Tim McDermott, OSU Extension
Dr. Tim McDermott has been an Extension Educator for the past six years after over two decades in veterinary private practice. His Areas of Specialization include Veterinary Sciences and Local Food Production Systems. He lectures both state-wide and nationally to raise awareness of ticks and the diseases they vector to humans, companion animals and livestock.
Thomas Butler, USDA-Wildlife Services
Tommy Butler received his Bachelor of Science in Natural Resources, Wildlife Management from The Ohio State University in 2006. Tommy was hired with USDA-Wildlife Services in 2008 where he is now a Certified Wildlife Biologist® in Groveport, OH. Typical duties are comprised of a very broad spectrum of wildlife damage management activities to reduce human and wildlife conflicts. However, much of his time is dedicated to aviation safety, agricultural protection, and avian damage management. Additionally, he provides various trainings and outreach to the public, wildlife officers, airport personnel, and college students on wildlife damage management. Tommy is also member of the National and Ohio chapters of The Wildlife Society.
Tara Bal, Michigan Technological University
Dr. Tara Bal is an Assistant Professor of Forest Health at Michigan Technological University. Her research interests intersect forest entomology, pathology, invasion ecology, and the human elements of forest health.
Amy Stone, OSU Extension
Amy Stone is an Agriculture and Natural Resources Extension Educator with Ohio State University. She is based out of Lucas County. Her background and specialization is in the areas of landscape horticulture, urban forestry and invasive species. Amy began her career in Extension in 1992. She is a co-leader of the Buckeye Environmental Horticulture Team, a member of the Woodland Stewards Team, and is coordinating outreach efforts of the Spotted Lanternfly Task Forces.
Katie Dennison, ODNR-Division of Wildlife
Katie Dennison has worked as the Furbearer biologist with the Ohio Division of Wildlife for 3 years. Prior to working in Ohio, she worked on carnivore and furbearer research in west Texas and Wisconsin. As the state’s furbearer biologist she is responsible for activities related to monitoring and management of furbearer populations in the state. This includes conducting annual surveys, research projects, and harvest monitoring, and using collected data to make management recommendations.
Sarah Esala, City of Dublin
Sarah Esala is the Dublin Nature Education Assistant and a library associate in central Ohio. She supports the local community through research and public programming and is passionate about engaging youth and families with nature.
Stormy Gibson, SCRAM! Wildlife Control
Stormy Gibson, Interim Executive Director at Ohio Wildlife Center, is a certified Wildlife rehabber and conservation educator dedicated to informing the public about coexisting with our native wildlife. She has been in the animal field for over 25 years working with animals from domestics to wildlife.
Mike Tonkovich, ODNR-Division of Wildlife
Mike Tonkovich is the Deer Program Administrator for the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Division of Wildlife. He attended the Ohio State University where he received a B.S. in Wildlife Management in 1986, then later attended Virginia Tech where he received an M.S. and Ph.D. in Fisheries and Wildlife Science in 1989 and 1995.
Mary Ann Bonnell, Denver Metro Area Coyote Study, Jefferson County Open Space, CO
Mary Ann Bonnell is the Visitor Services and Natural Resources Manager for Jefferson County Open Space, CO. Mary Ann holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Biology from the University of Colorado, Boulder. Mary Ann’s work focuses on supporting the team that manages seven million annual visitors to 46,000 acres of open space immediately adjacent to the Denver Metro Area. Her interest is in minimizing negative human-wildlife interactions in parks and communities.
Josh Henderson, Galveston, TX Police Department
Josh Henderson is a Texas Animal Control Officer with over 15 years of experience. While Josh’s job duties vary from day to day his unit responds to all non-human calls in Galveston Island Texas and that means lots of wildlife. Josh has been tracking coyotes using multiple methods for the last 9 years and is participating with Princeton and Michigan Tech Universities researching Canid Genetics in Galveston and has recently begun a GPS Survey as well for Galveston’s Canids. In addition to wildlife calls, Josh is responsible for stray animals, animal bites among other things. Josh is a Texas Certified Animal Cruelty Investigator, Animal Control Officer, and member of the Texas Animal Control Association.