Leadership

Dr. Everett founded EVCARF in 2020 after his 31 year career at NOAA and 22 years as Founder and President of Ocean Associates, Inc. He founded EVCARF with a strategic goal to provide outstanding conservation and research results and information to the scientific and regulatory bodies and to concerned citizens. He is passionate about attracting, developing and inspiring diverse talent. In addition to his desire for maintaining relationships with the teams he has led or worked with over decades in the governement and private arenas, Dr. Everett is committed to growing and adapting with the changing needs of our conservation community, both domestically and internationally. Earlier in his career he was a commercial fisherman, Chapter Chair for several subjects for the UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC: Polar Regions, Oceans, Coastal Zones, and Fisheries), established and managed the UN Atlas of the Oceans in Rome, and was an Apollo Program launch vehicle (Saturn) and then space craft (Lunar Module) systems engineer. Dr. Everett holds a Doctorate and Masters from Florida State University focused on quantitative systems analysis, administration of federal natural resource agencies, and natural resources research and management. He also has a Bachelor of Science in Engineering from the University of Massachusetts.

Kristin L. Vehrs - President

George Vehrs is Senior Advisor and a board member of the Everett-Vehrs Conservation and Research Foundation. Col. Vehrs (USAF ret.) is widely recognized for his skills as an experienced manager for the US Air Force and Boeing. Among his leadership roles have been: Commander Zweibrücken Air Base; Base Commander Lindsey Air Station and Commander Tinker Air Force Base. For the Boeing Company, he was Finance Manager for Minuteman and E-6 Programs and Business Manager for AWACS programs.

Pres. Reagan with
Col. George J. Vehrs - Senior Advisor and Member, Board of Directors

Eric serves as EVCARF's Director of Science Programs, bringing a strong background in field and laboratory research science and environmental policy to the managerial team at the Foundation. He is responsible for developing and managing environmental, ecological, and social science projects. This includes directing research staff for projects and papers in preparation for submission to peer reviewed journals. In addition, he brings his scientific expertise to strategic planning, procurement work and other business development needs to achieve interdisciplinary solutions. He is passionate about integrating best scientific practices into the business sector to ensure a sustainable future for us and our partners and supporters. Eric will receive his M.S. in Environmental Science and Policy in mid  2025

Paula provides financial direction to EVCARF. She holds holds the Officer positions of Secretary and Treasurer. She has over 25 years of accounting and managerial experience in both private and public sectors. She has managed a large successful Northern Virginia real estate firm where she was responsible for staffing and other HR related duties. She also managed all aspects of financial duties of the business as well as cultivated vendor relations. She became a certified public accountant (CPA) after she received her Bachelor’s degree in Accountancy from George Mason University. Paula began working for a public accounting firm in Washington, DC specializing in tax and audit. Later, she focused primarily on audit with a niche in the non-profit sector. In 2008, she relocated to Houston, Texas where she continued to work in public accounting as an audit supervisor. After more than 11 years in public accounting, Paula decided to go back to the private sector where she became the Director of Finance for large urban church that had six entities and comprehensive consolidated financial statements. Some of Paula’s responsibilities include accounts receivable, accounts payable, monthly reconciliations, year-end tax reporting and maintaining GAAP financial statements. She is also responsible for the overall financial reporting of EVCARF.