The Gulf of Mexico provides food, shelter, protection, security, energy, habitat, recreation, transportation, and navigation – playing an important role in our communities, states, region, and nation. To highlight the value and the vitality of the Gulf of Mexico region, the Gulf of Mexico Alliance is implementing a Gulf- wide awareness campaign called “Embrace the Gulf” for the entire year of 2020. The awareness campaign will culminate in a multi-stakeholder, cross-sector celebration of the importance of the Gulf of Mexico.This campaign includes 365 Positive Gulf Messages posted daily through Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. The campaign is also being supported through proclamations declaring 2020 as the year to Embrace The Gulf.

Meet our core Working Group

Laura Bowie, Executive Director Gulf of Mexico Alliance (GOMA)
Melissa Pringle, Allen Engineering and Science, Inc. (AllenES)
Coastal Resilience & Water Resources Teams, Business Advisory Council (BAC)
Matt Stout, Chief of Staff, NOAA National Marine Sanctuary System
Angela Sallis, Outreach Coordinator, NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information
Jamie Letendre, FL DEP – Florida Coastal Office, Aquatic Preserves
GOMA Education & Engagement State Lead for Florida
Melissa McGee-Collier, MS DEQ Office of Community Engagement
GOMA Education & Engagement State Lead for Mississippi
Kim Caviness, MS DEQ Water Quality Standards Program
GOMA Team and State Lead Water Resources Team
Rhonda Price, MS DMR Coastal Restoration and Resilience
GOMA Team Lead for Coastal Resilience Team
Mike Smith, Harte Research Institute
GOMA Wildlife and Fisheries Team Coordinator
Susan Testroet-Bergeron, Director Barataria Terrebonne National Estuary Program
Jace Tunnell – Director Mission Aransas National Estuarine Research Reserve
GOMA Education and Engagement Team, Marine Debris Cross-Team Initiative
Katie Wallace, Florida Department of Environmental Protection
GOMA Data and Monitoring Team Coordinator
Keala Hughes, Director of Tribal Relations/ External Affairs Specialist
Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration Council (RESTORE Council)
LaKeshia Robertson, Life Scientist, EPA Gulf of Mexico Program
GOMA Education & Engagement Team Federal Co-Facilitator
Lee Yokel, Dauphin Island Sea Lab
GOMA Education and Engagement Team Coordinator, GOMA Communications
Christina Mohrman, Program Manager GOMA
Becky Ginn, Development Director GOMA
Devany Tyler, Events Coordinator GOMA
Brandon Hill, AECOM
Embrace the Gulf State Champion, Texas
Alma Robicheaux Jackson, BTNEP
Embrace the Gulf State Champion, Louisiana
Chris Simoniello, GCOOs
Embrace the Gulf State Champion, Florida
Angela Levins, Dauphin Island Sea Lab
Embrace the Gulf State Champion, Alabama
Patric Harper, US Fish and Wildlife Service