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 Management (Purdue University)
Certificate in Fundraising Management (Indiana University)
Certificate in Nonprofit Executive Leadership (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
Jaime Dobson
Director of Finance & HR
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
Cameron Popa
Bookkeeper & Office Coordinator
cameron@blandfordnaturecenter.org | 616-735-6240 ext. 127
Started at Blandford: January 2019
Education: BA, English Language & Literature (Western Michigan University)
Hobbies/Interests: gardening, videogames, walking/hiking
Favorite part about Blandford: learning new things every day and building relationships with incredible people
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
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
Jess Bitting
Director of Development & Communications
jess@blandfordnaturecenter.org | 616-735-6240 ext. 109
development@blandfordnaturecenter.org
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
Sidney Baxter
Marketing Specialist
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, thrifting, crafts, live music with friends
Favorite part about Blandford: working with people who share the same enthusiasm for wildlife and the environment
Chantal Hayes
Development Specialist
chantal@blandfordnaturecenter.org | 616-735-6240 ext. 121
development@blandfordnaturecenter.org
Started at Blandford: February 2019
Education: BS, Middle School Math and Science (Ohio University)
MS, Science Education (Wright State University)
Hobbies/Interests: hiking, kayaking, crafting, playing with my dogs
Favorite part about Blandford: the setting and staff provide the community with so many opportunities to learn and explore
Nicole Brandes
Visitor Services Associate
nicole@blandfordnaturecenter.org | 616-735-6240
Started at Blandford: March 2021
Education: Pursuing BS, Nursing (Grand Valley State University)
Hobbies/Interests: fishing, swimming, kayaking, hiking
Favorite part about Blandford: the animals
Programs & Services
Katie Clouse
Volunteer & Community Outreach 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, spending time with my dogs & family, birding, music
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
Mary Rose Jones
Camp Manager
maryrose@blandfordnaturecenter.org | 616-735-6240 ext. 105
camp@blandfordnaturecenter.org
Started at Blandford: August 2017
Education: BAA, Outdoor Recreation/Environmental Education (Central Michigan University)
Hobbies/Interests: camping/birding, movies/shows, cuddling with pets
Favorite part about Blandford: having new experiences, or learning something new each day at Blandford
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 pets
Favorite part about Blandford: spending time with Wildlife Ambassadors and getting to enjoy Blandford’s property
Heather Lewis
Education Coordinator
heather@blandfordnaturecenter.org | 616-735-6240 ext. 115
Started at Blandford: September 2017
Education: MS, Infectious Disease 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
Rachel McCarl
Camp Administrator & Education Specialist
rachel@blandfordnaturecenter.org | 616-735-6240 ext. 137
Started at Blandford: February 2021
Education: BA, Biology and Anthropology (Central College – Pella, Iowa)
Hobbies/Interests: arts and crafts of all kinds, animal rescue, and caring for my pets
Favorite part about Blandford: getting to work in such a beautiful natural environment and sharing it with others
Katie Goplerud-Smith
Environmental Educator
goplerud-smith@blandfordnaturecenter.org | 616-735-6240 ext. 112
Started at Blandford: June 2021
Education: BS, Wildlife Ecology: Research & Management (University of Wisconsin – Stevens Point)
Hobbies/Interests: hiking, running, traveling, fly fishing, learning about nature
Favorite part about Blandford: Always finding something new on the trails and working with an awesome team
Clair Bolthouse
Environmental Educator
clair@blandfordnaturecenter.org | 616-735-6240 ext. 116
Started at Blandford: September 2021
Education: BS, Environmental Studies & Geology (Central Michigan University)
Hobbies/Interests: Cooking, gardening, hiking, & traveling
Favorite part about Blandford: Creating exciting and memorable nature experiences for others
Mandy McIntyre
Environmental Educator
mandy@blandfordnaturecenter.org | 616-735-6240 ext. 107
Started at Blandford:
Education:
Hobbies/Interests:
Favorite part about Blandford:
Board of Directors
Officers |
|
|---|---|
| Ryan Podvin • Chair Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital |
Randy Hansen • Treasurer Centennial Securities |
| Linda Brunzell • Vice-Chair Terryberry |
Andy Beachnau• Secretary Grand Valley State University |
Members |
|
|---|---|
| Mark Augustyn Mercantile Bank |
Laurie Gardner Community Volunteer |
| Sara Armbruster Steelcase Inc. |
Ingrid Jensen Clark Hill |
| Shavon Doyle-Holton Inclusive Performance Strategies |
Susan Meyers Partner, Warner, Norcross + Judd LLP |
| Bill Faber Grand Rapids Community College |
Eric Steindler Meijer |
| Vanessa Flores Giles NCR Corporation |
Bob Tsironis Centennial Securities |