Leadership
Leadership
Richard Brister, Founder & Visionary
A successful entrepreneur, fervent marine environmental advocate, community pillar, philanthropist, and respected disabled military veteran, Richard Brister's life is a testament to passion, perseverance, and generosity. His enduring commitment to safeguarding the marine environment led him to establish Trace International Marine Environment, where he currently serves as Executive Director and Chairman of the Board, channeling his vision into tangible action.
With a strong academic background in math and science, Brister spent two decades contributing his expertise to various civil, mechanical, nuclear, and environmental engineering projects. Notably, he led a team in collaboration with the Scripps Institute, conducting underwater topographic studies and monitoring potential impacts on cobble reefs during the construction of the San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station. His hands-on approach saw him personally amassing over 1,000 hours underwater to ensure the completion of these studies, earning him Southern California Edison's highest individual accolade for outstanding service and philanthropy in 1994.
Brister's philanthropic endeavors are as vast as they are impactful. In the early 1990s, he donated a children's playground and ballpark to Avalon, a city on Catalina Island, California. His philanthropic journey continued as he funded a charity focused on assisting critically and terminally ill children. This led to a memorable partnership with the Make-A-Wish Foundation, providing Christmas holiday celebrations on yachts in Newport Beach Harbor. Further underscoring his commitment to community service, Brister founded the Halos and Heros Foundation in 2018, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting Gold Star children who have tragically lost a military parent in service to our country.
Richard Brister's story is one of tireless dedication to both the environment and society. His multifaceted career, philanthropic initiatives, and leadership at Trace International Marine Environment underscore his unyielding commitment to creating a better world for future generations.
Marie-Claude Svaldi, Chief Executive Officer
Marie-Claude Svaldi is an esteemed executive and entrepreneur with over two decades of transformative work in international education in the Middle East. She has effectively engaged with the region's most prominent families and government officials, shaping educational landscapes and fostering student success. As the founder of ECCOS LLC, she has facilitated significant educational advancements, placing over 62,000 students in accredited programs and managing substantial scholarship funds.
Today as Partner and VP of Government Relations and Recruitment, MENA, at ELS, & VP of GR at ICEF she has come full circle and acquired the knowledge and expertise of the business and industry from all its various aspects while maintaining excellent relations on a very high governmental level and with key stakeholders within the industry.
Her international background, global relationships, and proficiency in Arabic, English, and French bring immense value to Trace International Marine Environment, bolstering its global impact and reach.
Colin Levin, President and Director of Environmental Affairs
Colin Levin is the Founder and CEO of Oceans Alive Conservation Trust which is a registered non-profit, global conservation and public benefit organization dedicated to saving and protecting our oceans and our coastal environments through providing strategic guidance and managed project funding to encourage and support scientific research, ocean wildlife conservation, protection, ocean recovery, ocean and coastal environment clean-up programs, community awareness programs, social upliftment programs and ocean education programs to help change attitudes and ensure informed decision and policy making processes which lead to effective ocean action programs and positive conservation and wildlife protection outcomes.
Colin is a lifelong passionate entrepreneur and global conservation philanthropist with over 4 decades of very diverse and extensive experience in Process and Instrumentation Engineering, and Wildlife Conservation Projects. His experience has positioned him to contribute on many levels, to many companies and organizations, globally, as CEO, Director, Board Member, Trustee, Advisory, Consultant and Collaboration Partner, and now, as an Executive Board Member at Trace International Marine Environment.
His experience and his passion for the protection and conservation of the oceans and the planet allows him to be an invaluable asset to Trace International Marine Environment.
James Bohm, Executive Chairman of the Board
James Bohm brings extensive experience in diverse practice areas to his role as Of Counsel and Board Member at Trace International Marine Environment. With a substantial background in construction defect litigation, business litigation, trust and probate litigation, and personal injury litigation, Bohm has served an impressive range of clients.
His expertise spans from representing developers, general contractors, sub-contractors, and design professionals in construction defect cases to serving Fortune 500 companies in complex business litigation involving contract disputes and asset divestiture claims. He has also represented both trustees and beneficiaries in high-value trust litigation.
Bohm's extensive trial experience and proven track record make him an invaluable asset to Trace International Marine Environment, offering a wealth of legal insight and strategic counsel to the organization.
Steven Davis, Chief Technology Officer
Steven Davis has been leading the technological vision of Trace International Marine environment since 2022. With a passion for safeguarding our oceans, Steven has played a role in establishing the company through cybersecurity and software management. He oversees the implementation of rigorous safety protocols, best practices, and technologies, ensuring the company's operations are conducted with the utmost regard for environmental sustainability and regulatory compliance.
Scott Lane, Influential Policy Expert and Strategist
Scott Lane is a recognized authority on energy, transportation, international trade, and tax policy, boasting a significant presence within House and Senate GOP leadership circles. He has effectively served an array of clients, from Fortune Global 500 companies to national trade associations and small businesses.
Beginning his career on Capitol Hill with Senator Warren B. Rudman, Scott quickly became an influential figure in governmental relations and transportation policy. His leadership in clean energy advocacy resulted in strategic victories, such as securing tax credits for alternative fuels in the transportation sector.
With a political career spanning over three decades, Scott has been an active player in numerous presidential campaigns and RNC conventions, and played a key role in advancing President Reagan's public policy goals. His extensive experience and expertise bring immense value to Trace International Marine Environment, enhancing its policy engagement and strategic direction.
Peter Lamberti, Director - Executive Director - TIME Media / Board of Directors
Experienced cameraman, producer, wildlife enthusiast, veteran National Geographic contributor, founder and CEO of Lion Mountain Media and its subsidiary factual division Aquavision TV Productions. I strive to lead and motivate my team with skill and enthusiasm in the endless pursuit of new stories, ideas, business opportunities and partnerships. The success on which both my companies rest is the foundation of our good solid camerawork. Together with my team we have gone on to become one of the most important providers of wildlife content in Africa, with internationally award-winning television programs that have been viewed by over 1.5 billion cumulative viewers in more than 170 countries airing on networks such as The Discovery Channel, National Geographic, Nat Geo Wild, Animal Planet and The Smithsonian Channel.