The Current Board and Core Volunteers

Board Members

Elections are held at the Annual Meeting, which is regularly scheduled for the last Saturday in February.
Each board member's term expires at the Annual Meeting in the year indicated after each name.
The president, president-elect, and immediate past president serve 0ne-year terms.
All other board members and officers serve two-year terms, staggered so not all terms expire simultaneously.
Ron Kamzelski, President (2025-2026)
About my involvement with Friends and the Refuges: My wife Ann and I have had a home on Cedar Key for over 16 years. Prior to that we vacationed on the Island for 5 years. During that time, I have been a Friend of the Refuge and have spent countless hours biking, hiking and fishing in the Lower Suwannee Refuge. The Refuge is a special and beautiful part of Florida.  

About other parts of my life: Since I retired from a large multi-national industrial gas company, I spend the summers at our farm in northern PA, but look forward to returning every fall to Cedar Key to enjoy the unique wildlife opportunities the Refuges offer.
Tara Barney (2025-2026)
About my involvement with Friends and the Refuges:  After many years as a Chamber of Commerce executive and a career in economic development, I've settled at the home in Cedar Key that my family has owned since 2014.  I'm enjoying the time for all my favorite pursuits:  kayaking, hiking, bird and critter watching, and learning about our local ecosystems.  Like many, I've visited Wildlife Refuges all over the country and look forward to supporting ours.  My favorite "ah-ha" was learning that the Lower Suwannee/Cedar Key Wildlife Refuge is primarily about protecting the watershed!  What a great way to support our local aquaculture economy and well and the habitat that makes this area so special.
 
About other parts of my life:  Personally, I'm lucky to have lived and worked in Iowa, Illinois, Indiana as well Ohio--my first home, so I'm a veteran on the Inland Waterways as well as loving this part of Florida.  With a son in Denver, a daughter in Archer and grandkids in both places, I make time with them a priority and have fun skiing, hiking and following their adventures.
Denise Feiber, Immediate Past President (2025-2026)
About my involvement with the Friends and the Refuges: Moving to Cedar Key six years ago, and having boated here for many more years, has reignited my love of the sea and the beautiful surrounding environment. I retired as the director of public information from the FL Dept of Agriculture Division of Plant Industry in 2018. I was a bit “at sea” for a while trying to adjust to having a clean desk. In Cedar Key that doesn’t last long if you’re willing to get involved. I have enjoyed and learned from my involvement with Friends over the last few years and look forward to continuing work to help preserve and protect this incredibly special place.

About other parts of my life: My husband John and I continue to explore our unique community and marvel at the number of wonderful friends we have made, and at the beauty that surrounds our home. Our animals also dominate a good part of our life.
Pete Tirrell, Secretary (2024-2026)
About my involvement with the Friends and the Refuges: Ever since my wife and I moved to Cedar Key in 2020, we have spent a good portion of our time exploring the abundance of natural areas nearby, especially the Lower Suwannee and Cedar Keys Refuges.

About other parts of my life: My educational background is in wildlife ecology and computational biology. After a few years working in the natural resources field I shifted my career to information systems and worked for many years in information technology at Brown University.  While my career shifted, I maintained my interests in wildlife and conservation via my outdoor hobbies and volunteer work for the Nature Conservancy, Audubon, and other nonprofits and environmental groups. I love to travel, hike, bike, and paddle with my wife Heather and sometimes with our dog Sukey.
Ethan Bittner, Treasurer (2025-2027)
About my involvement with the Friends and the Refuges:  I am excited to become more involved with Friends as the treasurer, and being new to Cedar Key and the surrounding areas, I look forward to exploring the Refuges and helping to support and protect them.

About other parts of my life: 
I am from Buffalo, New York, went to several colleges around New York City, but didn’t finish my degree until last year, after I moved to Australia and got my accounting degree from the University of Tasmania. My wife and I moved to Cedar Key in April 2024. I have been at Seacoast Bank since May 2024.
Lukas Desjardins, Director (2025-2027)
About my involvement with the Friends and the Refuges: My master's research is focused on public archaeology at the Shell Mound site in the Lower Suwannee Refuge. I am currently investigating the ways that land managers and citizens can promote the long-term protection and preservation of coastal archaeological sites that are threatened by climate change, as well as how those sites can contribute to the overall resiliency of the landscapes they are integrated into. 
 
About other parts of my life: I am currently a master's student at the University of Florida in the Public Archaeology program. I began my master's degree after three years working in the Cultural Resource Management field, primarily conducting archaeological surveys to fulfill permitting requirements for development projects. My love for archaeology is tied to my love for the natural and cultural landscapes of Florida. Aside from the pressing issue of managing coastal archaeological sites threatened by climate change, I am also interested in the ways that past people constructed resilient landscapes that are integrated into their natural worlds.
Robin Gallup, Director (2024-2026)
About my involvement with the Friends and the Refuges: My husband Rick and I have enjoyed being resident volunteers at Lower Suwannee NWR since 2020 when Covid lockdown happened! We had just left Imperial NWR in Arizona where we volunteered as trail hiking and visitor center volunteers. 

About other parts of my life: My professional experience stateside includes home healthcare agency administrator, certified legal nurse consultant, school nurse and certified health educator. I continue to see home hospice patients near my home in Maine. 

My husband and I lived on St John, US Virgin Islands, for 21 years before retirement where we owned a sail charter business and I started an island home nursing business. 

In the summer we live in the western mountains of Maine where we skied for years. Now I especially enjoy mountain biking, motorcycling, paddle boarding on our wildlife pond, and tennis.
Ken Gray, Director (2025-2027)
About my involvement with Friends and the Refuges: The natural beauty of this wondrous place is what compelled us to pull up our midwestern roots and move to Cedar Key full time. What better way is there to give back to this community we love so much and the environment that makes it so special?

About other parts of my life: A mechanical engineer by education, my 40-year career focused on understanding customer needs and developing machines to serve them. I lived my childhood dream of working for Caterpillar Inc. for 33 years and retired after serving ten years as a corporate director, finally serving as the company's first Chief Innovation Officer. I Co-Founded Dig Robotics in 2023 and today serve as its Chief Performance Officer. One of the mysteries of the universe is that my wife and I have been together since 1982, and our two adult children have settled near us, one in Cedar Key and the other in Gainesville. I serve several other nonprofit boards including the Central Illinois Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired, the Edison Awards Steering Committee, and the Bradley University Mechanical Engineering Alumni Advisory Council.
Clair Keating, Director (2025-2027)
About my involvement with Friends and the Refuges: My husband and I have recently moved to the area and are so excited to continue to explore Cedar Key and the Lower Suwannee Refuges. Originally being from Orlando, I love experiencing and learning more about coastal habitats.

About other parts of my life: I am a experienced landscaper with a personal passion for Florida's natural landscapes. I work at the University of Florida as a groundskeeper and feel so lucky I get to take care of such a beautiful campus. I am especially excited to help care for and help organize care for a natural landscape preserving such an important environment. I am also a long-time birdwatcher with a soft spot for wading birds.
Ginessa Mahar, Director (2025-2027)
About my involvement with the Friends and the Refuges: I am passionate about conserving both the natural and cultural history of the Refuges, as I believe both to be inextricably linked. I have spent the last several years exploring the Refuges as an archaeologist and am deeply grateful for the Friends’ stewardship of this beautiful region.

About other parts of my life: My dissertation research focused on the archaeology of ancient Native American fishing practices in the Lower Suwannee region. This research allowed me to interact with much of the coastline of the Refuges, experiencing its dynamism. Prior to my research in Florida, I spent several years working as an archaeologist for the American Museum of Natural History in Georgia. Our primary research area was located on the Atlantic Coast, a salt marsh environment with both similarities and distinct differences to the Northern Gulf Coast. I love exploring the southeastern islands, shorelines, and maritime forests. In addition to my archaeological research, I now serve as the Anthropology Librarian at the University of Florida.
Debbie Meeks, Director (2024-2026), Former President
About my involvement with Friends and the Refuges: As a kid in Texas I spent most of my time outdoors. I go to the refuges to bike, hike, photograph and kayak. My time spent exploring our amazing refuges feels like an adventure. 

About other parts of my life: I am a retired cabinetmaker turned software programmer. My husband and I like to travel without plans where we delight in modern architecture. While at home my studio workshop, nature pursuits, and volunteering occupy my time.
Bob Piscura, Director (2025-2027)
About my involvement with Friends and the Refuges: I am a life member of Friends and have been involved at the Refuge mainly through my fishing. hiking, and biking at the there.

About other parts of my life: I live a dual personal life… season 1 here in Florida spending as much time as possible participating in wind/ water sports, playing in our group "the fishin musicians" and administrating the vision services program for CK LIONS. Season 2 in the mountains of Virginia I spend time with kids and grans hiking, biking and doing water sports, while raising cattle, gardening and mountain biking. 
John Thalacker, Director (2025-2027)
About my involvement with Friends and the Refuges: When I retired to Cedar Key 20 years ago after a career as a prison warden in Iowa, I was interested in learning the flora and fauna of the area.  Like many visitors, one of my first trips to the refuge was the River Trail.  I was disappointed to see only two trees identified on the trail and later learned they were ...... misidentified!  Hence the beginning of my interest in developing pathway accessibility and plant signage on the River Trail.  Helping the Board think through our organizational growth, Board composition and priorities, as well as working on the Brazilian Pepper removal and currently restoring  two woven seat Vista rockers are other areas I have tried to make a contribution.

About other parts of my life: Weekly (Nov thru April) I co-lead  a gathering of acoustic string musicians and those who just like to "tap a toe" for some "front porch pickin'". Song Farmers of Cedar Key on Facebook has weekly details but generally  you can find us in the CK city park from 2-4 PM on Sunday afternoons. My wife Donna, a local artist and naturalist, and I have travelled nationally and internationally a lot  the last 20 years  and still always find  trips by water or land in the Refuge special.
Scott Wright, Director (2025-2027)
About my involvement with the Friends and the Refuges: For many years, I hunted throughout the Lower Suwannee NWR. At that time, I was the director of the Marine Mammal Pathobiology Laboratory for the State of Florida, focusing on manatees and other marine mammals. Later, I moved to Wisconsin to become Chief of Disease Investigations at the USGS National Wildlife Health Center. This provided the opportunity for me to work with many federal refuges throughout the nation. After retiring, returning to Florida and living in our family home on Cedar Key, I became involved with the world famous Pepper Busters removing these noxious invaders on refuge land as well as on Cedar Key. 

About other parts of my life: In addition to busting peppers, I serve on the Board of the Cedar Keys Audubon and I am a landlord for Purple Martin housing on the Island. My wife, Beth, and I have returned to our manatee roots. We presently volunteer for the Clearwater Marine Aquarium Research Institute. Under federal and state permits, we conduct photo-identification studies of manatees at three state parks: Manatee Springs, Fanning Springs and Ichetucknee Springs State Park. We conduct field work three days a week from November 1 through March 30. 

Core Volunteers

Volunteers with key programmatic roles but not governance.
Jay Bushnell, Advocacy Committee, Former President
About my involvement with Friends and the Refuges: As a boy, under the tutelage of my wonderful stepfather, I developed a love of nature and the outdoors.  I love the opportunities the Refuges provide to appreciate and enjoy the wild. I feel a deep responsibility to preserve wildlife and the environment that they depend on the the future.

About other parts of my life: I married my high school sweet heart 50+ years ago. We have two sons and six grandchildren.  We are both retired educators with over 60 years of combined experience.  I love to read (mostly nonfiction) and I have recently acquired an interest in geology, especially creating cabochons. 
Bill Dummitt, Merchandise, Former President,
About my involvement with Friends and the Refuges: Almost 20  years ago, I was driving down highway 19, wandering around Florida on vacation.   It was getting late and I needed to find a place to stay.  I saw Cedar Key on the map and decided to take a  detour to see what it was like, since I hadn’t previously heard of it.  I was hooked by the serene coastal environment. abundant wildlife, and laid-back atmosphere.  In 2012 I bought a house here.  A year later I convinced my boss to offer me early retirement, and then left icy Midwestern winters to live here full-time.  Seeking others who shared my feelings about the Florida outdoors, I joined Friends and was invited to join the board shortly afterwards.  My favorite pastimes in my new retired life are travel, paddling, and nature photography.
Peg Hall, Online Communications, Former President
About my involvement with Friends and the Refuges: An admirer of the contributions that the Refuges make to the quality of life and economic well-being of the region, I enjoy being involved in building support for them. I served previously as president from 2011 to 2013 and in 2021, and have continued since then as the webmaster and editor of the monthly email News Brief.

About other parts of my life: My other interests include hiking and writing. I am co-author of Second Wind on the Way of St. James (2013) and The Summer of a Thousand Cheeses (2010). I am a retired university administrator and professor in the field of public relations. I have walked sections of the Camino de Santiago 10 times in the past 15 years.
Russ Hall, Science Volunteer, Former President
About my involvement with Friends and the Refuges: A biological scientist by avocation, training, and experience, I have found much to entice and engage in the unique and alluring ecosystems of the refuges. I hope my involvement with the Friends will help to support refuge managers in their effective management and protection of refuges to benefit the American people.

About other parts of my life: Since retiring from my position as a biologist and science manager with the US Geological Service in 2006, I have published nine books and hiked more than 1200 miles on the Camino de Santiago.
Debbie Jordan, Swallow-tailed Kites
About my involvement with Friends and the Refuges: I was hooked on my first trip to Shired Island, towing an old pop-up camper.  Back then, CR 357 was more potholes than road!  But we found paradise at the end.  Since then, my husband and I have experienced many fantastic natural encounters with abundant fiddler and horseshoe crabs, white pelicans, red and black drum, dolphins hunting, sea turtles, speckled trout, sharks and tarpon.  It prompted our moving to Suwannee, FL, where we enjoyed 12 wonderful years.  I really want to do what I can to help protect our Refuges’ amazing wildlife.
 
About other parts of my life: Combining my teenage travel aboard my family’s 36-foot sailboat and my 30-year career at Gainesville’s Holbrook Travel, I’ve been to 40 countries so far. My passion for birding and nature travel has led me to develop group expeditions that directly support habitat conservation for resident and migrant birds in Central and South America.  When not traveling for work or pleasure, I am appreciating our grandchildren here in Melrose, FL. 
Boyd Kimball, Merchandise
About my involvement with Friends and the  Refuges: Not knowing what to expect, my wife and I began volunteering at the Refuges welcome desk several years ago. It soon became apparent that this would be a quality experience interacting with visitors, getting to know other dedicated volunteers and meeting the welcoming, communicative Refuges staff. It has been positive enough that I look forward to volunteer stints and am eager to do more for the Refuges.

​​About other parts of my life: Retired after 32 years of teaching and another 13 years as a non-profit administrator, my wife and I found a sanctuary from New York State winters in Cedar Key. Travel, reading, other volunteer opportunities, and exploring the area’s natural world occupy much of my time.
Linda Kimball, Membership
About my involvement with Friends and the  Refuges: When serendipity brought my husband and me to Cedar Key in 2016, we talked to a realtor by the end of the week because we had found ­our winter home, a wildlife haven in a land of cedars, cypress, palms and pines.  Exploring the Refuges became part of my life so it naturally followed that I joined the Friends and then began volunteering at the visitor welcome desk.  I am committed to supporting the preservation of the Refuges and finding ways to share these treasures with others who seek to explore nature.

​About other parts of my life: After teaching English for 42+ years in high school and college, I’m now on a more flexible schedule that allows me to pursue my first major in college – biology.  During the summer I enjoy walking the pine and hardwood forests in New York. When I’m in Florida, I enjoy serving as a volunteer for organizations and observing wildlife on my daily walks.  And, when I’m not in New York or Cedar Key, I’m on the road, in the air, or on a train traveling to another part of the world.
Dan Kline, Entomology
About my involvement with Friends and the  Refuges: I have always had an interest in wetlands ecology and have been given the privilege to conduct research in the Lower Suwannee Refuge for the past few decades. 

About other parts of my life: I have been interested in science nearly my whole life.  I am a trained medical & veterinary entomologist who specializes in conducting research on the biology, behavior, ecology and population management of mosquitoes and other biting flies.
Jeri Treat, Outreach
About my involvement with the Friends and the Refuges: My husband and I first visited Cedar Key more than 30 years ago. We were taken with the beauty of the natural resources both on the water and the undeveloped lands. Our love of small boats became a great way for us to enjoy the wonderful, serene and secret places the Refuge has to offer. There are many trails to walk and explore. I am delighted having the opportunity to help with preservation of the Refuge lands.

About other parts of my life: After years of sailing Florida’s waters we decided to travel the Blue Highways and visit states and coastal towns on the east coast including Canada. We converted a van for camping, strapped the canoe on the roof and were ready to go. Our favorite stopping spots were State parks, National Parks and Forests and off the beaten path campgrounds. Today we enjoy our Cedar Key community and the natural environment that surrounds us.
Barbara Woodmansee, Butterflies and Pollinators
About my involvement with Friends and the Refuges:  I have been coming to the LSNWR for nearly 20 years, to survey both sides of the Suwannee river for rare butterflies.  I lead butterfly walks for Refuge visitors in April and September to familiarize people with the variety of butterfly species that make the various habitats in the Refuge so incredible.  Debbie Meeks and I created a butterfly guidebook for people interested in being able to identify the Refuge butterflies that is now available for purchase on the Friends website.  I am always available online ([email protected]) to help with butterfly questions.  I am interested in learning as much as I can about flora and fauna in wild places, and love to hike the gates off of the main Refuge roads in search of new treasures to photograph.  

About other parts of my life:  I was a registered nurse for 40 years, and recently retired from  Haven Hospice in Gainesville.  I am not a trained biologist, but am a dedicated "citizen scientist", spending as much of my free time as possible in the woods.  My husband Marc is a retired Gainesville police officer, and we love to camp all over the country and especially in Florida.  We live just outside of Gainesville on Kanapaha prairie, where we have a parrot, two golden retrievers and a flock of very spoiled chickens.