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.
Breanna Bashford, Georgia R3 Manager
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 additional support for her position provided by Georgia Department of Natural Resources, National Wild Turkey Federation, National Deer Association, and Safari Club International.
Glenn Brackett, Facilities Maintenance Technician
Favorite Outdoor Activity: Fishing, Hunting, Outdoor Cooking
Glenn was born in Florida, raised in College Park, GA, and has lived in seven states since graduating with a communication, journalism, and art degree from Auburn University. He brings a wealth of work experience and skills to GWF including print production, restaurant management and ownership, commercial truck driving and instruction, and landscape management. A conservationist at heart, Glenn supports numerous outdoor organizations and is a longtime GWF member and volunteer.
Cody Ellis, Academics Afield Coordinator, University of Georgia
Favorite Outdoor Activity: Waterfowl Hunting
Cody Ellis is a Wildlife Sciences Major at University Georgia (UGA) with career interests in wildlife damage management. He grew up in the outdoors and truly values time spent exploring with family and friends. Whether he’s duck hunting the swamps of Georgia or elk hunting in the Rocky Mountains, he’s always up for an adventure. As the Academics Afield Coordinator, he takes beginning hunters along their learning path starting with species biology and hunting techniques to harvest and kitchen prep. His favorite outdoor activity is waterfowl hunting. As he puts it, “It’s something I look forward to all year.”
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Ashlyn Halseth, Social Media Specialist
Favorite Outdoor Activity: Hiking
Ashlyn Halseth is a current senior at Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources with an emphasis in Wildlife. She plans to go to master’s school to further her passion in Wildlife Diseases. Ashlyn got her start here at GWF through photographing the Academics Afield learn-to-hunt program in 2019. Her favorite outdoor activities include playing soccer, volunteering at zoos, and hiking.
Bailey Harrell, Academics Afield Coordinator, Georgia Southern
Favorite Outdoor Activity: Wing Shooting, Archery Hunting
Bailey is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Logistics and Supply Chain Management at Georgia Southern and is on the school trap and skeet team. In his spare time, he enjoys competing with his Labrador retriever in hunt tests and spending time with friends and family in the outdoors. When we asked him why he was interested in the position his response was, “I love wing shooting, archery hunting, and teaching others to enjoy and respect the sport I love.”
Becky Harris Executive Assistant
Favorite Outdoor Activity: Swimming and Tubing in the Cowpasture River in VA
Becky, a staff member since November 2010, is an AT&T retiree. She brings an array of skills to our staff to include project management, business analyst, and general office administrative experience. Becky was introduced to the great outdoors at a very young age while vacationing at her mother’s home place located on the Cowpasture River in Virginia. This yearly tradition/vacation continues today with a variety of river activities.
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.
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.
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.
Davis Simons, Academics Afield Coordinator, Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College
Favorite Outdoor Activity: Camping, Hiking, and Hunting
Davis is from the small town of Harlem, Georgia. He is currently a student at Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College (ABAC) pursuing a degree in Natural Resource Management, and is an active member of the student chapter of the Georgia Wildlife Society. He grew up camping and exploring the woods, which he credits with giving him his love of the outdoors. As the Academics Afield Coordinator at ABAC, Davis is creating programs to introduce students to hunting and the shooting sports that have never had the opportunity to participate. His position is supported by the National Shooting Sports Foundation.
Sam Stowe Sportsmen’s Programs Manager
Favorite Outdoor Activity:Turkey Hunting
Sam is an avid angler and hunter with a great passion for the outdoors. He grew up in Newton County and owned and operated a heating and air conditioning business for 34 years. During that time he served three terms as State Chapter President for the National Wild Turkey Federation. After retiring, his passion for the outdoors and conservation led him to pursue a new career with the Georgia Wildlife Federation.
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.