Deborah has been with the commission since 1990 and is responsible for the rare plant conservation program including the Rare Plant Recognition Act, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service grants and general floristic work. She received her Bachelor of Science in biology from Florida State University and her Master of Science in botany from the University of Florida. She previously worked for the Florida Heritage Program as a botanist, and was a wetland protection specialist with Florida's Department for Environmental Protection.