Dick Turanski – Founder/Business Consultant Uganda Project

Founder of GloryBee Foods, Inc. (1974), Dick began teaching beekeeping in 1975 at Lane Community College in Eugene, Oregon.

Education:

1961–1965 – Graduated from Seattle Pacific University with a B.A. in Business Administration and Economics.

Background:

1968-1972 - Campus Director for the Campus Crusade for Christ Chapter at the University of Oregon.

1974 to present day – Dick began selling beekeeping supplies and keeping bees full time. Dick currently promotes products from the hive for healthy living, including bee pollen, propolis, and royal jelly. Dick continues today as a Pacific Northwest honey packer, and full service beekeeping supplier and his business sells a broad range of natural foods.

Personal:

Dick and his wife of 42 years, Patricia M. Turanski attend Grace Community Church and continue as a member of the local Development Board for Campus Crusade for Christ. Dick and Pat have been married for 42 years and are blessed with 3 grown children and 6 grandchildren.

Dan Mayer – Founder At Large

Dan retired from a position as a Professor of Entomology at Washington State University and now resides in Montana.

Education:

1970 – BS in Entomology from Washington State University.

1973 - MS in Biology from Simon Fraser University

1978 - PhD. in entomology from Washington State University

Background:

1973 to current - Dan started working with bees and continues to do so.

1973-1976 - Research Technologist for Dr. Carl Johasnen at Washington State University.

1976-1979 County extension agent for Washington State University.

1979-2001, Research/Extension Entomologist for Washington State University working on a project entitled Integrated Pest & Pollinator Management.

Currently - Dan has authored over 200 publications and 3 books dealing with bees. He is now associated with the University of Montana and has his own bee consulting business, Buzz Me. At one time he owned 50 colonies of bees and at present has 3 colonies in my little corner of the Big Sky country. Dan continues to work in different countries in honey bee development and have done so in about 10 countries.

Personal:

Dan and his wife Connie are members of Riverside Church in Hamilton, Montana. They have been married 39 years and have 5 grown children and 12 grandchildren. The children are scattered throughout the west.

Verne Wilson – Consultant Uganda Project

Verne was born and raised in Fairfield, CA. Verne started beekeeping in 1972 at the age of 15 after his Dad started keeping bees with only two hives. By the time he left for college Verne and his Dad had expanded to 300 hives. In 1979, they sold their bees and the money was used to help fund Verne’s college education.

Education:

1982 Verne graduated from California Baptist College with a B.S. in Business Administration and a B.A. in Religion with a minor in Discipleship.

Background:

1982 - Verne spent a year working for Butcher Boy Foods as an accountant and later became a production supervisor.

1983, Verne accepted a job with the Internal Revenue Service as a Revenue Officer in San Bernardino, CA.

1988 – Verne later became a Group Manager for the IRS.

1990 – Verne and family moved to Eugene, OR. Verne started keeping bees again as a sideline job under the name of Bee Sweet Honey Farm. At one point, in addition to his full time job with the IRS, Verne was managing over 500 hives. He has since cut back on the number of hives he keeps, but continues to run contracts and broker around 800 hives a year. Crops that his bees pollinate on a typical year include Almonds, Cranberries, Blueberries, Meadowfoam, Clover, Cabbage, Radish, and Squash.

Teaching:

Verne is capable of teaching almost anything as it relates to bees and the equipment. His best areas are with the "hands on" subjects such as the cycle of bees, manipulating hives, bee diseases and treatment, raising queens, pollination, extracting honey, processing honey and beeswax, etc.

Personal:

Verne and Sinita are members of Norkenzie Christian Church in Eugene Oregon. They have been married for 27 years and have 3 children… still waiting for grandchildren.