Board

Patricia Whitener

Patricia Whitener was raised in Clemson, SC and grew up roaming the BlueRidge with her  grandmother and Father. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Environmental and Natural Resources while minoring in Biological Sciences and a Master of Science in Wildlife, Fisheries, and Biology both from Clemson University. Patricia is currently working toward her doctoral degree in Youth Development Leadership (YDL) through the department of Parks, Recreation, and Tourism Management within the College of Behavioral, Health, and Social Sciences. Patricia currently serves as the State 4-H Natural Resources Program Leader. Through engaging, research-based experiential learning projects, she helps extension agents, volunteers’, schools, county parks and recreation, community groups, and State organizations create and deliver quality environmental programs. Patricia’s prior background with the National Park Service, the National Forest Service, and the South Carolina State Parks system is what motivates her to educate, connect, and inspire people with a love of nature and appreciation for the Natural Resources found right here in South Carolina. She received her Peregrine in 2022 after completing a solo through-hike of the Foothills Trail in the Spring.

Tricia Kyzer, Secretary

Tricia Kyzer is a naturalist, writer and environmental educator. She has a BA in Elementary Education from North Greenville University and holds a Statewide Master Naturalist Certification as well as a Palmetto Environmental Educator Certification. For the past 15 years Tricia has worked with people of all ages leading them into making their own connections to our wild places. She has helped develop educational curriculums for Lake Conestee Nature Preserve and Jocassee Lake Tours. Tricia has thru hiked the Foothills Trail several times, earning the Peregrine Award in 2018. She appreciates the never ending wonder of the natural world and enjoys spending time outdoors being curious and making new discoveries.

Jean Arden, Treasurer

Jean Arden lived in northwestern NJ before moving to the Greenville area in 2003. Jean was an early elementary educator for 32 years and has a B.S. and M.S. in Education and a M.A. in Environmental Studies. Jean served as an educator at the Audubon Youth Ecology Camps in Maine and Wyoming and was a summer trail and hut volunteer with the AMC in the White Mts. in NH. Presently she is a volunteer for the Discover Carolina program at Paris Mt. and a MN trail maintenance team member at Jones Gap State Park. Jean became an Upstate Master Naturalist in 2013 and a SC State Master Naturalist in 2015 and served as UMNA treasurer for 2015-16. In May of 2016 Jean received the Peregrine Award for hiking the Foothills Trail.

Greg Lucas

Greg has worked for the S.C. Department of Natural Resources for 27 years in outreach and conservation education. He instructs a Jocassee Gorges class with the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at Clemson University and is DNR’s coordinator for the Upstate Master Naturalist Program. He is married to the former Angela Smith of Greenville, has three sons and a daughter and is a member of Easley Presbyterian Church.

Scott Stegenga

Scott was born and raised on a farm in Minnesota and received a biology degree at Northwestern College in Iowa.  He held a seasonal naturalist position at an outdoor education camp for four years in California before moving to South Carolina in 1989 to accept the job as Interpretive Ranger at Table Rock State Park.  It was a great fit for him being an avid hiker and birder as well as raising 3 sons with his wife Christine.  Scott has been on the FTC board since 2005.

Kevin Bischof

I was born and raised in Cincinnati Ohio. I have a BA in Sociology from the University of Cincinnati and an MS in Outdoor Recreation with a focus on Interpretation and Education from Indiana University. I started my career working as a Park Ranger for NC State Parks at Jordan Lake State Recreation Area in 2007. Through my 14-year career, I’ve also worked at Goose Creek, Gorges (2011-2013) and Lake James State Parks as a Park Ranger. I took my first Superintendent position at Mount Mitchell and came back to Gorges in May of 2021 from Grandfather Mountain State Park. While I’m not from Transylvania County, I feel at home here, and am very happy to be back at NC State Parks’ best Park. I enjoy hiking, waterfalling, fishing, skiing, kayaking, wood working and photography when I’m not at work. My favorite aspect of being back is working in a temperate rainforest and educating the public on all the amazing flora and fauna that correlates with the local environment.

Joel Davis

Joel is the son of career missionaries born in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Upon completing high school Joel moved to Virginia and graduated from Virginia Commonwealth University in 1985 with a B.S. in Information Systems while working for UPS. In 2001 he and his family moved to the Greenville SC area where he obtained an associates degree in Network Administration at ECPI. He worked for Greenville Water as a network engineer for 14 years and is currently working for Anderson University in their I.T. department. Joel started volunteering on the FHT, became a member of the conservancy, and has been a regular on the organized trail maintenance outings since 2018. Joel enjoys the outdoors, nature, hiking, trail maintenance and watching soccer. He is blessed to have Sharon as his wife and two grown children.

Ryne Hughey

Ryne  was born in Greer, SC, and has lived in the up state most all of his life. He loves the outdoor hiking, cycling and traveling are just a few of his hobbies. Ryne  received an Associate Degree in Mechatronics in 2015 and is employed with Pactiv evergreen where he has worked for 36 years and currently holds the position of  Process Engineer. Ryne and his wife Sherri live in Pelzer, SC  and have 5 children and 12 grandchildren. After doing some hiking on the Foothills Trail he joined the FTC and started signing up for the maintenance hikes and found the best group of people to work with and  bond friendships with. Ryne and Sherri are Trail captains for the Big Bend Trail.

Kerry McKenzie

Kerry McKenzie has been working in education for over 20 years. She holds a M.S. in Physical Education, Early Childhood Development and Health Education from West Virginia University and B.A. in Psychology from Wheeling Jesuit University. Kerry was a clinical instructor in the Physical Education Department at West Virginia University for several years where she instructed future teachers in physical education and early childhood motor development. She decided to move south in 2007 for a unique position as the director and creator of a childhood obesity prevention program at Prisma Health System Children’s Hospital, Kerry dedicated her time helping children, parents and teachers lead healthy lifestyles through a program she called Farm to Belly from 2008 – 2020. Kerry currently works for Jocassee Lake Tours as a naturalist guide and kayak instructor and is the director of Jocassee Wild Child Outdoor Education.  Kerry also has her own business called Whole Again Wellness where she teaches yoga, mindfulness, leads retreats and is a health coach.  She resides in Pickens with her husband David and 2 dogs on a large property which offers much opportunity to explore the wonders of the natural world.

Bobbie Wilhite

Bobbie graduated from UNC Pembroke and moved to the Upstate in 1971. She received her master’s degree from Western Carolina University in guidance and counseling. After 17 years as a math teacher, Bobbie took on the role of guidance counselor at Walhalla High School. Now retired, she has participated in the Upstate Master Naturalist training and works with UMNA projects. She and her husband, Bo, live in Walhalla, where she is a member of St. Luke United Methodist Church and Walhalla Woman’s Club. They have a son and daughter-in-law. 

Rodney Bryant

Rodney was born and raised in Greenville, SC. He has fond memories of backpacking, hiking and camping in the foothills of North and South Carolina. Rodney also enjoyed his time with the Boy Scouts. After graduating from Parker High School, he served in the U.S. Army as a TOW weapons specialist in the 82^nd Airborne Division. He earned the Expert Infantry Badge. After serving in the military, Rodney worked for W.W. Grainger. He became a process manager in shipping and receiving. He also worked as a project manager, helping oversee the largest product rollout in Grainger history. In 2007, he decided on a career change. Enrolling at Greenville Technical College, he studied Automotive technology. By the end of 2008, he was a certified Mercedes Benz technician. In 2010, Rodney and a friend successfully opened an independent Mercedes service repair shop. Rodney enjoys hiking, backpacking, orienteering, trail maintenance and being a trail captain for the FTC.

Bruce Evilsizor

Bruce is from Urbana, Ohio and is retired from 40 years in city government with careers in law enforcement and public administration.  He has a Master of Public Administration degree from the University of Dayton.  With his wife Deanna, they learned to appreciate nature by camping with their 4 kids at many state parks and a few national parks and attending many nature programs.  In 2011, Bruce & Deanna bought a log cabin in the woods in Sunset, SC which is now home.  Enjoying DIY projects, fellowship and a nice workout, Bruce naturally took a liking to the maintenance hikes with Heyward and Andrew and many others and he looks forward to many more.