Board of Directors

Meet the Board

Peter Schwager, President

Pete Schwager is a VP-Senior Loan Officer at The Marblehead Bank in Marblehead, Ohio. His wife Jan is an avid birder, and Pete enjoys helping to point out birds for her to identify. As a family man, Pete's greatest accomplishments are his three great kids and a happy wife (most of the time!) In addition to birding, he and his wife also enjoy traveling, antiques, and flea markets. Pete's goal on the Friends of Ottawa NWR board is to help create a strong financial base to help ensure a long term viability for ONWR - preserving the area for present and future generations of birders and naturalists.

Dr. Jennifer Biegala, Vice President

Jenni Biegala and her husband Bill are very enthusiastic supporters of Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge, rarely missing an event or opportunity to help. Jenni's day (evening & night) job is a college professor for online courses at Stautzenberger College. She and Bill both enjoy taking pictures at the refuge and sharing the special moments they capture with our members. Jenni's main goal as a board member with Friends of Ottawa NWR is to increase awareness of the refuge while increasing our membership base. With a PhD in Organization and Management, she is full of great ideas of how to make that happen!

Carol Fingerhut, Secretary

Born and raised in Northwest Ohio, Carol Fingerhut has long appreciated the unique beauty of the Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge and the surrounding area. She hopes her involvement on the Board of Directors will encourage others to become members and get involved in habitat conservation efforts. A recently-retired Human Resources professional, Carol now has more time to enjoy the outdoors, whether working in her yard, walking in her neighborhood, or taking nature photographs. She enjoys watching the birds and other ‘critters’ who visit her property, which has been designated a Backyard Wildlife Habitat by the National Wildlife Federation. Carol lives in Genoa, Ohio, with her Golden Retriever (Echo) and her two cats (Ziggy and Pyewacket).

Jacob Worthington, Treasurer

Jake Worthington was born and raised in northern Alabama, where he received his Bachelor of Science degree in Management and Entrepreneurship/Small Business from Athens State University. He was the sole proprietor of three successful small businesses, before deciding to move to northwest Ohio to peruse his MBA degree.
The youngest of our board members, Jake's career sights are set on becoming a Chief Financial Officer. He is well on his way and just received his MBA from Bowling Green State University in 2016 and currently works at Dana. Jake is an avid outdoorsman who enjoys hunting, fishing, and conserving wildlife while spending quality time with his wife and four kids.

Melanie Bowen-Greenwald

Melanie Bowen-Greenwald works as a customer service rep in Toledo, Ohio. You may recognize her as a Lake Township Trustee, where she served for 18 years. Melanie is credited with leaving the township in much better condition than when it started. Building Fireside Park in Millbury was a huge highlight of her time as a trustee. In her spare time, Melanie enjoys event planning, repurposing, and spending time with new husband Michael. Mel hopes that while serving on the Friends of Ottawa NWR board of directors, she can promote the refuge and work towards a greater awareness for our community.

Ginger Haar

Ginger Haar is also known as Shirley Haar at Perrysburg Township where she has been the Chief Fiscal Officer for almost 14 years.She is the Secretary and Treasurer for the Wood County Township Association. Ginger has many contacts in state and local politics and has helped move the license plate application forward. She is an strong proponent of the refuge and is increasing awareness of the refuge and friends group. Since becoming involved with the refuge, she has become a familiar face at refuge events.

Kris Johnston

Kristina Johnston works as a Nurse Manager for an insurer, and is currently completing her Master's degree in leadership. Kris brings a strong commitment and passion for preserving and encouraging the use of the refuge. Personally, she thinks the lands are an amazing gift to photographers. Kris also enjoys thinking creatively and public speaking to support a cause. She would like to see the refuge continue to expand its physical footprint. By being on the board she hopes to bring increased awareness of the offerings at the refuge and membership opportunities to sustain the refuge for years to come. Kris resides in Jefferson, Ohio with her husband Doug and 120lb German Shepherd, Rex who is the best travel companion. Together, they enjoy camping, photography, and spending time with family and friends.

Mary Willoughby

Jim Krieger

Kendra Foust

Kendra Foust was born and raised in Northwest Ohio with the privilege of having Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge in walking distance from the backdoor of her childhood home. Kendra relocated to Southeast Ohio where she received her Associates Degree in Wildlife Management from Hocking College, and a Bachelor’s Degree in Fish and Wildlife Conservation and Management from The University of Rio Grande. She is a conservation and outdoor industry worker along with being a
longtime volunteer at Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge. Kendra’s goal as a board member of Friends of Ottawa NWR is to increase awareness about the refuge along with making sure future generations are able to experience what our natural world has to offer. Kendra and her husband Jonathan enjoy hunting, fishing, and traveling. They reside in Oak Harbor, Ohio with their dog Blaze, and rescued guinea pigs.

Michael House

Michael is retired from a career as a researcher, analyst and business manager. Most recently Michael worked as a contract research consultant and analyst. Prior to that he was Division Vice President for Maritz Research, leading analytic teams and managing Maritz’ business with a large automotive manufacturer. Michael has extensive experience in all phases of market research, including survey design, fieldwork, data processing and analysis. Previously, Michael worked at two other private research organizations, NFO Research Inc. and Audits & Surveys, Inc. He also spent almost ten years with the U.S.D.A. National Agricultural Statistics Service as a statistician and analyst.

Michael served on the Board of Directors for the Lutheran Ministries of Mercy and Luther Home of Mercy (LHM) from 2003 – 2019. He was Board Chair from 2013 - 2018. He is currently serving as a Board member for the LHM Foundation and the Friends of Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge. Michael has a Bachelor’s Degree in Natural Resources and a Master’s degree in Biometry from The Ohio State University.

Rob Swindell

A lifelong resident of Northeast Ohio, Rob Swindell and his wife Gina enjoy nature, wildlife (particularly birds), and photography. They are frequent visitors to Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge. Rob has a Bachelor’s degree from Baldwin-Wallace College where he studied environmental science. He also has an MBA from Tiffin University and a law degree from Concord Law School. He is currently the Deputy Auditor with the City of Lorain, and works as a tax preparer at Naro-Tax Services.

For 15 years, he wrote an opinion column for the Amherst News Times about politics, science and social issues. He also wrote community features and new business stories for The Chronicle Telegram. Rob has been involved in many non-profit organizations, including currently serving as the treasurer for the Black River Audubon Society. Previously, he served as the president of Erie Shore Greyhound Adoption of Ohio and the Center for Inquiry of Northeast Ohio. Rob and Gina live in Lorain with their dog Bailey—and the birds, deer and other wildlife who visit their feeders.

Tom Romito

Tom Romito is a retired U.S. Army officer and federal service employee now serving as a facilitator, strategic planner, and non-profit leader. He is particularly excited to be a part of Friends of Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge to raise the awareness level of the refuge in Northeast Ohio through his involvement on the Marketing and Outreach Committee. Tom, wife Mary Anne, and Summer (17 year old house cat) live in Cleveland, Ohio. In his spare time, Tom enjoys RV camping, birding, fitness training, and working with a variety of nonprofit organizations.

In Loving Memory of Kathy Booher
September 5, 1961 - October 19, 2018
Board member, Friend.

Go Bucks.