Friends of Ottawa NWR Staff

Aimee Arent, Executive Director

Aimee Arent, CNP, is the Executive Director of Friends of Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge. Her love for connecting people with the outdoors started young and after receiving her Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science, and Certificate in Nonprofit Management she has gained experience working at the federal, state, and local levels. Aimee has been serving the refuge in various capacities since 2011 from volunteer to federal employee to Friends board member. Now as one of the Friends staff members, she is proud to spread awareness and secure the future of the refuge every day. Aimee is a seventh generation Northwest Ohioan, and she is devoted to preserving the Great Lakes and national wildlife refuges for future generations. She also serves as Secretary on the Board of Directors for the Coalition of Refuge Friends and Advocates, a group dedicated to connecting National Wildlife Refuge Friends groups nationwide. In her spare time she can be often found along Lake Erie’s coastline hiking, kayaking, biking, and beach combing with husband Greg, daughter Riley, and rescue dog Buck.

Aimee can be reached at 419-707-7756 or [email protected]. 

Julia Hinca, Nature Store Manager

Julia Hinca grew up on the shores of Lake Erie in Western New York. It didn’t take long after moving to Northwest Ohio to realize what a true treasure this area is. She is thrilled to be a part of the Friends group’s efforts to preserve it. Working in public service and volunteering at the refuge has led her to this position. Julia’s goal is to provide unique items in the Rookery Nature Store that showcase the distinct beauty of the refuge. She shares her love of nature with her husband and three children who enjoy bird watching, fishing and camping together.

Julia can be reached at 419-960-5222 or [email protected]. 

Sharon Pesci, Visitor Experience Assistant

Sharon Pesci is the Visitor Experience Assistant for the Friends group. She served a volunteer for a few years before joining Julia as her helper in the Rookery Nature Store - so you may have seen her around the Visitors Center. She has two kids, Mia 16, and Evan 14 and is married to Matt. Her obsession with birding has grown because it is a wonderful bonding experience with Mia. Sharon is also a ceramic artist and some of her work is for sale in the Rookery. Her life is birds and pottery and raising teens to be good humans who love nature!