Alligator River/Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge P. O. Box 1969 Manteo, North Carolina 27954 Contact: Bonnie Strawser - 252-473-1131 Back to News Home Page

News Release

Photo credit: Jim Gilbert
Mike Bryant (center), Refuge Manager, presents "Volunteer of the Year" awards to Angie Brady-Daniels and Sue Carroll of the Outer Banks Chamber of Commerce.

Angie Brady-Daniels and Sue Carroll Named Refuge Volunteers of the Year

At the Annual Refuge Volunteer Awards ceremony on November 18, 2006, Refuge Manager Mike Bryant presented Refuge Volunteer of the Year plaques to Angie Brady-Daniels and Sue Carroll of the Outer Banks Chamber of Commerce. Bryant recognized these ladies, not only for their tireless and long-term effort with Wings Over Water for the past 10 years, but also for the on-going roles they play as refuge ambassadors and advocates.

Bryant commented, "Since the first Wings Over Water Celebration in 1997, the Outer Banks Chamber of Commerce has been a major partner with the USFWS in eastern North Carolina, both in WOW and as a community advocate for national wildlife refuges. Two key staff, Angie Brady-Daniels (Vice President for Public Relations) and Sue Carroll (Girl-Friday/Administrative Assistant), have set themselves apart as 'friends and advocates of Alligator River and Pea Island National Wildlife Refuges'. Their love of and appreciation for national wildlife refuges is well-known in eastern North Carolina."

Since WOW began, Sue Carroll has handled registration for the festival. In this role, she has had friendly conversations with more than 3,000 people, getting to know their likes and dislikes, learning about the more than 100 trips offered during the event (though she has actually participated in very few of the trips herself), advising potential participants about driving times, how tired they may be after a strenuous trip, or which trips she’s heard others say we excellent. Sue has been the Wings Over Water ambassador… and is likely a big part of the reason people return year after year for the November event. She has a quiet, unassuming manner, a well-practiced, customer-service attitude, and a professionalism that makes her perfect for the tedious job of wading through all the WOW possibilities with Outer Banks visitors.

Bonnie Strawser, Volunteer Coordinator for the refuge described Brady-Daniels' accomplishments, "Angie Brady-Daniels has her finger on the pulse of the business community. She is well-respected and trusted by the over-1200 members of the Chamber. She has both an economic savvy and a devotion to chamber members that helps the WOW steering committee to make plans that will both highlight the refuges and the resources, but also benefit the community economically. Angie brings to the table a clear perspective on how refuges and businesses can help each other. She is a strong advocate for national wildlife refuges and isn’t afraid to ask businesses to help us. And, she has the influence to make it happen."

"Angie also provides invaluable assistance to refuge staff in finding the “best match” for many refuge projects that need other community partners," Strawser added.

"In the 10 years since WOW has begun, the Chamber has registered over 2500 participants with full, complicated schedules for the 6-day festival. They have processed over $150,000 in the process. And, I have yet to hear of a single dissatisfied customer. Having the Outer Banks Chamber of Commerce as a partner and advocate for refuges has had a major impact on relationships between USFWS and the community- and it’s all due to the hard work and great attitudes of these two Chamber employees," Bryant concluded.