Skip to main content

Our Board

Who We Are

Trout Lake Nature Center Board of Directors

As with most non-profits, Trout Lake Nature Center’s Board of Directors consists of volunteers. These volunteers serve in many capacities working to improve the facilities, programming, fundraising, and financial health of Trout Lake Nature Center. 

The Board usually meets on the fourth Monday of each month at 5.30 PM and its meetings are open to the public.


Executive Board

  • Cathie Catasus - President
    Cathie Catasus - President

    Lake County Laboratory Supervisor and Event Planner

  • Stan Napier - Vice President
    Stan Napier - Vice President

    Inventor of Green Products and retired Chemist with a degree in aquatic studies

  • Joanne Rittenhouse, Secretary
    Joanne Rittenhouse, Secretary

    Retired, active member of PAWS Therapy Dogs

  • Dee Bender - Treasurer
    Dee Bender - Treasurer

    Retired, Accounting


Directors

  • Walt Leesch - Director

    Walt Leesch - DirectorWalt Leesch joined the TLNC Board in 2021. He is an avid photographer. In addition to serving on the TLNC Board, Walt also is a greeter. This is a volunteer that welcomes visitors, opens or closes the facilities when staff is unavailable. In 2022, Walt learned to conduct water quality tests and assists with testing Trout Lake through the Lake County Adopt-A-Lake program.

  • Joan Bryant, Director
    Joan Bryant, Director

    Publisher/Small Business Owner, retired

  • Chris Higgins - Director
    Chris Higgins - Director

    Retired

  • Bob Wexler - Director
    Bob Wexler - Director

    Retired New York State Department of Corrections. Bob is an avid birder, and leads our Saturday morning birdwalks.

  • Willie Hawkins - Director
    Willie Hawkins - Director

    Mr. Hawkins is a long-time resident of Eustis and Lake County and currently serves on the Eustis City Commission and works with other nonprofit organizations in the area.


Advisory Council

  • Virginia BarkerRetired Nonprofit Executive

  • Dr. Chuck KegleyAmerican Lung Association

  • Peter KehdeRetired Professor, Lake-Sumter State College

  • Bill MiltonRetired Lake County judge

  • Mike StephensSenior Vice President, United Southern Bank

  • Jerry BrownRetired Executive

Our Sponsors and Partners

  • Placeholder Logo
  • Placeholder Logo
  • LCWA logo
    LCWA logo
  • USB Logo
    USB Logo
Close