Staff Members Archive – Page 4 of 4

About John Weir – The Pondcast Creator

January 14, 2015

John is the Creator and original Co-Host of The Pondcast, theTurtleRoom’s monthly video podcast. He has been a reptile enthusiast for his entire life, starting with Sunday trips to reptile shows with his father as a boy. John has worked with various species of reptiles throughout his life including many species of snake, gecko and turtles. Most recently he has worked with the Diamondback Terrapin (Malaclemys terrapin), Mata Mata (Chelus fimbriata) and Brazilian Rainbow Boa (Epicrates cenchria). Throughout life John has been very passionate about raising awareness for issues related to human interaction with all types of fauna, especially our little coldblooded friends. John’s other passion is basketball, and most times you run into him, you can be sure reptiles or a basketball court are nearby.

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About Kevin Labille – Senior Developer

January 14, 2015

Kevin is a Senior Developer for theTurtleRoom (tTR). His work includes developing software and computer tools, writing articles, and helping develop other educational resources. Kevin has a special passion for the turtles native to Africa and is the Communications Officer for the African Chelonian Institute.

Kevin received his Doctorate in Computer Science in 2019 from the University of Arkansas and also completed a post-doctoral fellowship in their Social Awareness and Intelligent Learning Lab. He has combined his passion for turtles along with his computer knowledge by initiating the development of theTurtleRoom’s data-keeping software called Digital Chelonian Log (DCL). Even when he isn’t working for ACI, tTR, or on his postdoc, Kevin is still reading articles or books about turtles. His greatest passion is to combine chelonian knowledge with Computer Science techniques to advance turtle conservation and education.

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Ben Forrest - Conservation Husbandry Specialist

About Ben Forrest – Husbandry Specialist

January 14, 2015

Ben is a Husbandry Specialist with more than 20 years of captive husbandry experience across countless chelonian species. His main responsibilities for theTurtleRoom (tTR) include working to develop quality, detailed captive breeding programs of carefully selected turtle and tortoise specimens in an effort to meet tTR’s conservation goals and providing images and knowledge towards tTR’s educational efforts. Ben was the first author and coordinator for the AZA’s Indotestudo forstenii Studbook; his animals and offspring are part of the AZA SSP and TSA’s efforts. He has worked with this species for well over a decade now and has unmatched success. Ben also uses his expertise to lead husbandry efforts with many other highly endangered species; his crowning victory is the successful husbandry and incubation of Heosemys depressa, a feat which few have been able to achieve. When not caring for his turtles and tortoises, Ben enjoys spending as much time with his family as he can.

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About Anthony Pierlioni – Vice President, Senior Director

January 14, 2015

Anthony was the “Best of 2017” Editor’s Choice for “Chelonia Personality of the Year” by The Reptile Report. As the Senior Director of theTurtleRoom, Anthony oversees the Animal Husbandry Department and all captive conservation programs. Anthony has also written a book on the Geoemyda genus, published by Living Art Publishing as part of their “Turtles of the World” series, and several articles in magazines such as including REPTILES, The BATAGUR, Testudo (Italian), and RADIATA (German).

Anthony has a B.A. from Rhode Island College and works in management for VCA Animal Hospitals. He lives in the Northeast with his wife, Shannon, and daughters, Cambria and Maddalena. He and his family are often on the move, giving turtle presentations at schools, nature and science centers, herpetological societies and conferences.

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About Steve Enders – President, Executive Director, Founder

January 14, 2015

Steve is the President, Executive Director, and Founder of theTurtleRoom (tTR), a husband, teacher, athlete, and musician. He has over a decade and a half of experience with turtle husbandry and has worked with more than 50 different species. As President and Executive Director, Steve has overall strategic and operational responsibility for tTR’s staff, programs, finances, expansion, and execution/achievement of its mission and goals. He also takes on leadership and assistant roles on individual projects within the four departments of tTR.
Steve completed his Master of Education Degree in Mathematics in 2018 and holds two Bachelor of Art Degrees in Music and a Post-Baccalaureate Certificate (the equivalent of a third Bachelor’s degree). When Steve is not working on projects for tTR, he can be found teaching, relaxing with his wife Lisa, watching sports, playing music, or building LEGO Star Wars.

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