Board of Directors
L.A. Brickner
I discovered the unique appeal of North Captiva and purchased a home on the island in 2011. I was drawn to the pristine beaches and abundant contact with nature – frequent dolphin and manatee sightings, eagles, rare plants – all attractions that enticed me to make North Captiva my home.
I take a particular interest in the state park lands, which cover almost two thirds of the island and often remain largely undiscovered by visitors and residents. I have been certified as an authorized Gopher Tortoise Agent and Sea Turtle Volunteer. I foster dogs for several rescue organizations and I’m often accompanied by one of my dogs.
My background formerly involved property development and rental management, so I’m keenly aware of the potential conflicting interests that our island faces. I believe that island visitors, property managers, and homeowners can all find common cause in conservation. Working together, we can help to preserve and protect the natural resources and beauty of North Captiva that attracts residents and visitors alike.
Kevin Downes
North Captiva Island is a special and unique place. Whether you're a full-time resident, part-time resident, or simply a visitor, we all share the privilege—and the responsibility—of helping to preserve the island’s incredible natural beauty.
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I bring a unique perspective as someone who vacationed as a renter, to becoming a homeowner who rented to others, to now spending seven months a year on the island with my wife. Through these different experiences, I've come to understand and appreciate the challenges and opportunities our island faces.
In recent years, North Captiva has experienced unprecedented growth while also enduring significant damage from several major hurricanes. Together, these forces have taken a toll on our beaches, plant life, and wildlife.
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While we can’t stop growth or natural disasters, we can work together to manage their impacts. I believe we must strike a balance—embracing responsible growth while fiercely protecting the island’s natural beauty and unique way of life.
I’m committed to working with fellow homeowners, and visitors to create a cohesive environment where wildlife and native plant life can thrive, and where our beaches are respected and preserved. I also want to promote land conservation as a critical strategy to prevent overdevelopment and safeguard our fragile ecosystem.
North Captiva is my “happy place,” and I want to do everything I can to protect it—so that everyone, now and in the future, can continue to enjoy all the magic this island has to offer.
Paula Garrett
We first discovered North Captiva in 2017 and became homeowners in 2019. From the beginning, we saw the importance of maintaining and preserving the uniqueness of the island, while also improving communication with guests to support that mission. Over the years, we have been involved in efforts such as new street signs, informational signs, island cleanups, and limiting beach access for carts—all with the goal of protecting this fragile place we love.
Giving back to North Captiva is deeply meaningful to us. My husband, Scott, and I want this island to remain a place where our children and grandchildren can reconnect with nature and family for generations to come.
I am a registered nurse, and Scott is a landscape contractor. Together we have five children, three sons-in-law, one daughter-in-law, and four grandchildren—our greatest joy. We are committed to doing our part to ensure North Captiva continues to thrive as a beautiful, protected sanctuary.
Melissa Heberle
My husband and I have always adored the abundance of natural serenity that North Captiva has to offer. I have worked with environmental and animal non-profit organizations in Missouri extensively over the past twenty-five years. I am a certified special education teacher, teach tennis, and am a canine behaviorist. My husband Geoff and I have two children in college, and work in St. Louis, Missouri and Boulder, Colorado. We built our home on North Captiva in 2016, where I continue my passion to protect animals and the environment. With a daughter and son almost finished with college, we plan to relish in their empty nest on North Captiva in the next couple of years.
Swin Swinford
North Captiva Island has been a cherished part of our family’s story since our first annual visit in 2008. By 2016, my wife, kids, and I had become homeowners, and today we own or co-own several properties on the island. Experiencing North Captiva as both visitors and owners has given us a unique perspective on the challenges and opportunities that come with life on a barrier island.
I served on the Board of Directors of the Upper Captiva Civic Association for three years, including two years as President, where I helped lead recovery efforts after Hurricane Ian along with many other projects highly beneficial to the community.. Working side by side with neighbors and volunteers during that time reinforced how deeply this community cares about the future of our island.
My conservation philosophy centers on finding the right balance between development and preservation. On a barrier island like ours, a thriving community cannot exist without all four elements working together: residential life, vacation properties that welcome visitors, commercial businesses like restaurants, marinas, and clubs that serve both residents and guests, and the conservation of our natural environment. With nearly half of island homes serving as rentals and local businesses providing essential services, we must recognize their role alongside conservation as part of a balanced future. With thoughtful planning, these forces can work in harmony to protect North Captiva’s character while supporting a vibrant and resilient barrier island community.
I believe the foundation of conservation here lies in education and achievable action. Residents and visitors alike must be invited to participate—through volunteering, financial support, and stewardship projects that make a visible and lasting difference. Beautification is also central to this mission, helping the island recover not only from hurricanes and natural events, but also from the wear and tear of human activity.
North Captiva is our family’s “happy place,” and serving on the board is my way of giving back. I’m committed to protecting its fragile ecosystem while ensuring the island remains a welcoming and thriving community for generations to come.