Brian Walton

Executive Director

Brian comes to Save Our Seabirds with over three decades of nonprofit leadership experience. He has a passion for building great teams and leading them to advance meaningful causes.

He most recently served as the Executive Director of North Brevard Charities in Titusville, FL. Over the years Brian has provided leadership to a number of organizations and causes. With The Arc Volusia he served Adults with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities; with CECEF he helped to provide Christian leadership development in the countries of former communist Yugoslavia; and as an independent consultant he helped dozens of organizations tell their story and raise significant dollars for mission fulfillment.

Brian considers his most significant accomplishment in life to be his three children. Jaylen is a senior at Stetson University in DeLand, FL; Nathan is a sophomore at Southeastern University in Lakeland, FL; and Brayden is a Junior in High School.

Fun Fact: Brian can juggle...a little.

Favorite Bird: Albatross

EDUCATION & CERTIFICATION

Bachelor of Arts, Johnson University in Knoxville, TN

Master of Arts, Johnson University in Knoxville, TN

Certified Fund Raising Executive; CFRE International

Certified Nonprofit Consultant; NANOE

Maria Passarelli, VMD

Licensed Veterinarian

"Dr. P" earned her BA in Biology from Franklin & Marshall College and her VMD from the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine.  She has served in internship/externship programs at the Clinic for Rehabilitation of Wildlife (CROW) in Naples, Tri-State Bird Rescue & Research in Delaware, and the National Aviary in Pittsburgh.  After a post-graduate avian and exotics internship in Houston, she moved to Florida specifically for the opportunity to work with birds. She was in private practice in St. Petersburg for several years and worked extensively with several wildlife rehabilitators in the area before coming to Save Our Seabirds.

Fun Fact:  Maria is a classically trained French horn player and enjoys ballroom and rhythm dancing.

Favorite Bird: Northern Mockingbird

Sarah Rubin

Director of Outreach and Avian Care

Sarah has worked around animals all of her career from being a raptor trainer to traveling with a mobile aquarium. Here at SOS Sarah coordinates volunteer projects and education programs.

Fun Fact: Sarah has skyped with an owl before.

Favorite Bird: Spectacled Owl

Jonathan Hande

Senior Avian Hospital Technician

Jonathan is working toward a degree in Zoology at the University of North Florida. He is a former member of Future Farmers of America and has extensive experience ranging from zoo and stable work to accounting and macroeconomics.

Fun Fact: Jonathan’s dream is to one day own a farm, but before that he plans to travel the world and see all types of Cormorants.

Favorite Bird: Cormorant

Tara Morningstar

Avian Kitchen Manager  

Tara holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in English and Environmental Studies from Western Michigan University. Her honors thesis was on Intelligence in Crows as Described in Biological Studies and Literature. She has worked at SOS for a total of almost 12 years. Before that, she spent two years tracking and banding eastern bluebirds as well as banding passerines for spring and fall migrations at Kalamazoo Nature Center. She also volunteers at Mote Marine Laboratory and Wildlife, Inc.

Fun Fact: Tara can do a bit of Tuvan throat singing.

Favorite Bird: Crow & Anhinga

CJ Paolilli

Hospital Assistant

CJ moved from California to Florida last year and brought with him his love of adventure, scuba diving, and animals. Since joining the Save our Seabirds team, CJ's appreciation of the rehabilitation process grew. He hopes to continue on the path of helping animals in whatever way he can. 

Fun Fact: Before starting at Save our Seabirds CJ earned his Divemaster certification when he first moved to Florida. 

Favorite Bird: Roseate Spoonbill

Amanda Ramos

Junior Avian Hospital Technician

Amanda has a bachelor's degree in Wildlife Biology. She was born and raised in Fort Worth, Texas but has always wanted to travel and see the world. She moved to Florida last year and since being at SOS her love for birds has only grown. She has been an animal lover all her life. Some of her other hobbies include reading, photography, and yoga.

Fun fact: She can play the French horn and crochet!

Favorite Bird: Screech Owl

Der Lesh

Facilities & Grounds Manager

Der has a degree in education and Masters degree in music. He is originally from Rhode Island and has spent much of his life as a self employed contractor.

Fun Fact: Der is a freelance musician.  Prior to moving to Florida, he enjoyed putting on puppet shows for his church.

Favorite Bird: Cardinal