Ray Allen is a dedicated environmentalist with a deep understanding of the importance of freshwater to bays and estuaries. He has been instrumental in the Coastal Bend Bays and Estuaries Program, where he has worked tirelessly to ensure that educational programs are tailored to meet the specific teaching requirements of students and teachers. Allen's work has not only been focused on the scientific aspects of the environment but also on the historical and artistic elements, providing a holistic learning experience for students.

Dr. Paul Montagna is a renowned marine biologist with a particular focus on freshwater inflow. Born and raised in New York City, he pursued his undergraduate studies at Stony Brook on Long Island before earning his Master's degree at Northeastern University in Boston. He later completed his Ph.D. at the University of South Carolina. Dr. Montagna's journey into the field of science was somewhat accidental. Initially, he aspired to be a high school biology teacher, but after a student teaching course, he realized that he was more drawn to the scientific aspects of biology.

Dr. Pamela T. Plotkin is a renowned wildlife biologist and conservationist with a focus on marine life, particularly sea turtles. Born and raised in New York City, Dr. Plotkin's early fascination with wildlife was nurtured through television shows like Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom and Tarzan, which offered her a glimpse into the natural world she yearned to explore. In her teenage years, her family moved to New Jersey, providing her with closer access to natural environments. This exposure further fueled her interest in wildlife and conservation.

Myron Hess is a native Texan, born in 1955, who grew up in the small town of Muenster, North Texas, near the Red River. His early life was spent on a farm, where he developed a deep appreciation for the natural world and the importance of water for both agriculture and the environment. This early interest in water and ecology influenced his later career in environmental law, with a particular focus on water and freshwater inflow issues in Texas.

Dr. Larry McKinney is a seasoned scientist and environmentalist with a rich background in resource protection and environmental management. Born and raised in West Texas, McKinney comes from a family of original settlers who were primarily ranchers and farmers. His early life was spent in the small town of Coahoma, near Midland, Odessa, where his family had been on their home place for over one hundred and twenty-five years. McKinney's upbringing on a farm, where his family primarily grew cotton, instilled in him a strong work ethic and a deep appreciation for the outdoors.

Dr. Ken Kramer is a native Texan, born in Brenham, a small city about seventy miles from Houston. He grew up in Houston, but his parents were from Austin and Washington Counties in Central East Texas, and they both grew up on farms. This gave him the unique experience of both urban and rural environments from an early age. Dr. Kramer's interest in environmental issues began to take shape during his time in the Army and later in graduate school at Rice University.

Dr. John Nielsen-Gammon is a renowned climatologist who has dedicated his career to the study of weather and climate, particularly in relation to Texas. Born and raised in Northern California, he developed an interest in weather at a young age, conducting his own weather observations and experiments from the age of ten or eleven. He pursued his passion for weather and climate at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), where he studied for ten years before completing a postdoc in Albany, New York.

Dr. John W. ("Wes") Tunnell, Jr. is a third-generation Texan, born in Biloxi, Mississippi, where his father was stationed during World War II. His parents, both physicians, practiced in Texas from the mid-forties to the mid-eighties. Dr. Tunnell credits his father for encouraging him to pursue a career that he would enjoy and excel in. Dr. Tunnell began his higher education at Adams State College in Colorado, initially pursuing pre-dentistry with the aim of earning a high income that would allow him to enjoy his hobbies of hunting and fishing.

Joe Trungale is an environmental engineer with a focus on water issues. Born in Chicago, Trungale moved around the Midwest and East Coast before settling in Dallas for high school. After high school, he attended Georgetown University in Washington, D.C., where he earned an English degree. Following his undergraduate studies, Trungale spent time traveling and volunteering in Latin America, specifically in Nicaragua, where he worked on water issues.

Jim Blackburn is an environmental lawyer with a rich background in environmental law and advocacy. Raised in South Texas in the Rio Grande Valley, Blackburn developed a deep appreciation for the outdoors from a young age, learning to hunt and fish in both South Texas and Central Louisiana. He attended the University of Texas for his undergraduate and law school education, during which he discovered his passion for environmental law.