Meet the Team

Derek was born in Chicago, Illinois. His family is native to Tallahassee and St. Augustine,

Florida. He was instrumental in connecting the Department of Interior/National Park Service (NPS) Underground Railroad Network to St. Johns County in 2014. He was the catalyst to connecting the Gullah Geechee Cultural Heritage Corridor to St. Johns County and instrumental

in having the NPS change its management plan to include St. Johns County in 2015.

As Vice President for the Fort Mose Historical Society when the state park and museum was built, he was the society’s curator, while liaising with Syngery, the builders of the museum, St. Johns County, and the State of Florida. His role was more for accuracy, interpretation, and maximum education. 

His family was involved in Florida's Reconstruction Period. His great, great-grandfather Rev., J. H. Hankerson worked with the Florida Freedmen’s Bureau; his great-grandfather Rev. J. H. Hankerson was the first black postmaster in St. Johns County, appointed in 1915. His father

Deacon C. E. Hankerson served in the Office of the Secretary of the Army from 1955-1965.

Mr. Hankerson is employed by the United States House of Representatives. He has had presidential appointments dating from the age of 22-37 serving in the Presidential

Administrations of President Ronald Reagan, President George Herbert Walker Bush, and

President George Walker Bush.

Tom grew up in Valdosta, Georgia, where his parents and older siblings passed on their love of history to him. 

After graduating from Valdosta State, the University of Vermont and Georgetown University, Tom became a public defender in Palm Beach County, working as both a trial and appellate lawyer for 36 years and retiring in 2018.  His most rewarding experience as a public defender was working in the agricultural region of the 'Glades for 17 years. His wife, Susan Hendricks, is also a career public service attorney.

 In 2008, he responded to a newspaper request for volunteers to serve as guides at the Loxahatchee Battlefield. He was trained by Richard Procyk and has been a battlefield docent ever since. Tom says, "It is an honor to serve on the Board of Directors of the Loxahatchee Battlefield Preservationists because of my passion for American history." 

Having served on the Board since 2013, Laurie has been active on the following committees:  Membership, Event Planning, Interpretive Center Initiative & Memorial, and Convocation for Seminole War Historians.

She has a passion for history, culture and archaeology, having traveled to many regions walking on the historical paths of lost civilizations.  She has special interest in the history and culture of the Native American and Indigenous people.

Laurie has done independent research with locating the names of the missing Tennessee Volunteers militia.   

She is excited to be a part of the group effort to create a memorial to represent all those who fought and died on this sacred land including the US soldiers, the Seminoles and the Black Seminoles.

Laurie considers herself an explorer and finds enjoyment in hiking, biking, and exploring the great outdoors.  

Having held the position of President of the LBP for over three years, and Director

on the Board of Directors for three years previous to that, Dick brings many years

of knowledge and leadership skills to our organization. His love of history has

been demonstrated as a Battlefield Docent since 2013 and he has been spotted a

few times in costume as Major General Thomas Sydney Jesup. He has served as

the LBP Chairman of the Battlefield Reenactment Committee, the Chairman of the

2021 Convocation of Seminole War Historians Committee and Chairman of the

Interpretive Center Initiative Fund Raising Subcommittee. In his previous life, Dick

spent over 36 years working for Pratt & Whitney as an Aerospace Engineer. He

feels fortunate to have been married to Gail, also an active member of the LBP,

for over 50 years. Together they raised two daughters and enjoy the company of

seven granddaughters.