BBC Past Presidents 
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Albert "Jay" Buckelew 
President  2016-2017  Editor of The Redstart 1977-2016 

​I developed an interest in birds in the 60's in New Hampshire and taught Ornithology at Bethany College for 42 years. I have served the BBC as editor of The Redstart since 1977. After the death of BBC executive secretary, Chuck Conrad, I served as administrator from 1982-1985, later I was on the Board of Trustees and co-directed several Forays. In 1981, I organized the first WV breeding bird atlas and co-authored The West Virginia Breeding Bird Atlas with George A. Hall in 1994. Presently I am writing several species accounts and the foreword for the second state breeding bird atlas book.

Carol McCullough
President  2014-2015

I developed an interest in birds and wildflowers in the mid-1960’s and joined the BBC in 1969.  Since 1997 I have held various BBC positions, Board of Trustee, Recording Secretary and President (2014-2015). My husband Fred and I organize the modified Breeding Bird Survey studies at the BBC Foray.  Other bird related activities are running a Breeding Bird Survey for U.S. Fish and Wildlife, participating in several Christmas Bird Counts, banding at the Allegheny Front Migration Observatory, and other citizen science projects.

Stuart Robbins (Stu)
President  2012-2013

Having attended my first BBC foray in the mid 50's, before the age of 12, and having been a lifetime member since 1971, I am pleased to be a member of the best bird club in America, and to have been the past President. Though I am generally six hours away from attending any BBC event, and though there are many other bird clubs more local to my residence between Baltimore and Washington, there is no other club like the BBC. The Forays especially have such diversity in knowledge of any aspect of nature. The BBC offers enjoyment for all.

John Jacobs
President  2010-2011

My father was a birder and a BBC member from the 1930's. He gave me a bird guide and instead of reading me stories before bedtime he would point to a picture of a bird and ask me what it was. I knew all the birds in that book before I could read. I'm still playing that game my father taught me. I attended my first foray at Camp Pinnacle then several others until school and, like most people, I got busy raising a family. Although I maintained a membership there was a hiatus in attending activities until the children were grown.  Eventually I served as President. The BBC has had an important influence on me. I wouldn't be the person I am without that exposure; able to look closely at a sparrow and hear songs that others don't hear. I hope to be that kind of influence on my grandchildren. 

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Former BBC Presidents: (2019 ~ 1932)  Back to the beginning!
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2018-2019 Janice Emrick
2016-2017 Albert R. Buckelew (Jay)
​2014-2015 Carol McCullough
2012-2013 Stuart Robbins (Stu)
2010-2011 John Jacobs
2008-2009 Joe Rieffenberger
2006-2007 Jane Whitaker
2004-2005 Dawn Fox
2002-2003 Frederick McCullough
2000-2001 Cynthia Ellis
1998-1999 James Bullard
1996-1997 Thomas R. Fox
1994-1995 LeJay Graffious
1992-1993 Carl Slater
1990-1991 Charles Pierce
1990 Robert Hogan (6 months)
1988-1989 Nevada Laitsch
1986-1987 William Murray
1984-1985 William Grafton
1982-1983 Dr. Greg Eddy
1980-1981 William Wylie
1978-1979 Kenneth Anderson
1976-1977 Russell Hogg
1974-1975 Nevada Laitsch

1972-1973 Ralph Bell
1970-1971 Ben Kiff
1968-1969 George Koch
1966-1967 Harold Boecher
1964-1965 George Hurley
1961-1963 Clark Miller
1959-1961 Hal Harrison
1957-1959 David Baker
1955-1957 Maxine Thacker
1952-1955 Dr. George A. Hall
1950-1952 E. R. "Pete" Chandler
1949-1950 James Olsen
1948-1949 Karl Haller
1946-1948 Carolyn Conrad
1944-1945 Carolyn Conrad
1942-1944 Charles Conrad
1941-1942 Russell West
1941 (acting) George Breiding
1940-1941 John Handlan
1939-1940 Harold Bergner
1937-1938 Harold Bergner
1936-1937 Russell West
1934-1935 John Handlan
1932-1933 John Handlan (Founder)
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