Administration
Jason Meyer
President/CEO
jason@blandfordnaturecenter.org | 616-735-6240 ext. 120
Started at Blandford: August 2014
Education: MS, Environmental Education (Purdue University)
BS, Wildlife Managment (Purdue University)
Certificate in Fundraising Management (Indiana University)
Hobbies/Interests: serving on the Association of Nature Center Administrators (ANCA) board, spending time with family, and cooking
Favorite part about Blandford: knowing the work the amazing team does makes a difference
Jess Bitting
Special Projects Manager
jess@blandfordnaturecenter.org | 616-735-6240 ext. 109
Started at Blandford: March 2018
Education: BA, International Studies (Seattle University)
Hobbies/Interests: fermentation, hiking/observing nature, sewing
Favorite part about Blandford: the dynamic and inspiring work environment
Jaime Dobson
Finance & HR Manager
jaime@blandfordnaturecenter.org | 616-735-6240 ext. 122
Started at Blandford: March 2017
Education: BA, Interpersonal Communications (Michigan State University)
Certificate in Wildlife Rehabilitation (International Wildlife Rehab Council)
Hobbies/Interests: camping/hiking with pets, live music, art glass creations
Favorite part about Blandford: working with an amazing group of talented, mission-driven staff
Operations
Jennifer Brown
Chief Operating Officer
jennifer@blandfordnaturecenter.org | 616-735-6240 ext. 108
Started at Blandford: June 2014
Education: MA, Outdoor Recreation (Aurora University)
BA, Natural Resources & Environment (University of Michigan)
Certificate in Nonprofit Management (University of Alaska-Fairbanks)
Hobbies/Interests: baking, running, traveling
Favorite part about Blandford: witnessing people enjoying nature on their own terms every day
Julie Batty
Land Stewardship Manager
julie@blandfordnaturecenter.org | 616-735-6240 ext. 124
Started at Blandford: January 2017
Education: MS, Biology (Grand Valley State University)
BS, Wildlife Biology (University of Missouri)
Hobbies/Interests: visiting Lake Michigan, dancing, and telling people all about plants
Favorite part about Blandford: working with the amazing eco-steward volunteers
Dyon Dubero
Maintenance/Land Stewardship Technician
dyon@blandfordnaturecenter.org | 616-735-6240
Started at Blandford: October 2018
Education: BS, Natural Resource Management (Grand Valley State University)
Hobbies/Interests: fishing, video games, soccer
Favorite part about Blandford: working with a great group of staff and working outdoors
Development and Marketing
Stephanie Szymas
Development Manager
stephanie@blandfordnaturecenter.org | 616-735-6240 ext. 107
Started at Blandford: February 2020
Education: BA, Political Science (Saint Mary’s College)
Hobbies/Interests: traveling, live music, attending Broadway shows, hiking
Favorite part about Blandford: the opportunity BNC provides to find respite in nature to a growing urban community
Cameron Popa
Visitor Services Associate
cameron@blandfordnaturecenter.org | 616-735-6240 ext. 118
Started at Blandford: January 2019
Education: BA, English Language & Literature (Western Michigan University)
Hobbies/Interests: gardening, volunteering at Happy Cat Cafe, walking/hiking
Favorite part about Blandford: learning new things every day and building relationships with incredible people
Sue Van Dame
Visitor Services Specialist
sue@blandfordnaturecenter.org | 616-735-6240 ext. 118
Started at Blandford: May 2016
Education: BS, Advertising/Marketing
Hobbies/Interests: Creating jewelry and metalsmithing, nature enthusiast and animal lover, healthy cooking/eating
Favorite part about Blandford: that Blandford brings the beauty and healing power of nature to all of us
Sidney Baxter
Marketing Specialist & Environmental Educator
sidney@blandfordnaturecenter.org | 616-735-6240 ext. 110
social@blandfordnaturecenter.org
Started at Blandford: September 2020
Education: BS, Zoology – Neurobiology/Animal Behavior (Michigan State University)
Hobbies/Interests: Running, videography, crafts, live music with friends
Favorite part about Blandford: working with people who share the same enthusiasm for wildlife and nature
Programs & Services
Katie Clouse
Volunteer Manager
clousek@blandfordnaturecenter.org | 616-735-6240 ext. 104
volunteer@blandfordnaturecenter.org
Started at Blandford: February 2019
Education: BFA, Advertising Communications (International Academy of Design/Technology-Chicago)
Hobbies/Interests: hiking, camping, reading
Favorite part about Blandford: working in a beautiful environment with amazing, passionate people
Liz Visser
Farm Manager
liz@blandfordnaturecenter.org | 616-735-6240 ext. 125
Started at Blandford: April 2016
Education: BA, Art & Design (Grand Valley State University)
Hobbies/Interests: cooking, quilting, painting portraits
Favorite part about Blandford: contributing to the sustainability and local food movement in a hands-on way
Lori Lomoro
Wildlife Manager
Started at Blandford: May 2002
Education: BS, Wildlife Biology (Grand Valley State University)
Certificate in Wildlife Rehabilitation, Zoonoses, Reuniting Raptors, Wound Management (International Wildlife Rehab Council)
Hobbies/Interests: gardening, crafting, thrift shopping
Favorite part about Blandford: caring for wildlife in a beautiful setting
Sarah Chertos
Wildlife Education Specialist
sarah@blandfordnaturecenter.org | 616-735-6240 ext. 114
Started at Blandford: June 2014
Education: BS, Biology Natural Resources and Outdoor & Environmental Recreation (Central Michigan University)
Hobbies/Interests: swimming, birding, herping (searching for herptiles)
Favorite part about Blandford: daily opportunities to help the community fall in love with wildlife and nature
Ashley Day
Program Manager
ashley@blandfordnaturecenter.org | 616-735-6240 ext. 102
Started at Blandford: April 2020
Education: BS, Anthropology and Theatre (Grand Valley State University)
Hobbies/Interests: traveling, spending time with her dogs
Favorite part about Blandford: spending time with Wildlife Ambassadors and getting to enjoy Blandford’s property
Mary Rose Jones
Camp Manager
maryrose@blandfordnaturecenter.org | 616-735-6240
Started at Blandford: August 2017
Education: BAA, Outdoor Recreation/Environmental Education (Central Michigan University)
Hobbies/Interests: camping/birding, food, cuddling with cats
Favorite part about Blandford: the incredibly widespread knowledge and experience that’s shared every day
Heather Lewis
Environmental Educator
heather@blandfordnaturecenter.org | 616-735-6240 ext. 115
Started at Blandford: September 2017
Education: MS, Infectious Dieases Epidemiology (University of Oxford)
MPH, Health Behavior and Health Education (University of Michigan)
BA, Anthropology (Harvard University)
Certificate in Montessori Early Childhood (New England Montessori Teacher Education Center)
Hobbies/Interests: reading, traveling, spending time with family and pets
Favorite part about Blandford: exploring outdoors with students from all over West Michigan
Board of Directors
Officers |
|
|---|---|
| Bill Faber • Chair Grand Rapids Community College |
Randy Hansen • Treasurer Centennial Securities |
| Linda Brunzell • Vice-Chair Wolverine Worldwide |
Shavon Doyle-Holton • Secretary Inclusive Performance Strategies |
Members |
|
|---|---|
| Mary Jane Dockeray • Founder Blandford Nature Center |
Ryan Podvin Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital |
| Sara Armbruster Steelcase Inc. |
Vanessa Flores-Giles NCR Corporation |
| Mark Augustyn Mercantile Bank |
Ingrid Jensen Clark Hill |
| Andy Beachnau Grand Valley State University |
Susie Meyers Warner Norcross + Judd LLP |
| Eric Steindler Meijer |
Laurie Gardner Community Volunteer |
| Bob Tsironis Centennial Securities |
|