The Team
Conservation begins with education
St James is a UNCW Research Sanctuary for our “Living Shoreline” initiative and an Audubon Bird Sanctuary as approved by our Town Council. It was logical to form our St James Conservancy to continue building conservation and environmental programs as well as protecting and educating our community on the 42.4% (2,455 of the 5,785-acres) of our community that are under Preservation/Conservation Stewardship.
Presently our focus is on recycling, turtle basking platforms, pollinator gardens, osprey nest, and NC Wildlife Federation property certification where St James is now a “Certified Wildlife Habitat thanks to over 180-properties here confirmed. We will host future Environmental Fairs as well as Arbor Day and Earth Day.
Thank you, to our very active and committed Executive Board as well as our membership’s support, guidance, and commitment!
Taylor Ryan
Founder & President
Taylor Ryan was born in Morganton, NC, then lived briefly in the Bronx, then Hollis, Long Island before his parents moved to Chatham, NJ where he was in 4th grade through High School. After 4-wonderful years at Wake Forest University (It was Wake Forest College at that time), he graduated with a BBA in Marketing & Management. He also met his ROTC commitment in the US Army Signal Corps through March 1965.
Next was IBM, as a Marketing Representative in NJ, with an add-on as Company Commander of a NJ Army National Guard Signal Company for 6 years to complete his reserve commitment while earning his MBA – International Business at Seton Hall University in June 1969.
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In December 1991, Taylor left IBM as a Consulting Marketing Representative, on a lucrative package with health benefits until retirement in May 1995, thus for life! He worked in various software and consulting companies until moving to St. James in April 2001, when the enjoyment and “giving back” of retirement life left no time to work. “Most of us know it is not easy being retired; there are too many other opportunities to enjoy and return to our awesome community for our many blessings.”
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During his 1999 visit to this area to look at retirement opportunities, Taylor bought a lot on Pinecrest, then heard about his current home on Mariners Way coming on the market, so he bought it and sold the lot.
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Taylor started our community’s “Living Shoreline” initiative in 2005 with the full support of Mayor Shelley Lesher, RIP and Thank You. Today, the program enjoys full appreciation from each Mayor and Town Council with continued funding and strong partnership with UNCW Department of Biology and Marine Biology. Additional support continues from the Center for Marine Science, building our Living Shoreline of bagged oyster shells and Spartina Alterniflora marsh grasses. Taylor thanks St James’ Multigenerational Citizen Scientists volunteers for their commitment to support, as well as UNCW Professor Troy D. Alphin, Senior Research Associate!
Gerry Rosenthal
Vice President
Earning the Eagle Scout badge, as a young man, gave Gerry the skills and passion to spend plenty of time outdoors. Love and respect for our natural environment has stayed with him throughout his life. After graduating from Rutgers in 1972, Gerry was recruited by The Royal Paper Company in NYC, where he started his
44-year-long career in fine paper sales. The Paper Industry was one of the first business sectors to foster commercial recycling due to a variety of political, social, and global conditions.
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Recycled fiber answered the bell for all three categories, and he has since been involved in some aspect of recycling for many years. Gerry and his wife both retired and moved to St. James in 2019, after living in No. Virginia for 20 years.
Joining the St. James Conservancy has afforded him the opportunity to continue supporting the natural world around us at a critical time. Gerry feels honored to be part of a dedicated, hard-working group of environmentalists.
Rosie Tiani
Secretary
Rosie Tiani is an Air Force brat who lived in the Philippines. She moved to St. James from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania in 2010. Rosie likes to golf, ride her bike, practice yoga, and walk the beach while watching the sunsets, moonrises, and turtle nests.
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She is also a nature lover. From the time she was a teenager, she practiced recycling, composting, and organic gardening.
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Rosie proudly serves as Secretary of the Conservancy where she is able to learn and grow with the ever-changing cycles of conservation through the St. James Conservancy.
Jo Ann Klug
Treasurer
Having been born in New York City, Jo Ann grew up and attended school there. Upon graduating from high school, she began her work career at Merrill, Lynch. Although she never attended college, she had "on the job" training as she switched employment from brokerage to accounting to creating a mutual fund department.
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After the birth of her son, Jo Ann volunteered in various capacities pertaining to education for classes Kindergarten thru Eighth grades. In 1989, she switched her employment from education to safety equipment and sales and finished her career at a metal cutting tool distributor, starting in sales and finishing in collections and credit.
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In 2012, Jo Ann moved from Queens New York to Southport NC. She feels fortunate to be able to volunteer with the Brunswick County Sheriff's Office, the St James Service Club, St James Conservancy, the Southport Sail and Power Squadron, and the Brunswick Newcomers Club.
“I feel extremely privileged and blessed to be part of our wonderful home here in St James and Brunswick County.”
Duane stewart
Board Member
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Ernie McLaney
Board Member
Ernie McLaney, a Charlotte, NC native, retired to St. James in 2022. He has a Business Marketing degree from Western Carolina University and a diverse career in retail management, IT software training, and community college sustainability leadership.
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Ernie cofounded the Charlotte Chapter of the North Carolina Wildlife Federation and was chapter president for five years. The chapter certified the City of Charlotte as a Community Wildlife Habitat in 2015, through a vigorous program by the National Wildlife Federation. The North Carolina Wildlife Federation recognized his group as “Chapter of the Year” (2019) during the Governor’s Achievement Awards. Later, NCWF named Ernie “Volunteer of the Year” (2021) for his contributions in conservation, creating wildlife habitats and related community events.
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Ernie enjoys kayaking, photography, observing nature, and traveling, and is the webmaster for St. James Conservancy’s website.
