Friends of Florida State Parks, Inc. Board Elects New Officers

APOPKA – The Friends of Florida State Parks, Inc. (FFSP) is pleased to announce new officers and board members for the 2010-2011 fiscal year beginning July 1. FFSP is the statewide citizen support organization (CSO) for the Department of Environmental Protection’s Florida Park Service.

“The Friends of Florida State Parks is a non-profit support group dedicated to enhancing and promoting Florida’s state parks,” said Florida Park Service Director Mike Bullock. “I am very pleased with the quality and caliber of the FFSP board members and would like to welcome the new additions.”

The unanimously elected FFSP members include:

• President - Tammy Gustafson, Orlando, Florida

o Director, National Sales
o Universal Orlando Resort

• President-Elect – Jamie Tacy, Sarasota, Florida o Internet Marketing Manager o Fantasy of Flight

• Secretary – Sally Hess, Dunedin, Florida o Retired

• Treasurer – Phil Jalwan, Trinity, Florida o CPA o Price & Associates, CPAs

• Board Member – Richard Goldman, St. Augustine, Florida o Executive Director o St. Augustine, Ponte Vedra & The Beaches Visitors & Conventions Bureau

• Board Member – Amy Rodriguez, Coral Gables, Florida o President o The Rodriguez Group

• Board Member – Paula Russo, Archer, Florida o Volunteer o Florida Park Service

The FFSP is recognized as the leading advocate for state parks. The group’s vision in supporting the mission of the Florida Park Service is to ensure the existence of …the Real FloridaSM for future generations by preserving and protecting state parks, educating residents and visitors about their importance and creating community support. The organization provides financial support to the parks system which supplements state funding and ensures inclusion of and accessibility to the full enjoyment of the parks natural and cultural resources for all persons.

“The mission of the Friends of Florida State Parks, Inc. is to preserve nature based recreation opportunities for future generations,” said President Tammy Gustafson. “We look forward to assisting and helping to support all of Florida’s state parks.”

For more information and a complete list of board members, or to join the FFSP, visit www.FriendsofFloridaStateParks.com. Members enjoy a variety of benefits, and help the state park system provide the quality service and programs it is known for.

Created in 1935 by the Florida Legislature, the Florida State Park system has grown from eight to 160 parks in the last 75 years. Today, the Florida Park Service manages more than 700,000 acres of Florida’s natural environment, including 100 miles of beaches, eight National Historic Landmarks and 39 sites on the National Register of Historic Places. Florida State Parks has been recognized by the National Recreation and Park Association as the nation’s first and only two-time Gold Medal winner for the nation’s best park service.

To learn more about the 75th Anniversary and the history of Florida State Parks, visit www.floridastateparks.org/history. To follow Florida State Parks on Twitter, visit www.Twitter.com/FLStateParks.