Daufuskie Island Conservancy
Our Mission + Team
CONNECT • RESPECT • PROTECT
Who We Are
Mike Loftus
President + Director
Residency:
Daufuskie Island (since 2014)
Education:
BS in Civil Engineering, Manhattan College
Career/Background:
Contractor, NYC area for 30 years (Retired in 2017)
Family Life:
Married to Joanne (superstar partner for 40 years)
Three adult children: Meaghan, Matt, and Deirdre.
Four grandchildren: Ashton, Magnolia, Mary, and Peter
Interests & Activities:
Woodworking, birding, tennis, golfing
Conservancy Involvement:
President and Board Director since 2014.
Kelly Easterling
Board Member
Residency:
Daufuskie Island (since 2018)
Education:
BS in Chemistry, University of South Carolina
Career/Background:
Coatings Chemist until 2010. Currently focused on raising two beautiful kids and volunteering on the island
Family Life:
Married to Carl
One daughter, Samantha, and one son, Chase
Interests & Activities:
Birding, gardening, cooking, drawing, kayaking, walking our beaches
Conservancy Involvement:
Board Director since 2023.
John Gorman
Director
Residency:
Daufuskie Island (since 2024) and Chagrin Falls, OH
Education:
B.S. in Electrical Engineering, Worcester Polytechnic Institute
MBA, Weatherhead School of Management
Career/Background:
Executive roles in Manufacturing, Sales, and Marketing at General Electric and Precision Castparts Corporation (PCC).
Retired from PCC in 2020.
Family Life:
Married to Julie
2 sons, Chris and Connor, and daughter-in-law Alexis
Interests & Activities:
Golf, pickleball, hiking, exercising, and gardening/landscaping
Football coach in Ohio
Conservancy Involvement:
Board Director starting in 2025
The Daufuskie Island Conservancy, founded in July 2005, is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to protecting Daufuskie Island’s natural environment. The Conservancy shares knowledge through educational programs, promotes sustainable living, conserves significant land, waterways, and wildlife, and implements programs that encourage earth-friendly practices.
If you have ever visited Daufuskie Island, have ever wanted to, or feel a calling to contribute to a nature-focused organization, we need your help! We cannot do it without those generous souls who donate funding and volunteer their time. Please feel free to give a donation or join our cause.
Carl Walter
Treasurer + Director
Residency:
Daufuskie Island (since 2012) and Shaker Heights, OH
Education:
BA in Accounting, Kent State University
CPA (Retired)
Career/Background:
Tax professional at Price Waterhouse
Founder and owner of Chess Financial Corp, (CFC) (a wealth mgmt. firm)
Sold CFC and retired in 2011
Family Life:
Married to Jo
Two sons, Skip and Hunter, one daughter, Schuyler (all married); 2 grandsons
Interests & Activities:
Golfing, boating, cycling, and family activities
Various Boards and Committees
Conservancy Involvement:
Treasurer since 2021; Board Director since 2024
Alicia Carlson
Board Member
Residency:
Daufuskie Island (since 2023)
Education:
BA in Journalism, Indiana University
Career/Background:
Journalist, writer, editor, public relations consultant
Family Life:
Married to Jim (golfer and Conservancy volunteer)
Three adult children: Grace, Sarah, and Jake (all who grew up playing along the Calibogue Sound every summer and continue to cherish their 2nd home)
Interests & Activities:
Traveling, birding, hiking, enjoying life on the water
Volunteer for Daufuskie Island History Museum
Certified ESL tutor and volunteer
Conservancy Involvement:
Board Director since 2024
Vanessa Bramlett
Board Member
Residency:
Daufuskie Island (since 2018)
Education:
MA in Educational Leadership, St Mary’s College
Career/Background:
Teacher, Principal (retired 2016)
Family Life:
Married to Michael Reed
Son, Jake, daughter-in-law Abbie, one granddaughter, Olivia
Interests & Activities:
Beach-combing, reading, baking, early literacy
Conservancy Involvement:
Board Director since 2022
Lauren Hunt
Board Member
Residency:
Daufuskie Island + Hilton Head Island since 2017
Education:
BS in Visual Communication Design, Villa Julie College
Career/Background:
Director of Marketing, Haig Point Club and Community
Interests & Activities:
Boating, Fishing + Traveling
Conservancy Involvement:
Board Director since 2024