Chuck Hagner, Editor

Chuck Hagner is an experienced editor and nature writer and the author of the field guide Guide to Ducks and Geese, the award-winning book Wings of Spring, and other articles.

Guide to Ducks and Geese (Stackpole Books, 2006) is a straightforward introductory guide intended to help anyone put a name to any duck or goose found in North America.

Wings of Spring (Stackpole, 2006) won a 2006 National Outdoor Book Award. The book is illustrated with more than 200 photographs by acclaimed photographer Tom Vezo. It tells how some of the world's most beautiful birds meet the formidable challenges of migrating, selecting mates, nesting, and raising young in the Western Hemisphere's wildest places.

Chuck also wrote the essay "Practice Seeing" for the book Good Birders Don't Wear White: 50 Tips From North America's Top Birders (Houghton Mifflin, 2007) and the article The Secret Life of the Kirtland's Warbler, about the endangered warbler's Bahamian winter grounds, for the spring 2006 issue of Nature Conservancy magazine. He also wrote "Finding Treasure in a Frozen Land," about birdwatching during winter in northern Minnesota, for Nature Conservancy.

Chuck makes frequent public appearances. He has spoken at the Midwest Birding Symposium, Lake Home & Cabin Show, and other festivals as well as at numerous Audubon and bird club meetings.

An avid long-time birdwatcher, Hagner has birded in Alaska and almost every part of the lower 48 states, and in Uganda, Cuba, Mexico, Trinidad and Tobago, and other countries. He became editor of Birder's World in 2001, after a successful 17-year career in publishing in the Washington, DC, area.

At Time Life Inc., a division of Time Warner located in Alexandria, Virginia, he worked as a writer and editor with the company's book division and as content director of its e-commerce division. Before joining Time Life, Chuck was managing editor of the AIA Press at the American Institute of Architects in Washington, DC.

Chuck holds a master's degree from American University in Washington, DC, and dual bachelor's degrees from Boston University. He is a member of the American Birding Association, American Ornithologists' Union, Audubon Society, Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Nature Conservancy, Wilson Ornithological Society, and Wisconsin Society for Ornithology.

He is married and the father of two children. He and his family live outside Milwaukee, Wisconsin, not far from a great spot for warblers in the spring.

Carole Ross, Art Director

I really love working on Birder's World! I look forward to learning about the different kinds of birds that will be featured in each issue. The photography is so beautiful, and the birds so colorful, it makes my job such a pleasure!

Over the 12 years that I've been employed at Kalmbach Publishing, I've had the pleasure of art directing many different publications, including Astronomy, Art Jewelry, Bead&Button, Model Retailer, Scale Auto, BeadStyle, and Birder's World. Previously in my career, I've worked at a children's book publisher, several graphic design studios, and a non-profit organization, and I taught graphic design to college students.

I live with my wonderful husband Ed, who is an architect, our dog Daisy, and our cat Midgy. My other interests include decorating our 1961 "Super-ranch" in authentic 1960s style, gardening, playing cards, going to the movies, eating out, traveling, shopping, and hanging out with friends.

Matt Mendenhall, Associate Editor

I joined Birder's World in November 2000. I write and edit news and feature stories, evaluate manuscripts, search for photos, and write book and product reviews. I edit our popular Hotspots Near You section, and I've covered the reintroduction of Whooping Cranes in the eastern U.S. since 2001. My articles include:

Julie Kuczynski, Editorial Associate

From Milwaukee, Wis., Julie graduated as an Evans Scholar from the University of Wisconsin - Madison with a BA in sociology and English with a creative writing emphasis. Starting out in the book industry, living in Chicagoland briefly, she has worked on various titles and genres including murder mysteries, biographies, gift books, children's books and more. She is now well versed in magazine publishing and Web site management with almost 3 years of experience at American Snowmobiler magazine.

Though new to birding, Julie has always been fascinated with our feathered friends. In the past she has partaken in volunteer work at the Wehr Nature Center in Franklin, Wis., as a critter caretaker, learning a bit about falconry rehabilitation techniques with "Tufts E. Screech Owl."

Growing up, Julie took many trips with her family to a lake cottage in both the summer and the winter months, always curiously exploring the outdoors.

In her spare time Julie enjoys playing tennis, fishing, reading, film, wandering around the Internet, traveling and now creating a life list!

Craig Greuel, Advertising Sales Representative

I have been with Kalmbach Publishing Co. since 1997, handling advertising for several different magazines reaching vast audiences. Previously, I worked in advertising sales with leading trade magazines serving the agri-business and metals industries. I am a native of Wisconsin, and earned a bachelor's degree in marketing at University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh.

In my spare time I enjoy the great outdoors, especially camping, hiking and biking at Wisconsin's various state parks. I live in a northern suburb of Milwaukee with my wife Brenda, and our three children Madeline, Evan and Aidan.

Linda Kast, Publisher

Do what you love; love what you do.

That sage advice, dispensed long ago from my mother, launched my career in publishing. From my first encounter with an X-Acto knife to everything that's now digital, I engaged in a love affair with reader service. In other words, I'm an advocate for communicating accurate, timely information to people who are passionate about their hobbies. And working with the Birder's World team has been a fitting experience.

I joined Kalmbach in November 2007 and the Birder's World team in June 2008. Born and raised in Chicago, I graduated from Elmhurst College with a BFA in Time Arts/Communications and have spent long hours in the darkroom, at the copy desk, and among colleagues discussing the merits of different media. When I'm not working, I'm pursuing some of my favorite hobbies: needlework, fiber arts, and long walks in the woods where I'm getting better at spotting birds I can name.