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
Executive Specialist
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
Chris Kemler
Maintenance Technician
chris@blandfordnaturecenter.org | 616-735-6240
Started at Blandford: February 2019
Education: AA, Theater (Pima Community College)
AA, General Studies (Pima Community College)
Hobbies/Interests: camping, playing in a band, playing games with family
Favorite part about Blandford: working outdoors daily and seeing the forest change seasonally
Development
Sue Van Dame
Visitor Services Specialist
sue@blandfordnaturecenter.org | 616-735-6240 ext. 118
Started at Blandford: May 2014
Education: BS, Marketing/Advertising (Michigan State University)
Hobbies/Interests: cooking/eating, metalsmithing/jewelry making, animals
Favorite part about Blandford: introducing people to the solace of nature
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
Kalie Pathuis
Visitor Services Associate/Seasonal Groundskeeper
kalie@blandfordnaturecenter.org | 616-735-6240 ext. 118
Started at Blandford: August 2017
Education: AA, Liberal Arts (Grand Rapids Community College)
Certificate in Holistic Health (Blue Heron Academy)
Hobbies/Interests: wildcrafting, fishing, hiking with family and pets
Favorite part about Blandford: working for an organization that connects community to nature
Programs & Services
Amber Kilpatrick
Community Programs Manager
amber@blandfordnaturecenter.org | 616-735-6240 ext. 111
Started at Blandford: August 2018
Education: BBA, Marketing (Grand Valley State University)
E-RYT (Yoga Alliance)
Certificate in Wildlife Rehabilitation (International Wildlife Rehab Council)
Hobbies/Interests: singing, being outdoors, art/fashion
Favorite part about Blandford: office consisting of 264 acres of beauty and natural wonders
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
Laura Johns
Farm Program Specialist
laura@blandfordnaturecenter.org | 616-735-6240
Started at Blandford: June 2016
Education: MA, Public History (Loyola University-Chicago)
BA, History and Political Science (Albion College)
Hobbies/Interests: hiking, spending time with family, volunteering
Favorite part about Blandford: our focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion making nature accessible to all
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
Kristin Tindall
Master Naturalist
katindall@blandfordnaturecenter.org | 616-735-6240 ext. 113
Started at Blandford: August 2004
Education: BS, Biology (Northland College)
Certificate in Permaculture Design (Occidental Arts & Ecology Center)
Hobbies/Interests: cooking/eating foraged foods, walking with dogs, birding
Favorite part about Blandford: sharing a sense of wonder and discovery with learners of all ages
Mary Rose Jones
Camp Administrator/Education Specialist
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
Allyson Arndt
Environmental Educator
allyson@blandfordnaturecenter.org | 616-735-6240
Started at Blandford: September 2017
Education: MS, Natural Resources (University of Idaho)
BS, Biology (Winthrop University)
Hobbies/Interests: photography, hiking, learning about native plants
Favorite part about Blandford: sharing a love of nature through interacting with schools from all over Grand Rapids
Mandy McIntyre
Environmental Educator
mandy@blandfordnaturecenter.org | 616-735-6240
Started at Blandford: September 2018
Education: MS, Curriculum & Instruction (University of Colorado-Denver)
BS, Zoology (Michigan State University)
Hobbies/Interests: reading, running, trying new restaurants
Favorite part about Blandford: being outside with kids every day and being a part of an amazing team of educators
Kaitie Janecke-Soltesz
Environmental Educator
janeckek@blandfordnaturecenter.org | 616-735-6240 ext. 112
Started at Blandford: September 2017
Education: BS, Ecology and Evolutionary Biology (University of Michigan)
Hobbies/Interests: circus performance, tabletop games, reading
Favorite part about Blandford: coming to a beautiful, natural space every day and sharing it with new people
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 |
Ryan Podvin • Treasurer Mary Free Bed Hospital |
| Linda Brunzell • Vice-Chair Wolverine Worldwide |
Justin Remmelts • Secretary Remmelts Marketing |
Members |
|
|---|---|
| Mary Jane Dockeray • Founder Blandford Nature Center |
Pat Gelderloos Twentieth Circuit Court |
| Sara Armbruster Steelcase Inc. |
Vanessa Flores-Giles NCR Corporation |
| Mark Augustyn Mercantile Bank |
Randy Hansen Centennial Securities |
| Andy Beachnau Grand Valley State University |
Susie Meyers Warner Norcross + Judd LLP |
| Shavon Doyle-Holton Inclusive Performance Strategies |
John P. Schneider Clark Hill |
| Laurie Gardner Community Volunteer |
Zachary Verhulst TowerPinkster |