Honoring Our Long-Time Members and Volunteers
Editor’s Note: This page includes historical information about the early years of the Sea Turtle Preservation Society. Peter Bandré was one of the STPS founding members in 1986, but he has had no leadership role, board position, operational authority, partnership, endorsement, financial relationship, or ongoing affiliation with STPS for more than 30 years. STPS has issued a public statement regarding recent reports involving Sloth World and Mr. Bandré here: https://seaturtlespacecoast.org/stps-statement-on-recent-sloth-world-reports-and-organizational-affiliation/ (May 2026).
Thanks to All Our Members and Volunteers for 40 Amazing Years!
As we celebrate our 40th anniversary, it’s time to look back at everything we’ve accomplished (see Our History) and thank everyone who has helped us along the way. We’re especially grateful to all our long-time members and volunteers for their dedication and hard work. Below are just a few of the many exceptional volunteers who have made significant contributions to our organization and helped pave the way to make STPS what it is today.
Editor’s Note: Special thanks to Donna Braunlich, long-time STPS member and former STPS board member, who wrote Our History and provided background information for this article.
Our Founder Peter Bandré
First and foremost is our founder Peter who secured the required state permit to rescue stranded sea turtles in 1982. Just four years later, STPS became a non-profit on May 6, 1986. Learn more about Peter and the early days of STPS in Our History.
Dori Hughes Has Been a Volunteer for 39 Years!
Dori Hughes is our longest-serving volunteer. She joined STPS in 1987 and led her first Turtle Night Walk in 1988. In 1996, the Nesting Survey program began and Dori became the Nesting Survey Permit Holder. She held that permit until 2023. Dori also helped start the STPS Beach Cleanup program in 1996 with Brevard County’s Keep Brevard Beautiful. Learn more about Dori in the blogs “Dori Hughes, STPS Nest Survey Primary Permit Holder from the Start” written by Donna Braunlich and “Dori Hughes Wins Conservation Volunteer Award.”
Jerry and Linda Heyes
Linda and Jerry joined STPS in 1992. Jerry served as a board member from 1992 to 2010 and president and vice president from 1995 to 1998. He was the Stranding & Salvage director, helped with Turtle Night Walks and educational presentations, and was the STPS newsletter editor. In addition, he was the liaison to Friends of the Carr Refuge where he was president for 18 years. During his tenure, Jerry built relationships with Hubbs-Sea World Research Institute, Marine Resource Council, Sea Turtle Conservancy, UCF’s Marine Turtle Research Group and other local organizations. Linda served as Treasurer and assisted in fundraising and special events. Jerry and Linda also hosted most of the early STPS holiday events.
Buddy and Donna Braunlich
The Braunlichs joined in 1995. Buddy was Treasurer from approximately 2009 to mid-2014 and Donna was Secretary from approximately 2009 to mid-2013. Donna was also the editor of the STPS newsletter for many years and worked on the STPS website and
Facebook page. She also participated in the Education program giving presentations to local schools. Buddy was a member of the Sea Turtle Survey Team for many years.
Pamela and Richard Winn
Pamela joined STPS in 1995 and Richard in 1997. Pamela was STPS Chairperson from 1999 to 2002. She was on the Beach Cleanup team nicknaming herself “Trash Princess for Coconut Point Park” and won first place with Keep Brevard Beautiful several times. Richard was Chairperson from 2003 to 2008 and orchestrated four moves for STPS. He also worked at the Turtle Nest at Port Canaveral.
Carol has belonged to STPS since the 1990s. She enjoys Nesting Surveys, has done Turtle Night Walks and has attended FWC Permit Holders and Southeast Regional Sea Turtle meetings. She’s also an avid photographer. Learn more about Carol in “Volunteer Spotlight: Carol Hansen” written by Aubry Forsyth.
Dave “Chief” Hochberg
Dave joined in 1999. In 2001, he was named STPS Volunteer of the Year, and later that year, was elected to the STPS board. In 2002, he became the Turtle Night Walk Permit Holder until he turned it over to Craig Konkel in 2016. Dave served as STPS Chairperson for two years, helped with strandings and Nesting Surveys, did Turtle Talk 101 presentations and worked at the Turtle House. Between 1999 and 2016, he conducted/participated in over 600 Turtle Night Walks!
Princess joined in 2002 and has been with STPS for 24 years. She started volunteering for Night Walks and is still doing them today. She got the nickname “Princess” years ago and even uses it on her STPS volunteer name badge. In the past, she’s volunteered for Stranding & Salvage, Transport, STERP, Events and the Turtle Krawl 5K. In 2024, she volunteered at the Volunteer Fair in January and works occasionally at the Turtle House. To learn more, please read “Volunteer Spotlight: Princess” written by Sarah Tolson.
Gerry joined in 2004. She’s been the STPS Beach Cleanup Coordinator for Val M. Steele Park (formerly Coconut Point Park) since 2011. In 2012, she was named STPS Volunteer of the Year, and in 2015, she became coordinator for Cherie Down Park. To learn more about Gerry, read “Volunteer Spotlight: Gerry Burke” written by Megan Maynard.
Mark Petrillo
Mark joined in 2004 and later became a lifetime member in 2007. He became a member of the STPS board in 2009. Then, in 2010, the STPS board decided to resurrect our Turtle Krawl 5K race and Mark volunteered as race director. He made significant improvements to our 5K and started the virtual race option.
Roger and Rhonda joined in 2004. Roger served as STPS Chairperson from 2023 to 2025 and from 2012 and 2013. For many years, he was the STPS Stranding & Salvage Permit Holder. In addition, he was instrumental in partnering with the Brevard Zoo to create the Sea Turtle Rehabilitation Center and helped set up the STERP program. Rhonda participates in STPS board activities, Turtle House projects and loves doing Turtle Night Walks. To learn more about Roger, please read “Volunteer Spotlight: Roger Pszonowsky” written by Lisa Haynes-Henry on page 4 of the STPS Turtle Talk Fall/Winter 2017 Newsletter. To learn more about Rhonda, please read “Volunteer Spotlight: Rhonda Pszonowsky” written by Megan Maynard.
Although he lives in Washington State, Alan became an STPS lifetime member in 2004 when he visited the Turtle House and was impressed with the hard-working STPS volunteers and their passion to protect sea turtles. He’s a retired marine science teacher, avid traveler and supports the sea turtle research projects in Tortuguero, Costa Rica which were started by Archie Carr in the 1950s. To read more about Alan, use this link: “Lifetime Member Spotlight: Alan Rammer” written by Megan Maynard.
Ann Zscheile
Ann joined in 2006 and participated in Turtle Night Walks, Strandings, Nest Surveys and Education. In 2008, she, Roger Pszonowsky and Adreinne Kessler started the Sea Turtle Emergency Response Program (STERP). In 2009, Ann and Adreinne shared the STPS Volunteer of the Year award. Ann also wrote the book “Wilbur the Washback Sea Turtle.”
Craig has been a lifetime STPS member since 2007. He’s served as Co-Chair of the STPS board and was been the Turtle Night Walk Permit Holder for many years. To learn more about Craig, see “Volunteer Spotlight – Craig Konkel” written by Megan Maynard.
Dave joined in 2008. He’s been a member of the Stranding & Salvage and Turtle Night Walk teams, and was STERP Coordinator and Transport Permit Holder for several years. To learn more about Dave, please read “Volunteer Spotlight: Dave Cheney” written by Andrea Jackson.
Margie and BJ Varuska
When they first joined in 2009, Margie and BJ volunteered for Nest Surveys, STERP, Turtle Night Walks and the Turtle Krawl 5K. They also attended regional and international sea turtle seminars and workshops. From 2011-2012, BJ served on the STPS board as the Education Coordinator, helped with strandings and volunteered at the Turtle Nest at Port Canaveral. When Margie was a pilot for Southwest Airlines, she earned round-trip tickets which she donated to STPS. Unfortunately, in September 2023, BJ passed away unexpectedly. In 2024, to honor BJ, Margie, her family and friends made a donation to STPS for researcher Dean Bagley at UCF’s Marine Turtle Research Group for their sea turtle tagging program.
Heather has worked in sea turtle conservation many years and joined STPS in 2010. She’s on the Stranding & Salvage permit and has been a member of the STPS board. In 2016, she co-founded Wild Florida Rescue with Matthew Buice and is their Chief Operations Officer. Learn more about Heather by reading “Volunteer Spotlight: Heather Pepe-Dillon” written by Megan Maynard.
Nancy joined STPS in 2011. She participates in Turtle Night Walks, Transport and STERP. As she says, “It NEVER gets old watching the turtle lay eggs.” Learn more in “Volunteer Spotlight: Nancy Johnson” written by Sarah Tolson.
Patty joined 2013 and has done beach cleanups, Turtle Night Walks, STERP, Transport, Community Events and Fundraising. She’s also helped create several STPS annual reports. To learn more about Patty, please read “Volunteer Spotlight: Patty Cooper” written by Megan Maynard.
Heidi became a lifetime member in 2013 and loves doing Turtle Night Walks. She really enjoys educating people and has done Turtle Talk 101 presentations, new volunteer orientations, and volunteer fairs. Learn more in “Volunteer Spotlight: Heidi Kuchenbacker-Robbins” written by Megan Maynard.
Teri joined STPS in 2013 and has participated in Nest Surveys, STERP and Education. She’s also been the Adoptions and Donations coordinator. To learn more, please read “Volunteer Spotlight: Teri Mahnken” written by Megan Maynard.
Her friends call her Jax and she joined in 2014. She’s volunteered for Nest Surveys, STERP, Turtle Night Walks and the Turtle Krawl 5K. In 2016, Jax received the STPS Volunteer of the Year award, and in 2018, she was Director of Membership. Learn more in “Volunteer Spotlight – Jacqueline Maisto” written by Megan Maynard.
Ken and Susan Smith
The Smiths joined in approximately 2014. Ken is currently Co-Chair of the STPS board, has been Transport Permit Holder since March 2021 and Sea Turtle Rehabilitation Center Liaison since 2022. Susan has served on the policy and finance committees and has participated in Nest Surveys and on the Education team. In 2020, Ken and Susan were named Volunteers of the Year along with Helen Bachtell and Dan Schaller (see page 5 of the STPS 2020 Annual Report).
Donna joined STPS with her husband Roger in 2015. She’s participated in Community Events, Education, Stranding & Salvage, STERP, Transport, and the Turtle Krawl 5K. In 2016, Donna started working part-time at the Turtle House in Indialantic and she really enjoys sharing her enthusiasm for sea turtles and educating people about them. Learn more in “Volunteer Spotlight: Donna Simons” written by Susan Randolph.
Silvia joined STPS in 2016 and has done Turtle Night Walks, Nest Surveys and Community Events. She’s been part of Turtle Krawl Planning Committee and has volunteered at the Turtle Nest at Port Canaveral. Read more about Silvia in “Volunteer Spotlight: Silvia Bryan” written by Megan Maynard.
Sherrie and Dave also joined in 2016. They participate in Nest Surveys, Turtle Night Walks, STERP, Education and the Turtle Krawl 5K. In 2024, Sherrie became STPS Nesting Surveys Permit Holder. Learn more about both of them by reading “Volunteer Spotlight: Dave and Sherrie Williams” written by Megan Maynard.
Anita joined STPS in 2016. She’s a software programmer and administrator of the STPS website. Learn more about Anita in “Volunteer Spotlight: Anita Ziegner.”
Noelle volunteered at Brevard Zoo’s Sea Turtle Rehabilitation Center before joining STPS in 2017. From 2018 to 2022, Noelle served on the STPS board as the Director of Events and Fundraising and started our Fundraising program to supplement our annual Turtle Krawl 5K. She coordinates our annual World Sea Turtle Day Silent Auction and participates in Turtle Night Walks and Nest Surveys. To learn more, please read “Volunteer Spotlight: Noelle Villanueva” written by Susan Randolph.
Jax Maisto, Susan Skinner, Lisa Littleton and Dave Cheney. Front row, left to right:
Sarah Tolson, Roger Pszonowsky and Noelle Villanueva. Board members not
shown are Dori Hughes, Kathy LeBresco and Heather Pepe-Dillon.
Thanks to All Our Long-Time
Members and Volunteers
You must be logged in to post a comment.