Miller named to top job at ANERR
After two decades at the Apalachicola National Estuarine Research Reserve, the last 10 years as manager, Jenna Harper has been appointed to a deputy director post with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection in Tallahassee.
Succeeding her in the manager post at ANERR is Kim Miller, who brings to the task 24 years of service to the Florida DEP and the Reserve, where she has held roles as research assistant, aquatic preserve manager, stewardship coordinator, northwest regional aquatic preserve manager, and most recently, assistant manager.
A native Floridian, who holds a degree in biology and has extensive experience in coastal resource management, restoration, and estuarine ecology, Miller brings a commitment to sustaining Florida’s natural resources, and a lifelong passion for the outdoors. When she’s not at work, she enjoys gardening, exploring local waters and forests, photographing nature, playing guitar, and writing.
Miller said she is excited to step into this new leadership role and is committed to fostering collaboration, innovation, and stewardship at the Reserve. She believes in lifelong learning and the importance of continuously growing both personally and professionally.
“I am deeply grateful for this opportunity and recognition of my efforts,” she said. “Every day, I am reminded of how fortunate I am to work in a field that I truly love. My passion for our natural resources, strong partnerships, and the local community fuels my commitment to preserving and enhancing the sustainability of this remarkable environment.”
Harper. who began at ANERR in July 2002, started Dec. 1 as deputy director of DEP’s office of resilience and coastal protection, which works collaboratively with the state’s three research reserves to manage critically important portions of Florida’s 8,436 miles of diverse coastline.
Her husband, Dan Harper, owner of Harper’s Lock & Key LLC, based in Apalachicola, said the family will relocate to Tallahassee, where he will be part of a new opportunity in the industry.
“I’m leaving the best job,” said Jenna. “It’s an amazing place to work. The Reserve is special, and you get to protect this special place, and it’s an opportunity to educate people about it.”
Meet the Editor
David Adlerstein, The Apalachicola Times’ digital editor, started with the news outlet in January 2002 as a reporter.
Prior to then, David Adlerstein began as a newspaperman with a small Boston weekly, after graduating magna cum laude from Brandeis University in Waltham, Massachusetts. He later edited the weekly Bellville Times, and as business reporter for the daily Marion Star, both not far from his hometown of Columbus, Ohio.
In 1995, he moved to South Florida, and worked as a business reporter and editor of Medical Business newspaper. In Jan. 2002, he began with the Apalachicola Times, first as reporter and later as editor, and in Oct. 2020, also began editing the Port St. Joe Star.