Board of Directors
Ann Marie Shields, President
Ann Marie is an ardent supporter of De Soto National Memorial and the National Park Service. Serving as a volunteer for both long term and weekly assignments at De Soto National Memorial and Biscayne National Park she has provided guest service support, written interpretive curriculum for ongoing programs and presented environmentally based Ranger Programs. With undergrad and graduate degrees in science education, she retired from formal education after 43 years and looks forward to serving De Soto National Memorial as a member of the Friends of De Soto board.
Mary Hawk, Vice President
Mary is an attorney practicing with the law firm Becker & Poliakoff. She is also a Supreme Court Certified Circuit Civil Mediator and a Certified Arbitrator. She has been in practice since 1998 in the Sarasota/Bradenton area. Mary concentrates her mediation and litigation practice in the areas of commercial litigation, condominium and homeowner association law, probate litigation, landlord/tenant law, and mobile home law. She has a bachelor’s degree from Florida State University (Fine Arts, cum laude) and from Georgia State University (Journalism, with honors), and she received her law degree from Georgia State University College of Law (magna cum laude). She lives in Bradenton with her husband and son. She enjoys the wonderful Gulf Coast climate and outdoor activities with her family.
Clay Bush, Secretary
Clay stepped into the role of Sarasota County Archaeologist in July of 2024 and calls upon a background rooted in both academic study and professional Cultural Resource Management (CRM) to administer the County's cultural resource review process. He holds bachelor of arts degrees in Anthropology and History, as well as certificates in Archaeological Sciences and Historic Preservation, from the University of Georgia. Originally from Georgia, Clay first discovered his passion for archaeology during his freshman year archaeological field school on two of the state's barrier islands. This solidified a love for the archaeological landscape of the North American Southeast that would lead him to several years traveling and working as an archaeologist in the CRM private sector. Now serving in his current position, Clay plays a crucial role in the preservation of the region's cultural resources. When he's not presenting to the public, digging holes, or reviewing development plans, Clay is most happy out on the water on his fishing kayak or exploring Florida's backroads in his beloved truck.
Matt Woodside, Treasurer
Matt has been working in the cultural and natural history field for over 30 years, focusing on museum curation and exhibitions. His experience range includes acting as an historic sites manager and museums curator in the San Francisco Bay Area and as an outdoors skills educator and curator in South Dakota, to a 12-year career as Director of Exhibitions and Chief Curator at the Bishop Museum of Science and Nature in Bradenton. Since 2022, Matt has worked as curator for the Manatee Village Historical Park, also in Bradenton. Matt, his wife April, who is also a museum professional, and their two high-school aged children live just a 10 minute walk from De Soto National Memorial. Matt has an undergraduate degree in Painting and Drawing and a master’s degree in Museum Studies, both earned from San Francisco State University. Prior to his museum career, Matt was a flight instructor and a general contractor working in the San Francisco Bay area. Matt enjoys a number of hobbies ranging from vintage automobile and motorcycle restorations, to historic blacksmithing, gardening, cooking, camping, kayaking and exploring the back roads of Florida and Georgia with his family.
Margo Belaga, Director
Margo is an entrepreneur, artist and business owner. Having lived in Bradenton for 30 years, she and has owned and operated numerous businesses in Insurance, Restaurant Equipment, and the Arts. As a graduate of University of Miami with a degree in psychology, it's Margo’s love of community and nature that has anchored her to Bradenton. Her passion for nonprofit causes has included: VP of the Artist Guild of Manatee, Director of Arts Council of Manatee, VP of the Art League, Community Liaison for Meals on Wheels Plus, as well as founding member of The Pottery Group and Networking for Non Profit. She has spent many years visiting De Soto Memorial and is looking forward to adding her experience to the continuing great work of the Friends of De Soto.
Kel Roth, Director
Kel is a museum educator and recent Bradenton resident originally from the Metro Atlanta area. She graduated from the University of Georgia in 2022 with a bachelor's in anthropology, minor in classical culture, and certificates in museum studies and archaeological sciences. She moved to Florida after graduation to pursue her career in museum education. She works as the Community Engagement Coordinator at the Manatee County Agricultural Museum in Palmetto, Florida and is currently working towards receiving her master's degree in Informal Education and Interpretation. In her free time, Kel likes to kayak, make pottery, visit museums, and explore nature preserves.