JJ Apodaca 

JJ Apodaca is the executive director of the Amphibian and Reptile Conservancy, where he leverages his background in herpetology and genetics to conserve some of the South’s most endangered species. For his work, the G&G team selected Apodaca as a Champion of Conservation in 2023, and he served on the 2024 panel to help select other champions. He lives with his wife, Christi, and son, Alden, in Asheville.