sentences:  Backer played a leading role in forming the Waterkeeper Alliance in its formative years along with Robert F. Kennedy Jr., currently Chairman of Waterkeeper Alliance, Andrew Wilner, the New York/New Jersey Baykeeper, Joe Payne the Casco Baykeeper, Michael Herz, the former San Francisco Bay keeper and Terry Tamminen the former Santa Monica, California, Baykeeper.In 2007, the office of president and vice president of the Waterkeeper Alliance were renamed to chairman and vice chairman at the annual meeting of the Alliance.Backer has helped guide and grow the Waterkeeper Alliance to 188 autonomous Waterkeepers on six continents.