Meet the Board
Dr. Jennifer Biegala, 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!
Bill Baker, Vice President
Bill is a marina owner and retail manager living on Catawba Island with his amazing wife Dorthy. Bill was born and raised in the North End of Columbus but spent a large part of his early years on and around Lake Erie. Graduated from Trinidad State Junior Collage in Colorado with an AAS in Gunsmithing, Colorado State Univ. with a BS in Industrial Science and Education, and also has a degree in Gemology. In his new found retirement Bill has become an avid birder with a love of shore birds, raptors, and migratory ducks. Bill also loves music and he and his wife can often be found at Jam Band and New Grass festivals all over the country. Bill is involved with St. Jude Children's Research Hospital and buys hundreds teddy bears to donate to local hospitals. Bill got involved with ONWR as a way give back to and protect the birds, wildlife, and habitat that have given him such pleasure over his lifetime.
“Here is your country. Cherish these natural wonders, cherish the natural resources, cherish the history and romance as a sacred heritage, for your children and your children's children." Theodore Roosevelt
“Here is your country. Cherish these natural wonders, cherish the natural resources, cherish the history and romance as a sacred heritage, for your children and your children's children." Theodore Roosevelt
Ron Overmyer, Treasurer
Ron Overmyer worked as an Ohio State University Extension Agent for 37 years, retiring in 2004. His focus now is private agricultural business development consulting. Ron has completed several volunteer consulting jobs in east and southern Africa, though he resides in Oak Harbor. Ron plans to bring his expertise in organizational development to the Friends, helping to grow and preserve this unique wildlife refuge in Ottawa County. He enjoys traveling, camping, biking, and the outdoors in his spare time.
Ginger Haar, Secretary
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.
Nancy Dunlap
Nancy is a successful Real Estate Broker/Sales agent for Bolte Real Estate, Catawba Island/Port Clinton, Ohio. Nancy’s career in real estate started in 1980, after she moved back to Ohio from California in 1979. Nancy has become an adopted “native” of Port Clinton. Not only has she excelled in her real estate career by obtaining many industry designations and by getting her Brokers license by 1987, she also used her experience and education to open her own real estate brokerage. She also coordinated a successful fishing charter business for her husband and organized large fishing tournaments for corporations throughout the Great Lakes. Through her various endeavors since returning to Ohio, Nancy has determined that Lake Erie is truly one of our National Treasures! She believes this is evidenced by the development of the area and by the enjoyment of all who visit and live here. Nancy feels it is an honor to serve on the board of Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge Association and to work to promote and preserve our beautiful and unique area for all who visit! She hopes that you will help us to preserve the Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge for generations to come.
Jacob Worthington
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.
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.
Letha Ferguson
A graduate of the University of Toledo with a Bachelors in Elementary Education and a Master's in Educational Administration and Supervision, Ms. Ferguson has served within the Toledo community school movement since its inception in 1998. She joined the Toledo School for the Arts administration as Assistant Artistic Director in August 2010, where her duties include producing all their dance, theatre and music productions. Her previous experiences include co-founding and serving as Educational Director of Alliance Academy for seven years. When she has time to relax, she enjoys remodeling her Old West End home, bird watching, and spending time with family.
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.
Kathy Booher
Kathy Booher has been with OSU Extension, Ottawa County as the Extension Educator, 4-H Youth Development, for twenty-two years. She is currently the County Extension Director and has been in the position for four years. Kathy has a Bachelor’s of Science in Agriculture from The Ohio State University and Masters of Agriculture from Oklahoma State University. She is originally from Clark County where she was a 4-H member for nine years.
The Ottawa County 4-H Program reaches on an annual basis over 2,000 youth with programming efforts in community clubs, classroom enrichment, afterschool groups and 4-H camping. Kathy's specialization is innovative programming approaches and she has shared her expertise with other county educators with ideas on how to expand programming to more diverse audiences.
Kathy lives in Graytown with her husband Rob. They have two children who are on their own with an addition of three grandchildren. Kathy and Rob recently started a vineyard and look forward to harvesting many grapes in the future.
The Ottawa County 4-H Program reaches on an annual basis over 2,000 youth with programming efforts in community clubs, classroom enrichment, afterschool groups and 4-H camping. Kathy's specialization is innovative programming approaches and she has shared her expertise with other county educators with ideas on how to expand programming to more diverse audiences.
Kathy lives in Graytown with her husband Rob. They have two children who are on their own with an addition of three grandchildren. Kathy and Rob recently started a vineyard and look forward to harvesting many grapes in the future.
Peter Schwager
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.
Carol Fingerhut
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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 their property, which has been designated a Backyard Wildlife Habitat by the National Wildlife Federation. Carol & her husband Stan live in Genoa, Ohio, with their Golden Retriever (Echo) and their two cats (Ziggy and Pyewacket).
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