Brian Walton

Executive Director

Brian has three decades of nonprofit leadership experience. He has a passion for building great teams and leading them to advance meaningful causes. Over the years Brian has provided leadership to a number of organizations and causes. He has led organizations focused on affordable housing, serving Adults with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, and providing leadership development in the countries of former communist Yugoslavia. As an independent consultant he helped dozens of organizations tell their story and raise significant dollars for mission fulfillment.

EDUCATION & CERTIFICATION

Bachelor of Arts & Master of Arts, Johnson University in Knoxville, TN

CFRE, CNC

Alex Torres

Office Manager

Alex has lived in Florida for 25 years. An avid outdoorsman, Alex has a bachelor’s degree in journalism and a master’s degree in communications studies from Shippensburg University in Pennsylvania.

Alex worked in public relations for five years and has extensive experience in customer service roles, including outreach coordinator with the Humane Society of Manatee County. 

Originally from Colombia, Alex is fluent in Spanish. His hobbies include playing tennis, biking, photography, and snorkeling.

Fun fact: Alex lived in Kenya for three years

Favorite bird: Peregrine Falcon

Lisa Wood

Marketing & Outreach Manager

Lisa comes to Save Our Seabirds with a background that seems almost tailor made to have a positive impact with our organization. Lisa started out as a Rescue Volunteer  in September 2023 - and accepted a staff position in February 2025. She is working towards becoming a veterinarian, and has with formal training in Graphic Design, Art Direction, and Carpentry and Joinery. She has held numerous marketing positions over the course of her career, and has worked with high profile clients such as Pepsi, MIT Tech Review, Belvedere and many more.

Fun fact: Lisa has lived overseas for about 6 years

Favorite bird: Gulls are her spirit animal because they both love snacks on the beach

Jonathan Hande

Senior Wildlife Rehabber

Jonathan has worked at Save Our Seabirds for over 12 years. His knowledge ABOUT birds is surpassed only by his passion and love FOR birds. Jonathan is genuine and authentic - and has great relationships with staff and volunteers alike. He routinely provides training to our volunteer rescuers, and is always ready for a great conversation about our feathered friends.

Fun Fact: Jonathan’s dream is to one day own a farm.

Favorite Bird: Cormorant

Dr. Jennifer Long

Veterinarian

Dr. Jennifer Long, a local veterinarian, is now partnering with Save Our Seabirds! Dr. Long is a graduate of the University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine in 2002. She brings a wealth of experience and a deep passion for animal care. And fortunately for us - BIRDS have always been one of her favorite species to work with.
With a lifelong love for animals, her background includes time spent working with the Audubon Center for Birds of Prey, where she joined the rehabilitation and medical treatment of raptors and other bird species.

Fun Fact: Dr. Long spent nine years living and practicing veterinary medicine in Asia.



Amber Paffenroth

Avian Curator

Amber has an Associate of Science degree in Zoo Animal Technology from Sante Fe College. She has 10 years of experience working with animals, and previously worked at Zoo Tampa.



Ambers future plans involve growing our Wild Bird Learning Center into a top notch facility for our birds, while educating the public about them.

Fun Fact: Amber has wanted to be a Zookeeper since she was 11 years old and got to hold a screech owl.

Favorite Bird: Barn Owl

Leo Kissling

Facilities & Grounds Manager

Leo is a lifelong outdoorsmen, an Eagle Scout, and a has been birding since he was 12. He began with SOS as a volunteer rescuer, and joined the staff in the fall of 2023. He is our "MacGyver"...meaning he can fix just about anything, out of anything. He does his job with attention to detail, passion and a great attitude.

Fun Fact: Leo is an excellent cook - and worked in the restaurant business for 20 years.

Favorite Bird: Magnificent Frigatebird, and a close second is the Swallow-tailed Kite.



Christina Patterson

Avian Care Manager

Bio Coming Soon!

Lynn Lotsey

Weekend Office Manager

Lynn joined Save Our Seabirds in the summer of 2012. Lynn enjoys sharing our mission and empowering callers to assist should they notice a sick or injured wild bird. She works in the office on the weekends - dispatching volunteer rescuers and managing the functions of the office. Lynn's favorite pastimes are bass fishing, cooking, reading and Wilbur Hot Springs.

Fun Fact: Lynn knows her way 'round a diesel tractor - it took only one time to prime Ol' Blue to never let that happen a second time.

Favorite Bird: Hummingbird, a close second the Royal Tern



Nicole Carlson

Hospital Technician

Nicole has been with Save Our Seabirds since February of 2024. She is personable, positive, and the consummate team play. She adds life and vitality to our team - enriching the culture of our organization simply by being herself.

She has a Bachelor of Science in Wildlife Biology, and is originally from Michigan. Her wildlife roles before SOS included the Grand Rapids Wildlife Rehab Center, the Boulder Ridge Wild Animal Park, and Mote Marine Laboratory.

Fun Fact: Nicole is a triplet

Favorite Bird: Blue Jay

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



Kyla Gerson

Hospital Technician

Kyla has a degree in Ecology & Evolutionary Biology AND a degree in Anthropology from the University of Colorado in Boulder, CO. She is also a fantastically positive person - and contributes to our culture at SOS is positive ways on a daily basis.

Fun Fact: Kyla loves to rock climb

Favorite Bird: Pelican



Stormy Willson

Avian Keeper

Stormy has a degree in Fisheries and Wildlife Conservation from Oregon State University. She hopes to use her knowledge and passion to connect people with local wildlife conservation.

Fun Facts: Stormy knows how to knit/crochet, helped train a baby Falcon, and is an Aries.

Favorite Bird: At SOS - Helios; In general - Aplomado Falcons



Abby O'Donnell

Avian Keeper

Abby has a Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Studies from Eckerd College. She previously worked at the Tampa Bay Raptor Rescue, for Florida Fish and Wildlife as a biologist studying brown pelicans, and with many wildlife rescue organizations in Tampa Bay.

Abby has been working with birds for about three years. She hopes to continue to inspire and teach others about the importance of birds and conservation efforts.



Fun Fact: Abby has 6 reptiles and a Quaker Parrot

Favorite Bird: Swallow-tailed kites and Peregrine Falcons

Nic Frazier

Hospital Technician

Nic served as an Intern with us in 2024, and we loved her so much that we brought her on board in a staff position. She has a Bachelor of Science degree in Environmental Science and Policy from the University of South Florida. Her long-term goal is to work in habitat and species conservation to help restore threatened animal populations.

Fun Fact: Nic loves reading, arts and crafts, and hiking.

Favorite Bird: Osprey



Andrew Whitlow

Facility & Grounds Assistant

Andrew joined Save Our Seabirds in the summer of 2024. He is attending college while helping us out on the maintenance and grounds crew. Andrew is a hard working, likeable, and positive individual. Andrew is an Eagle Scout - reflecting his character, work ethic, creativity, and drive.

We are blessed to have Andrew's strong back, great attitude, and enjoyable personality on our team!