provided to The Santiva Chronicle
Christopher Galloway recently accepted a promotion for the “Ding” Darling Wildlife Society-Friends of the Refuge (DDWS) from Nature Store assistant manager to manager of the two physical and one online stores on Sanibel Island.
Galloway began working for DDWS in December 2016 and has also held the position as assistant office manager, plus assists in IT matters, including leading the set up of ShopDingDarling.com last year. He steps into the position formerly held by Ann-Marie Wildman, who will be moving into new roles within the nonprofit organization, which supports the J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge.
“I feel privileged to have this fantastic team to work with, and I’m really excited to continue working to not only support the refuge through store sales, but to be stewards for the refuge in communicating with visitors to our stores,” said Galloway. “We’ve made great strides in the past couple of years despite challenges, and I anticipate that we will continue pushing forward in our efforts.”
When COVID-19 shut down the original flagship Refuge Nature Store in the “Ding” Darling Visitor & Education Center in 2020, the DDWS team moved ahead to promote its fledgling e-commerce site and open a second store at 2250 Periwinkle Way, which also serves as a fulfillment center for online orders.
A graduate of Florida Southwestern State College’s technology programs, Galloway holds a degree in network service technology and post-secondary vocational certificates in network security and information technology support.
“Chris, Ann-Marie, senior assistant manager Carrie Harmon, and part-time assistant Laura Denick have taken our retail operation to a new high in past years at a time when the refuge needs even more support than usual due to staff shortages and pandemic restrictions,” said DDWS Executive Director Birgie Miller. “Chris has become an invaluable member of the DDWS team in so many ways, we are excited to see him continue in a heightened leadership role.”
ABOUT DDWS
As a non-profit 501(c)3 organization, DDWS works to support J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge’s mission of conservation, wildlife and habitat protection, research, and public education through charitable donations and Refuge Nature Shop profits. To support DDWS and the refuge with a tax-deductible gift, visit dingdarlingsociety.org or contact Birgie Miller at 239-292-0566 or director@dingdarlingsociety.org.
Leave a Comment