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Board Member Biographies
Barbara Cosgrove - President
Barbara Cosgrove has been an animal lover for her entire life. As a child, she brought home to her mother every type of animal (e.g., lizards, snakes, bats, birds, dogs, cats) to love and care for. This process continued with her husband and children’s involvement. Currently, Barbara shares her home with her husband and their beloved feathered friends. She takes pleasure in keeping and caring for a variety of different parrot species — from Senegals to large macaws — both as a pet owner and as a small hobby breeder. Barbara also enjoyed an exciting and rewarding career as a registered nurse for 30 years prior to her life with parrots.
Currently, Barbara serves as president of the Connecticut Parrot Society. During the past seven years, she served the Connecticut Association for Aviculture in many capacities: hospitality, refreshments, adoptions, auction proceedings, assisting at special events, arranging open house speakers and vendors, and organizing a field trip and annual picnics. In addition, Barbara was on the board of directors as membership co-chairperson for two years and as program chairperson for two years. She continues to be a member of that association. Barbara is serving her fourth year as Connecticut state coordinator for the American Federation of Aviculture.
Ned Hurle - Vice-President
Ned has had an interest in natural history since he was a young boy. This culminated in his earning a B.S. degree in Natural Resource Conservation (Wildlife Biology Major) from UConn in 1974. Ned has been involved in environmental issues as they relate to transportation for his entire 32+-year career at the Connecticut Department of Transportation. Currently, he is Director of Intermodal and Environmental Planning.
Ned and his wife, Bert, didn’t realize they needed parrots in their lives until a Peach-faced Lovebird came to live at their home in Middletown a few years ago. Feather lust soon struck, and Ned and Bert now are owned by the lovebird, an eclectus, a cockatiel, and an African grey.
Ned’s other interests include recreational cycling and astronomy.
Axel Elling- Secretary
Axel got his love for birds from his father, who rehabilitated multiple wild birds when he was young — among them an injured stork baby that fell out of its nest. He received his first own bird, a budgie, from his parents when he was in elementary school. Currently, he shares his home with a White-crowned Pionus. He is not only committed to the welfare of companion parrots, but as a member of the World Parrot Trust, he also hopes to raise awareness for the protection of their native habitats. Axel holds a doctoral degree in genetics and is currently pursuing his postgraduate training.
Lynne Heim - Treasurer
Lynne never really discovered the animal world until she was in her 30s, married, and had her own home. About four years ago, she bought her children a Guinea pig, and after doing lots of research, discovered there was actually a Guinea pig rescue in Connecticut. Lynne worked with Critter Connection in Durham, CT for about a year, taking in and adopting out unwanted Guinea pigs.
About three years ago, Lynne and her family got their first parrot, a Solomon Island Eclectus named Jade. After that, Lynne was hooked. The woman from whom she purchased Jade was a small breeder in Delaware, and they have been friends ever since. She gave Lynne the idea of breeding about a year-and-a-half ago, and she has been at it ever since. Lynne met Allyson Faucher through one of the Yahoo chat groups more than a year ago. Lynne’s breeder friend and Allyson have been her mentors.
Lynne’s husband, Bruce, and their two daughters, Kaitlyn and Sarah, also are bird lovers and members of CPS. In addition to Lynne’s breeding pairs, the family shares four dogs, four parrots, and a bunny.
Bob Cosgrove - Membership and Hospitality Chairperson
A pet lover since he was a child, Bob never tired of the interaction between his animals and himself. During the past seven years, Bob has enjoyed the companionship of parrots, both as a hobby breeder and as a pet owner. He and his wife share their home with numerous different parrot species. Bob held many board positions (e.g., membership, treasurer, vice president) with another state avian association. He left that group to venture into a new direction with the Connecticut Parrot Society. Bob and his wife are retired and live in Southington.
Gabriele Kennedy
Membership Co-Chairperson
It was inevitable that Gabriele fall in love with parrots. They are the perfect combination of her two great loves: animals and flight. Gabriele has been in love with nature and animals since she was old enough to walk and would let herself into every neighborhood yard to visit with the dogs. As a little girl, she dreamed about trips to Africa to see lions, tigers, and elephants in the wild.
While studying aeronautical engineering in college, Gabriele went skydiving, parachuting, and riding in hot air balloons and seaplanes. Any form of flight fascinated her. Her motto was, “If it don’t fly, it don’t matter.”
In 1999, Gabriele packed up her cat, Sam, and moved from Seattle to work as an engineer at Pratt & Whitney. Six months later, she bought her first bird, a beautiful little Senegal parrot named Jamie. Gabriele had no idea how much 132 grams of being could change her life. The depth of their relationship amazed her.
Currently, Gabriele still shares her home with Sam (13 years old); Jamie (8years old); Jake, an orange tabby (5 years old); Georgie Girl, a Senegal (7-and-one-half years old); Buttercup and Oliver, two Peach-faced Lovebirds (about 6 and 5 years old, respectively); and the two babies of her house : Azizi, a Timneh African Grey (3 years old); and Chili Pepper, a Golden Doodle (13 months old and 75 pounds). It is a happy jungle, full of activity and joy. Every day, they make Gabriele laugh aloud and her heart smile. She is still fascinated by all their beauty and intelligence. Gabriele’s days are filled with nature hikes in the woods with her puppy, working in the flower-and-vegetable garden with the cats supervising, and cooking for and playing with the birds — occasionally enjoying a great book and a glass of fine wine.
Mayleen McAnanama - Merchandising Chairperson
Throughout her life, Mayleen has lived with a variety of birds, from parakeets to Amazons. Although she was able to appreciate their beauty, intelligence, sense of humor, and demanding personalities, she never felt a desire to form relationships with them. That was until she met Bumper, a Red-fronted Macaw, who bonded with her and opened her heart to the avian world. Learning how to care for him has not only taught May a great deal about parrots, but also a lot about herself. Sometimes, May wonders how she became so attached to this creature with wings, but she is learning to appreciate all he has brought into her life.
In addition to Bumper, her family shares its home with Sarah and Jonathan, Red-lored Amazons; Bitsy and Bert, Yellow-naped Amazons; and Millie and Miller, Military Macaws.
As CPS merchandising chairperson, Mayleen looks forward to bringing people and parrots useful, exciting merchandise.
Elizabeth A. Douglas - Newsletter Editor and Historian
A favorite aunt nicknamed May piqued Elizabeth’s childhood interest in birds, which began with parakeets and led to her attraction to cockatiels. She has been serving as editor for the North American Cockatiel Society’s Tiel Times for 10 years, and previously edited the Avian Fanciers of Western Connecticut’s Fancier publication for three years. She is a member of the Connecticut Association for Aviculture and the National Cockatiel Society and currently shares her home with eight cockatiels. Elizabeth collects bird-related items, and during the holidays, displays a tree with hundreds of bird ornaments. “Elizabird” counts genealogy, conchology, antiquing, and ancient history as other hobbies.
Michele Parrett - Outreach and Education Chairperson
Michele loves to learn and teach, especially when animals are involved. She credits this to her older brother, who frequently took her hiking and taught her about nature and wildlife. As a child, Michele enjoyed the company of various tame and wild animal friends, including pet parakeets. She was deeply affected by the experience of helping to rehabilitate a magnificent, wild baby screech owl named Popcorn.
In September 2005, Michele met a Red-lored Amazon parrot who changed her life. She thought it would be great fun to teach the bird how to behave, talk, and do tricks. The bird had other plans, and now has a well-trained human who cooks, cleans, sings, and is capable of returning various calls, on command.
Michele has taught Italian, Spanish, and English as a second language. She has also been responsible for training fellow employees in matters of company policy and workplace safety. Currently, she works in a law firm and shares her home with another human, two dogs, two cats, several tropical and brackish-water fish, a Red-fronted Macaw and, of course, the infamous Amazon parrot.
Timothee Graze - Program Chairperson
The bird craze started for Timothee when her husband gave her two budgies for their second anniversary. Twenty-two years later, Timothee is the established owner of a bird store, Featherlust Farm, and has bred many species such as Lilac-breasted Rollers, kookaburras, eclectuses, vasas, and other hookbills.
Timothee says that listening to the experiences of other owners, breeders, and trainers is enlightening, sometimes hilarious, and always fills her with respect for our avian “owners.” As program co-chairperson, Timothee vows to do her best to bring CPS members fascinating and educational programs and speakers.
Nancy Kot - Program Chairperson
Nancy has been an animal lover since she was a child. Her first avian experience was with a budgie that was brought home from work. The first bird in her adult household was given to her daughter, Stacey, by her boyfriend. Nancy decided that she had to have a bird of her own and visited this strange bird store, Featherlust Farm, in Old Saybrook.
Four birds later, with Ollie, a Green Eclectus; Toby, a White-bellied Caique; Nico, a Greater Vasa; and Obee, a Green Wing Macaw, Nancy says her flock is complete (for now).
Nancy says she realizes that having a bird as a companion is a wonderful experience and that educating oneself is most important. As co-chairperson of programs, Nancy promises to bring CPS members enlightening speakers and programs.
Jacqui Christiance - Publicity Chairperson
Jacqui is drawn to all animals but feels she best identifies with birds and wants to help them in any way she can. As CPS’ publicity chairperson, Jacqui hopes to bring information, education, touching stories, great articles, and even a laugh or two to members’ homes.
Jacqui has been working for a Southington pediatrician for 16 years. She has been married to John Christiance for more than 30 years. They have two adult sons and one grandson and share their home with a happy-go-lucky Timneh African grey named Sassy.
Cindy Kiesewetter - Web Administrator
Cindy Kiesewetter has been owned by birds, for approximately 23 years. It was her father, James Dodson (one of the founders of the Connecticut Budgerigar Society), who instigated her interest in aviculture. His knowledge of budgerigar genetics was instrumental in spurring her to learn more about cockatiel genetics. Cindy was active in the Connecticut Association for Aviculture for eight years as secretary, bulletin editor, show advisory committee chairperson, and membership chairperson. She has also been a member of the American Federation of Aviculture, Society of Parrot Breeders and Exhibitors, American Cockatiel Society, National Cockatiel Society, and the North American Cockatiel Society.
In the National Cockatiel Society, Cindy served as Connecticut state coordinator, nomination chairperson, and from early 1993 to late 1997, band and membership Secretary and NCS magazine genetics consultant. She was awarded the N.C.S. Presidential Award in 1993, 1994, 1995, and 1996 for outstanding contributions. Cindy also created and maintained an Internet site for the National Cockatiel Society for two years. Cindy resigned her NCS duties in late 1997 to form the North American Cockatiel Society and to dedicate herself more to her birds and to her newly expanding family. Her nine-year-old daughter, Lindsay, is also a member of CPS.
