The Callie Mae Sea Foundation consists of numerous individuals who donate the majority of their time because they are so passionate about the marine realm. Below are some of the key members we have that dedicate their time and energy to our cause.
People protect what they love.
Jacques Yves Cousteau
Dr. Virginia (Ginger) Schweiss – COO/Lead Scientist
Dr. Schweiss is an Adjunct Faculty member at the University of Hawaii-West Oahu, teaching Hawaiian Environmental Biology, Human Anatomy & Physiology, Marine Biology, and Biology & Society. She also taught many summers at the Gulf Coast Research Lab in Ocean Springs Mississippi for the University of Southern Mississippi. Ginger’s doctoral dissertation focused on oyster reef restoration in the Mississippi Sound, and her desire is to see the return of abundant and prosperous oyster reefs all along the Gulf and Atlantic coasts. Her passion for the seas is apparent to anyone who spends a minute talking with her.
Education
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- Ph. D. University of Southern Mississippi, Coastal Sciences May 2017
Dissertation title: “Examination of trophic relations affecting
oyster reef restoration in the MS Sound.”
- Ph. D. University of Southern Mississippi, Coastal Sciences May 2017
- BS Northwest Missouri State University, Marine Biology April 2012
Graduated with Honors, Magna Cum Laude
Second major: Biological Psychology
Erik Schweiss – Executive Director
Erik Schweiss has a background in Cyber Operations with the United States Air Force. He started off his career in Biloxi Mississippi at Cyber Training for the Air Force. There he fell in love with diving and his passion for marine life blossomed. Erik’s cyber and technical skills are used to manage the organization’s cyber presence, produce educational videos and utilize the latest technology for the CMSF’s mission. These are not the only skills he brings to our organization. While on a Staff job in the Air Force as the Chief of Training, he stood up a Cyber training center for the Air Force. He was told the project would take several years. Erik procured $2.5 Million for the project. His proposal to the opening ribbon cutting ceremony took only 7 months! Erik’s skills also include fast concept to production management and organizational fundraising.
Jerry Atkinson – Operations Lead of CMSF Mississippi Branch
Jerry is on the board of directors as the Harrison County representative and is acting treasurer for the Mississippi Gulf Fishing Banks, a 501c3 organization dedicated to developing and monitoring fishing reefs off the Mississippi Gulf Coast. He is also very involved with the Callie Mae Sea Foundation and serves as the operations lead of their Mississippi branch.
