Meet our Board

Our board of directors is comprised of a very diverse team of environmentalists, philanthropists, entrepreneurs, and outdoor enthusiasts.  All of whom are highly dedicated to the mission and cause of The Tortoise Conservancy.  Our board is not only focused on the support our efforts provide for the gopher tortoise species, but also the over 350 other species directly impacted by the existence or potential non-existence of the gopher tortoise. All of our voting Board of Director Members support The Tortoise Conservancy on a volunteer only basis and receive no compensation from donations received by the Conservancy.

  

JIM STOUT
Executive Director & CEO
Jim is the founder of The Tortoise Conservancy and has been heavily involved in commercial and residential real estate as well as conservation minded land development for over 25 years. His first hand experience and long standing relationships with several national home builders, various government agencies, along with both private and public environmental and conservation business organizations gives him the perfect combination of experience to lead the Conservancy. As a non-voting member of the board, Jim answers to the board and works directly with the board members to ensure we remain focused on our mission to protect the gopher tortoise species. With Jim's leadership we are on track to that on a very large scale and protect these tortoises for a very long time to come.

 

JOE EDDY
Board of Directors Member
Joe is an entrepreneur, philanthropist, and investor with years of experience in financial stewardship. He is also the managing trustee for the Eddy Family Trust as well as many other business entities.  The Eddy family was one of the few citrus growers in Florida to adopt an "organic only" grove beginning way back in 1959. Joe brings to the Conservancy's board a long family history of environmental stewardship as well as a keen sense of financial awareness.

 

 
JESSICA AZPURUA
Board of Directors Member
Jessica is an environmental specialist and the owner of Paradise Environmental, LLC, an incredible company with an incredible mission of it's own. Paradise assists developers and home builders in adhering to state law and promoting good will with land owners across the state of Florida. Her company provides assistance with required permitting and approvals from governing bodies for the safe transport of the tortoises they locate in harms way and strive to protect. Paradise also works with private and public land owners to maintain their natural wetlands and other ecosystem friendly property management. Jessica and her husband Daryl have been helping to rescue thousands of gopher tortoises for almost two decades all across the state of Florida. 

 

 
DARYL COGGIN
Board of Directors Member
Daryl is the owner of Go-For Diggers, Inc. a company well established in their field.  With over two decades of hands on experience safely removing and transporting thousands of gopher tortoises to their new habitat preserves. They also perform tortoise surveys and studies for land owners both public and private. Prior to any construction or disturbance be allowed to happen, Daryl and his team make sure every tortoise is accounted for and will have a smooth transition to it's new home onto ours and others permanently protected lands. Their team has been licensed by the FWC for many years and are considered by most to be environmental experts in many areas.

 

COLBY CROCHET
Board of Directors Member
Colby has years of experience as an outdoorsman and nature enthusiast. Colby spends most of his spare time overseeing The Tortoise Conservancy's land evaluations and acquisitions.  Starting with the research and location of suitable site for gopher tortoise habitat. He works hand in hand with our support staff and volunteers to make sure our conservation land is maintained and safe for all of the tortoises under our stewardship and the protection and vegetation provided on our lands. If you're a donor and ever visiting any of our tortoise sanctuaries for a day with nature, there's a good chance you'll see Colby somewhere around the property making sure everything is in order.

 

TRACY STOUT
Board of Directors Member, Secretary/Treasurer
Tracy oversees the office staff as well as provides board members with updates and project deadlines, etc.  She is an integral part of the work done behind the scenes to keep all of the Conservancy's projects on track. With years of experience in the title insurance field she understands the administrative side of land acquisition, including knowledge of conservation easements, right of ways, and clearing titles. She maintains our accountability to our donors through thoroughly overseeing all administrative aspects of the Conservancy's efforts.