Meet the Team

Abe Christian

Acting Executive Director
Operations Manager

  • Gainesville, Fl
  • abec[at]floridatrail.org

Abe grew up in Gainesville where he spent a lot of time exploring the woods and swamps in and around Florida. He graduated from the University of Florida with a degree in Food and Resource Economics. During and after his time at UF, Abe spent almost two decades in retail sales and was Verizon’s first general manager to complete a Lean Six Sigma green belt project. After tiring of the retail aspect, he transitioned his love of the outdoors into volunteering and nonprofit work.

He has enjoyed developing his hiking, woodsman and horseman skills. Abe recently was awarded The FTA’s “2018 John Weary Trail Worker Award,” which he was surprised and honored to receive. He is very passionate about using his acquired skills to increase awareness of the Florida National Scenic Trail and helping the FTA in any way that he can. In his free time, Abe enjoys traveling to the beach, touring zoos and going on long walks with his wife and dog.

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Janet Akerson

Administrative Director

  • Gainesville, Fl
  • janeta[at]floridatrail.org

Janet Akerson became the part-time bookkeeper for FTA in 2002. Her responsibilities evolved, and in 2009 she became the Administrative Director.

She manages the Gainesville office, supervises the FTA staff, helps with event planning, and continues to keep the books.

Janet grew up in St. Petersburg, FL, and attended Berry College and the University of Florida. Since 1976, Janet and her husband, Randy, have lived in Gainesville, where they managed Burrito Bros. Taco Co. – a popular local restaurant – until 2017. They have been members of the FTA since 1982.

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Adam Fryska

Trail Program Director

  • Pensacola, FL
  • adamf[at]floridatrail.org

Adam Fryska is an experienced long-distance backpacker and trail steward. He joined the FTA in 2017 after working in various conservation and stewardship roles along the Appalachian Trail and Vermont’s Long Trail. Adam is a passionate supporter of the National Scenic Trail system; he’s experienced the magic of these trails and their communities first hand while completing the “Triple Crown,” thru-hiking the Appalachian Trail, Pacific Crest Trail, and Continental Divide Trail.

Now immersing himself in the unique environments found along the Florida Trail, he’s working to ensure this exceptional resource is developed, maintained, and protected for current and future generations of users.

Adam grew up in northern Indiana. He studied biology at Indiana University, European studies at Jagiellonian University, and environmental law at Vermont Law School. Previously he worked with the Appalachian Trail Conservancy, Randolph Mountain Club, and Green Mountain Club. 

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Jeff Glenn

Senior Regional Trail Program & Field Project Manager

  • Gainesville, Fl
  • jeffg[at]floridatrail.org

Jeff manages 400 miles of the Florida Trail on the eastern and western corridors of the trail from the Ocala National Forest to Suwannee River State Park and from Green Swamp West to Silver Springs State Park. He joined the FTA in 2013.

Jeff works with volunteers and agency partners to coordinate trail construction, maintenance, protection, gap closures, and outreach efforts. He also engages volunteers in stewardship events on the Florida National Scenic Trail.

Previously, Jeff worked with the Student Conservation Association (’06 – ’13), as both a seasonal trail crew leader and a full-time staff member. For 4 years he managed a large SCA program and maintained 100 miles of the North Country National Scenic Trail through the Allegheny National Forest in Pennsylvania. He has led crews in Alaska, the US Virgin Islands, Arizona, Colorado, and Kentucky.

Jeff is a graduate of Hampshire College in Amherst, MA, where he studied environmental education and outdoor leadership. An avid hiker, he loves to spend time out on the trail with his kids and the best trail dog around, Strawberry, as well as playing music, fermenting food, and organic agriculture.

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Tara Smith

Central/South Region Trail Program Manager

  • Frostproof, Fl
  • taras[at]floridatrail.org

Tara became the South/Central Trail Program Manager in May 2024. Prior to joining FTA, she was a Certified Residential Real Estate Appraiser in Florida and Colorado for 19 years, while running her own appraisal firm over the past 5 years. Tara also has an extensive retail management background in the consumer electronics and cellular industries.

Tara was raised in a military family and happily moved around the US and the globe for the first 16 years of her life and then went on to move around the U.S. while grand opening different retail chains. Tara graduated from Troy University with a BS in Psychology. She calls Florida her home and has resided in the Central Florida area for the past 12 years with a short stint in Denver, Colorado.

She is a very proud mom to her son Hunter, who recently graduated from the University of Central Florida. She and her son have been racing, riding and adventuring on bicycles for the past 12 years. Tara has gained an extensive knowledge of the trail systems throughout Florida from camping, hiking and biking, which has also fostered Tara’s love of the outdoors.

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Brandie Dziegiel

Panhandle Region Trail Program Manager

  • Tallahassee, FL
  • brandied[at]floridatrail.org

“Prior to becoming the Panhandle Trail Program Manager, Brandie worked for the Florida Park Service in various roles at Caladesi Island State Park, St. Andrew’s State Park, and District 1 (Panhandle) Administration. The common thread through these experiences was working closely with volunteers, and volunteer managers to support their programs and parks. She holds a BA in Art Education from the University of Maine and has 10+ years of combined experience in coordination and instruction.

Brandie Dziegiel is a Coast Guard veteran, artist, and nature lover. Raised in a multigenerational military family, she’s relocated across the Southern United States over a dozen times and considers Florida to be ‘Home’.

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Jane Pollack

Communications & Outreach Manager

  • Gainesville, FL
  • janep[at]floridatrail.org

Jane is a born-and-raised Floridian and nature enthusiast who completed a thru-hike of the Florida Trail in 2020. She is a graduate of the University of Florida where she earned a degree in English with an emphasis on postcolonial studies. Jane worked in a variety of nonprofit settings from academic publishing to sustainable food systems before joining FTA as the Gateway Communities Coordinator in 2021. She took on the role of Communications and Outreach Manager in 2022 and enjoys working with our trail community. 

In her free time, Jane can be found on the trail hiking or mountain biking, learning about native flora and fauna, and gardening at home. 

 

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Penny

Office Greeter

  • Gainesville, FL
  • meow[at]floridatrail.org

Penelope "Penny" the cat is responsible for FTA office administrative duties including but not limited to greeting visitors, guarding windows, and providing love and attention to office staff. Prior to working indoors, Penny roamed the campsites of Central Florida so she came to FTA with unparalleled knowledge of the outdoor lifestyle. Now, she much prefers to perch in the window of our front office where there is ample supply of wet food and belly rubs.  

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Britt Moore

Membership & Marketing Manager

  • Jacksonville, Fl
  • brittm[at]floridatrail.org

Britt is a native Floridian passionate about wildlife conservation and environmental protection. She is a double graduate of the University of Florida with a bachelor’s degree in Telecommunications with a specialization in Film Production, and a Master of Arts in Mass Communications and Web Design. Britt has a diverse background in action sports photography and film production with credits in documentaries and television shows. A storyteller at heart, it is her true ambition to become a voice for Florida’s native wildlife and advocate for preservation efforts.

An all-around outdoor enthusiast, Britt spends her free time rock climbing, mountain biking or trail running with her dog Gracie.

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Austin Burton

Gateway Communities Coordinator

  • Gainesville, FL
  • austinb[at]floridatrail.org

Austin is passionate about helping others build their own relationship with the outdoors. He believes that the Florida National Scenic Trail offers the perfect opportunity to bring together businesses, governments, and families to further protect the trail and create lasting memories for all who enjoy the trail.

His love for outdoor recreation and trails stems from growing up 20 minutes away from a National Park and numerous metro parks which provided over 200 miles of trails to explore. His goal through his work with FTA is to ensure others can have similar grand experiences in the outdoors.

Prior to joining FTA as an employee, Austin was a member of FTA's inaugural Next Generation Coalition. He studied environmental science at both Santa Fe College and the University of Florida. While a student, he interned for several voter engagement organizations, Cuyahoga Valley National Park, the City of Gainesville, the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, the U.S. Department of Transportation, and the White House. He grew up in Akron, Ohio and enjoys taking too long to read a book, attempting to cook something edible, and forgetting to take enough water on long runs and bike rides.

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Emily Padden

Next Generation Coalition Coordinator

  • Gainesville, FL
  • emilyp[at]floridatrail.org

Emily is a native Floridian from Satellite Beach and a lover of all things outdoors. She graduated from the University of Central Florida in 2024 with a degree in Environmental Studies and minors in Anthropology and Geosciences. Emily has worked in a variety of outdoor settings with various environmental groups, having completed a season with the Montana Conservation Corps as a backcountry trail crew member, served as a Stewardship Assistant in Acadia National Park, and, of course, volunteering with her local chapter of the FTA.

Emily joined FTA's Next-Generation Coalition in 2023 as a coalition member and transitioned to the role of Next-Gen Coordinator in July 2024. She is passionate about encouraging youth involvement in trail recreation and maintenance, working closely with communities across Florida.

Outside of work, Emily enjoys hiking, birdwatching, and unwinding in a hammock with a book or her latest knitting project.

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Christina Mallica

GIS Specialist

  • Tallahassee, FL
  • christina.mallica[at]usda.gov

"Christina is an experienced conservation biologist and became the GIS Specialist for FTA in January of 2024. In her professional and personal life, she is a passionate supporter of the National Scenic Trail System and loves to hike and explore wild spaces in Florida and across the country.

Christina grew up in southern Florida. She studied marine science at the University of Florida and eventually received her Master of Science from the School of Forest, Fisheries, and Geomatic Sciences from the University of Florida as well, where she built 3-D digital models of coral reefs in Dry Tortugas National Park. She’s previously worked at the Florida Fish and Wildlife Research Institute and the Coral Restoration Foundation.

When she isn’t working, she can be found exploring her city in Saint Petersburg or throwing on the pottery wheel at the local clay studio, accompanied by her miniature dachshund Jake."

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Jesse Short

Controller

  • Gainesville, FL
  • jesses[at]floridatrail.org

Jesse graduated from The American University in Washington, D.C. where he earned his CPA and license to practice. He moved to NYC to work in controllership positions in entertainment and advertising, while cultivating his passion for music. His band, Neuro (aka Neuro NYC) has released one album, and the second, which he wrote and co- produced, is due out later in 2024.

After working as a Finance Manager for Gray Advertising’s branding and design division, he turned his career-focus to nonprofit, particularly regarding women’s and children’s health causes and environment-focused public charities, such as Rainforest Alliance.

Before moving to Gainesville in 2023, he spent six years in Miami, FL as a real estate accountant, Tutor (CPA exam, Spanish, & Music Theory), and in-home caregiver for the elderly.

Born in Roswell, NM, he was also raised in Nicaragua, Mexico City, and the suburbs of Washington, DC. Jesse loves studying languages, linguistics, and accents. As a singer, his coaches include Melissa Cross (the “Scream Queen”, featured on PBS’s NOVA) and Norma Garbo (Taylor Swift’s first vocal coach).

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1022 NW 2nd Street Gainesville, FL 32601 | Phone: (352) 378-8823 | Email: [email protected]

The Florida Trail Association is a 501c3 non-profit organization. Our Tax ID number: 23-7079720

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