Board of Directors

Kimi M. Fitzhugh
President

I've been a Friends TNWR Board member since 2014. I served as secretary 2014-2017.   I’ve been fortunate to have opportunities to learn about nonprofit, Friends organizations and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service at several Friends training sessions. I retired from Tennessee Valley Authority after 30 years as an Administrative Assistant and GIS Tech. The following eight years I was self-employed as an entrepreneur in the photography and picture framing business, retiring again in 2016. I’ve lived in Henry County, Tennessee my entire life where I’ve always enjoyed camping, fishing and boating on Kentucky Lake. Retirement has offered more time traveling, volunteering, being on and around Kentucky Lake and entertaining my three grandsons.

Vickie Miller
​Past President

I retired to Tennessee with my husband in 2014, leaving a background in the insurance industry. I have been a Friends TNWR member and a Board Member since 2009.  One of my main priorities is "getting people outdoors".  I have attended many "Friends" related training opportunities over the years to increase my understanding of the important role that a Friends group plays in the management of the National Wildlife Refuges. I enjoy hiking, camping, fishing and spending time with my five grandchildren.

​

Susan "Ski" Witzofski
​Vice President

I moved to Paris, Tennessee from St. Louis, Missouri on June 9, 1964 which was my ninth birthday. My parents and I have fished, hiked, and hunted on the refuge since we moved to this area.  I retired from Tennessee Valley Authority where I worked at The Land Between The Lakes.  I managed campgrounds and worked with timber crews.  I enjoy fishing, history and picking wild mushrooms.

​Sheri Pyle
Treasurer

Born and raised in Chicago I was very much involved in my community by volunteering for the local police department and the Citizens Emergency Response Team. After retiring from the Accounting field I moved to Henry County in 2011, spending the next five years caring for my ailing husband until his passing in 2016. Looking to become active in some way I found a perfect home at the Tennessee National Wildlife Refuge. Since joining the Friends I was asked to be the Volunteer Coordinator and now have moved into the Treasurer capacity. I was elected to serve on the Board in January 2018 and am looking forward to helping the Friends continue to grow. 

​Linda Fields
​Secretary

I was born and raised in Henry County, Tennessee.  I joined the Friends Board of Directors in 2014 after being a member since 2006.  I retired from Security Bank in 2011 after 30 years.  My hobbies include collecting pie birds and I have published two books on the subject.  I have two sons, Bob Snow who works for U.S. Fish and Wildlife and Phil Snow who works for University of Tennessee, College of Veterinary Medicine in Knoxville, TN.  I also have four grandchildren.

​

Bernie Leslie

I joined the Friends TNWR Board of Directors in 2016 after being a Friends member volunteer for three years.  My wife and I work the reception desk, book store and assist at events.  We enjoy traveling, fishing and gardening.  I have been retired since 2004. In my other life I was a railroader.  I have always been involved with volunteer work through my church; wherever I lived I have been active in my community and at work.

​

Jean Owens

I have been a member of the Friends TNWR since 2008 and entered the Photo Contest every year. I love nature, wildlife and photography so it seemed natural to me to be a member. When I retired in 2014, I became a volunteer of the Friends group. I volunteer at least one day a week and help with events.  I was elected to serve on the Board in June of 2017.   My hobby is photographing wildlife and nature and I love the time I spend at the refuge.

Kim Miller

I retired to Tennessee after a career working for the State of Illinois.  I have been a Friends TNWR member and board member since 2009. I am very involved with maintenance, along with the building and planning projects of the Friends group’s involvement with the refuge.  I also lend a hand as "cook extraordinaire" during many of the events and programs hosted by the Friends TNWR. I enjoy hiking, camping and I am a firearms enthusiast.  I also enjoy spending time with my five grandchildren and spoiling my Golden Retriever, Rosie.

David Fitzhugh

I was raised in Stewart County, Tennessee in the southern portion of land that became The Land Between The Lakes.  As a child, I enjoyed hunting, fishing, swimming and roaming the forested lands.  I attended a one-room school house in the Ft. Henry community for three years.  After high school I joined the U.S. Army in 1969 where I served a year in Vietnam before being wounded in action and sent home.  I have a son, a step-daughter and 3 grandsons.  I retired from TVA in 2009 after 35 years working in different types of environmental and land management occupations.  I have been a Friends board member since 2014 and enjoy volunteering with all the Friends and Refuge activities.

​