The statewide work of Sierra Club Florida is directed by an executive committee of seven members, who are elected for two-year terms in the fall. The Sierra Club Florida Executive Committee (ExCom) meets quarterly along with leaders from the local groups to discuss and make decisions on issues of importance across the state.
Executive Committee Members
Kristine Cunningham (Chair) has been an active Sierra Club member for almost 20 years, and has held many leadership positions throughout Nevada, North Carolina, and Florida. She has served as Chair of the Volusia-Flagler Group, Chapter Vice-Chair, Chapter Treasurer, and Chair of the Conservation and Political Committees, as well as on staff Hiring Committees and Chapter Executive Committees for 10 years. Campaign accomplishments include Ready for 100, anti-nuclear advocacy, and challenging dirty coal in North Carolina. Contact: krissysjake@gmail.com
Cliff Thaell (Vice Chair) also serves on the Endorsement Committee, and lives with Georjean in the Miccosukee Land Cooperative, a 50-year-old “intentional community” of 100 families on 420 rural acres outside of Tallahassee. Cliff served four terms on the Leon County Commission (1994-2010) and was widely seen as the “green commissioner” fighting urban sprawl for lake protection and water quality. He was recognized for his land conservation initiatives preserving thousands of acres of endangered lands, and elected as president of the Florida Association of Counties (FAC) in 2004-05. In addition to the ExCom, Cliff sits on the Chapter’s Legislative Advisory Board, Nominations Committee, and Finance Team. Contact: cthaell@gmail.com
Lyman Welch lives in Sanibel and is a former Vice Chair of Florida’s Conservation Committee. He recently moved to Florida from Chicago, where he worked at the Alliance for the Great Lakes protecting water quality. Lyman is a retired attorney and a long-standing member of Sierra Club. Contact: lymanwelch@protonmail.com
Lauren Jorgensen is an attorney, regenerative rancher, and Cornell University graduate from Live Oak, Florida. She served 30 years as an Assistant U.S. Attorney in Miami and West Palm Beach, including 9 years in the nation’s first Environmental Crimes Section, where she prosecuted cases involving cruise ships dumping oil and plastics, toxic waste near the Everglades, and Endangered Species smuggling. A longtime Sierra Club member, she champions the Kiss the Ground movement to promote regenerative farming and address environmental issues like soil degradation and water pollution. Lauren also serves as an Ambassador to Florida’s Right to Clean Water and President of the Suwannee County Democratic Environmental Caucus. Contact: lej9@cornell.edu
Andy Harris has been a Sierra Club member since the 1980s, contributing as an Outings Leader, assisting with service trips, and supporting projects like Tampa’s ELAP initiative. Currently, he serves as Treasurer of the Tampa Bay Chapter and its Executive Committee and recently earned certifications to lead outings and assist with ICO programs. A retired high school teacher, Andy helped establish the nation’s first Health Administration Academy and served as Lead Teacher after securing a $10 million grant for the program. With a background in healthcare finance, he previously held leadership roles at GE Healthcare Financial Services and served on boards for organizations like the Hillsborough County Education Foundation and Tampa Bay Watch. Contact: Tampa6@gmail.com
Alex Zelenski lives in New Smyrna Beach and is a scientist who works with environmental and geospatial data to better understand and protect Florida’s lands and waters. His work focuses on translating complex information, from lab-derived hard numbers to backyard discussions that describe broader context, into meaningful insight that guides responsible decision-making and community action. Alex believes informed and engaged citizens play an essential role in safeguarding environmental health, and that sound science, community awareness, and thoughtful stewardship must work together to protect the natural beauty that defines our state and our nation.
Contact: AlexZelenski@outlook.com
Additional Officers
Treasurer Alyssa Cadwalader, alyssa.cadwalader@gmail.com
Assistant Treasurer Tom Larson, tom.larson@florida.sierraclub.org
Secretary Deborah Longman-Marien, turtlecoastsc@gmail.com
2026 Chapter Executive Committee Meetings
- April 21st, 7:00-9:00pm - Register Here
- May 19th, 7:00-9:00pm - Register Here
- June 14th, 9:30-11:30am - Register Here
For Executive Committee meeting summaries and reports, click here.
2026 Chapter Quarterly Meetings
- Q2 Meeting: June 12-14, Wekiva Island, Longwood, FL - Register Here
- Q3 Meeting: August 28-30, DeLand, FL
- Q4 Meeting: December 11-13, Cedar Key, FL