Steve Lewis: UMNA President
Steve Lewis is a member of the Upstate Master Naturalist class of 2022. He enjoys hiking, swimming, biking, and just wandering in the woods. A retired educator, he spent many years teaching middle school English and communication classes. Now he teaches on a
boat, leading field trips for the Jocassee Wild Child
program and giving tours with Jocassee Lake Tours. Whenever traveling, he enjoys exploring the natural treasures in different parts of the world. With three adult daughters scattered throughout three different time zones in the US, most of his travel now starts off in the Nevada desert, the big sky of Montana, and the
urban jungle of Chicagoland.
Melissa McDow : First Vice-President and Programs Chair
Melissa McDow is a native South Carolinian who was born and reared in the Catawba area, obtained BS in Biology from University of South Carolina, BS in Medical Technology from Medical University of South Carolina, MBA from Clemson University and second degree black belt in Okinawan Shuri Ryu karate. She has lived in the upstate for over forty years. She was a member of Upstate Master Naturalist class in 2023 and obtained South Carolina Statewide certification in 2024. When she is not exploring God’s creation she also enjoys dancing, playing mah jongg and pickleball and volunteering for Emmanuel’s Hammer.
Jennifer Randle: Second Vice-President and Membership Chair
“With the exception of three years in Colorado during grade school and two years in Florida before moving to South Carolina in 2022, I lived in the suburbs of Chicago,” says Jennifer Randle.
I believe my love of nature was sparked camping in the Rocky Mountains with family when we lived in Colorado. I’d play in the cold streams and sleep under the stars surrounded by the beautiful scent of pine trees. My grandfathers were another influence; one a strong environmental advocate, the other a farmer from rural Mississippi. The stars aligned my first year in South Carolina when I was lucky enough to snag a spot in the Upstate Master Naturalist program.
I love to learn, and nature is my escape from the stress of working a demanding corporate job. I enjoy hiking, travel, and photography. My main interests are plants, birds, and geology. What I expected joining this organization was to learn more about nature, but I got so much more finding a family of like-minded people. In addition to volunteering for UMNA, I also volunteer with the SCNPS. I have two grown children and one grandbaby living back home in Chicago.
Deborah Hill : Secretary
Deborah Hill is a member of the Upstate
Master Naturalist class of 2021. She is
looking forward to achieving her
Statewide Certification in 2026. As
others have said, this is not just an
enlighteningly educational program but
also a fantastic opportunity to become friends with many like-minded and interesting people.
Deborah grew up in Massachusetts from a long line of Mayflower descendants. She is an active
member of the Board of Assistants for the Society of Mayflower Descendants in SC. She also
has a passion for the ancient art of basket weaving and is a past president for the Upper SC
Basket Makers Guild. As a retired elementary teacher Deborah enjoys sharing her love of
nature with children when she volunteers at Roper Mountain Science Center or takes her 2
grandchildren for nature walks. They always surprise her when they remember things she told
them from past walks. They really are listening!
Phyllis Stanton: Treasurer
Phyllis is a native of Georgia but has lived in South Carolina since 2004. Her roots in the Appalachian mountains go deep. She is a member of the Chickasaw Nation, and the mother of 6. Phyllis belongs to the Upstate Master Naturalist class of 2024. She enjoys gardening, walking on dirt roads and forest trails, teaching, and writing.
Carson Johnson: Immediate Past President
A lifelong resident of the Carolinas, Carson Johnson moved to Greenville in 1986 with
his wife, Andrea. There he spent 33 years as an anesthesiologist with what became the PRISMA Health System, retiring in 2019.
Although enjoying the outdoors throughout his life, a serious interest in the natural world did not surface until his mid-sixties. After a few years of independent study, he graduated from the MN program in 2022. His interests are in general natural history, environmental preservation, and encouraging a passion for nature in others.
Danny Howard: Executive Board Advisor and UMNA Historian
Danny Howard has provided 40 years of service to Auburn University, the University of Georgia, & Clemson University as an extension agent in agriculture, natural resources & apiculture. He has worked with beekeepers for over 30 years in honey bee education. Danny co-developed the Upstate Master Naturalist class & association. He is presently serving a fifth term as an elected commissioner for the Greenville Soil and Water Conservation District.
Committees:
Go! – Cindy Hekking, coordinator Betsy Lewis, Cam and Tony McDade (all MN2021), Mike Landau (MN2022), Dan Whitten (MN2008)
Grants – Polly Powell
Newsletter – Laura Godfrey
Service Outreach – Bill Hollingsworth
Social Media – Manella Calhoun
Volunteer- Cindy Robinson
Click here to contact the association.
upstatemasternaturalists.org 