# Anne V. Stokes

> Anne V. Stokes is an archaeologist, founder, and executive who started SEARCH while studying at the University of Florida in 1993 and developed it into a cultural resource management firm working across the United States and internationally. Trained in Caribbean archaeology and stable isotope analysis, she has managed hundreds of heritage projects, serves on academic and historical boards, and has helped position archaeology as both rigorous science and practical infrastructure work.

- **Role:** CEO and Founder at SEARCH
- **Organizations:** SEARCH, University of Florida Anthropology Development Board, Florida Historical Society, The Explorers Club, Florida Historical Society Archaeological Institute, CLS Companies
- **Education:** Ph.D. in Anthropology, specializing in Caribbean archaeology and stable isotope analysis, University of Florida
- **Known for:** Founded SEARCH in 1993 while still a graduate student., Managed hundreds of cultural heritage projects around the world., Built expertise spanning corporate operations, scientific excellence, quality control, leadership development, community outreach, and major program implementation.

## Career timeline

- **1993** — Founded Southeastern Archaeological Research, now known as SEARCH, while a University of Florida graduate student.
- **1995** — Published work on using stable isotope analysis to understand prehistoric subsistence in the West Indies.
- **1998** — Completed a University of Florida Ph.D. dissertation on prehistoric human diet in the West Indies using stable isotopes.
- **2002** — Participated in a cultural heritage management workshop in St. Lucia with University of Florida and Florida state archaeology colleagues.
- **2019** — As SEARCH CEO, publicly addressed the significance of identifying the wreck of Clotilda and its connection to the Africatown community.
- **2024** — Led SEARCH through its acquisition by Contract Land Staff and entry into the CLS family of companies.
- **2025** — Served as a Florida Historical Society board member and coeditor of Adventures in Florida Archaeology.
- **2026** — Spoke with the University of Florida about the value of applied graduate training in cultural resource management.

## Achievements

- Founded SEARCH in 1993 while still a graduate student.
- Managed hundreds of cultural heritage projects around the world.
- Built expertise spanning corporate operations, scientific excellence, quality control, leadership development, community outreach, and major program implementation.
- Contributed research on stable isotope evidence for prehistoric diets in the Caribbean.
- Published in peer-reviewed journals and contributed to a University of Alabama Press volume on Puerto Rican archaeology.
- Became a Fellow of The Explorers Club.
- Served on the University of Florida Anthropology Development Board and the Florida Historical Society board.
- Led SEARCH through its 2024 acquisition by Contract Land Staff.

## Latest updates

- **2026-05** — Featured by the University of Florida discussing its applied Master of Science in Archaeology and the value of teaching private-sector cultural resource management skills.
- **2025-06** — Identified as a Florida Historical Society board member, SEARCH CEO, and coeditor of Adventures in Florida Archaeology.
- **2024-09** — SEARCH was acquired by Contract Land Staff; Stokes said the partnership would support continued growth.

## Links

- Website: https://www.searchinc.com/people/anne-v-stokes
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/annevstokes
- Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/search_inc
- YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCMt4W8qsACMx1TF13j-mXqQ
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/search_archaeology/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/searcharchaeology

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Profile page: https://yespress.io/anne-stokes
Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-08-27