Jenny grew up on an Iowa farm where a large family garden was expected. Now a 30 year resident of West Ashley, she has always enjoyed dabbling in small backyard gardening and attracting pollinators. After a season of sending a few too many pics of caterpillars and butterflies to her 3 adult children, they gifted her an 8 frame deep box and set of beginners tools. She had no idea what to do next but a google search quickly told her that beekeeping was not like butterfly watching. Luckily she quickly enrolled in the CABA beginner class where, although overwhelmed with the information, she became fascinated with the honey bees. Still very much a beginner, she looks forward to learning more each season and meeting the local beekeepers. It is true that if you ask 10 beekeepers a question, you will get 11 answers, but that is what makes beekeeping so interesting.

Karen began beekeeping when an opportunity opened for her to shadow the beekeeper in her community garden. The beekeeper was planning on moving away, and the goal was for her to be able to take over once he was gone. What could be better for a want-to-be entomologist, whose other passion is gardening than to learn about her favorite pollinator? Unfortunately (or fortunately) the beekeeper ended up leaving much sooner than expected, and she was thrown into the hot seat as the new “beekeeping expert”. To cover up her lack of knowledge, she took classes and read every beekeeping book that she could find. Between studying, the help of a mentor and all the wonderful CABA and SCBA beekeepers, the ruse of bee knowledge was concealed, the garden bees thrived, and she was hooked.

When not playing with, reading, talking, or teaching about bees, Karen practices as a licensed Interior Designer. She also enjoys gardening, cooking, walking and golf.

Andre is a Journeyman beekeeper, whose interest in bees first began in 2014 when he was gifted a colony and hive of his own. Not knowing anything about bees or beekeeping he never expected to be enthralled by the little Insect. When he's not out in the beeyard, he's watching videos about bees, listening to bee podcasts, reading about bees, chasing bees, helping others with their bees, talking about bees or just thinking about bees. You could say he has bees on the brain.

Denise is a native of Texas but has been drawn to South Carolina as a current resident. She is a retired Pediatric RN and started her career as an Associate Degree Nurse; over time she completed her Bachelor of Science in Nursing followed by a Masters Degree in Business Administration. As a nature lover, animal lover and HOA member, bees seemed a good hobby to hide from the neighbors. Denise took her second beginning beekeeper class offered in Charleston. This second class gave her the excitement and confidence to start her own apiary. Denise loves to help people with a swarm that happens to setup on their property, loves to learn and teach! The honey bee hive is an amazing organism created by one Queen with each individual bee having a distinct job. Working with bees is a fascinating experience and teaches me something new with every interaction that also applies to so many other parts of our lives. Save the Bees!

Monica was born in Poland and came to the U.S. to get a Doctorate Degree in Mechanical Engineering at the University of New Orleans, with the unique and unforgettable experience of her last year taking place in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. After a few stops in various states. she has settled in Charleston and worked as an educator and an engineer. In her spare time Monica crafts. She grows and processes indigo, makes beer, mead, kombucha, hot sauce, candles, soap and cosmetics using hive products. She enjoys spending time with her family, two Vizlas, chickens and, of course, honey bees. She also enjoys being surrounded by really exceptional beekeepers and CABA members with interesting personalities, coupled with enthusiasm and different perspectives for the little busy-buzzy insects.

Whoever said that retired people have all the fun was definitely right when it comes to Mickey! He is retired from the US navy and now that leaves him with plenty of time to keep himself busy at his home on Johns Island with beekeeping, building bee equipment and catching swarms. Mickey is an active member of CABA and often joins our CABA outreach event to lead the fun art events with the kids. Above, you can see Mickey helping kids paint our new club bee boxes!

James Craig is a retired clinician, educator, and business owner. He started beekeeping in 2013 without a clue.. He joined CABA in 2014, borrowed a book, found a mentor, completed Basic Certification and started relocating feral bee colonies. in 2015, he completed Journeyman Certification. James completed the SC Master Beekeeper Certification in 2017, and realized how very little he knew about honey bees. James was a member of the CABA leadership committee from 2015-2022, and currently manages this website. He mentors beekeepers, and still wrangles feral honey bees from residential, commercial and natural structures, thus far donating more than 500 colonies to local beekeepers and non-profit groups. Jean Darling, his wife of 44 years, remains tolerant of his known eccentricities.

Teaky Tollison, our current CABA secretary, has been keeping bees for a little over a year on her piece of land in Yemassee, South Carolina, where she also tends to her chickens and her very spoiled and sweet bluetick coon hounds. Teaky is a retired schoolteacher and is passionate about supporting community education and outreach to help others learn more about keeping bees and to share information about how to support bee habitats. As a proud navy wife and mother, she realizes the importance of building community and creating a welcoming and fun environment for all members to learn and grow together.