Suzanne Dorsey, PhD  dorsey@bhic.org

Executive Director

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 habitats 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.

Gregg Green Acting Development Officer

Caroline Shepherd  shepherd@bhic.org
CFO

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.

Tom Hancock, PhD  hancock@bhic.org
Director of Conservation

Tom Hancock earned his B.S. in biology from UNC Charlotte where he became very interested in botany.  His desire to explore coastal ecology lead him to work with Paul Hosier at UNC Wilmington where he earned an M.S. in marine biology (dune plant ecology).  After UNCW, Tom taught life science at the middle school, high school, community college and small four-year college levels.  He additionally worked for a biological supply company, joined the Navy Reserve and spent a fun-filled year in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba on active duty.  Tom completed a Ph.D. in biology under the direction of Bill Smith at Wake Forest University in 2009.  His research focused on the physiology and ecology of dune plants.  Tom believes in the mission of the Bald Head Island Conservancy and is very thankful and excited to be a part of such a talented staff.

Patrick Amico amico@bhic.org 
Conservation Biologist

Patrick grew up in a small town outside of Raleigh, where his childhood included many travel experiences  and outdoor activities.  These experiences instilled in him a desire to pursue a career involved with protecting and conserving the Earth's natural resources.  He graduated from North Carolina State University with a bachelor's degree in Natural Resources: Policy and Administration.  His love of the ocean and surfing pushed him to pursue a career tied to the preservation of coastal ecosystems.  He attended the University of North Carolina at Wilmington and received a master's degree in Environmental Studies: Coastal Management.  Patrick worked for the Conservancy previously as a conservation intern, later as a consultant, and now Patrick is employed as a Conservation Biologist.

Kendyll Collins (Goeman)  Kendyll@bhic.org
Environmental Educator/Outreach Coordinator

Kendyll graduated with a B.S. in environmental science, minor in psychology, and departmental honors, from the University of North Carolina at Wilmington. In May 2011, she came to the Conservancy as a summer intern. Kendyll paired environmental science and psychology because the ultimate goal of environmental education is behavioral modification. While in school, Kendyll interned with the North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher. When shes not working, Kendyll enjoys beachcombing, swimming, running, reading, and drinking coffee. Through exciting education programs, she hopes to inspire youth to alter their harmful behaviors to prevent the escalation of environmental epidemics. 

Jaymie Reneker jaymie@bhic.org
Sea Turtle Protection Coordinator

Jaymie grew up in a small town outside of Des Moines, Iowa. She earned her Bachelor’s of Science in Biology from Iowa State University with a minor in Animal Ecology. Even though she spent her whole life in a landlocked state, she has always been passionate about the oceans and the animals that inhabit them. Jaymie joined BHIC as a Sea Turtle Intern in 2012 and will continue to work with us as our Sea Turtle Program Coordinator. She is excited to continue her work with sea turtles and the community of Bald Head Island. In her free time she enjoys hanging out with friends, beachcombing and being outdoors.

Elyse Brown elyse@bhic.org
Director of Retail Operations

Originally from Ohio, Elyse has lived in St. Louis, Baton Rouge, Boston, Chicago, Tokyo, Japan and Sparta, N.J. She has recently worked for Bald Head Island Limited as a Sales Executive in their real estate office, but has diverse background starting in Retail and then in Data Processing as a computer programmer/EDP Auditor/Consultant. For many years she participated in a variety of volunteer activities which include: raising funds for non-profit organizations, chairing a variety of town events and committees, and managing/buying for two non-profit gift shops. Elyse graduated from Indiana University with a degree in Biology and a minor in Computer Science and also took graduate courses in Marketing and Accounting at Washington University in St. Louis.

Jane Lawton Baldridge jane@bhic.org

Operations and  Marketing Coordinator

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

Roux Calypso, pirate sailing dog
Ambassadoress to the Conservancy

Roux loves the Conservancy. She enjoys greeting all the nice people who come to the island and helping the staff. She especially enjoys the attention from her favorite volunteers. She lives on a sailboat with her pirate family.

Position Vacancies:

Please email resume or C.V. to dorsey@bhic.org include three references with contact information.  Search will be open until position is filled.

These positions require a daily commute via ferry and golf cart to Bald Head Island, NC.  Ferry and parking are included as part of the compensation packages.  Compensation is comensurate with experience details are in the full description.

Director of Conservation: Click here to download the full description pdf

Position Description

The Director of Conservation is a conservationist who seeks to provide his or her community with practical tools to “live in harmony with nature.” This leadership role combines excellence in communication and non-profit management. The position is responsible for managing the core of the mission of the BHI Conservancy: Conservation, Education, and Preservation. The Director of Conservation is primarily responsible for a team including, Conservation biologist, Conservation Educator, seasonal Sea Turtle Coordinator, and interns (17). The Director of Conservation collaborates with the Executive Director to ensure that the mission of the organization is pursued with the best most tangible outcomes. The Director of Conservation (DOC) supports a community in their efforts to live sustainably on a coastal barrier island. S/he will interpret science to fulfill goals determined by the community.

The DOC is responsible for more than 20 environmental monitoring projects and oversees an environmental education program that reaches more than 20,000 annually.  He/she develops and maintains relationships with academic researchers, primary users for the facilities; and supports all revenue generating efforts, including grant writing. Conservation of barrier island natural resources is managed by providing the community with objective information and tools for environmental decision making. The Director, in coordination with the Executive Director, responds to specific needs of individual property owners, neighborhoods, the Village of BHI and other coastal communities. 

Director of Operations:  Click here to download the full description pdf

Postition Desrcription

This position is primarily responsible for ensuring the productive and efficient operations of all aspects of the organization with special prioritization for mission based operations.  The Director of Operations (DOO) emphasizes safety and risk management as s/he manages facilities, equipment, and staffing.  The DOO understands organizational priorities and provides needed resources, well maintained equipment and staffing, for mission execution, funding goals, communications and collaborations. The DOO oversees H.R. and IT outsourcing.  Efforts by the DOO will foster a positive work environment with safety, efficiency and productivity maximized.  The DOO supervises the Development Officer, Maintenance Manager, Receptionist, Communications and Marketing coordinator, and H.R. & I.T. vendors.