Pam Shucker: UMNA President

I am a native of Greenville, a graduate of UMNA Class of 2015 and have continued actively learning since those wonderful lessons. I am a former teacher and my husband and I have worked at Furman University during our careers. We have two grown children and two grandchildren, who we so fortunately share Greenville with as home. I am a life-long environmentalist and find my greatest joyful experiences being in nature. I expressed this love in my book, Round About Greenville and the Carolina Blue Ridge. Many other connections with the natural community have offered me opportunities to be a board member, to speak, teach, and write about the amazing natural environment of our Upstate.

Betsy Lewis: First Vice-President and Programs Chair

I was in the 2021 Master Naturalist class. I grew up in Easley, graduated from Davidson College, and eventually made my way back to the Upstate. Always looking for ways to learn more about the natural world, I enjoy birding, hiking, and monitoring the plant and wildlife populations in my home habitat. My main volunteer activities are for HawkWatch and at Conestee. 

Cindy Hekking: Treasurer

Originally from Maryland, graduated from Clemson with a degree in Wildlife Biology. Became a
Upstate Master Naturalist in 2014 and a State Master Naturalist in 2018. Worked as a clinical
laboratory scientist until recent retirement. Loves hiking, birding, and kayaking with her many
dogs. Volunteers doing trail maintenance, invasive removal, stream water testing and the UMNA Meadow Restoration Project.

Andy Chesson: Immediate Past President

Andy Chesson came to SC after 35 years of teaching, patient care and programmatic development at the LSU Medical School in Shreveport, La.  He retired as the medical school Dean in 2014 and came to the Upstate to be closer to 7 grandkids.  He and Denise had always been active in many aspects of the outdoors, including white water canoeing, scuba diving, and camping and backpacking with their children in all 50 states, by high school graduation for the kids, and then in multiple foreign countries.  When they arrived and discovered the UMNA, they both took the 2015 course to promote learning more about the natural world.  Andy also became a State Master Naturalist in 2019.  He serves with other local like-minded groups including Trout Unlimited and SC Adopt-a-Stream.

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.