BBC Entity                                              Officers ~ Administration ~ Publication Editors ~ Advisors
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The Officers

Ryan Tomazin
President 2023 ~ 2024 

​​I've been an active member for over 25 years, enjoying Forays, birding trips, and meetings. I am the editor and producer of The Mail Bag, associate editor of The Redstart, and was the BBC Foray program director for a number of years. I have an enormous appreciation for what the world and beyond has to offer, and enjoy studying birds, fungi, moths, mountain ecosystems, forests, stars, nebulas and more. Serving the Brooks Bird Club is an important part of my life. 

Sally Egan
President Elect 

​I joined the BBC in 2008 after learning about it in a Master Naturalist class.  I'm a retired teacher and principal, residing in Bridgeport, WV.  I enjoy the clubs camaraderie and learning about birds and nature through BBC's Forays, trips, informative publications and meetings.

Ashton Berdine
Vice President (Budget Chair)

​​​​I grew up in West Virginia and owe my love for nature to the many people who nurtured my interest with their own enthusiasm and support. I have a degree in Botany from North Carolina State University. 
I worked with The Nature Conservancy in West Virginia for thirteen years, and I'm now currently working with the West Virginia Land Trust as a program manager.
I also enjoy kayaking, surf fishing, new trails, and the pursuit of wild turkeys. I especially love the company of birds and the study of botany.

​Cindy Slater
Immediate Past President  2020-2023

I grew up on a farm in Ohio.  My parents provided me with frequent opportunities to learn about and appreciate all aspects of nature, especially avian behavior and identification.  I expanded my knowledge of birds during BBC Forays, helping on the breeding bird census.  For over ten years I have been a bird leader at the WV Wildflower Pilgrimage. I’m a past President, Board member and a life member of the BBC.​

Beth Mankins
Treasurer

My birding journey began by watching birds at our homemade bleach jug feeders as a child.  Years of nature projects in 4-H and now teaching the basics of fishing at county camp has continued to reinforce my love of nature.  I look forward yearly to the WV Wildflower Pilgrimage.  I am very grateful to the great birders in the Mountwood Bird Club and Brooks Bird Club who have mentored me over the years.  

Mindy Waldron
Recording Secretary

I was born and raised in Ohio.  I attribute my love of nature and birds to my Mom.  I’ve lived in West Virginia since graduating from West Virginia University.  I joined Bibbee Nature Club in the 90’s and have held the position of President for a few years.  I’ve helped conduct Breeding Bird Surveys and Christmas Counts for many years in West Virginia.  I’m a bird bander and have worked at our two MAPS stations since 2008.
​I participate in the eagle surveys held in Southern West Virginia each January and March.  My husband, Allen, and I assisted with the Peregrine Restoration Project for the National Park Service in the New River Gorge. 
​I have been a member of Brooks Bird Club for many years and love attending Club events. 
Administration 

Carl Slater
Former Administrator 1993 ~ 2019

My 8th grade teacher got me interested in birds, and while working at Oglebay Institute’s Nature Center, I had the opportunity to meet Chuck Conrad, and my life has never been the same.  After a few years of attending weekend trips and Forays, I became more active with the workings of the Club; holding offices on the Board of Trustees, President (1992-1993),temporary Administrator, which somehow became Administrator, an office I still hold.  With the help of the lovely, hard working woman I live with, we have directed Forays, lead birding trips in the US and abroad, I love the Club, and after sixty years, can’t imagine life without it.
Our friend, long time member of the Brooks Bird Club, and BBC Administrator Carl Slater passed away on December 5th. 2019  He will be remembered and missed by all who knew him.

Juanita Slater
Membership Secretary ~ Acting Administrator 2020 ~ Present

Through a membership in a local hiking club in 1962, I found out that several participants were also members of the BBC, one of which anonymously sent me a membership to the BBC in 1963. I have served on the Board of Trustees and am currently Membership Secretary.  My husband Carl and I directed Forays from 1995-2007, have been organizing/leading trips abroad since 1995 along with birding trips within the U.S.
Publication Editors

L. E. Helgerman
Website Editor

In addition to being the co-creator of the current version of the BBC website (2016 - present), I create, edit and update all aspects of the website.  I've been a past BBC Board member and BBC HQ (Wheeling) Chapter President for numerous terms.
I've been involved with the National Audubon Society (NAS) on the local, state and national level for many years.  I have been a Christmas Bird Count (CBC) compiler for decades and the NAS West Virginia CBC State Editor since 2016. ​​

Casey Rucker
Redstart Editor

I discovered the Brooks Bird Club during the late 1990s as a climbing guide at Seneca Rocks. My love of birds has led me into many ornithological pursuits and adventures. My other interests include mountaineering, crime fiction, opera, and vegetable gardening. Since 2009 I have been the field notes editor of The Redstart, in 2017 I became the Redstart Editor, I am honored to be its current editor.
Current Advisers

Carol McCullough
Adviser

I developed an interest in birds and wildflowers in the mid-1960’s and joined the BBC in 1969.  I have served on the Board of Trustees or as an officer most of the time since 1997.  Offices I have held are Recording Secretary, Vice President, President-Elect, President and Immediate Past President.  My husband Fred and I organize the modified Breeding Bird Survey studies at the club’s annual Foray.  Other bird related activities are running a Breeding Bird Survey for U.S. Fish and Wildlife, participate in several Christmas Bird Counts, banding at the Allegheny Front Migration Observatory, and other citizen science projects

Bob Rine
Adviser

I reside in Wheeling and have been a member of the Brooks Bird Club since 1975.
​I’m a former member of the Board of Trustees and now an Adviser.

Tom Fox
Adviser

I joined the Brooks Bird Club in 1982 and have been active since my first Foray in 1986. I am a past BBC President and former board member of the club. I was the WV State Coordinator of the USGS Breeding Bird Surveys and District Coordinator for the first and second WV Breeding Bird Atlases.