Meet the Board of Directors of Peace River Wildlife Center
Kimberly Wade - President
An animal welfare guru with over 17 years of experience in nonprofits, Kimberly specializes in marketing and communications. She’s passionate about all things creative, doing good things and sharing those stories with the public, raising awareness for worthy causes, bringing people and pets together, and lifesaving—a key component for animal welfare success.
Her current roles entail managing marketing and communications, and lending operations support, for several nonprofits, including FieldHaven Feline Center, a highly progressive organization dedicated to finding solutions for every cat in need; Options Veterinary Care, a clinic for pets of seniors and low-income families; and Homeward Bound Cat Adoptions, a small rescue focused on cat adoptions. She’s proud to now add Peace River Wildlife Center to that list, where she can lend her talents and expertise in a new way to the community she grew up in and calls home.
Previously, Kimberly held titles such as Campaign Manager for Maddie’s® Pet Project, a statewide pet initiative across Nevada; Communications Director and Co-CEO for Nevada Humane Society; and News Producer at KOLO 8 News Now. She held a Florida real estate license and has over five years of restaurant management under her belt. Experiences include event management, development and fundraising, pet adoption programs and more.
Her background and strong interest in the media, writing and communications, along with her BA in Broadcast Journalism from the University of Central Florida, led to a desire to share what is important and influence others through communication.
Kimberly lives with her husband Brandon and their cats; each of whom think they are human and work hard daily to earn their keep by providing endless entertainment to anyone who will accept them. Her husband, who has a culinary background, leads their love of fresh, homemade food (and good wine) to enhance every experience, and they enjoy travel, boating, good movies, meeting new people, and helping others, two and four-legged alike.
Fun Fact(s): I was the Charlotte County swim champion for the 500 freestyle in high school (Charlotte Tarpon grad here) AND my husband and I had a pet cockatoo named Scully who used run around the house cackling like a circus clown while he chased me.
Lynne Matthews - Vice President
A native of Cleveland, Ohio, Lynne moved to Punta Gorda in 1997 from Saratoga Springs, New York. She and her first husband were owners of a motorcoach tour and charter company there until retirement, where she was Vice President of Marketing and Product Development. They moved to Punta Gorda to enjoy the Florida lifestyle and the opportunities for boating that the west coast offers, but sadly her husband Bruce passed in 2004 from cancer.
Prior to that, she was in the hospitality industry for 28 years, traveling extensively for her job. During that time, she was the National Sales Director for a chain of 500 hotels, based in Upstate New York, and as an outside consultant for the group tour
market.
Lynne became active in the community back in 2001, serving on the City Planning Commission, Board of Zoning Appeals and Code Enforcement Boards for 12 years. She was on the board of the Mariners of PGI boating club for five years and served as
Commodore in 2008. Lynne also served on the Board of Directors for Charlotte Harbor Yacht Club, chaired the Public Relations & Marketing Committee for eight years and produced the annual Bridal Expo for seven years. Lynne was a Parade
Ambassador for the annual Punta Gorda Canal Christmas Boat Parade. She is currently President and Marketing Chair for the Military Heritage Museum in Punta Gorda.
She served four terms as an elected Council member, two years as Vice Mayor and four years as Mayor. She is an active member of the Punta Gorda Chamber, Charlotte County Chamber and Peace River Women’s Forum. She was a seven-year voting member of the Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO), an organization that collaborates with FDOT, Charlotte County and the City for road infrastructure
projects. She was an executive board and voting member of the SW Florida League of Cities, working with elected officials from all cities in Charlotte, Lee and Collier counties. She also was a member of the Charlotte County Task Force and City liaison to the Punta Gorda Boaters Alliance as well as for the Meridian Senior Living assisted living facility. As a member of the Florida League of Cities, in 2024 she received the Home Rule Hero award for advocacy efforts on behalf of the City of Punta Gorda. She has been an active supporter and advocate for the Peace River Wildlife Center and looks forward to being a part of the board to help them accomplish their mission of a new home on Henry Street.
Lynne and her second husband Don live in Punta Gorda Isles with their dog Charlie.
Cary Liphart - Treasurer
Cary is a native Floridian, originally from Jacksonville. He met his wife, Lyn, at Florida Southern College where he received a degree in Personnel Management and Industrial Relations and a minor in Psychology. He applied both degrees to a 23-year career in sales and sales management in a family business. In 1996, he sold the business to Sunbelt Marketing Investment Corp., the largest plumbing manufacturing rep in the US. Cary and Lyn then moved to Atlanta, where he transitioned to accounting. He oversaw accounts payable, insurance, telecommunications, rebates, taxes and special projects.
In 2019, his wife told him she was moving back to Florida, and that he was welcome to come, so Cary retired. Cary and Lyn currently reside in Punta Gorda and have two children and three grandsons.
Cary’s interest in PRWC stems from the dedication he sees from the staff and volunteers day in and day out. He believes that building the new facility is vital to helping the staff and volunteers do the wonderful work they do for the wildlife of SW Florida.
Linda Bauman - Member at Large
I have been a full-time resident of Punta Gorda since May 2002. Prior to moving to Florida, my husband Hank and I resided in Maryland. We both worked in Washington, D.C. and spent most of our leisure time boating on the Chesapeake Bay and camping in Shenandoah National Park. I worked as a Paralegal Specialist in the law departments for both the U.S. Department of Justice and for the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) until retirement in 2001. My working experience during this time was over 30 years.
My job at the Justice Department and at the (OCC) involved managing major legal cases in addition to being on teams that considered applications for major national bank mergers and determined national bank mismanagements.
I served on the board of directors for the Marine Traders Owners Association (MTOA) for a number of years. MTOA is one of the largest international boating organizations. I was liaison between MTOA and numerous Chesapeake Bay marinas by maintaining lists of marinas offering discounts to its membership and then I later took over as secretary, and served in this position until moving to Florida.
I was also, at that time, a certified Vessel Examiner with the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary (USGA) along with being certified crew for going on USGA patrols.
After moving to Florida in 2002, I started volunteering with a number of organizations. For approximately four years I served as secretary at Charlotte Harbor YC. I was secretary on the board for the Mariners of PGI, and I served on the board at the Visual Arts Center. I also volunteered for several years in their gift shop and assisted in hanging art displays for upcoming art shows. I have been captain/co-captain for the CCWTL and 50+ tennis teams at Twin Isles CC for three years. Although not on the board, I am a member of the Peace River Quilters’ Guild, volunteering my time with the Guild’s bi-annual quilt show and bi-annual retreat.
My husband and I have visited PRWC on numerous occasions by ourselves and with our children and grandchildren. Also, we would make sure to bring visiting friends and relatives to visit the facility and have been sponsors for the birds as Christmas presents to the grandkids.
Bill Comber - Member at Large
Born in Queens, New York, Bill moved to Punta Gorda in 1992 at the age of eighteen. After taking a few months to get settled, while attending school and working a part time job, Bill started a business that ultimately became his life’s career. In December of 1992 Bill began Superior Carpet & Upholstery Cleaning Inc. and has been servicing the residents of Southwest Florida ever since. Superior is an IICRC Certified firm that specializes in cleaning carpet, upholstery, tile/grout, area rugs, leather, window treatments and more.
In April of 2023, after dating for several years, Bill and his wife Alexia were married. Additionally, he has two children ages 28 and 30, plus a “bonus” child that will soon be 23 years old. The big “baby” of the Comber clan, is their “spoiled,” 140lb Neapolitan Mastiff, affectionally named Minne.
In addition to being an active and involved member of both the Charlotte County and the Punta Gorda Chambers of Commerce, Bill has held several leadership roles in various organization. For more than six years Bill was heavily involved with the Executive Network of Charlotte County Board of Directors, holding various position including Treasurer, Membership Chair, VP and President. Additionally, for four years, Bill served as President of the Business Excelerators of SW Florida networking group, while helping to double their membership. In 2023, Bill was asked to join the Punta Gorda Chamber of Commerce’s Board of Directors, and is currently serving as the organization’s Treasurer on its Executive Committee.
From a very young age, while growing up in Long Island, New York, Bill was always out boating, fishing, crabbing and appreciating the wildlife that Baldwin Harbor offered. Even now as an adult, Bill enjoys boating on Charlotte Harbor and he appreciates the wide variety of wildlife that he regularly encounters at his home out in the county. When asked about joining the PRWC Board of Directors and if he would be interested, it was a no brainer decision for Bill. He believes in and supports the efforts of the PRWC and is proud to be a small part of the legacy it is paving.
Lois Croft - Member at Large
Lois Croft joined the Punta Gorda/Englewood Beach Visitor & Convention Bureau as their Public Relations Manager in February 2023. In this role, Lois builds and strengthens relationships with travel editors, writers, and other journalists to facilitate media awareness to promote Charlotte County’s tourism opportunities as a premier vacation destination. Lois also coordinates press and familiarization tour trips as well as facilitates ongoing engagement opportunities with our local industry partners.
Lois’s previous position was with the Florida Restaurant & Lodging Association (FRLA) for eleven years and most recently here in Southwest Florida as the Regional Director where she built and managed chapters in Collier, Lee, and Charlotte counties.
Lois is originally from Minnesota where she worked 23 years as a School District Administrator in Community Education Departments managing early childhood through adult education programs, facility and group reservations and a variety of student programs before moving to Florida in 2010.
Dr. Joseph Parr - Member at Large
Dr. Parr is originally from Michigan and attended Michigan State University where he received a bachelor’s degree in microbiology as well as his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine Degree. Dr. Parr practiced large animal medicine and surgery in Michigan for 30 years, concentrating his career on treating cattle and horses. He purchased his first veterinary practice in 1998 and soon realized that the practice management side of Veterinary Medicine also appealed to him. Dr. Parr retired from clinical practice in 2023 and still owns a portion of his Michigan veterinary practice where he is managing partner and is lucky to be able to carry out those duties from Florida.
Joe and his wife Carol have owned their home in Punta Gorda since 2015 and Carol was fortunate to retire here full time in 2021. Carol is a fantastic cook and in 2022 she started a personal chef business here in Punta Gorda. The couple enjoys boating and fishing as well as keeping fit. Joe is an avid runner and cyclist, and Carol has participated in local triathlons. Joe and Carol have three children who are spread across the South and Midwest.
After falling in love with Florida and its native wildlife population, Dr. Parr acquired his Florida Veterinary License in 2023 with the goal of using his degree to benefit the diverse and astounding wildlife here. Becoming a board member of the Peace River Wildlife Center was a perfect first step in this process.
Donna Peterman - Member at Large
Donna C. Peterman retired as the executive vice president and chief communications officer of the PNC Financial Services Group and relocated full time to Punta Gorda with her husband John in 2016. She immediately immersed herself in the community and has held leadership positions in a number of non-profit organizations: President of the Visual Arts Center for three years; now president of its Endowment Trust; founder and initial president of the Historic Punta Gorda Civic Association; former chair of the Punta Gorda Planning Commission and chair of the Historic Preservation Advisory Board, Punta Gorda District 1 Council Member 2022-24.
She has also served on the boards of the YMCA Community Board, the Punta Gorda Historical Society, the Punta Gorda Symphony, the Punta Gorda Police Chief’s Advisory
Council.
As a volunteer in the Punta Gorda City Manager’s office, from 2016-2019, she headed the branding initiative that produced “Florida’s Harborside Hometown” tagline and visual treatment, chaired the 2019 Downtown tree lighting celebration, served on the steering committee that produced “Journey to the Future,” the kick off to the citizens’ input phase of the development of the new Comprehensive Plan. She was also a key advisor on the rec-recruitment of a new City Communications Manager and served on the citizens’ committee that selected a new City manager.
Peterman holds a BA degree from the University of Missouri at Columbia and MBA from the University of Chicago.
Norine Walker - Member at Large
Norine was a gifted runner during high school growing up Ridgewood, NJ (some of her records still stand!) and was recruited to the United States Military Academy at West Point (Class of 1991 – Systems Engineering) for Track and Cross Country. Norine was in just the 11th class of women to graduate West Point and became the first female S2 Military Intelligence Officer assigned to the 3/101 Attack Apache Helicopter Battalion. She was also the 1st Female Infantry MI Liaison Officer to the 3rd Brigade of the 101st Airborne Air Assault Division (also known as the RAKASSAN Brigade.)
After retiring from the military as a captain, Norine then focused her considerable talents on raising three children and supervising numerous moves around the country. She was active in coaching girls’ softball and track, and was a valued volunteer for the neighborhood school district. Norine remarried in 2008 and inherited three more children! During this time, she discovered SW Florida and purchased a home in Punta Gorda in 2010. There she discovered the Peace River Wildlife Center. It became and is one of the “go to” places to bring family and friends. Norine continues to support West Point as an active Filed Force Representative helping new high school hopefuls with their mission to attend the Academy both in western New York and here in SW Fla. In 2020, Norine obtained her real estate license primarily to help military personnel find new homes in the area and networking with other Academy grads around the country. Since then, she also helps others via personal referrals.
Fun Fact: Norine can’t sing a lick but isn’t afraid to demonstrate this unique ability!
Fun Fact: Norine ran the Boston Marathon in 2002 receiving a race bib as a thank you from the BAA after helping establish the Jay Lyons Scholarship Fund and Chairing a Road Race in his name, Jay who was a local fallen fire fighter. She is excited to join the board and work towards the next new chapter in the center’s growth.
Gary Wein - Member at Large
I was born in Chicago, in the Wrigleyville neighborhood (Go Cubs Go!) Having a public education, I graduated from Lane Tech High School with a “College Prep Tech Diploma”. I continued on to Eastern Illinois University obtaining a Zoology/Chemistry degree while working as a motorcycle mechanic.
Upon graduation I entered industry as a tech sales rep as an industrial and municipal water treatment specialist. I continued on in this industry my whole career through management and field engineering positions. I have traveled around the world during this endeavor.
I came to Punta Gorda in 2000, participating in several community organizations, serving as Vice Mayor of Punta Gorda and nonprofit organizations.
Honorary Board Members
This section recognizes former board members whose leadership, service, and dedication have made a lasting impact on PRWC. Though they are no longer serving on the Board, their contributions remain an important part of our organization’s story.
Memory of Fred Cort – Honorary Member
It is with deep respect and gratitude that we honor the memory of our friend and board member, Fred Cort.
Fred was more than a valued member of our board, he was a steady source of wisdom, kindness, and dedication. He was also a trusted mentor for me, offering guidance, encouragement and wisdom that helped shape my leadership and strengthen PRWC. His commitment to our mission never wavered. Fred believed deeply in the power of community, and he gave generously of his time, expertise, and heart to ensure Peace River Wildlife Center’s continued success.
Beyond his professional contributions, Fred will be remembered for his warmth, his genuine love of all animals, and the way he always made those around him feel heard and appreciated.
We are profoundly grateful for the legacy Fred leaves behind. His vision and compassion have shaped PRWC in lasting ways, and his memory will remain a guiding light in all that we do.
Our hearts are with his family and loved ones during this difficult time. Fred will be deeply missed, but his spirit and contributions will forever be part of the Peace River Wildlife Center story.
Tricia LaPointe
CEO/Executive Director
Fred Cort - Honorary Member
Fred grew up in New Jersey and then headed to Muhlenberg College where he graduated as a history major. Like many history majors, he found himself qualified for a wide variety of things, but nothing in particular. The college environment beckoned, so he spent ten plus years in college admissions and development work. He attended Ohio University for a masters in counseling and then finished all but the dissertation for a PH.D. in organizational behavior. That led to opportunities teaching a number of undergraduate courses as well as conducting various management workshops. He went on to join a local bank in need of human resource recruiting and management development. He held positions as director of corporate planning, head of retail banking and eventually regional president. Taking early retirement, he continued in management consulting. This included working with his wife, Carol, who worked for an international not-for-profit as head of human resources and facilities.
Fred and Carol lived on a trawler in New York harbor and spent much of their time travelling around the world which included Asia, Africa, South America and the Middle East. A former banking colleague coaxed him out of retirement to help start a new bank. His job started as “other duties as assigned” and ranged from human resources to operations and technology, marketing, and facilities development. As the bank grew, he became chief administrative officer and the corporate secretary. In 2014, a major regional bank bought the start-up, so Fred and Carol, along with their three cats, retired to Punta Gorda. Dogs Boo and Charlee soon joined their family. Unfortunately, their cats have since passed, but Boo and Charlee are looking forward to seeing the wildlife center from a safe distance during their daily play time at Hounds on Henry.
Fred also volunteers with the United Way and the local chapter of Score which provides mentoring to small businesses. He served on the Punta Gorda Historic Preservation Advisory Board as an alternate and on the Punta Gorda Isles Canal Advisory Committee.
