Our Staff
Our Board of Directors
Executive Director, Mike Miller
Mike is not only the executive director of the center, but the center's founder. You will often see Mike perusing the center on his four wheeler, chatting with guests and keeping an eye on the animals. With a background in construction, much of Mike's animal husbandry experience comes from work with the animals at the center, and from what he has learned from the veterinarians that the center works with. Mike is the go to guy for everything here at the center, as he knows the place inside and out. Mike lives on property with his wife Kelly, and his two kids, Abigail and Owen.
Operations Director, Tom Yeager
Tom brings excellent non profit and staff management experience to the team at AWCC. Tom and his family have lived in the Girdwood valley for over 30 years, and have been long time supporters of the Center. Tom is on site managing the day to day operations of the Center, as well as the big picture things, like grant writing, funding, and development. When not at his desk, Tom can often be seen on mental health breaks out and about enjoying the Center.
Education Director, Kelly Miller
Kelly Miller is the education queen. She is responsible for our internship program, our educational programs, interpretive signage, and much much more! With a background in commercial fishing and a great deal of time with the US Forest Service, Kelly is well rounded in Alaskan knowledge, and a great resource for the center, as well as the educational community surrounding Turnagain Arm and Alaska overall.
Projects & Development, Steve Mendive
Steve is a former resident of Portage, and was greatly involved in the center during its formative years. Steve now lives in Palmer with his wife Jenny, and works for the Anchorage Fire Department. Steve recently served on the board of directors, and because of his deep commitment to AWCC took a leave of absence from the board to assist the center with some of the big projects we are taking on. From the building of the intern bunkhouse / wildlife shelter, to our one of a kind BEARS at AWCC interpretive center, Steve is the man to move these projects forward. Always a friend to the center, his involvement in these projects is key to their success.
Conservation Biologist / Curator, Jordan Schaul, PhD
Jordan is an incredible asset to the AWCC. Jordan has worked in zoos and aquariums as an animal keeper/ trainer and in a research capacity conducting behavioral and hormonal studies on a wide variety of species. As an animal keeper or trainer, Jordan cared for all types of collection animals and serviced a range of exhibits, excluding elephant facilities. Among bear species, he has worked with captive American black bears, brown bears (Kodiak, coastal bears, and grizzlies), sloth bears, polar bears, sun bears, and Andean bears in captivity and with all eight species of bears through various captive bear research programs. He received his PhD in conservation and veterinary preventive medicine from The Ohio State University where he examined disease agents in captive bears in zoological parks around the world and in wild populations of Alaskan black and brown bears, and other wildlife species. His Master's Degree in zoology and completed doctoral coursework in herpetile (reptile/amphibian) and fish physiology and ecology broadened his background as a vertebrate field and laboratory biologist. Jordan pursued a clinical degree in veterinary medicine prior to accepting an opportunity to return to the field of captive wildlife collection management/husbandry science, and conservation education. For more information on Jordan, click here.
Sales & Marketing, Ethan Tyler
Ethan Tyler brings an excellent tourism sales and marketing background to AWCC. Ethan operates a small tourism marketing & sales consulting business where he represents companies like NANA and Phillips 26 Glacier Cruises. Ethan spreads the good word about the center, keeping our activities up to date in the market, and working closely with our partners in the tourism industry. Ethan also works with special events, programming, and from time to time, can be seen behind the wheel of the John Deere tractor at the center. Ethan is a native Mainer, and enjoys skiing, hiking and lives in Girdwood with his wife Margaret, and daughter Rebecca.