OUR MISSION
To promote the preservation and the inclusive sharing of the diverse architectural, historical and archaeological heritage of Florida.
We focus on four key areas to accomplish our mission:
![](https://floridatrust.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Trust-House-1024x616.jpg)
Above: The Florida Trust House located in Tallahassee
Connect
Drive local connections and engage all aspects of Florida Trust’s mission across the state.
Advocate
Advocate for historic preservation at the local, state, and national level.
Educate
Provide preservationists across the state with the educational tools they need.
Steward
Act as responsible stewards for the Florida Trust House and our easement properties.
Above: Florida Trust Board Members at the Capitol in 2024
WHO WE ARE
The Florida Trust for Historic Preservation is the statewide nonprofit dedicated to protecting Florida’s extraordinary heritage and history. Founded in 1978, the Florida Trust has collaborated to save irreplaceable Florida treasures like the Historic Florida Capitol and is a statewide partner of the National Trust for Historic Preservation.
OUR HISTORY
BOARD OF TRUSTEES (2023 – 2024)
![](https://floridatrust.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Copy-of-MCosden-2023-6-683x1024.jpg)
Mike Cosden
Board President, Fort Myers
![](https://floridatrust.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/EDavis-2023-3-683x1024.jpg)
Ennis Davis
Board Vice President, Jacksonville
![](https://floridatrust.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/MHarrold2023-3-683x1024.jpg)
Mercedes Harrold
Board Secretary, Jacksonville
![](https://floridatrust.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/LStevenson-2023-5-683x1024.jpg)
Linda Stevenson
At-Large Trustee, Sarasota
![](https://floridatrust.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/MZubaly-2023-6-683x1024.jpg)
Mark Zubaly
At-Large Trustee, Tallahassee
![](https://floridatrust.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/JWolfe-2023-10-683x1024.jpg)
Jenny Wolfe
Immediate Past President, Pensacola
![](https://floridatrust.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/image.png)
Aimee Angel
Sarasota
![](https://floridatrust.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/image.png)
Laura Bessinger-Morse
West Palm Beach
![](https://floridatrust.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/image.png)
Julie Byrd, RPA
St. Petersburg
![](https://floridatrust.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/image.png)
Corion DeLaine
Opa-Locka
![](https://floridatrust.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/image.png)
Melissa Dunklin
St. Cloud
![](https://floridatrust.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/image.png)
Kelly Perkins, AICP
St. Petersburg
![](https://floridatrust.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/image.png)
Ross Pristera
Pensacola
![](https://floridatrust.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/image.png)
David Salay, LEED AP, NCARB
Key West
![](https://floridatrust.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/image.png)
J.J. Scott, AIA
Tallahassee
![](https://floridatrust.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/image.png)
Mark Tarmey, AIA, NCARB
Tallahassee
![](https://floridatrust.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/image.png)
Joseph Yates, III
Rockledge
Our Team
![](https://floridatrust.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/MWyllie-2023-1-919x1024.jpg)
Melissa Wyllie
CEO & President
![](https://floridatrust.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Laura-headshot.jpg)
Laura Glenn
Development Director
![](https://floridatrust.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/POMS-Conference-7-19-2023-4-2-683x1024.jpg)
Daphne Kirkpatrick
Business & Communications Manager
![](https://floridatrust.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/POMS-Conference-7-19-2023-2-2-683x1024.jpg)
Maxine Beck
Communications Coordinator
![](https://floridatrust.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/ALuna-Headshot-2-edited-1-scaled.jpeg)
Alessio Luna
Compliance & Outreach Intern
![](https://floridatrust.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Screenshot-2024-02-14-103059.png)
Lucian Pita
Advocacy Intern
EX-OFFICIO BOARD MEMBERS
- Tribal Historic Preservation Officer – Dr. Paul Backhouse, RPA | Clewiston
- Acting Director of Historic Preservation Program, University of Florida – Dr. Cleary Larkin | Gainesville
- State Historic Preservation Officer – Alissa Slade Lotane | Tallahassee
- Florida Trust CEO & President – Melissa Wyllie, CNP | Tallahassee
FOUNDERS
William Adams ▪ Hibbard Casselberry* ▪ Nancy Dobson* ▪ Carl Feiss* ▪ Martha P. Grafton* ▪ E. L. “Roy” Hunt ▪ Joan Jennewein* ▪ Sallye Jude* ▪ Connie Loucks ▪ Frances McIntyre ▪ Ross Morrell* ▪ F. Blair Reeves* ▪ Herschel Shepard, Jr. ▪ William Turnbull
*: Deceased
![](https://floridatrust.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Screenshot-2023-12-20-110830.png)
Above: (L – R) Emeritus members Clay Henderson, Leslee Keys and Don Slesnick II at the 2022 Florida Preservation Award ceremony in DeLand
TRUSTEE EMERITUS
Those who have served on the Florida Trust Board of Trustees as an officer, and whose extraordinary contributions strengthened the organization.
Bill Adams ▪ Peggy Dodson* ▪ Barbara Hoffstot* ▪ Harry Piper ▪ F. Blair Reeves* ▪ Herschel Shepard, Jr. ▪ Nancy Dobson* ▪ Carl Feiss* ▪ William Turnbull ▪ Myrice Craig* ▪ Joan Jennewein* ▪ Jean Bunch ▪ Frank Perkins* ▪ Sallye Jude* ▪ Raymond Rose ▪ E. L. “Roy” Hunt ▪ Mary Barrow* ▪ Martha P. Grafton* ▪ Tim Blake ▪ Jim Hartley ▪ Frances Bourque ▪ Kathleen Monahan ▪ Don Slesnick, II ▪ Ralph Johnson ▪ Nancy Liebman ▪ Mimi Reid Hardman* ▪ Ellen Uguccioni ▪ Roy Eugene Graham* ▪ Dr. Leslee Keys ▪ Bert Bender ▪ Clay Henderson ▪ Rick Gonzalez, AIA ▪ Friederike Mittner ▪ Carter Quina, AIA ▪
* Deceased