Justin Riney is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Mother Ocean and the Project Lead for Expedition Florida 500. Riney was born in the rolling hills of East Texas and raised on the Atlantic Coast of Florida, deeply influenced by both the country and the ocean. He graduated from the University of Florida with a BSBA in Finance and specialized in innovation and entrepreneurship. He's worked and lived on the Andros Barrier Reef and the Tongue of the Ocean in the Bahamas, as well as the Pacific coastline of Southern California where he worked with the University of California, San Diego and the Scripps Institution of Oceanography. Riney brings a creative and visionary mind to the team and is focused on building bridges between the business world and ocean sciences. His ultimate goal is to promote global ocean stewardship and facilitate the progression of ocean science, innovation, exploration, and discovery in the process.

Allison LaBine is the Chief Operating Officer (COO), as well as the Staff Writer at Mother Ocean. LaBine has a BA in Literature and Communications with a minor in Psychology from the University of Central Florida. She has an extensive background as a writer and an abiding love for the sea. She grew up along Florida’s East Coast and spent her summers sailing in Long Island. LaBine has been a professional photographer for over ten years and is working on completing two novels and publishing books for children. She currently resides in Orlando, Florida, and has been involved with Mother Ocean from the ground up. LaBine is the brains behind the operation, keeping things moving forward on a daily basis while everyone else is working in the field. Learn more about Allison by following her blog at www.allisonlabine.com.

Gabriel Gray is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Walkin' On Water Paddleboards. Growing up on a farm near the Wacissa River in Florida, Gray developed an early passion for the outdoors and the water. Fishing, free diving, surfing, and bull riding were the norm when he wasn't hard at work on the farm. After riding bulls professionally on tour for ten years, Gray was ready to settle down in Florida to rediscover his roots along the ocean and inland waterways. In addition to owning his own stand up paddleboard (SUP) touring business, Gray is also a Firefighter/EMT and a USLA open water lifeguard. It's with this well-rounded outdoor experience that Gray handles the logistics, mapping, and operations of Expedition Florida 500. To learn more about Walkin' On Water Paddleboards, visit www.wowpaddleboards.com.

Lauren Peterson is the founder of Namaste SUP and is paving the road to introduce younger generations to the healthy lifestyle and sport of stand up paddling (SUP). She teaches advanced yoga courses as an Adjunct Faculty member at Arizona State University where she received her Masters in Physical Education. Peterson has been pioneering the field of SUP yoga since 2008 when she merged her passion for both lifestyles. She developed a land- and water-based curriculum for grades 6-12 and universities to integrate SUP yoga into their current Physical Education programs. Peterson has extensive teaching experience in all areas of dance, yoga, SUP yoga, and physical education. Coming from a family of ocean lovers and advocates, she grew up sailing, diving, and wakeboarding. Peterson brings her love of the water, a passion for working with younger generations, and an educational component to our team. Learn more about Namaste SUP at www.namastesup.com.