ROBERTS, BARRETO ASSUME FWC LEADERSHIP POSTS

November 27, 2002
CONTACT:  Henry Cabbage (850) 488-8843

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) recently elected Dr. Edwin P. Roberts, 45, of Pensacola, as its new chairman and Rodney L. Barreto, 45, as the new vice chairman.

Roberts is a chiropractor and serves as team physician for the Escambia High School athletic program.  He earned his doctorate from Texas Chiropractic College in 1983 after earning his undergraduate degree in biology on a four-year football scholarship at Nichols State University.

Gov. Jeb Bush appointed Roberts to the Game and Fresh Water Fish Commission (GFC) in 1999, and the appointment automatically included an appointment to the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) when it replaced the GFC in July 1999.

Roberts and his wife, Carol, have three children.  He succeeded John C. Rood for the one-year term as chairman.

"When I was a kid, my father put me into the woods and on the ocean as soon as I could walk, and I developed a passion for hunting and fishing," Roberts said.  "For someone like me, serving as chairman of the FWC is the greatest honor that could ever happen."

He said that since the former GFC and parts of the Department of Environmental Protection merged to form the FWC, the agency has adapted to many changes.

"I hope to make all FWC employees feel good about the direction the new agency is taking in rising to meet its challenges," Roberts said.

Barreto, of Miami, replaced Roberts as vice chairman.  He is a partner in the public affairs firm of Barreto, Cunningham, May, Dudley and Maloy, with offices in Miami and Tallahassee.  He also is owner and president the 75-year-old Bode Export Corp. and of Metro Parking, Inc.

Barreto attended Miami Dade Community College and, in March 1988, earned his bachelor's degree in professional studies from Barry University in Miami.

Gov. Jeb Bush appointed Barreto to the FWC August 2001.

Barreto and his wife, Shelia, have two children.

"This Commission is addressing issues that will determine the future of Florida's living resources for all generations to come," Barreto said.  "I'm honored to be part of that responsibility, and I plan to work closely with Chairman Roberts and the other Commissioners to ensure the agency is responsive to the needs of the public throughout the process.  That's what the people of Florida expect and deserve from us."