Meet our Governing Board

Rob Bradley is a fifth generation Floridian and managing partner of Bradley, Garrison and Komando, P.A., an Orange Park law firm. Mr. Bradley currently serves as Chair of the St. Johns River Water Management Governing Board. He was appointed by Governor Ron DeSantis to represent Area 2 (the St. Johns River Basin below the Ocklawaha River and the coastal area between the St. Johns River and Ponce de Leon hydrologic units) on the District’s Governing Board on September 8, 2020 and reappointed in 2024.

Mr. Bradley represented District 7 in the Florida Senate from 2012-2016 and District 5 from 2016-2020, serving as Chair of the Senate Committee on Appropriations during the last three years of his tenure. As Chair, he worked to secure more than $1.5 billion for Florida’s environment and water resources. Mr. Bradley earned his bachelor’s degree in telecommunication and his Juris Doctor from the University of Florida.

Maryam Ghyabi-White is Chief Executive Officer of Ghyabi Consulting and Management. Mrs. Ghyabi-White currently serves as Vice Chair of the St. Johns River Water Management Governing Board. She is appointed to an at-large seat on the District’s Governing Board.

Mrs. Ghyabi-White is a former member of the East Central Florida Regional Planning Council. She is a member of the Truist Bank Board of Trustees, PACE Center for Girls Volusia-Flagler Board of Directors, Past Chair of Floridians for Better Transportation, Chair of the ISB Coalition and Past Chair of the Volusia County Association for Responsible Development. Mrs. Ghyabi-White earned her bachelor’s degree and master’s degree in civil engineering from the University of Central Florida.

Cole Oliver is an attorney and partner with Rossway Swan. Mr. Oliver currently serves as Treasurer of the St. Johns River Water Management Governing Board. He is appointed to an at-large seat on the District’s Governing Board.

Mr. Oliver’s community involvement includes serving on the Holy Trinity Episcopal Academy board and as a member of the Melbourne Regional Chamber of Commerce. He is the Immediate Past Chair of the East Coast Zoological Society where he helped lead the Brevard Zoo’s mission to continue improving the Indian River Lagoon’s health and restoration. Mr. Oliver earned his bachelor’s degree in history from Washington and Lee University, his master of business administration in finance from Louisiana State University and his juris doctor from the University of Florida.

Chris Peterson is President of Hell’s Bay Marine, Inc., a shallow-water skiff boat manufacturer. Mr. Peterson currently serves as Secretary of the St. Johns River Water Management Governing Board. He is appointed to represent Area 4 (the St. Johns River Basin above the Ocklawaha River) on the District’s Governing Board.

Mr. Peterson previously was president of Heath-Peterson Construction Corp. He serves on the Board of Directors of the Guy Harvey Ocean Foundation, advisory board for the University of Florida’s Biological Field Station at Cedar Key and was awarded the Conservation Award for Industry by the International Game Fish Association. Mr. Peterson earned his bachelor’s degree in business administration from the University of Florida.

Ryan Atwood is a blueberry farmer, packer and consultant. He is appointed to represent Area 3 (the Ocklawaha River Basin) on the District’s Governing Board.

Mr. Atwood serves on the Florida Blueberry Growers Association and the Lake County Farm Bureau boards. Mr. Atwood earned his bachelor’s degree in business and master’s degree in forest resources and conservation, both from the University of Florida.

Doug Bournique is the Executive Vice President of the Indian River Citrus League. Mr. Bournique is appointed to represent Area 5 (the coastal area between Ponce DeLeon Inlet and Sebastian Inlet, coastal area of Sebastian Inlet to the St. Lucie River) on the District’s Governing Board.

Mr. Bournique previously served on the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Technical Advisory Committee for Fruits and Vegetables and on the Federal Reserve Bank’s Agriculture Advisory Council. Mr. Bournique earned his bachelor’s degree in geology from Whittier College and his master’s degree in environmental protection from Florida Atlantic University.

Douglas Burnett is president of Doug Burnett and Associates, a consulting firm for major defense contractors. Mr. Burnett is appointed to an at-large seat on the District’s Governing Board.

Mr. Burnett is a retired major general with the Florida National Guard, having served during his 47-year tenure as a tactical fighter and airline pilot, technical and personnel program manager, and a commanding officer. A native of Jacksonville, Fla., Mr. Burnett held several key positions with the Florida National Guard, including Chief of Safety, Group Operations Officer, Director of Operations, Chief of Staff, Assistant Adjutant/Air and Adjutant General. As Adjutant General, he had responsibility for more than 12,000 soldiers and airmen who were engaged in combat operations in Afghanistan, Iraq and elsewhere, as well as responding to hurricanes, wildfires and other major natural disasters. He served on the Reserve Forces Policy Board, an advisory board to the Secretary of Defense, and was Chairman of the National Guard Domestic Operations Advisory Committee. In addition to his military career, Mr. Burnett was a commercial pilot for Pan American World Airways and National Airlines. He is past president of the National Guard Officers Association of Florida and has served two terms as a member of the Board of Directors of the National Guard Association of the United States. He currently serves on the Advisory Board of the Air National Guard, U.S. Mr. Burnett earned his degree in Business Administration from the University of Southern Mississippi. He is a graduate of the USAF Command and General Staff College and the USAF Air War College.

With over 35 years’ experience, as a Civil Engineer, Professional Surveyor and Mapper and Real Estate Investor Mr. Howse understands the intricate relationship between the environment, agriculture and development.  Mr. Howse has been appointed to an at-large seat on the District’s Governing Board.

Mr. Howse was elected to the St. Cloud, Florida City Council at the age of 28, one of the youngest ever elected to that post, and is a former assistant public works director for the city of Altamonte Springs. He has been a member of the Florida Transportation Commission since 2009 and has served multiple years as the Commission’s chairman. He also Chairs the Board of Trustees for Eastern Florida State College.  He previously served on the East Central Florida Regional Planning Council and on the boards of directors for the Kissimmee/​Osceola County and St. Cloud Chambers of Commerce. Mr. Howse is the former majority owner of the Orlando Predators and a former member of the Arena Football League’s Board of Directors. His community service includes the Boys and Girls Club of Central Florida, Pop Warner Football, the Rotary Club and the Masonic Lodge. Mr. Howse earned his bachelor’s degree in engineering from the University of Central Florida.

Janet Price is retired as a senior manager of environmental affairs with Rayonier Inc., a global land resources company.  Mrs. Price is appointed to represent Area 1 (the St. Marys River Basin-Coastal area between St. Marys and St. Johns rivers hydrologic units) on the District’s Governing Board.

Mrs. Price has served as chairperson of the Water and Aquatic Biology Committee of the National Council for Air and Stream Improvement and served on the council’s Forestry and Environmental Technical Group. Mrs. Price earned her bachelor’s degree in biology from the University of North Alabama and her master’s degree in biology from the University of Alabama.