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Suzanne Dorsey, PhD  dorsey@bhic.org 
Executive Director
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Dr. Suzanne E. Dorsey, earned her doctorate in coastal oceanography and has been working in research and education for over 15 years.  Communicating the importance of our coastal ecosystems, particularly Barrier Islands, is a primary focus for Dr. Dorsey.  She feels that the first step to promoting conservation and preservation of these critical coastal habitats is forging a connection between the people who live and visit our beaches and the senstive habats found here.  The Smith Island Complex encompasses so many examples of rare and sensitive habitats and the mission of the Bald Head Island Conservancy provides a perfect opportunity to not only educate people but to promote effective stewardship of these environments.  She enjoys working with people and sharing her passion for nature.  Her spare time is devoted to her husband and two children.

Thomas Hancock, PhD  hancock@bhic.org
Director of Conservation
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Tom received his B.S. in biology from UNC Charlotte where he first became interested in plant ecology and physiology. His love of the coast brought him to UNC Wilmington to study barrier island plant ecology under Paul Hosier. After graduating from UNC Wilmington, Tom taught high school and college science, worked for Carolina Biological Supply Company and joined the Navy Reserve after which he was promptly sent to Guantanamo Bay, Cuba for a fun-filled year. During most of this time, he was working on his Ph.D. in coastal plant physiology/barrier island dynamics under Bill Smith of Wake Forest University. Tom thinks he could not have written a better job description than that of the Director of Conservation. He looks forward to working with a talented staff to preserve, conserve and sustainably develop the unique ecosystem that is Bald Head Island.

Amanda Timbers  timbers@bhic.org
Development Officer
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Amanda was raised in Ohio but quickly made North Carolina her home after graduating from UNCW in 2000. Her love for the water and warm weather brought her to Southport and her love for nature brought her to the Conservancy. Her free time is devoted to her husband and spent either running, cooking, swimming or fishing.

Caroline Shepherd  Shepherd@bhic.org
Financial Manager
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Caroline Shepherd joined the Conservancy in 2008 as Financial Manager.  She feels this is the perfect opportunity to share her love of nature while using her professional skills to further our important mission in the effective stewardship of barrier island environments.  After serving in the Charlotte area as a CPA in CFO positions for a variety of industries, she became an island girl to enjoy the benefits of sunny coastal living full time. She enjoys any free time spent on or near the water, walking, fishing, preparing the catch of the day for good friends, and reading.  

Maureen Dewire  maureen@bhic.org
Director of Education/Senior Naturalist

Maureen joined the BHIC staff in August of 2003. After graduating from UNCW in 1999 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Marine Biology, Maureen spent the next two years teaching marine environmental education programs out of Carolina Beach, NC before moving on to South Florida to get some experience with sea turtles. She is thrilled to be a part of the Bald Head Island Conservancy as the Director of Education/Senior Naturalist where she gets to spend each day sharing her passion and knowledge with island residents and visitors. When she gets a bit of free time, you will probably find her enjoying some of her other passions: kayaking, acting and photography.

Andrew Gould andy@bhic.org
Environmental Educator/Outreach Coordinator
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Andy grew up in Oxford, North Carolina, and spent time each summer on the coast. During these vacations he developed a passion for all things coastal. He wanted to work to protect coastal environments and felt at home in the Environmental Studies department at UNC Wilmington. He earned a B.S. and a M.A in Environmental Studies, concentrating in Environmental Education. During his time in school, Andy worked as an educator in Kure Beach, NC and Savannah, GA. He is looking forward to sharing his knowledge and enthusiasm for coastal ecosystems with people on and off of Bald Head Island. In his spare time, Andy enjoys hiking, kayaking, beach combing, and photography.

Katie Craig craig@bhic.org
Operations Assistant
Katharine Craig

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Born and raised in Western Pennsylvania, Katie joined the Conservancy in February 2009. She earned her BA in anthropology from Indiana University of Pennsylvania and moved to Washington, DC after graduation. When she grew tired of traffic on I-495, she moved to Wilmington to try her hand at beach life. Her hours spent away from the Conservancy often consist of hiking, enjoying the beach, watching Penguin's hockey, or cooking dinner for her friends. 

Ginny Kuhn kuhn@bhic.org
Store Manager

Ginnie's history with islands has been life-long. She was born on Manhattan and raised in a small farming and fishing village on Long Island. After living in Florida and Southern California, she made the island of Wrightsville Beach her home. Her father, sailor, birder and wildlife illustrator, instilled in her a passion for nature and the sea early on. With an extensive background in retail, marketing and design, Ginnie came to the Conservancy in 2008 happy to utilize her business skills in an environment of personal passion.

Ginnie's other interests include historical writing, the never ending renovation of her 70 year old home, cooking from her garden, her fabulous daughter and grandson, and her three dogs who have trained her quite well.  

Jane Lawton Baldridge turtlecentral@bhic.org
Assistant Store Manager

Jane grew up sailing and painting on the coast of Texas. She relocated to coastal North Carolina in 1988 with her son, after falling in love with the history of the Cape Fear area and the beautiful, clear
ocean waters. She and her husband are licensed boat captains, living on their sailboat. She has won awards in both the sailing world and the art world and still paints and shows art professionally. Sailing with her husband and creating art are outlets for her love of the ocean, creeks, estuaries and
all that inhabit them.

Mike Thomasen
Campus Maintenance Director and Jr. Naturalist

Mike was born in Brooklyn, NY and grew up on Long Island, NY.  He has a lovely wife, three beautiful children, and was recently blessed with a handsome grandson.  Mike first came to BHI in August 2003 joining the Transportation Dept. as a ferry mate.  Prior to 2003, he worked for 30 years in Marine Transportation for an oil company in the north east.  Mike looks forward to participating in the growth of the BHI Conservancy and getting involved with the preservation of the island.