Staff
Mike Worley President and CEO
Favorite Outdoor Activities: Kayaking, Hiking, and Wingshooting
Mike comes to GWF after a long and successful career at Georgia Power where he held positions in environmental affairs and legislative affairs as well as a senior manager position in community and economic development. He earned a B.S. in Biology from the University of West Georgia and, as an avid hunter, angler and outdoors enthusiast, is dedicated to our core mission of protecting, preserving, and enhancing the state’s water, forest and field, and wildlife resources for this and future generations.
Emma Alligood, Executive Assistant
Favorite Outdoor Activity: Walking on Beach, Snorkeling, Swimming
Emma earned her B.S. in Marine Science from the University of South Carolina and comes to GWF with a passion for the ocean and policy work. She grew up visiting the beach multiple times a year and was always fascinated by the mystery of the ocean. This curiosity turned into wanting to protect and advocate for the ocean and marine life. She is currently the assistant to our President & CEO learning the ropes of legislative affairs while also assisting on social media.
Breanna Bashford, Georgia R3 Coordinator
Favorite Outdoor Activity: Hunting and Forest Naps
Bre grew up in the west, where she attended Colorado State University receiving her B.S. in Fish, Wildlife and Conservation Biology. She brings to the table years of experience in outdoor education, program management and the recruitment, retention and reactivation of hunters, anglers and shooting sport participants. She spent time in Georgia on Jekyll Island teaching youth outdoor education with GA 4H before joining the Georgia Wildlife Federation. As the State R3 Coordinator Bre contributes to a variety of programs aimed at increasing societal acceptance of and participation in hunting and the shooting sports. Her favorite times are times spent outside. She is an employee of Georgia Wildlife Federation with support for her position provided by Georgia Department of Natural Resources Wildlife Resources Division, National Wild Turkey Federation, and Georgia Chapter of Safari Club International.
John Guthrie Sportsman’s Programs Specialist
Favorite Outdoor Activity: Deer, turkey, and upland game hunting
John was born and raised in middle Georgia and received his B.S. in Wildlife Management from Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources in 2005. Before coming to GWF, he specialized in outdoor industry sales, and then private land game management for large properties throughout the Southeast. This experience and his passion for and knowledge of deer, turkey, and upland bird hunting eventually led to a decade-long private consulting career developing management plans for both game and nongame species. Along with hunting, John enjoys fishing, canoeing, reading outdoor literature, and training his German wirehaired pointer, Boone.
DeAnna Harris Conservation and Outreach Manager
Favorite Outdoor Activity: Camping and Hiking with Family and Friends
DeAnna holds a BS in Wildlife Science from Auburn University. Before moving to Georgia, she served as a research assistant with the Auburn University Entomology Department and the Alabama Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, and as a wildlife educator at the Birmingham Zoo and Alabama’s Special Camp for Children and Adults (Camp ASCCA). DeAnna is a Master Gardener, certified by the University of Georgia, Extension Service and trained in Project Wild. She began her career with GWF as a volunteer, and has been on staff since 1996.
Simwone Jordan Facilities Specialist
Favorite Outdoor Activity: Family Picnics and Nature Walks.
Simwone joined GWF in 2006. Bringing order to everything GWF does, she assists with special events, rentals, membership, and caring for our facilities. Simwone loves people and brings her servant heart to each task. After growing up in Newton County, she now lives in Monroe with Billy, her husband of over 30 years. When she isn’t working, she enjoys participating in church activities and spending time with her two children, three grandkids, and extended family.
Carson Love, Academics Afield Coordinator, University of Georgia
Favorite Outdoor Activity: Hunting, Hiking and Camping
Carson Love is a junior at the University of Georgia’s Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources studying Fisheries and Wildlife Sciences with an emphasis in wildlife. She has a career interest in land and wildlife management for game species. Carson grew up on the coast of Savannah, GA, going out in the boat or to her relatives’ farm most weekends. This is where she gained her passion for the outdoors and conservation. Some of her favorite outdoor activities include hunting, hiking, and camping. As the University of Georgia’s Academics Afield Coordinator, Carson looks forward to engaging with and guiding new hunters into the field, providing hands-on experience with safe hunting techniques.
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Coral Minchey Academics Afield Facilitator
Favorite Outdoor Activity: Walking the Beach and Hiking
Coral grew up in coastal Georgia after her father was stationed at the local airfield. She has a B.S. in Biology from Armstrong Atlantic State University and a M.S. in Marine Sciences from Savannah State University. Throughout her time in Savannah, she has worked as an environmental educator at Tybee Island Marine Science Center and the Burton 4-H Center. She also has experience teaching students as a Resident Scientist in 7th and 8th grade classrooms at Georgetown K-8 and as a Lecturer of Biology at Georgia Southern University, Armstrong Campus. She is passionate about wildlife biology and conservation.
Hank Ohme Program Manager, Mill Creek Nature Center
Favorite Outdoor Activity: Hiking in North Georgia
Hank received a BA Degree in Mathematics from the University of Alabama and served three years in the US Army as an artillery officer. In 2008, he retired from his career as a computer programmer. Hank has been a volunteer with the Georgia Wildlife Federation since 2004, and joined the staff in 2011. Hank is an avid hiker and an amateur photographer.
Amy Pace Events
Favorite Outdoor Activities: Canoeing, Hiking and Fishing
Amy grew up in the foothills of southwestern Virginia. Her childhood was spent on the family farm which gave her an appreciation for hard work and what goes into putting “real” food on the table. One of her favorite memories is learning to fish with her Dad – begging him almost every weekend after that to go again! After retiring from healthcare in 2016, Amy sought a different path, which eventually led her to GWF. She brings her experience in general administration and accounting.
JT Pynne Private Lands Biologist
Favorite Outdoor Activity: Foraging, Hunting, Hiking, Fly Fishing, Swimming
As Georgia Wildlife Federation’s Private Lands Biologist, JT works with private landowners to enhance wildlife habitat quality on forested lands throughout the state, at no cost to the landowner. Chiefly, he is working with landowners to facilitate longleaf pine establishment and enhance habitat quality in longleaf pine stands through management. He is also working with landowners to provide general wildlife habitat recommendations for game and non-game species. JT has a passion for learning about wildlife and habitat, and he is particularly interested in teaching others about the biodiversity found within the native pine systems in the Southeast. He even considers himself a part of the family with his last name (pronounced like the trees). JT earned his B.S. in Environmental Science from Samford University, M.S. in Biology from the University of West Georgia, and PhD in Forestry and Natural Resources from the University of Georgia. JT has experience with determining habitat requirements for small and large mammals, prescribed fire, and silvicultural practices. JT brings his dedication to restoration of productive forest systems to the Georgia Wildlife Federation.
Milo Raoof, Academics Afield Inter, Fort Valley State University
Favorite Outdoor Activity: Wilderness Survival, Chasing Waterfalls, Hunting/Scouting
Milo Raoof is a current graduate student at Fort Valley State University pursuing his Masters in Public/Environmental Health with a concentration in Epidemiology. Following his Masters he plans to pursue a PhD in Human Factors Ergonomics. He has a passion for Ergonomic Design from the basis of Sustainability & Conservation. His Masters Field Research, recently published in the 2023 GEHA publication journal, was based on the concept of Biophilia. Biophilia, is a term for bringing nature in and reconnecting with it. His thesis will expand on the concept of Biophilia to include the essential hunting skills of scouting and stalking. The nature that he is most familiar with is in Georgia, this is the place where he was born and raised. As a youngster and through to his adulthood he is happiest being outdoors and participates in activities such as: wilderness survival, chasing waterfalls, and hunting skills (scouting, stalking, and field dressing). As an Academics Afield Intern, he hopes to encourage his fellow cohorts to reconnect with nature and safely hunt/process their own meat for consumption.
Gina Rogers Director of Operations, Georgia Water Coalition
Favorite Outdoor Activity: Kayaking and Hiking with Friends and Family
Gina grew up in northern Virginia fishing and camping in the Appalachians and around the Chesapeake Bay. With a BS in Conservation and Natural Resource Management from the University of Maryland, she began her career as an intern with the US Fish and Wildlife Service and then worked with the Smithsonian Environmental Research Center on the Chesapeake Bay. Her experience also includes working with the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge, UGA’s Sea Turtle Project on Cumberland Island, the Commercial Fisheries Program of the Coastal Resources Division of the GA DNR, and as an employee of the Glynn County school system. Gina loves to hunt, fish, kayak, camp, and hike with her family.
Adam Schiavone Sportsman’s Programs
Favorite Outdoor Activity: Hunting, Fishing, Camping...Anything Outdoors
Adam comes to GWF with an associate’s degree in wildlife technology from Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College. He worked three years at the University of Georgia Aquaculture Unit and has experience monitoring deer herd quality at Georgia Wildlife Management Areas and Sapelo Island. Some of Adam’s favorite outdoor activities are hunting, fishing, trapping, and kayaking.