Cypress Rudloe, Executive Director
Cypress Rudloe is the Executive Director of Gulf Specimen Marine Lab. He is the brainchild of two of Gulf Specimen’s newest directions the Sea Mobile and Sharks and Chablis. The Sea Mobile is a mobile aquarium that travels throughout South Georgia and North Florida to schools to teach kids about marine sea life and environmental ecosystems and to protect them. Sharks and Chablis is an annual fundraiser for the aquarium that is held in the spring. The fundraiser helps raise funds for the annual operation of the facilities. It has over 300 to 400 people in attendance each year, and is the aquarium largest fundraiser. He has been attracted to the ocean and marine environment ever since he was a small child. He grew up collecting specimens on the boat for the aquarium, and it became an apparent he was more at home on the ocean than anywhere else. He was raised by Ann Rudloe and Jack Rudloe founders of the aquarium. They are highly respected in the field of marine biology and environmental conservation. He is a scuba diver, boat captain and generally a nice guy. He is very knowledgeable of the marine animals throughout the North Florida area and the different types of ecosystems found in the oceans. His plan is to expand the aquarium so that it can serve more people and continue its mission of teaching people about the marine environments and ways to protect them for future generations to enjoy. He is at the aquarium most days and you can e-mail him at Rudloe.Cypress@gulfspecimen.org.
Jack Rudloe, founder
Education: Independent study, Harvard Museum of Comparative Zoology, Yale Peabody Museum, Smithsonian Institution
Fields of Competence: Marine science, natural history writing and interpretation, aquarium design and operation, marine animal life support systems, public relations and publicity
Experience: Mr. Rudloe is the founder of Gulf Specimen Marine Laboratory. He is the author of 7 well-known books on Florida natural history and marine life. He achieved the first live exhibit of the world’s largest isopod, the deep-sea giant sea roach. He was instrumental in the New York Aquarium’s exhibit of the giant Surinam toadfish, also a first. He traveled to Malaysia and The People’s Republic of China as a representative of the U.S. International Trade Commission to develop fisheries cooperative agreements. He participated in teaching the first field marine biology class offered at the University of Central America, Managua, Nicaragua.
Debbi Clifford, Office Manager
In the spring of 1991, Debbi Clifford drove down from Vermont to visit the lab she had been reading about in Jack Rudloe’s books. To her surprise, a short 30 years later, she is still here. She is the lab’s office manager. and has accumulated a vast amount of knowledge working in the field. She corresponds with aquariums, labs and universities from all over the country and occasionally does beachcombing and kayaking tours . In her spare time, Debbi makes jewelry and is an avid photographer, a gifted artist, sculptor and naturalist. Her favorite marine animal is the horseshoe crab, Limulus polyphemus.
Anne Rudloe, Co-founder
Education: Ph.D., Florida State University, 1978
Fields of Competence: Marine ecology, behavior, aquaculture, marine science education, natural history writing, and non-profit management
Experience: The late Dr. Rudloe has been associated with GSML since 1970 in all capacities. She was an adjunct professor at Florida State University and has worked as a consultant on public resource issues for the Florida Department of Environmental Protection and the Atlantic States Fisheries Management Council. She is an author of 1 book, 15 natural history articles in national magazines, and 18 research articles in peer reviewed professional journals. She managed GSML full time from 1996 to 2012.
You Will Be Greatly Missed. In Loving Memory.
“Protecting the earth gives meaning and wholeness and a sense that you are contributing to a greater good. This earth should not be allowed to disappear. Now it is your turn.”Anne Rudloe
Hunter Eichler, Head Aquarist, Intern and Volunteer Coordinator, Sea Turtle Standing Coordinator, Summer Camp Director
Hunter Shines in showing her dedication to marine science! Her passion for sea turtles continues to strive daily here at Gulf Specimen Marine Lab and Aquarium. From diving into daily care routines to nurturing our underwater ecosystem, Hunter has shown incredible passion and commitment over the last 5+ years.
Email: heichler@gulfspecimen.org
Michael Holton, Boat Captain, and Collections Specialist
Krista Perini, Office
Michael Smith, Head of Maintenance
Andy Anderson, Maintenance
Paige Parker. Outreach Ambassador and Assistant Aquarist
Say hello to staff member, Paige Parker! Pictured at the right end, she is from the Tallahassee area and has a strong background as a biology teacher and nurse. She would bring her two kids, Hunter and Blaine, to the aquarium when they were younger often. Paige began volunteering at Gulf Specimen and quickly transitioned into the role of Outreach Ambassador and assistant aquarist.
Bailey Ball - Assistant Aquarist, Lead Summer Camp Counselor
Education: Tennessee Tech University, B.S. in Wildlife Fisheries Sciences with a concentration in Conservation.
Always in search of life’s treasures, Bailey Ball loves to take nature walks and thrift. A mountain girl from Johnson City, Tennessee Bailey grew up on Oak Hill Quarter Horse Farm. A graduate of Tennessee Tech University, she holds a B.S. in Wildlife Fisheries Sciences a concentration in Conservation.
Email: baileyball@gulfspecimen.org
