Staff
We are a team of diligent and dedicated environmental advocates. We trust one another to speak up, do the right thing, hold one another accountable, and commit to the end goal: a clean and healthy Mobile Bay Watershed, and the sustainability of coastal resources where our community can safely swim, fish, work, and play.
WILLIAM STRICKLAND
Executive Director
WSTRICKLAND@MOBILEBAYKEEPER.ORG
A native of Tuscaloosa, William began his career in the field of environmental engineering before moving into the faith-based non-profit sector.
William graduated from the University of Alabama where he earned a BS in Civil Engineering with a focus on water issues. He played football under Nick Saban at Alabama, winning two national championships during his time there. He also received a Master of the Arts in Missional Theology at Covenant Theological Seminary.
William’s love for nature and an understanding of humans’ place in it were instilled in him from an early age by his late grandfather, Bill, a conservationist and outdoorsman. He hopes to pass that love on to his three young children. He brings to the organization a passion for process and excellence gained during his time under Saban at Alabama.
CASSIE BATES
Staff Scientist
Cassie grew up in the Phenix City, Alabama/Columbus, Georgia area. Despite being fairly landlocked, she always harbored a passion for estuarine, coastal, and marine science. At LaGrange College, she earned a B.S. in Biology with minors in Servant Leadership and Sustainability, and recently completed a M.S. degree in Marine Conservation and Resource Management at the University of South Alabama. After graduating, she worked as a Lab Manager/Technician at the Dauphin Island Sea Lab, where she processed Arctic cruise samples of phytoplankton communities.
As the Staff Scientist at Mobile Baykeeper, Cassie collaborates with stakeholders in our community to incorporate diverse technical expertise to inform the work we do. She also stays up-to-date on research and findings that guide our programmatic decision making towards successful outcomes.
Cassie is passionate about making scientific information both tangible and accessible to communities who are directly impacted by environmental concerns and inspiring them to become engaged in making our watershed a healthy and sustainable resource. In her free time, she enjoys the outdoors, traveling when she can, scuba diving or fishing, and baking for friends!
Cade Kistler
Baykeeper
Meet Cade Kistler. Cade grew up on Guntersville Lake in North Alabama. After earning his B.S. from Auburn University, he took a position with the U.S. Forest Service as a wilderness restoration intern in Washington state. However, sweet home Alabama called, and Cade returned to work on his M.S. at Auburn University.
After getting married, he followed his wife to her home in Baldwin County and has been exploring the treasures of the Gulf Coast since. In his spare time, Cade likes to kayak and bike with his wife and snow-ski whenever he can. Cade is thrilled to have the opportunity to work for the citizens of the Alabama Gulf Coast and preserve the environment of this majestic area.
As the Baykeeper, Cade leads efforts to defend and revive the waters of Coastal Alabama by driving long-term environmental projects, enforcing accountability, and moving decision-makers toward action. He searches out and solves pollution problems firsthand—using a boat, kayak, drone, or on foot—to ensure measurable improvements in water quality, all with the ultimate goal of achieving a future where fish are safe to eat, waters are safe to swim, seagrasses and oyster reefs thrive, and our community takes responsibility for protecting these vital resources.
Caine O'Rear
Communications Director
A Mobile native, Caine is the former editor in chief of American Songwriter magazine. Prior to music journalism he covered Virginia politics and the financial services industry for various publications. Caine holds a B.A. in English from the University of Virginia and an M.A. in Journalism and Public Affairs from American University. In his free time, he enjoys kayak fishing in the Delta and rocking out with his band Bearhead.
As Communications Director, Caine reports to Baykeeper’s community of members and volunteers – as well as the public at large – on issues critical to the health of the Mobile Bay Watershed. He is the editor of Baykeeper’s quarterly print magazine, CURRENTS.
Will Dickson
Major Donor Officer
Originally from Montgomery, Will has called Mobile home for much of his adult life. Over the years, he has developed deep roots in the community and a strong appreciation for the people, culture, and waterways that make Coastal Alabama such a special place.
Before joining Mobile Baykeeper, Will built his career in sales and development, working with businesses and organizations throughout Alabama and the Gulf Coast. Through that work, he discovered that what he valued most was building relationships, connecting people, and bringing them together around a shared goal.
Will’s connection to the Mobile community extends well beyond his professional career. For more than 15 years, he has served on the committee for the American Cancer Society’s annual Chili Cook Off in Mobile, helped lead Pink Is the New Green, and participated in the inaugural class of the Mobile Ambassador Program.
As Major Donor Officer, Will builds relationships with individuals, families, businesses, and community partners who share a desire to protect the waters of Coastal Alabama.
Will lives in the Oakleigh Garden District with his wife, Amanda, and their two dogs, Jabo and Carter. Outside of work, he enjoys fishing and boating, live music, cooking, Auburn sports, and spending time with friends and family.
WESLEY WYATT
FUNDRAISING & STEWARDSHIP STRATEGIST
A lifelong resident of Mobile, the waters of Coastal Alabama are the source of many memories with family and friends for Fundraising and Stewardship Strategist Wesley Wyatt. He grew up swimming, fishing, chasing snakes, frogs, crabs, and gigging flounder in the seagrass beds at his grandparents’ bay house on the bay’s western shore and his dad’s fishing camp in the delta. Even in his not-so-long lifetime here, the degradation of the Bay’s water quality was evident to Wesley and inspired him to switch from a career in advertising to philanthropic fundraising.
Since starting at Baykeeper at the beginning of the covid pandemic in March 2020, Wesley’s fundraising efforts have seen Baykeeper’s membership expand by 33%. He nurtures relationships with baykeepers around the country to ensure the organization’s financial needs are met, while also leading campaigns and events that demonstrate how our members’ love for our waters can protect their future and our coastal way of life.
Wesley spends his time cruising the Delta in his 1993 Negus, lounging by the beach or pool with a good book, cheering on the Crimson Tide and Green Bay Packers, and talking to anyone and everyone about Alabama’s world-leading biodiversity and natural splendor
Anna Bern
Government Relations Director
A lifelong Alabamian and Montgomery native, Anna Bern brings nearly 18 years of experience in public policy, advocacy, government, and community engagement to Mobile Baykeeper. Throughout her career, she has built relationships with elected officials, community leaders, and stakeholders across Alabama, giving her a deep understanding of the people, communities, and policy decisions that shape our state and impact Coastal Alabama.
Before joining Mobile Baykeeper, Anna served as a UniServ Director and lobbyist for the Alabama Education Association, representing educators across the state and advocating on legislative, policy, and workplace issues. Earlier in her career, she worked in federal government, nonprofit leadership, public affairs, political campaigns, and on environmental and animal welfare policy at the federal level.
As the Government Relations Director, Anna works with legislators, local governments, partner organizations, and community members to advance policies that protect the waters of Coastal Alabama. Her work focuses on strengthening relationships, building support for Mobile Baykeeper’s policy priorities, and helping turn complex environmental issues into practical policy solutions.
Outside of work, Anna is happiest on the water. She enjoys kayaking, spending time at the beach, exploring Alabama’s Gulf Coast, and hanging out with her Giant Schnauzer mix, Sarge.
Valerie Longa
Education Director
Born in Phoenix, Valerie Longa spent her childhood in the states of Arizona, Virginia, and Rhode Island before moving to Alabama as a teenager. She has called Mobile home for 20 years and earned a B.A. in Integrated Communications from Spring Hill College. Valerie’s 12-year career has focused on Alabama’s environment while working with the Gulf of Mexico Alliance, Alabama Coastal Foundation, WildNative Tours, and Nature Connect Outdoor School.
Growing up she spent many days playing in the forests and creeks in her neighborhood, as well as attending and then working as a counselor at a summer camp on the coast of Rhode Island with water skiing, sailing, and windsurfing. She built a strong connection to the natural world and has carried that into her work by helping others to reconnect and develop their relationship with the local environment. Along with her daughter Chloe, and husband Justo, she enjoys time in the outdoors exploring this amazing place we call home.
As the Education Director, Valerie is creating the next generation of stewards by providing meaningful experiences on our local waterways. She is developing a new environmental education plan for Mobile Baykeeper, crafting experiential education programs, and leading the Americorps Education Team.
Nicole Harris
Executive Assistant
Nicole grew up in Northern California in the valley of the Sierra Nevadas, where she learned the importance of environmental protections while hiking, camping, and exploring local swimming holes. After spending time in the Midwest and the South, she now calls Baldwin County home with her husband and two children.
As Executive Assistant at Baykeeper, Nicole supports the Executive Director by keeping daily operations organized and moving with intention. She manages schedules, coordinates travel, and helps keep communication clear so the team can stay focused on protecting the waters she cares deeply about. With years of administrative experience across multiple fields, Nicole brings strong organizational skills and a heart for service. In her free time, she enjoys traveling, creating art, helping with community events, and spending time outdoors with her family.
Charith Denson
Marketing
Charith Denson grew up on the Oregon coast, where she enjoyed surfing as a teenager and playing in the tides. Her grandfather owned a commercial fishing boat and her dad built custom-sport fishing boats, so she got her sea legs early in life.
Charith graduated from George Fox University, where she earned a BA in Communications. At Baykeeper she works as the Director of Content Strategy and Implementation, where she designs branded content and serves as the organization’s brand guardian.
In her free time she enjoys working as a mixed-media artist in the folk idiom, and exploring the Southwest with her family in their Scamp travel-trailer. She paddle-boards and kayaks whenever she gets the chance. She loves experiencing new places through the food scene and culture, with a special fondness for Vietnam and India, due to the sensory experiences they afford.
Vanessa Cochran
Grants Manager
Vanessa Cochran hails from Atlanta. She has a BA in English from the University of Georgia and a Master of Arts in Professional Writing from Kennesaw State University. Vanessa moved to Mobile in 2009 and discovered her knack for grant writing while working for Feeding the Gulf Coast. In 2020, Vanessa joined the Mobile County Health Department to manage federal grants and support the COVID-19 pandemic response.
As Grants Manager, Vanessa brings a decade of expertise in researching grant opportunities, writing grant applications, managing grant awards from the pre-award process through closeout, and coordinating with stakeholders at all levels. Outside of the office, Vanessa enjoys paddling in Mobile Bay and surrounding waterways with her husband, two daughters, and Ziggy the Brittany Spaniel.
Kayla Boyd, PhD
Oyster Project Manager
Originally from Wisconsin, Kayla spent her childhood exploring the natural lakes and stream systems of her home state. She earned her BS from the University of Wisconsin-Stout in Applied Science with a concentration in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology where she conducted research investigating the possible causes of colony collapse disorder in honey bees as well as the cellular impacts of Black Crappie Sarcoma, a fish disease impacting the crappie population throughout Wisconsin.
She earned her PhD from Auburn University in Fisheries, Aquaculture, and Aquatic Sciences, studying how adverse environmental conditions impact oyster energetic use in the Gulf of Mexico through laboratory work and field work. Although her dissertation research primarily focused on oysters, she was also actively involved in research projects that investigated native Alabama crayfish species responses to thermal stress.
As Oyster Project Manager, her goal is to improve the quantity and quality of oyster reefs in Mobile Bay through targeted applied research and community outreach. Her favorite pastimes are hiking through the nature trails around Mobile and Baldwin counties, playing disc golf, and enjoying oysters on the half-shell with family and friends.
Morgan Bishop
Fish and Toxics Specialist
Morgan grew up in Schertz, Texas, where summers meant long days on the river with family and friends—experiences that taught her early on just how important clean, accessible water is to a community. She moved to Mobile in 2020 to attend the University of South Alabama and earned her degree in biology with a concentration in marine sciences in the spring of 2024. She’s now continuing her studies through Oregon State’s Environmental Sciences ECampus Graduate Program.
At Mobile Baykeeper, Morgan digs into the nitty-gritty of fish consumption safety and toxic pollution. She works to track down the sources of harmful pollutants, support stronger standards, and help find real-world solutions to reduce toxic threats in our waterways.
When she’s not buried in research, you’ll probably find Morgan outside—whether she’s paddling local creeks, playing a pickup game of soccer, or hunting down the best hidden gems around town.
Taylor Rogers
Communications Coordinator
A native of Athens, Alabama, Taylor graduated from the University of South Alabama in 2022, with a B.A. in Business Administration. Surrounded by nature as a child, she grew to appreciate the unique biodiversity of Alabama and knew she wanted to do something to protect it. She joined the Baykeeper team to help educate others about what’s happening at the environmental level and how to come together to make changes that help preserve our wildlife and habitat.
She harbors a strong passion for environmental justice, recognizing that certain communities are disproportionately affected by climate change and other environmental hazards. In her free time, she enjoys going to the beach, cooking, and gardening.
Joseph Brennan
Filmmaker
Born and raised in Mobile, Joseph is a documentary filmmaker who places humanity at the forefront of his work. Whether it be comedy, documentary, or digital content, his treatment of the subject matter comes from a place of deep respect for story, character, and nuance. Joseph likes to celebrate details and small moments, and he loves how they lead to larger truths. An editor and cinematographer in addition to being a director, Joseph has created work for Nutella, Food Network, Chicago Cubs, Friendly’s, Mobile Museum of Art, among others.
Joseph is also a big music fan, with a particular fondness for Mobile’s own Jimmy Buffett. After the passing of Buffett in 2023, Brennan co-founded the Son of a Sailor (S.O.S.) Fest, a rollicking street and music festival that honors one of Mobile’s favorite native sons.
Rachel Ball
Oyster Project Coordinator
Ray landed in Fairhope in 2009 after spending her early years near the coastlines of New York and South Carolina—and it didn’t take long for her to realize just how special Mobile Bay is. Inspired by her surroundings and the stories of her favorite children’s author, Suzanne Tate, Ray grew up wanting to be one of the “helpful humans” who take care of the critters, plants, and wild places that can’t speak up for themselves.
She went on to earn her degree in Geography, Sustainability, and Environmental Planning from Jacksonville University, specializing in Sustainability and Resiliency. Even while away at school, she found herself constantly using Mobile Bay as a real-world example in her research. Now back home, she splits her time between exploring the delta, bays, and beaches—and catching live local music with her crew after dark.
As Mobile Baykeeper’s Oyster Project Coordinator, Ray keeps tabs on the oysters our Oyster Keepers are growing, coordinates volunteers for hands-on field days, and helps spread the word about why oysters matter so much to the health of our waters.
Stephen Jellenc
Research Fellow
Stephen is a graduate researcher at the Stokes School of Marine and Environmental Sciences at the University of South Alabama, where his work focuses on the health and restoration of Mobile Bay’s coastal habitats. His M.S. research uses Habitat Suitability Index modeling to identify areas of Mobile Bay where submerged aquatic vegetation, including seagrasses, can thrive.
Stephen studied Marine Science at Auburn University and is an SSI dive professional and AAUS scientific diver with field experience in coral reef and seagrass restoration. His research focuses on seagrass ecology, restoration, and estuarine systems throughout the Gulf Coast.
As a Research Fellow with Mobile Baykeeper, Stephen brings coastal science into conversations about protecting and restoring the waters of Coastal Alabama, helping connect research with practical policy and resource management.
Caitlyn Bingel
UTeach Education Intern
Caitlyn grew up in Hoover, Alabama, where her love of the outdoors began through years of adventures with Girl Scouts. Camping, kayaking, hiking, and exploring throughout the Southeast sparked a lasting appreciation for the natural world and a desire to give back to her community.
She is currently studying Biology at the University of South Alabama with a minor in Education through the UTeach South program. In the future, she hopes to attend medical school and pursue a career in emergency medicine.
As a UTeach Education Intern with Mobile Baykeeper, Caitlyn supports programming for NextGen Baykeepers, helping young people build their own connection to the outdoors and the waters of Coastal Alabama. She hopes to encourage the next generation to explore, care for, and create their own stories in the natural world.
Outside of school and work, Caitlyn enjoys sailing with the USA Sailing Club, working out, and spending time with friends.