Meet The Team

Friends of MacArthur Beach State Park Staff

Veronica Frehm

Chief Executive Officer

With more than 15 years’ experience and a Master’s degree in leading nonprofits and innovating environmental education programs, she brings a passion for conservation and a deep commitment to ensuring that the State Park continues to lead the state in programming and accessibility.

Megan Finck

Retail & E-Commerce Sales Manager 

Megan joins us with over 13 years of retail and E-Commerce experience. Originally from the Northeast, she can’t wait to bring new and wonderful items to our Beach Outfitters Gift Shop. She is surely going to elevate your experience at the Park store and online!

lars brown

Customer Service Specialist 

Lars is currently working on his degree from Florida State in Environmental Science.  He has a vast background in our local plants and animals and is happy to share that knowledge with you! 

Sarah Norton

Director of Education

With a Master’s degree in Environmental Education and 10 years’ experience in avian research, Sarah strives to connect people to nature through hands-on and place-based learning experiences. She is excited to be leading and expanding the award-winning education programs at MacArthur Beach.

stacy wyatt

Customer Service Specialist 

Stacy has grown up at MacBeach and is an avid shell and shark tooth hunter! She is extremely knowledgable about the local plants and animals and will always be able to get you what you need at the Gift Shop.

terry shelton

Kayak Fleet Supervisor

Terry joins us from having a strong background in the Florida Park Service and is currently getting her degree in Marine Biology. She is passionate about our environment and all things at the Park. 

Jill Kohlbecker

Communications Director

Bringing over two decades of experience in the marketing field, Jill is going to elevate our communications to a whole new level. Jill loves being in nature with her son who especially loves exploring the beach.

 

KRISTEN BALDASSARRE

Customer Service Specialist 

Kristen started at MacBeach as an Intern and quickly fell in love with the Park and meeting visitors from all over the world. She can help you with all your kayak rental needs and talk to you about Park Memberships.

Florida State Park Staff

Andy flanner

Park Manager                         

Andy, with a dual degree in Environmental Science and Geography, began his Florida Park Service career as an Exotic Removal Technician quickly moving up to the District 5 Biologist role. He served as the Manager at St. Lucie Inlet and Seabranch Preserve State Parks before joining the MacBeach Team.

Jacob Bennett

Assistant Park Manager 

Jacob served in the FPS as a Ranger and a Services Specialist before coming to MacBeach. A graduate of  Clemson University, with a degree in Parks and Recreation Management, Jacob enjoys outdoor activities like golf, kayaking and hiking.

Vonda Foertmeyer

Administrative Assistant

Vonda started at MacBeach in 2019 but worked in the Florida Park Service prior. She enjoys exploring the outdoors, boating, fishing, hiking, and camping.

Art Carton

Park Services Specialist

Art has been at MacArthur Beach since 2004 when he moved from Ocala. Art oversees the Moonlight Over MacArthur and Bluegrass concerts, NatureScaping, and instructs for our Evironmental Education Program.

Alaina Miller

Park Services Specalist

Alaina joined our team in 2017 as an intern and was quickly captured by the Park’s natural beauty and positive team culture. She was promoted to her current position in 2020. She feels fortunate to combine all her passions into one career.

Rob Matriscino

Park Ranger

Rob came to MacArthur in 2000, bringing skills in invasive and exotic plant removal, native plant ID and coastal geology. In his free time he enjoys surfing, and is an expert in tides and wave conditions.

Sarah Waddell

Park Ranger

After completing a Park internship, Sarah’s knowledge, dedication and high work ethic promoted her to a Park Ranger in 2012 and has been working every day to make MacBeach the best it can be. She is also our expert on all Park birds. 

Doug Sutherland

Park Ranger

A sixth generation Florida Native and born in raised in Palm Beach County, Doug has been coming to the Park since it opened. He is a U.S. Navy veteran and became an OPS Ranger in 2009. After serving as a full time Ranger at a different State Park, Doug returned to MacBeach in 2019.

Brian O’Brien

Park Ranger

Brian was raised on Singer Island and played in the Park in the 1970’s before it was open to the public. Before joining the MacBeach team in 2019, he had his own business as a master jeweler for 36 years. He’s an avid outdoors man and loves surfing and fishing.

Francesca Kardos

Park Ranger

Francesca started at MacArthur Beach as a volunteer and worked her way up to a Park Ranger. She is an avid surfer and enthusiast of the great outdoors. She is incredibly proud to be a Ranger and to be a part of everything the DEP represents.

Kelly Snyder

Animal Care Ranger 

Kelly started working with the animal ambassadors at MacBeach in 2022 and she can tell you anything you want to know about them.  Ask her what her favorite reptile of the Park is!

Ivory paulk

Part-Time Park Ranger 

Ivory is a Riviera Beach native and has an immense love for being by the water and the great outdoors. She started out as a volunteer and was hired on as an OPS ranger in 2021.

peyton williams

Part-Time Park Ranger 

Peyton moved here from Arizona and  joined the Ranger team in 2021, always with a smile on his face, he loves to help visitors have the best experience possible while at the Park. 

Samantha Elliott

Part-Time Park Ranger 

Sam joined the MacArthur Beach education team in 2022 as an intern. After serving two semesters in our education department, she was hired as a Park Ranger. Sam is an enthusiastic member of the MacBeach team and loves to be outside. 

High Point Paddle Adventures
Concessionaire Staff

ALexis Lautkzer

President

Alexis has over 20 years of experience working in the Ecotourism Business in Palm Beach County. Paddling with Alexis and her team will be the High Point of your day!  Her knowledge, passion and love for Standup Paddle Boarding is sure to shine through on your adventure.

Todd Mclaughlin

Customer Service Specalist 

Todd has been teaching yoga for more than 20 years. He has paddled a SUP 80 miles across the Gulf Stream from Bimini, Bahamas to Lake Worth, Florida with Crossing for Cystic Fibrosis. Todd combines his knowledge of yoga and passion for paddling into an experience of a lifetime.

Dirk Wilson

Deckhand  

Originally from Boone, North Carolina, Dirk’s passion is the great outdoors.  His love of the water brought him to Florida where he learned to paddle board and was inspired to become an instructor.

Poppy Condra

Customer Service Specialist

Poppy grew up in England hiking and cycling within the National parks sparking her passion for the environment. In 2021, she moved to Florida and fell in love with the constant sunshine and the ocean!

Sergio Ancona

Deckhand  

Sergio was born and raised on the beaches of Yucatán, Mexico. He loves going on adventures and paddle boarding with his granddaughter. Sergio is always so happy to greet the visitors with his radiant smile!

Interested in joining our team?

Friends is an equal opportunity organization that will not discriminate in its programs or hiring practices on the basis race, color, national origin, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity),
disability, age, citizenship status, genetic information, marital status, HIV status, veteran status, height, weight, political affiliation, or any other characteristic protected by law.