Board of Directors
White Mountain Nature Center Board of Directors:
John Glitsos – President
After a long career in the corporate world, I found an amazing connection with nature by embracing raptor training for public education as a ‘hobby’!
I have been working with Raptors for nearly 25 years starting with rescues, then education, and finally in training and performing in educational bird shows. The Nature Center has given me the ability to put this experience and my experience as a Fortune 500 Corporate Executive to use creating unique and exciting opportunities for the public to see and interact with these amazing animals in an up-close and personal way.
My goal is to bring world-class nature exploration and up-close animal experiences to the White Mountains of Arizona – with a special focus on young people and families. The Nature Center is evolving to meet the future with an aggressive transition to a modern educational facility that serves thousands of individuals and families annually. I plan to continue that direction so that the Nature Center is the place to visit, volunteer, and explore the beauty and abundance of the White Mountains.
Jim Snitzer – Vice President
My volunteer experience with the Nature Center started in 2006, when we were still in “the tent.” I have seen many positive changes through the years and am very excited about our future. Currently I serve on the board and volunteer with both the Nature Center and with Land on Sky, where I am a bird poop scooper! At the Nature Center I mostly work on facilities issues.
Denise van Zijll – Secretary
It is my honor to serve on the WM Nature Center Board. I grew up in Pinetop, camping and hunting in the White Mountains. University and my career took me away from the mountain from 1982-2000. In 2000 my husband and I purchased a cabin for our family weekends and holiday escapes from Tucson. Since 2020 we have lived on the mountain full time.
The mission of the Nature Center calls to me as I know how important it is to have a place where locals and visitors can learn about the beauty of the White Mountains and the importance of being good stewards of our Natural World.
One of my focuses is to establish a donor/gifting program so the Nature Center can continue to build a world class organization, achieving our mission and our aspirational goals.
I am delighted to be a volunteer in the Raptor Training program, where I am trusted with cleaning the raptor mews (enclosures) and enjoying the program from a different viewpoint.
If you see me around the Nature Center, please say hello and let me know how we are doing.
Nadia Hill – Treasurer
“When I am in the forest, I can finally hear myself”
I have lived across the US , exploring, owning and managing businesses in various fields. I am outgoing and love helping humans and animals. Years ago I was inspired by working as a volunteer for the State of NY, helping take disabled adults on a week- long camping trip cemented a passion for helping others and accessing nature’s soul- filling experiences.
Camping as a den leader for Cub Scouts, working at the Community Garden and my own heavily treed property, and spending time in our local forests has enhanced my desire to use all my skills to help the Nature Center meet its goal of connecting people to nature.
Betsy Peck – Schools and Summer Programs
I am an AZ public school educator , retired since 2019. Having taught from Kindergarten to community college , focusing on early childhood development, I have a passion for children’s literature and nature. Since2006 the WM have been my full-time home, and upon retiring from teaching , I have been at the library since 2020. Managing the library is my pleasure as I have a phenomenal staff, and a love of books and community. I am expanding the library’s impact in our community by partnering with the WMNC to serve on the Board and collaborate to bring programs and events to our town. I have served on First Things First Regional Partnership Council , Northland Pioneer College, Faculty in Early Childhood Development, as well as been a part of numerous professional organizations and school districts. Birds of prey and raptors are one of my favorite wild animal species, and I am thrilled to have a raptor experience at the WMNC for education and enrichment for all ages.
Aubrey Austin – Volunteer Recruitment & Retention
Ever since I was a toddler I wanted to be a zookeeper. I loved going to the zoo. But the animals at the zoo never seemed happy to me. I thought it would be the most amazing thing to have a relationship that only an honored few get to experience. To make their lives in human care, the best it can possibly be.
I turned out even luckier than I ever thought possible when I met John and Balinda in 2020. I learned about animal husbandry, and how to observe behavior to work with the raptors in the most respectful way I’ve ever seen. In 2021 I joined the International Association of Avian Trainers and Educators and started participating in the monthly “happy hours” to learn as much as I can from my peers. In 2023 I had the opportunity to go to Natural Encounters Inc. (N.E.I.) to take a week-long course on training Birds Of Prey. It was absolutely amazing! That’s two wish list items I got to cross off, the first one being when I got to talk to an animal. I got that wish when I met Azul the American Crow.
I’ve found a home at White Mountain Nature Center both in the Land on Sky Raptor Center, but also as the New Director of Volunteer Recruitment/Retention as of June 2025. Originally from the Pacific Northwest, I found the White Mountains by literally following my dreams. I look forward to being a larger part of the Nature Center and our community. Anyone interested in information on volunteering at the Nature Center in any of our various departments can email me at: volunteers@wmnature.org
Tammy Gadeberg
I’ve watched the Nature Center grow over the years. Right now it looks amazing and I want to help it become even more amazing! I would like to help develop outdoor visitor areas and develop the summer camp program including other camps at different times of the year.
Balinda Strosnider
My motivation to join the Board of Directors is rooted in a deep, proven commitment to the Nature Center’s mission and a desire to apply my extensive professional experience to its long-term strategic success.
I am not just a supporter of the mission; I have been actively executing it and assisting the Board. I believe my qualifications, strategic insights, and hands-on contributions have prepared me to serve as a highly effective board member.
My involvement with the Nature Center has extended beyond simple support. I have been hands-on in filling critical operational and strategic gaps, including:
• Developing a new volunteer strategy when the role was vacated.
• Taking over and managing memberships when that position was vacated.
• Assisting the Executive Board with its strategy by offering ideas from my own
experience and developing templates and presentations to facilitate that work.
• Developing a new budget document to assist the Treasurer with monthly reports and connect our finances directly to our strategy.
This hands-on work is driven by a profound belief in our mission. When John and I first researched partners, the Nature Center’s mission statement was so aligned with that of Land On Sky’s that it was clear this was a special partnership. My primary goal as a board member would be to protect that mission and ensure it succeeds at the highest level, using my experience to shape long-term strategy and build an awe-inspiring organization.
Kal Mannis
Sharen (Sherrie) Adams
Mary Ellen Bittorf – Founder
I am an Arizona native born in Phoenix AZ. I attended school across the state in Prescott, Casa Grande, Yuma and Tucson. I have been married to my husband Chuck for 71 years and we are blessed with 6 children, 15 grandchildren, 17 Great grandchildren and 2 Great-Great grandchildren They are the loves of my life.
I moved to Pinetop in 1970. Over the next 55 years:
I chaired the committee to incorporate Pinetop/Lakeside and served on the first Pinetop Lakeside Town Council.
I served 3 years as Vice Mayor of the Town, President of Pinetop Lions, President of White Mountains Horseman’s Association, President of the White Mountains Square Dancers, President of Pinetop Chamber of Commerce, and 3 years Secretary for Silent Witness.
I also served 3 years POM sponsor at Blue Ridge High School, 3 years on Pinetop Lakeside Sanitary Board, 3 years on AZ Outdoor Recreation Committee, 5 years on the Four Corners Heritage Committee.
In 2003, I started the committee to form a Nature Center. The Nature Center was Incorporated as a 501(c)(3) in 2004.
Some people can change history. My life’s goals have been to make the world around me better because I was here.
Our President, John M. Glitsos
Our Board of Directors is comprised of volunteers, just like you, that love nature, the environment, and the beauty of the White Mountains area!
Be a Volunteer!