Personnel
Forrest S. Smith
South Texas Natives Coordinator
Forrest was raised in Brownwood, Texas, where he developed a love for the outdoors. He received his B.S. in Range and Wildlife Management from Texas A&M University-Kingsville in 2003. While an undergraduate, he began working with the South Texas Natives project as a student worker. During 2003, Forrest joined the Institute full-time as a Research Associate and Collections and Evaluations Manager for South Texas Natives. His primary duties are to oversee native seed collection and evaluation of plant accessions throughout south Texas. Forrest works to collect data on these plants throughout the year, and to select the superior accessions for future release. Forrest is married to Patricia and has two children. His hobbies include hunting, fly fishing, wildlife photography, and native plant gardening and identification.
Keith Pawelek
Production Manager
Keith was born and raised in Jourdanton, Texas, where he learned the art of farming through the use of his family property. Keith received his B.S. in Range and Wildlife Management from Texas A&M University-Kingsville in 2005. As an undergraduate, Keith was active on the Plant Identification Team, President of the Student Chapter of Ducks Unlimited, and a member of the Student Chapter of the Wildlife Society. With his diverse background in agriculture, wildlife, and habitat, Keith first joined South Texas Natives in 2003 as a student worker. Upon graduation, he became a more permanent member of the team as a Research Associate, and now serves as Production Manager. His primary duties involve growing, evaluating, and selecting native plant species and coordinating seed increases of those species for commercial use. His farming background aids the project when it comes to agronomic applications and technologies. Keith’s hobbies include hunting, fishing, and spending time with his family and friends.
Robert Obregon
Research Associate
Robert Obregon was born and raised in Mission, Texas where he gained invaluable hands-on experience planting and harvesting a variety of vegetables. Robert earned a B.S. in Agricultural Mechanics with a minor in Agricultural Economics from Texas A&I University in 1989. As an undergraduate, Robert worked for CKWRI with the thornless mesquite project and the deer project. Robert came to South Texas Natives from the Texas Forest Service in 2007. His diverse background in agriculture, mechanics, farming, carpentry, plumbing, electrical, and welding leads to his dual responsibilities at South Texas Natives including growing and harvesting native seeds and maintaining equipment. Robert enjoys spending time on the family ranches in Duval and Kleberg counties. He is married to Dr. Zonia Garcia-Obregon and they have two sons, Robert Jr. and Joel. Together, they enjoy hunting, fishing, traveling and gardening.
Annette Peterson
Office Coordinator
Annette, a native of Kansas City, has been the Office Coordinator for South Texas Natives since December 2006. She provides expertise in financial and overall administrative management. She focuses on the organization and tracking of grants and private accounts. She oversees the general maintenance within the office along with other duties such as newsletters, editing, and website updates.
Annette received a bachelor’s degree from Kansas State University in Horticulture and has worked in the sales and marketing industry for 17 years. She also worked for Epiphany Episcopal School in Kingsville as an administrative assistant with an emphasis on finance. Annette is married to Pete Peterson, head men’s basketball coach at Texas A&M-Kingsville. Annette and Pete have two daughters, Hannah and Leah.
