Francisco Ollervides

Francisco is known by everyone as "Paco," a common nickname for Francisco in Mexico. He connects and supports new and established Waterkeeper organizations around the world with strategic planning and technical advice on scientific issues and development plans; among other things, he also facilitates new program growth and regional collaboration, with special emphasis in Canada, the Great Lakes region, and Latin America. Paco was co-founder and the first Board President of Magdalena Baykeeper in 2005. Before joining Waterkeeper Alliance, Paco directed the Center for Coastal Studies/School for Field Studies in Baja California Sur, Mexico. He led research efforts with numerous conferences and meetings participations in marine mammal and sea turtle conservation, water pollution issues and remediation initiatives, mangrove, sea grass and marine protected area studies, and environmental education projects.

Paco is a 1993 graduate of Instituto Tecnologico de Estudios Superiores Monterrey in Guaymas, Sonora, Mexico as a Biochemical Engineer with minor in Marine Resource Management. Paco obtained his Masters in Science and Doctoral Studies with focus on marine mammal bioacoustics from Texas A&M University, Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences in 1997 and 2001 respectively. Paco married another environmentalist, Emily Hissong, and they both live in Ohio with their daughter Sofia Michel.