Board Member Profiles
Executive Committee
Mindy Rice Withrow, Board Chair
Mindy Rice Withrow is a communications strategist from northwest Ohio. After 25 years as a marketing agency leader, corporate consultant, and writer, she founded her own firm, Mindy Media, to work exclusively with mission-driven organizations. By guiding them in effective communications, she helps them inspire their communities to take meaningful action. The big exception to her communication skills is finishing a sentence while bird—wait, was that a kinglet?
A certified Climate Reality Leader with VP Al Gore’s Climate Reality Project and an avid birder, she can often be found out watching birds, in the woods touching moss, or in her garden nurturing native plants. As frequently as possible, she combines her love for birds and travel, and has birded on six continents. She joined the BSBO board in 2024.
Mindy Rice Withrow is a communications strategist from northwest Ohio. After 25 years as a marketing agency leader, corporate consultant, and writer, she founded her own firm, Mindy Media, to work exclusively with mission-driven organizations. By guiding them in effective communications, she helps them inspire their communities to take meaningful action. The big exception to her communication skills is finishing a sentence while bird—wait, was that a kinglet?
A certified Climate Reality Leader with VP Al Gore’s Climate Reality Project and an avid birder, she can often be found out watching birds, in the woods touching moss, or in her garden nurturing native plants. As frequently as possible, she combines her love for birds and travel, and has birded on six continents. She joined the BSBO board in 2024.
Margy Trumbull, Vice Chairman
As well as being an avid birder and nature enthusiast, Margaret “Margy” Trumbull has had extensive non-profit board experience, serving on many community, regional and international organizations in the arts, education and human services areas. Upon graduating from Lawrence University in 1972 with a major in Studio Art she was employed by The Toledo Museum of Art, worked as a studio jeweler and as a community volunteer. In 2013 she helped establish Good Grief of Northwest Ohio, Inc. that provides support for children, teens and their families who have experienced the death of someone significant in their lives. She continues to serve on committees at the Arts Commission and the Toledo Museum of Art. She married her husband Scott in 1973 and is a proud mother of three sons and six grandchildren. Margy enjoys living in Ottawa Hills, Ohio, Saint Joseph, Michigan, and Runaway Bay, Jamaica. She joined the BSBO board in 2018.
As well as being an avid birder and nature enthusiast, Margaret “Margy” Trumbull has had extensive non-profit board experience, serving on many community, regional and international organizations in the arts, education and human services areas. Upon graduating from Lawrence University in 1972 with a major in Studio Art she was employed by The Toledo Museum of Art, worked as a studio jeweler and as a community volunteer. In 2013 she helped establish Good Grief of Northwest Ohio, Inc. that provides support for children, teens and their families who have experienced the death of someone significant in their lives. She continues to serve on committees at the Arts Commission and the Toledo Museum of Art. She married her husband Scott in 1973 and is a proud mother of three sons and six grandchildren. Margy enjoys living in Ottawa Hills, Ohio, Saint Joseph, Michigan, and Runaway Bay, Jamaica. She joined the BSBO board in 2018.
Michelle Klement, Treasurer
Michelle Klement, CPA, is a tax partner at William Vaughan Company, providing expertise in federal and state tax compliance, tax planning, employee benefit/retirement plan administration, and consulting. Her focus is with the firm's professional service businesses niche. Prior to joining the firm in 1990, Michelle was named valedictorian of her Maumee High School senior class and graduated Summa Cum Laude from Bowling Green State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration.
Michelle Klement, CPA, is a tax partner at William Vaughan Company, providing expertise in federal and state tax compliance, tax planning, employee benefit/retirement plan administration, and consulting. Her focus is with the firm's professional service businesses niche. Prior to joining the firm in 1990, Michelle was named valedictorian of her Maumee High School senior class and graduated Summa Cum Laude from Bowling Green State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration.
Rob Ripma, Secretary
Rob is a lifelong Indiana resident and co-owner of Sabrewing Nature Tours. He has birded extensively throughout the Americas and also spent time birding in Asia, Africa, and Europe. Rob is currently on the executive boards of two organizations: Past President of the Board of the Amos Butler Audubon Society in Indianapolis (after leading the board as President for 6 years) and Secretary for Ohio’s Black Swamp Bird Observatory (BSBO). He also serves as the field trip coordinator for BSBO’s Biggest Week in American Birding annual event. Rob sat on the executive board of the Indiana Audubon Society for three years as Treasurer and Vice President. He is a co-founder of the Indiana Young Birders Club and speaks at a variety of organizations and schools about birds and birding to share his knowledge and experiences in the field. His leadership and expertise led to Rob working as the primary bird blogger for Birds & Blooms Magazine from 2013-2017.
Rob enjoys working with both new and experienced birders of all ages and believes that teaching people about birds will not only increase interest in birding but also help them better understand why we must work to protect them and their habitats. Additionally, he loves educating others about the positive impact nature tourism can have on local economies, especially in developing countries. This passion led to his involvement in the production of a PBS television program called, “Flight Path: The World of Migratory Birds”, where a crew accompanied him on a tour to Panama to highlight and bring to life the effect that birds and birding have on both the people that see them and those who work and live in areas visited by birders and nature lovers. Rob graduated from Indiana University’s Kelley School of Business in 2008 and lives in Carmel, Indiana with his wife and daughter.
Rob is a lifelong Indiana resident and co-owner of Sabrewing Nature Tours. He has birded extensively throughout the Americas and also spent time birding in Asia, Africa, and Europe. Rob is currently on the executive boards of two organizations: Past President of the Board of the Amos Butler Audubon Society in Indianapolis (after leading the board as President for 6 years) and Secretary for Ohio’s Black Swamp Bird Observatory (BSBO). He also serves as the field trip coordinator for BSBO’s Biggest Week in American Birding annual event. Rob sat on the executive board of the Indiana Audubon Society for three years as Treasurer and Vice President. He is a co-founder of the Indiana Young Birders Club and speaks at a variety of organizations and schools about birds and birding to share his knowledge and experiences in the field. His leadership and expertise led to Rob working as the primary bird blogger for Birds & Blooms Magazine from 2013-2017.
Rob enjoys working with both new and experienced birders of all ages and believes that teaching people about birds will not only increase interest in birding but also help them better understand why we must work to protect them and their habitats. Additionally, he loves educating others about the positive impact nature tourism can have on local economies, especially in developing countries. This passion led to his involvement in the production of a PBS television program called, “Flight Path: The World of Migratory Birds”, where a crew accompanied him on a tour to Panama to highlight and bring to life the effect that birds and birding have on both the people that see them and those who work and live in areas visited by birders and nature lovers. Rob graduated from Indiana University’s Kelley School of Business in 2008 and lives in Carmel, Indiana with his wife and daughter.
Board Trustees
Don Bauman, Board Chair, Conservation Committee Chair
Don Bauman has a degree in chemical engineering from the University of Toledo, and is retired after having had a 40-year career in the plastics industry in manufacturing, technical, quality control, and R&D positions. He has served on various professional committees in the past, such as a U.S. committee to the International Standards Organization to develop plastics test methods, and the Society of Plastics Engineers committees for Annual Technical Conferences. He is the author of many technical papers on subjects related to plastics material science and technology. He has been a volunteer at the BSBO bird banding operation at Navarre Marsh for over six years, and currently serves as chairman of the BSBO Conservation Committee. He and his wife Pat have been avid bird watching partners for about eight years.
Don Bauman has a degree in chemical engineering from the University of Toledo, and is retired after having had a 40-year career in the plastics industry in manufacturing, technical, quality control, and R&D positions. He has served on various professional committees in the past, such as a U.S. committee to the International Standards Organization to develop plastics test methods, and the Society of Plastics Engineers committees for Annual Technical Conferences. He is the author of many technical papers on subjects related to plastics material science and technology. He has been a volunteer at the BSBO bird banding operation at Navarre Marsh for over six years, and currently serves as chairman of the BSBO Conservation Committee. He and his wife Pat have been avid bird watching partners for about eight years.
Diane Friedman
Diane Friedman is a retired science educator, serving 35 years with Sylvania Schools. She divides her time between her home in the Toledo area and Estes Park, Colorado. Diane is the President of the Board of Directors of the YWCA of Northwest Ohio, and is a court-appointed special advocate for children in foster care through the Lucas County CASA-GAL program. While in Colorado, Diane works as a volunteer ranger in Rocky Mountain National Park, having served 1300+ hours there.
Diane Friedman is a retired science educator, serving 35 years with Sylvania Schools. She divides her time between her home in the Toledo area and Estes Park, Colorado. Diane is the President of the Board of Directors of the YWCA of Northwest Ohio, and is a court-appointed special advocate for children in foster care through the Lucas County CASA-GAL program. While in Colorado, Diane works as a volunteer ranger in Rocky Mountain National Park, having served 1300+ hours there.
Clare Hylant, Advancement Committee
As natives of Toledo, Clare and her husband, Richard returned to Ottawa Hills for the schools and to raise their family, after 15 years of living on the western shore of Lake Erie near Monroe. Clare received her Bachelor of Arts from the University of Michigan. She is also a graduate of the Concentration in Organizational Marketing J.L. Kellogg Graduate School of Management - Northwestern University - Masters of Management, Concentrations in Marketing, Finance and Management Policy. Clare excelled in a career in marketing, market research and management at Beatrice Companies/Chicago, General Motors/Detroit and Yark Automotive Group/Toledo, before she put career aside to raise and support their family of three children: Andrea, Jack and Courtney. In addition to her role on the BSBO Board, Clare also serves on the Board of the Hylant Family Foundation, which supports numerous charities in our community. Through the support of the foundation, Clare recently led the start-up of a College Mentors for Kids chapter at the University of Toledo. Clare and her family thoroughly enjoy the outdoors. Richard is on numerous environmental boards, and their daughters are both pursuing careers in Environmental Science.
As natives of Toledo, Clare and her husband, Richard returned to Ottawa Hills for the schools and to raise their family, after 15 years of living on the western shore of Lake Erie near Monroe. Clare received her Bachelor of Arts from the University of Michigan. She is also a graduate of the Concentration in Organizational Marketing J.L. Kellogg Graduate School of Management - Northwestern University - Masters of Management, Concentrations in Marketing, Finance and Management Policy. Clare excelled in a career in marketing, market research and management at Beatrice Companies/Chicago, General Motors/Detroit and Yark Automotive Group/Toledo, before she put career aside to raise and support their family of three children: Andrea, Jack and Courtney. In addition to her role on the BSBO Board, Clare also serves on the Board of the Hylant Family Foundation, which supports numerous charities in our community. Through the support of the foundation, Clare recently led the start-up of a College Mentors for Kids chapter at the University of Toledo. Clare and her family thoroughly enjoy the outdoors. Richard is on numerous environmental boards, and their daughters are both pursuing careers in Environmental Science.
Joe Komorowski, Research & Governance Committees
Joe Komorowsi was a founding member of Black Swamp Bird Observatory. He is a skilled bird bander whose work has contributed to our knowledge of migratory songbirds and Northern Saw-whet Owls. Joe and his wife Jann make their home in Petersburg, MI.
Joe Komorowsi was a founding member of Black Swamp Bird Observatory. He is a skilled bird bander whose work has contributed to our knowledge of migratory songbirds and Northern Saw-whet Owls. Joe and his wife Jann make their home in Petersburg, MI.
Annie Lindsay, Research Committee Chair
Annie Lindsay is the Bird Banding Program Manager at Powdermill Nature Reserve in Rector, Pennsylvania, field station of the Carnegie Museum of Natural History where she runs the long-term bird banding station and teaches classes and workshops. She is also a PhD student and University Fellow at the University of Toledo where she studies trends in long-term bird banding datasets, and how anthropogenic factors, in particular climate change, affect avian populations, movements, and behavior. She has traveled around the country and internationally studying avian ecology and behavior. She earned her B.S. in Biology from Grove City College, and her M.S. in Natural Resources from the Ohio State University where she studied the effects of winter habitat quality, as determined by stable-carbon isotope analysis, on plumage characteristics and reproductive success in Yellow Warblers.
Annie is a master bird banding permit holder and is a North American Banding Council-certified bird bander trainer. She serves on the Ohio Bird Conservation Initiative steering committee and the Eastern Bird Banding Association memorial grants committee, and is an eBird reviewer, Christmas Bird Count compiler, Pennsylvania Migration Count compiler, and Breeding Bird Survey counter. She’s an avid birder and molt limit enthusiast, and loves sharing the hobby with new birders, especially her son Tommy!
Annie Lindsay is the Bird Banding Program Manager at Powdermill Nature Reserve in Rector, Pennsylvania, field station of the Carnegie Museum of Natural History where she runs the long-term bird banding station and teaches classes and workshops. She is also a PhD student and University Fellow at the University of Toledo where she studies trends in long-term bird banding datasets, and how anthropogenic factors, in particular climate change, affect avian populations, movements, and behavior. She has traveled around the country and internationally studying avian ecology and behavior. She earned her B.S. in Biology from Grove City College, and her M.S. in Natural Resources from the Ohio State University where she studied the effects of winter habitat quality, as determined by stable-carbon isotope analysis, on plumage characteristics and reproductive success in Yellow Warblers.
Annie is a master bird banding permit holder and is a North American Banding Council-certified bird bander trainer. She serves on the Ohio Bird Conservation Initiative steering committee and the Eastern Bird Banding Association memorial grants committee, and is an eBird reviewer, Christmas Bird Count compiler, Pennsylvania Migration Count compiler, and Breeding Bird Survey counter. She’s an avid birder and molt limit enthusiast, and loves sharing the hobby with new birders, especially her son Tommy!
Tom Palmer, Advancement Committee
Tom is a senior member (and a former managing partner) of the law firm Marshall & Melhorn, having practiced over 40 years providing representation in dispute resolution (though negotiation, mediation, arbitration and litigation) and counsel on business, corporate, governmental and employment related legal matters. Tom also serves in leadership positions on the boards of directors of privately and publicly held corporations. He has been actively involved on a broad range of civic activities including serving in leadership positions on the boards of the Toledo Lucas County Port Authority, Regional Growth Partnership, Local Initiatives Services Corporation (LISC), Toledo Cultural Arts Center/ Historic Valentine Theatre, Ohio Wesleyan University, and University of Toledo Medical College Advisory Council.
Tom is a senior member (and a former managing partner) of the law firm Marshall & Melhorn, having practiced over 40 years providing representation in dispute resolution (though negotiation, mediation, arbitration and litigation) and counsel on business, corporate, governmental and employment related legal matters. Tom also serves in leadership positions on the boards of directors of privately and publicly held corporations. He has been actively involved on a broad range of civic activities including serving in leadership positions on the boards of the Toledo Lucas County Port Authority, Regional Growth Partnership, Local Initiatives Services Corporation (LISC), Toledo Cultural Arts Center/ Historic Valentine Theatre, Ohio Wesleyan University, and University of Toledo Medical College Advisory Council.
Ram Ramamurthy
Ram is scientist by training. Towards the end of graduate school, he got interested in Bird watching, since the word “birding” was in not vogue at that time. He was initially interested in observing bird behaviors, varied vocalizations of the Greater Racket–tailed drongo, and migrating birds such as the Bar-headed geese. Ram continued his passion after moving to the US in 1980. Birding became a part of his active life from 2013. Serving as an ex-pat in India created an opportunity to observe birds in various habitats, and this began a more serious journey towards learning Ornithology. Ram joined the Black Swamp Bird Observatory (BSBO) board seven years ago. Over the years he has had the opportunity to meet leading experts in Ornithology, and field practitioners. His journey has taken him through a number of courses in Ornithology form Cornell Labs, Bombay Natural History Society (India), and National program on Technology Enhanced Learning (India). Ram, and his wife Sudha have travelled to a number of countries to experience both culture, and birds, sharing a life list of over 1900 birds.
Ram plans to continue his passion to birds by advocating for young birders in US, and India, and work with researchers at BSBO focused on analytics pertaining to avian data.
Ram is scientist by training. Towards the end of graduate school, he got interested in Bird watching, since the word “birding” was in not vogue at that time. He was initially interested in observing bird behaviors, varied vocalizations of the Greater Racket–tailed drongo, and migrating birds such as the Bar-headed geese. Ram continued his passion after moving to the US in 1980. Birding became a part of his active life from 2013. Serving as an ex-pat in India created an opportunity to observe birds in various habitats, and this began a more serious journey towards learning Ornithology. Ram joined the Black Swamp Bird Observatory (BSBO) board seven years ago. Over the years he has had the opportunity to meet leading experts in Ornithology, and field practitioners. His journey has taken him through a number of courses in Ornithology form Cornell Labs, Bombay Natural History Society (India), and National program on Technology Enhanced Learning (India). Ram, and his wife Sudha have travelled to a number of countries to experience both culture, and birds, sharing a life list of over 1900 birds.
Ram plans to continue his passion to birds by advocating for young birders in US, and India, and work with researchers at BSBO focused on analytics pertaining to avian data.
Mike Sacopulos
Michael J. Sacopulos is the publisher of BWD magazine, the oldest, privately-held publication for birders in the United States. Michael serves on the Board of Directors of the Roger Tory Peterson Institute, and is a Trustee of the Theodore Roosevelt Association. When not advocating for birds, Michael is the CEO of Medical Risk Institute (MRI) and a partner at Sacopulos, Johnson & Sacopulos in Terre Haute, Indiana, where he specializes in collections, medical malpractice, and trust and estate law. He was selected as the “Lawyer of the Year” in the practice area of Medical Malpractice Law for Indiana by “Best “Lawyers.” He has written for Wall Street Journal, Forbes, Bloomberg, and many publications for the medical profession. A frequent national speaker, Michael also serves as host of American Association for Physician Leadership’s “SoundPractice” podcast, which focuses on the business of medicine. He attended Harvard College, London School of Economics, and Indiana University/Purdue University School of Law.
Learn more about Michael at: www.sacopulos.com/attorneys/michael-sacopulos/
Michael J. Sacopulos is the publisher of BWD magazine, the oldest, privately-held publication for birders in the United States. Michael serves on the Board of Directors of the Roger Tory Peterson Institute, and is a Trustee of the Theodore Roosevelt Association. When not advocating for birds, Michael is the CEO of Medical Risk Institute (MRI) and a partner at Sacopulos, Johnson & Sacopulos in Terre Haute, Indiana, where he specializes in collections, medical malpractice, and trust and estate law. He was selected as the “Lawyer of the Year” in the practice area of Medical Malpractice Law for Indiana by “Best “Lawyers.” He has written for Wall Street Journal, Forbes, Bloomberg, and many publications for the medical profession. A frequent national speaker, Michael also serves as host of American Association for Physician Leadership’s “SoundPractice” podcast, which focuses on the business of medicine. He attended Harvard College, London School of Economics, and Indiana University/Purdue University School of Law.
Learn more about Michael at: www.sacopulos.com/attorneys/michael-sacopulos/
Sallie Traxler, Advancement & Finance Committees
For over 20 years Sallie has been a strategic mind behind organizations identifying and achieving their goals through thought partnership, innovation and change management. Committed to creating the space for organizations to move from vision to implementation, she has led initiatives aimed at how organizations meet the needs of their customers and stakeholders. She is known for her ability to forge deep partnerships with businesses, nonprofits, and local, state and federal agencies.
Sallie has led and consulted with national and international professional and trade associations to drive strategic growth by aligning industry, network and organizational resources to meet emerging needs. Her work has raised the national bond cap for development authorities nationwide, advanced the campus housing profession for more than 970 institutions and 215 corporations worldwide, secured partnerships with leading Fortune 100 companies in support of startup businesses and business incubators, successfully secured grants and federal contracts, and led community development efforts for rural renewal.
Sallie has an MBA from The Ohio State University, and a MA from Morehead State University in Kentucky.
For over 20 years Sallie has been a strategic mind behind organizations identifying and achieving their goals through thought partnership, innovation and change management. Committed to creating the space for organizations to move from vision to implementation, she has led initiatives aimed at how organizations meet the needs of their customers and stakeholders. She is known for her ability to forge deep partnerships with businesses, nonprofits, and local, state and federal agencies.
Sallie has led and consulted with national and international professional and trade associations to drive strategic growth by aligning industry, network and organizational resources to meet emerging needs. Her work has raised the national bond cap for development authorities nationwide, advanced the campus housing profession for more than 970 institutions and 215 corporations worldwide, secured partnerships with leading Fortune 100 companies in support of startup businesses and business incubators, successfully secured grants and federal contracts, and led community development efforts for rural renewal.
Sallie has an MBA from The Ohio State University, and a MA from Morehead State University in Kentucky.