COO, Mann directed the Latham Foundation, a non-profit charitable foundation, with interests in education and the environment.
As Account Executive for AT&T Corporation (1994-1995), Mann successfully built partnerships with corporate leaders, including the H. Wayne Huizenga sports organizations (Miami Dolphins, Florida Marlins, Florida Panthers and Joe Robbie Stadium). This relationship dramatically increased corporate identity and brand loyalty for AT&T in the South Florida business community.
From June 1987 to June 1993, Mann was consistently ranked as one of the top three account managers in the country for Metromedia/ITT Corporation where she maintained a customer base of $2 million annually. She received numerous awards for leadership, outstanding achievement, problem solving and market share growth. She also conducted training sessions for sales teams nationwide to increase product knowledge and industry awareness.
Mann has provided marketing, public relations and fundraising expertise for numerous civic and not-for-profit organizations, including the Miami-Dade County Public School System, the City of South Miami, Alliance for Youth, Inc., and University of Miami Citizens Board.
She is a graduate of the University of Miami with a Bachelor of Arts degree in communication and marketing.
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Neil Hammerschlag is Ph.D. Candidate at the University of Miami, Rosenstiel School for Marine and Atmospheric Science. His doctoral research focuses on the community ecology of mangrove fishes as well as the ecology of marine predators, particularly sharks, and how they influence the foraging behavior of their prey. Neil also directs marine science research and education programs for Floridian students.
Neil studied Great White Shark predatory behavior for his master's degree in marine biology at Nova Southeastern University. He completed his undergraduate degree in ecology at the University of Toronto, in Canada. Neil has satellite tagged and genetically sampled Whale Sharks in Honduras, studied bats in Costa Rica and Nicaragua, studied coral disease off Bermuda, studied sensory modalities of crayfish at the University of Toronto, has researched Great White Shark feeding ecology in South Africa since 2002 and has studied habitat utilization of pelagic sharks in the Mozambique channel.
In addition to his skills as a researcher, Neil is a Master Scuba Diver and educator. In 2006 he established and began co-directing the South Florida Student Shark Program (SFSSP), a multi-disciplinary education program that promotes student career development in the natural sciences focusing on the study and conservation of Floridian sharks and their habitats. In 2004, Neil took a group of local Floridian high school students and teachers on an incredible trip to South Africa to study Great White Sharks and participate in hands-on research. Hammerschlag has a long-standing interest in wildlife photography and his photographs and work have been featured in various multi-media including CNN, The Miami Herald and PBS.
Neil Hammerschlag currently co-directs the South Florida Student Shark Program (SFSSP), which supports student career development in a variety of natural science disciplines, while promoting the conservation of coastal Floridian shark species, mangrove fish habitat and the Florida watershed through service learning, education and research. The SFSSP is a partnership between the Southern Florida Chapter of the Explorers Club, the NOAA Living Marine Resources Cooperative Science Center and the Herbert W. Hoover Foundation. As part of the program, this past year, 150 high school and university students traveled to key sites in and around Biscayne and Florida Bay where they sampled sharks and fishes.
Neil is a South African native, raised in Canada, who now resides in Miami. He is dedicated to conservation and his goal is to educate the public about the wonders of and perils faced by sharks. To follow or get involved with his current projects & conservation efforts, visit his personal website Neil4Sharks.org
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