Ocean State Bird club leadership team
Dan Berard
President
Dan Berard is a lifelong birder for whom birds were a gateway into a fascination with natural history. He has led birding and natural history tours across North America, Hawaii, Trinidad and Tobago, Mexico, Panama and pelagics on both coasts. While in Panama, he worked at the Canopy Tower Ecolodge counting raptors for the Panama Audubon Society’s Raptors Oceans to Oceans hawk watch and was a consultant for the Emmy Award winning documentary Earth Flight. He is excited to be involved with the Ocean State Bird Club and learn more about all of Rhode Island's varied ecosystems. Dan is also a founding member of the Ocean State Bird Club.
Dan Berard is a lifelong birder for whom birds were a gateway into a fascination with natural history. He has led birding and natural history tours across North America, Hawaii, Trinidad and Tobago, Mexico, Panama and pelagics on both coasts. While in Panama, he worked at the Canopy Tower Ecolodge counting raptors for the Panama Audubon Society’s Raptors Oceans to Oceans hawk watch and was a consultant for the Emmy Award winning documentary Earth Flight. He is excited to be involved with the Ocean State Bird Club and learn more about all of Rhode Island's varied ecosystems. Dan is also a founding member of the Ocean State Bird Club.
Jana Hesser
Former President and current Acting Vice President
Jana Hesser, a mother and grandmother, has been a RI resident since 1988. She retired in 2009 after a long career including as a Professor of Medical Anthropology, as a Director of Market Research, and most recently as a Public Health Administrator for health statistics. A lifelong enthusiast of outdoor activities, and an avid reader of natural history, she discovered the pleasures of birding in 2003. A journey of discovery, birding has also brought her into a wonderful circle of “birding buddies.” Jana is also a founding member of the Ocean State Bird Club.
Jana Hesser, a mother and grandmother, has been a RI resident since 1988. She retired in 2009 after a long career including as a Professor of Medical Anthropology, as a Director of Market Research, and most recently as a Public Health Administrator for health statistics. A lifelong enthusiast of outdoor activities, and an avid reader of natural history, she discovered the pleasures of birding in 2003. A journey of discovery, birding has also brought her into a wonderful circle of “birding buddies.” Jana is also a founding member of the Ocean State Bird Club.
Michael Gow
Treasurer, Website Manager, and Membership
Michael Gow is a veteran teacher of more than 20 years. Throughout his career, he has organized and led many nature events and walks for elementary and middle school aged kids. Having spent much of his free time hiking, canoeing, fishing, birding, and camping, Michael now enjoys sharing his love of the outdoors with his students as well as his own two children. Michael is an avid long distance hiker having hiked the Long Trail in Vermont and the Superior Hiking Trail and the Kekekabic Trail in Minnesota. Michael is also a founding member of the Ocean State Bird Club.
Michael Gow is a veteran teacher of more than 20 years. Throughout his career, he has organized and led many nature events and walks for elementary and middle school aged kids. Having spent much of his free time hiking, canoeing, fishing, birding, and camping, Michael now enjoys sharing his love of the outdoors with his students as well as his own two children. Michael is an avid long distance hiker having hiked the Long Trail in Vermont and the Superior Hiking Trail and the Kekekabic Trail in Minnesota. Michael is also a founding member of the Ocean State Bird Club.
Suzanne French
Secretary
Suzanne French is the Manager of the Wild Birds Unlimited Nature Shop in Warwick, RI. As the bird and optics specialist, she advises anyone interested in birds from beginning to seasoned bird enthusiasts. She has designed, patented and sells a line of book covers specifically for field guides with her own online company named Fieldfare. The field guide covers have been sold to nature lovers as far away as England, the Netherlands, and Costa Rica. Suzanne is also a founding member of the Ocean State Bird Club.
Suzanne French is the Manager of the Wild Birds Unlimited Nature Shop in Warwick, RI. As the bird and optics specialist, she advises anyone interested in birds from beginning to seasoned bird enthusiasts. She has designed, patented and sells a line of book covers specifically for field guides with her own online company named Fieldfare. The field guide covers have been sold to nature lovers as far away as England, the Netherlands, and Costa Rica. Suzanne is also a founding member of the Ocean State Bird Club.
Lynn Abbey
Board Member: Lynn Abbey
Although an avid birder for more than 25 years, Lynn was not drawn to the outdoors and joy of birding until midlife. She discovered the serenity of birding to balance the stress of a career as a mental health professional. After retirement, Lynn enhanced her birding skills as a volunteer for the Massachusetts Breeding Bird Atlas (2007 -2011), completing six blocks. "It was a joy to discover great birding spots in my own backyard!," Lynn was quoted. Recently, she volunteered for two blocks for the RI Breeding Bird Atlas. Lynn also offers weekly birding walks in the Southeastern MA Bioreserve. In addition, she participates in several bird clubs in MA and, of course, the OSBC.
Although an avid birder for more than 25 years, Lynn was not drawn to the outdoors and joy of birding until midlife. She discovered the serenity of birding to balance the stress of a career as a mental health professional. After retirement, Lynn enhanced her birding skills as a volunteer for the Massachusetts Breeding Bird Atlas (2007 -2011), completing six blocks. "It was a joy to discover great birding spots in my own backyard!," Lynn was quoted. Recently, she volunteered for two blocks for the RI Breeding Bird Atlas. Lynn also offers weekly birding walks in the Southeastern MA Bioreserve. In addition, she participates in several bird clubs in MA and, of course, the OSBC.
Tom Younkin
Board Member
Tom Younkin was first introduced to birds as a small boy by his grandmother. He has been an avid birder ever since, birding the state of Rhode Island for over 40 years. Recently he has also taken up bird photography as an added interest. After a 30-year career in the software industry, Tom decided it was time to follow his true passions. He is now the creator and founder of KingBirder. KingBirder is
a online photo contest site that combines the skills of birding with the skills of photography. You can learn more at www.kingbirder.com.
Tom Younkin was first introduced to birds as a small boy by his grandmother. He has been an avid birder ever since, birding the state of Rhode Island for over 40 years. Recently he has also taken up bird photography as an added interest. After a 30-year career in the software industry, Tom decided it was time to follow his true passions. He is now the creator and founder of KingBirder. KingBirder is
a online photo contest site that combines the skills of birding with the skills of photography. You can learn more at www.kingbirder.com.
Nick Pacelli
Board Member
Nick Pacelli has been birding in Rhode Island for about twenty years. He has always been happiest outdoors hiking, birding, and fishing . Up until five years ago Nick was a part time birder and a hardcore fisherman. He could be found on a beach, on the ice, or in his kayak three hundred days a year. He has written many articles for multiple fishing magazines. However he pretty much gave that all up when he got serious about birds five years ago. In 2019, Nick did a "RI Big Year" where he ended up with 290 species. What he learned last year is that numbers don't mean anything and there is so much knowledge to gain from this hobby. Though not a world traveler, Nick has taken birding vacations to Maine, Florida, and North Carolina. He has been an active member of the OSBC which includes writing an article for the Osprey and going on many walks and trips. Nick is especially fond of pelagics. He has made a lot of friends with members whom he birds with all the time. As a board member the his goal is to give back to the club which has meant so much to him.
Nick Pacelli has been birding in Rhode Island for about twenty years. He has always been happiest outdoors hiking, birding, and fishing . Up until five years ago Nick was a part time birder and a hardcore fisherman. He could be found on a beach, on the ice, or in his kayak three hundred days a year. He has written many articles for multiple fishing magazines. However he pretty much gave that all up when he got serious about birds five years ago. In 2019, Nick did a "RI Big Year" where he ended up with 290 species. What he learned last year is that numbers don't mean anything and there is so much knowledge to gain from this hobby. Though not a world traveler, Nick has taken birding vacations to Maine, Florida, and North Carolina. He has been an active member of the OSBC which includes writing an article for the Osprey and going on many walks and trips. Nick is especially fond of pelagics. He has made a lot of friends with members whom he birds with all the time. As a board member the his goal is to give back to the club which has meant so much to him.
Catherine Boisseau
Board Member
Catherine Boisseau has worked as a museum director, curator, and arts administrator. She served on the boards of arts and history organizations in Connecticut and Rhode Island, and after raising her family, worked independently as a fine arts appraiser. She started birding in 2012, enrolling in classes at Audubon Society of Rhode Island and taking an active part in the Society's bird walks, classes, and trips. Since then she has been exploring Rhode Island and beyond looking at birds. In birding she finds a way to discover, learn, and experience the natural world as a sort of parallel universe where humans take a back seat to other life forms. She is an avid gardener and supporter of land conservation and historic preservation, and a board member of the Barrington Land Conservation Trust.
Catherine Boisseau has worked as a museum director, curator, and arts administrator. She served on the boards of arts and history organizations in Connecticut and Rhode Island, and after raising her family, worked independently as a fine arts appraiser. She started birding in 2012, enrolling in classes at Audubon Society of Rhode Island and taking an active part in the Society's bird walks, classes, and trips. Since then she has been exploring Rhode Island and beyond looking at birds. In birding she finds a way to discover, learn, and experience the natural world as a sort of parallel universe where humans take a back seat to other life forms. She is an avid gardener and supporter of land conservation and historic preservation, and a board member of the Barrington Land Conservation Trust.
Stuart Bargery
Board Member
Stuart Bargery found himself in Rhode Island in 2014 after birding his way across England and Wales, Dubai and Central Park. A UK-trained accountant, Stuart now works in risk management from his home in Providence, while keeping at least one eye on the trees outside his office window. Stuart is passionate about preserving the natural environment for the future of all species.
Stuart Bargery found himself in Rhode Island in 2014 after birding his way across England and Wales, Dubai and Central Park. A UK-trained accountant, Stuart now works in risk management from his home in Providence, while keeping at least one eye on the trees outside his office window. Stuart is passionate about preserving the natural environment for the future of all species.
Past Members of the OSBC Leadership Team
Rosanne Sherry*: Board Member 2014-2015
Sue Dunn*: Board Member 2014-2015 and Secretary 2015-2016
Marge Bradley*: Secretary 2014-2015 and Board Member 2015-2017
Jack Sullivan*: Board Member 2014-2017
Dylan Pedro: Board Member 2017-2019
Matt Schenck: Board Member and Vice President 2015-2020
Susan Schenck: Board Member and Secretary 2015-2020
Candy Powell*: Board Member 2014-2020
Hugh Markey: Board Member 2015-2021
* founding member
Rosanne Sherry*: Board Member 2014-2015
Sue Dunn*: Board Member 2014-2015 and Secretary 2015-2016
Marge Bradley*: Secretary 2014-2015 and Board Member 2015-2017
Jack Sullivan*: Board Member 2014-2017
Dylan Pedro: Board Member 2017-2019
Matt Schenck: Board Member and Vice President 2015-2020
Susan Schenck: Board Member and Secretary 2015-2020
Candy Powell*: Board Member 2014-2020
Hugh Markey: Board Member 2015-2021
* founding member