Gina was born and raised in upstate South Carolina. As a child she enjoyed being outdoors, and had a soft spot for all animals and wildlife. She was always intrigued by birds and learned to identify a few of the common backyard birds by watching them at her grandmother’s feeders.
Fast forward to her college years and after three years at Winthrop University in Rock Hill, SC, she found herself moving around the world to Sydney, New South Wales, Australia, where she graduated from Macquarie University. What started out as a one-year venture turned into seven years, and a lifetime of memories. A position as an Incentives and Conventions Coordinator for Qantas Airways carried her to many countries in the South Pacific and Asia, and provided first-hand opportunities to learn about other cultures. Australia is where she fell in love with birds as her backyard was filled with various species of parrots, colorful Rainbow Lorikeets, Sulfur-crested Cockatoos, Magpies and Kookaburras.
Once back in the United States, Gina developed a career in sales – from residential real estate to starting and running her own retail business. Gina and her husband Jeff live in Greenville, SC, where Jeff, a prosthetist/orthotist, also owns and operates his own clinic, Upstate Prosthetics. Their household consists of two French Bulldogs, Max and Chloe, a calico cat named Lulu, and four rescued parrots – Gizmo, Gabby, Gus, and Magoo. It’s Gabby, the African Gray parrot, that inspired Gina’s eBird username and email address, “Gabby Girl.” Gabby is quite chatty and knows dozens of words, and the correct time to use her words. She speaks clearly in both Gina’s voice and Jeff’s voice and one of her favorite phrases to say is “I love you.”
Gina and Jeff have two grandchildren, an adorable 3-year old granddaughter, Carsyn, who got her first pair of “noculars” for Christmas, and a new granddaughter, Emma, who was born in March. Gina is hoping to introduce both girls to birding at an early age.
Five years ago they decided to take their love for the coast to the next level and look for beach property to purchase. After 30 years of vacationing on Kiawah Island, their realtor suggested they also look at Seabrook Island. They immediately fell in love with Seabrook, and knew it was the right choice for them. They especially appreciated the tranquil environment, wildlife and beautiful birds.
A Black Skimmer caught their attention on the beach one day and sparked Gina’s interest in learning more about the birds of Seabrook Island. After attending her first bird walk in January 2022, Gina joined Seabrook Island Birders and the rest is history. In fact, it was birding that got her back into photography. Gina enjoyed taking photos of the landscapes, animals and birds during the time she lived in Australia, but as is the fate of many hobbies, family life and career came first and it was put on the back burner. She returned to photography as a way to help identify the birds she was seeing, and now, along with birding, it’s become her passion.
Gina currently serves on the Board of Directors as Vice President, holds the position of Communications Committee Chair, and assists with Activities, Board Development, and other committees as needed. She recently retired, and Jeff is planning to retire soon. For now Seabrook is their part time home, with hopes to make it permanent in the near future.
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