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Robby Byers, Executive Director
Robby Byers has worked for the Coastal Conservation Association for 25 years, where he started as an Assistant Director making his mark in Chapter development. Byers developed chapters across the state for nine years before taking the role of the Executive Director of Texas in 2006. He continues his position as the Director overseeing the state in Fundraising, Membership, Communications and Advocacy.
Byers grew up in Houston and graduated from Sharpstown High School where he was the catcher of the 1982 State Championship Baseball team. Byers played on two Southwest Conference Championship teams at the University of Texas in 1985-86 as well as played for the National Championship in the College World Series. Byers received his Bachelors degree from the University of Houston.
Shane Bonnot, Advocacy Director
Shane Bonnot is the Advocacy Director for CCA Texas, working closely with CCA committees, members and staff on interests and policies that are vital to the long term sustainability of our coastal marine resources. As a 6th generation Texan, Shane grew up in Wharton where he spent his childhood in the woods, on the water, playing sandlot baseball, catching snakes and mostly driving his parents crazy. He received a Bachelor of Science degree from Texas A&M University in Animal Science in 2000 and a Master of Science degree from Texas A&M University – Corpus Christi in 2003. After college, he worked for the Virginia Institute of Marine Science for 3 years as the oyster hatchery manager. In 2006 he moved back to Texas to work for Texas Parks and Wildlife – Coastal Fisheries Division in the stock enhancement program at Sea Center Texas, spending 5 years as hatchery biologist and another 5 years as hatchery manager.
Sam Caldwell, CURRENTS Newsletter Editor
Sam Caldwell says he has been involved with CCA since the first GCCA banquet in 1978. The artist/writer/photographer helped begin the TIDE and NEW TIDE magazines and CURRENTS publications. Along the way, he and Fred Carr produced the national award-winning video, “Endangered Crescent” in 1983, and the Best Outdoor Book of 2001, “Change of Tides.”
Sam studied Fine Art at the University of Houston (eat ‘em up, Coogs), and plans to work on his Master’s Degree when he has a little more time. He was named Texas State Artist for 2004, and was the CCA Dallas Conservationist of the Year, 2015. His art can be viewed at www.samcaldwell.com.