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Board of Directors

Brenda Hudlow, Founder and President

Larry Hudlow, Vice President

Dr. Stephen Drivers, Chairman, GROW Wildlife Hospital Steering Commitee, UGA Veterinary Medicine Assistant, Professor of Zoological & Wildlife Medicine

Stephen Divers graduated from the Royal Veterinary College in London with a distinction in Exotic Animal Medicine in 1994. He is a Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons Diplomate of Zoological Medicine, and an RCVS recognized Specialist in Zoo & Wildlife Medicine. He is a consultant to the Spanish Government on the Gallotia lizard project in the Canary Islands and the Veterinary Information Network, and Past-President of the Association of Reptilian and Amphibian Veterinarians. Dr. Hernandez-Divers has lectured across the United States and Europe, and has published numerous book chapters and journal manuscripts. He is an Associate Editor for the Journal of Herpetological Medicine and Surgery. Steve became the Assistant Professor of Exotic Animal, Wildlife and Zoological Medicine at the University of Georgia in August 2001. His current exotic animal research projects include evaluation of renal and hepatic function, meloxicam pharmacokinetics, chelonian reproductive evaluation, and minimally-invasive endosurgery.

Carl Hodges, General Counsel

Carl Hodges is CEO of the law firm Hodges, McEachern & King, a firm with concentration in civil trial practice, closely held corporations, trust and estates, real estate, and elder care law and has been in practice for thirty years. He graduated from Georgia Tech with honor in 1973 and from University of Georgia School of Law in 1975.

Linda S. Flugel, Secretary

Linda S. Flugel works at a law firm in Alpharetta as a Legal Assistant with over 30 years experience in New Jersey, Connecticut, and Georgia. She has volunteered with the Michael Bolton Charities for 15 years. She participated in the P.T.A. at her son’s school and is actively involved with the Homeowners’ Association in her community.

D.J. Fulton, Financial Advisor

D.J. Fulton has been a Georgia CPA for over 30 years.  He is a former director of the Georgia Society of CPAs and the Clayton County Chamber of Commerce, and Past President of the Clayton County Rotary Club.  He is currently Treasurer of his church, the Fellowship of Concerned Churchmen, the Clayton County Library Foundation and Rotary District 6900.  D.J. is a graduate of Eastern New Mexico University and the University of West Florida.  He was an adjunct faculty member at Clayton State University for approximately a decade.

Craig A. Flugel, Treasurer

Craig A. Flugel works for American Software in Atlanta as Sr. Systems Analyst/ Helpdesk Supervisor. He worked as a volunteer E.M.T. member of several ambulance/ rescue squads for over 10 years, holding many leadership positions. He served as a member of the Board of Directors for the Monroe Y.M.C.A. and the Monroe United Methodist Church preschool. He holds an R.V.E.S.R.A. (Recognized Volunteer Employee Services and Recreation Associate) title with the National Employee Services Association. Currently, he serves as Secretary of the Nottingham Gate Homeowners’ Association. He has participated in the Michael Bolton Charities Activities Committee for 15 years.

Rob Stadlet, Director of Media and Public Relations

When Atlanta listeners need the very latest information, they turn to veteran Star 94 News Director Rob Stadler. Born in Shelby, OH, Rob began as a sportswriter for the town paper and made the switch to radio upon graduating from high school. After stops at stations in Columbus, OH and Miami, FL, Rob came to Atlanta in 1987. He's been named Atlanta's Best Newscaster by the Achievement in Radio Awards nine times. He has also won numerous Associated Press honors and two prestigious Edward R. Murrow Awards, including one for his on-the-scene coverage of Eric Rudolph’s 1997 bombings in Sandy Springs.

Jackie Smaga

Jackie Smaga has over 15 years of foundation management experience including foundation establishment and annual event coordination that ranges from the initial concept to the post-event follow up. She has over 20 years of fundraising experience securing donations and grants from individuals, corporations, and foundations. Since 1993, she has served as executive director of The Michael Bolton Charities, Inc. which she and Mr. Bolton started to benefit children and women at risk.

Brenda Bloomer

Brenda Bloomer comes from a Scouting family and started her Girl Scout career when she was 7 years old and aspired to work for the Girl Scouts from the time she was 13. By age 18, she had earned her First Class Award, became president of her local Senior Planning Board, sat on the board of directors for the Hoosier Capital Girl Scout Council, served as a girl trainer and a delegate to the 40th National Girl Scout Convention in Washington D.C.  From 1998 to 2004, she volunteered in several leadership capacities including troop leader, troop organizer, Service Unit Director, chair of the council’s annual fund, and trainer. She began working with Girl Scouts of Northwest Atlanta in 2004 in Fund Development and Membership and in 2008 transferred to Girl Scouts of Greater Atlanta as Fund Development Specialist.

Wade Ballance

Wade Ballance is one of the founders and currently VP of Operations for Specsources, an Atlanta-based software firm specializing in applications for the commercial and hospitality interior design industry.  He has over 10 years experience in information and web-based technologies for both the interior design and healthcare industries.  As an independent filmmaker, Wade's films have appeared in over 30 film festivals across the United States and Internationally.

Sally Joosten

Sally Joosten has been a professional wildlife rehabilitator and educator, specializing in teaching others who are getting started in the field of wildlife rehabilitation since 1963. She is Founder & Former Director of McHenry County Conservation District Wildlife Center located in Illinois for twenty years beginning in 1975. She is a founding Board member of the National Wildlife Rehabilitators Association (NWRA) and Co-author of "NWRA Principles of Wildlife Rehabilitation, The Essential Guide for Novice and Experienced Rehabilitators" (1st and 2nd Editions).  She is founding Board member and current Vice President of the Illinois Wildlife Rehabilitators Association.  She has written numerous published papers.  She was the recipient of the National Wildlife Rehabilitators Association's Lifetime Achievement Award in 1998 and the National Registry of Who's Who in 1999.

Joyce E. Logan

Joyce E. Logan worked as the C.E.O. and owner of Fan Emporium--a public relations, marketing firm developed in the 80’s with celebrity clients such as Michael Bolton, Mariah Carey, Kenny Loggins, Carly Simon, and many others--until 2000, when she sold her business. She created newsletters, backstage "meet & greets," and various contests, and unique merchandise offers for Fan Emporium. The New York Times has published three articles about her work. Her awards and accomplishments include the Who’s Who for "Executives and Professionals Edition" in 1996 and 1997, the Golden Phone Award for "Excellence in Fundraising" in 1994 and 1995, and the Better Business Bureau for "Excellence in Business" in 1996. She also coauthored three books in 1997, 1999, and 2000” self-publishing two and LifeTime Books publishing the other. She currently works as a consultant for various companies.

John Abbott, Jr., AIA, LEED AP Architectural Design

John Abbott has more than 30 years experience as Principal-In-Charge and Design Principal of a broad range of building types such as higher education, cultural and mixed-use projects.   As a principal with Stevens & Wilkinson, he has assumed primary responsibility for directing the architectural design to fully meet functional, budgetary, schedule and aesthetic goals.   John continues to be involved in the study of architecture and he also contributes his architectural expertise on committees and boards. In early 2009, John was selected by the School of Architecture at Southern Polytechnic State University as the studio critic for 5th Year Focus Studio.   In addition, he is currently serving on the Advisory Committee for the Georgia State Construction Manual and is the subcommittee chair for Project Implementation.   John is a graduate of Georgia Institute of Technology, Bachelor of Architecture degree.

Barri Ballance, ASID Interior Design

Barri Ballance, Director of Interiors for Design Management Associates, has more than 25 years in the commercial interior design field.   Because of her commitment to the GROW Wildlife mission, she has generously volunteered to be the chairman of the architectural and construction team.   Barri has designed a variety of project types including corporate office environments, restaurants, conventions centers and even a residential show house.   Her diverse experience brings a volume of creativity to this unique architectural and interiors project.   Barri attended the University of Cincinnati’s School of Design, Art, Achitecture and Planning that has maintained a number one ranking their interior design program for decades and has worked for such firms in the Atlanta area as TVS&A, Smallwood Reynolds Stewart & Stewart and Hendrick.

Tim Ralston, Project Manager

In the early 80’s Tim was employed by Smallwood Reynolds Stewart Stewart & Associates Architects (SRSSA), an Atlanta based Architectural firm, and was an Associate with Smallwood Reynolds Stewart Stewart Interiors (SRSSI).   While with SRSSI, he was responsible for group management, specifications, contracts and all construction phase oversight and administration.   His experience at SRSSA & SRSSI included over 10 million square feet of project work valued at over $850M, and he worked with clients throughout the eastern United States.   In the mid-90’s Tim moved from design to project management, and worked in a Project Management role with CLW Real Estate Services, based in Tampa, Florida.   The CLW client focus was corporate real estate, and while with CLW he managed numerous projects for such clients as Aetna, AT&T, Price Waterhouse Coopers, The Travelers and others.   Since then he has also worked with other firms, including Collins Project Management, and his focus has been in the non-profit private sector, primarily working on parks, non-profit enterprises, churches, schools, hospitals and country clubs.   In his fifteen years as an owner’s representative and project manager, he has managed projects valued at over $450M.   He has long been interested in sustainable design, and is a LEED Accredited Professional.