Executive Board
John Nelson
President
​
John is a wildlife videographer who contributed to National Geographic channel’s “World’s Deadliest” series and is currently the voice of The Audubon Moment heard on the Florida Public Radio Network. Mr. Nelson is a certified Florida Master Naturalist through the University of Florida and holds a degree in anthropology from Seattle Pacific University.
Al Williams
Vice President
Al served in the US Navy and is a Vietnam veteran. Following his military service, he joined police service in Union County, New Jersey. Al holds a degree in criminal justice and constitutional law. Al retired to Big Pine Key, Florida where he again served in police service for the City of Key West as a Division Supervisor. During his residency in the Keys, he served for six years as a director on the Lower Keys and Key West Board of the American Red Cross. Al became a volunteer member of the Key Deer Alliance to assist with rescue efforts and protection of habitat. Following his second retirement, Al moved to Hobe Sound, where he resides with his wife, Kathleen.
Lyn Aal-Magee
Treasurer
​
Lyn is semi-retired from managing employee’s benefits with several hospital systems in Alaska, Arizona and Florida. While living in and traveling to many different states and countries Lyn has had the opportunity to observe & learn birds and animals and their unique habitats.
Over the course of many years it has become apparent to Lyn the need for education, conservation and the importance of protecting these wonderful ecosystems. With more free time now, Lyn wants to continue exploring the outdoors, learning more about the birds and share this passion and knowledge with others.
Jordan Silvia
Secretary
​
Jordan is an artist, educator, and natural science illustrator specializing in ornithological illustration. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Art from Brevard College and a Master’s degree in Art Education from the University of Florida.
She grew up in the wooded mountains of Western North Carolina where she heard the calls of Cardinals, Chickadees, Wrens, and Sparrows, not knowing that one day those feathered creatures would become such a big part of her life.
​
Jordan is the office administrator for AoMC.
Directors
Carly Batts
Education Coordinator
​
Carly earned her bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science and Marketing from Stetson University and is the Staff Horticulturist for the Martin County Board of County Commissioners. Carly is a Florida Nursery, Growers and Landscape Association (FNGLA) Horticultural Professional, a Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ (FFL) Certified Professional, and is currently pursuing a Masters in Soil & Water Science from the University of Florida. In addition to Audubon, she is also a Board Member for the Martin County Native Plant Society.
Eula Clarke
Eula is an urban planner, attorney, elected official, and the daughter of a Jamaican sugar cane cutter in Belle Glade, Florida. As a youth in Jamaica, Eula would scour the countryside near her home for the sights and sounds of many birds which are endemic only to Jamaica such as the Doctor Bird, which is one of over 232 species of Hummingbirds. As a teenager, Eula was involved in her community and pursued her education at Palm Beach Junior College and later at Florida State University. Eula is an avid gardener and creates many opportunities in her yard for birds to gather year round.
Richard K. Forster, MD
Dr. Forster is Professor of Ophthalmology at Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine.With a 48 year tenure, he practices academic ophthalmology at the BPEI campus in Palm Beach Gardens. He is a graduate of Dartmouth College and Boston University School of Medicine. Dr. Forster produces, directs, films and narrates videos on "The Feeding Behavior of Wading and Shorebirds of Florida".
Jim Howe
Conservation Chair​
​
Jim is a retired mechanical design engineer and Florida Master Naturalist, who now concentrates on citizen science, endangered species, birds, and other eco-related volunteer efforts. He has logged over a thousand hours in the state parks, working with both Florida Scrub Jays and Sea Turtles.
Ray Klahne
Past President
​
Ray is designated as a Wealth Advisor and Senior Portfolio Manager at UBS Financial Services Inc in Stuart. Ray is an avid long-distance backpacker having hiked over 1,000 miles of the Appalachian Trail and numerous others. Ray is trained in Wilderness First Aid and Leave No Trace outdoor ethics. He is a member of the Appalachian Trail Conservancy, the Pacific Crest Trail Association, the Continental Divide Trail Coalition and the Appalachian Long Distance Hikers Association.
Mike Murphy
VolunTEEN Lead
​
Bio coming soon!
Sonia Sousa
Photography Contest Lead
​
Sonia has spent a good portion of her working years in the sales, marketing, digital design
and product photography arena. This led her to start photographing flora and fauna as a hobby, and cultivating her knowledge of different species of birds, and their habitats, calls and behavior. Spending time outdoors and studying the complexities of different
ecosystems opened her eyes to the importance of the education and conservation efforts needed to preserve this for generations to come.
Sonia comes from a multi-cultural background and looks forward to sharing her knowledge and information with others to create the needed awareness.
Merit Wallace
​
​
Merit is a Nurse Practitioner and Stuart native. She holds a Bachelor’s from the University of Florida and a Master’s from Duke University. Her nursing career started in the US Army, where she served for 5 years in Germany and North Carolina. She is a hobbyist outdoors-woman with a passion for Florida’s varied and unique ecosystems. She is fortunate to be part of a family of many generations of proud bird nerds and hopes to share that joy with the wider community.