Moderator (s) needed - apply within, please.

[Mrs_wise_reptiles]

MIA.....
We all have been trying to get a hold of him to tell him about chuck no response...

 

[dzbreptiles]

I don't post here very often but I would like to nominate Brian Dierking user name brd7666. I have know Brian for several years and both bought and sold animals from/to him and believe him to be a very sincere and trust worthy person. Also I know he has a passion and commitment for this forum. I know he would do a great job. Jeff

 

[brd7666]

Wow, thanks for the kind words Jeff. I believe that this web site and the BOI are the most valuable asset in the reptile community. The BOI has helped a lot of people in many ways. The BOI is not only a tool to use for a future purchase from someone, exposing someone for who they are, or debating differences in a deal gone wrong, but it is also a great place to find history in the reptile community. If the BOI were to be lost, we would all lose a part of ourselves, for the bad people out there, they would love for the BOI to be gone. I believe the BOI does need to be cleaned up to some degree and if I were given the opportunity I would try to help make a better environment for everyone. I have time that I can dedicate to this site if I were selected. I always enjoy making new friends, and on the other hand, when duty calls, it isn't always plesent, I can deal with that as well. I do except the nomination, and if given the chance I would do the best I could to make this an even better site then it alreay is.
Thank you for your consideration.
Brian Dierking

 

[WebSlave]

I guess it's time to close the bids for nominations. Thank you all for helping out. Hopefully Harald can give me an uptodate list of all the nominees so all the mods can review the list.

 

[hhmoore]

Updated, and final, list of accepted nominations

Brandi Hockaday (Miss Tuniwha)
Rick Carew (crotalusadamanteus)
Dean Stemple (Strictly Exotics)
John Cordone (TheFragginDragon)
Nicholas Hrabowski (Polasian)
Maia Goldworm (JordanAng420)
David Gruning (DAND)
Laura Fopiano (Laura Fopiano)
Jeff Wise (WiseReptiles)
Gary Orner (Gary O)
Mark Batch (snakemansnakes)
Tim Johnson (Royal Morphz)
Kevin Batchelor (Southern Wolf)
Dean Arnold (Roy Munson)
April Yohn (AbsoluteApril)
Laura Bolt (LauraB)
Brian Dierking (brd7666)


Rich,
Should this serve as a call for the nominated members to prepare their descriptive blurbs?

 

[DAND]

Where is Sammy??

I have e-mailed and called him a number of times to inform him of Chuck but have not received any kind of response back. I don't even know if he knows about Chuck yet.

 

[DAND]

Hey, sorry if I'm late but I just came across a name to add to the nominations list. I don't know if he would have the time to do it since I haven't seen him around much but I couldn't think of someone who could do the job better then the ferret himself Ritchie Luna.

 

[deborahbroadus]

Hey, sorry if I'm late but I just came across a name to add to the nominations list. I don't know if he would have the time to do it since I haven't seen him around much but I couldn't think of someone who could do the job better then the ferret himself Ritchie Luna.

Post 324.

 

[WebSlave]

OK, here's the list of nominees.

1. Brandi Hockaday (Miss Tuniwha)
2. Rick Carew (crotalusadamanteus)
3. Dean Stemple (Strictly Exotics)
4. John Cordone (TheFragginDragon)
5. Nicholas Hrabowski (Polasian)
6. Maia Goldworm (JordanAng420)
7. David Gruning (DAND)
8. Laura Fopiano (Laura Fopiano)
9. Jeff Wise (WiseReptiles)
10. Gary Orner (Gary O)
11. Mark Batch (snakemansnakes)
12. Tim Johnson (Royal Morphz)
13. [Kevin Batchelor (Southern Wolf)
14. Dean Arnold (Roy Munson)
15. April Yohn (AbsoluteApril)
16. Laura Bolt (LauraB)
17. Brian Dierking (brd7666)

One of the mods asked me if we could request all of the nominees to make a short resume to be posted in the poll for voting. This is not only for the members, but also for the mods (and me) to review. Just basically tell us a bit about yourself. Personally I would like to know about any affiliations with other sites that might possibly be a conflict of interest and/or impact your ability to have the best interests of this site at heart. I know some are admins and/or mods on other sites, and I would like to know about them.

So please post your resume here and I'll cut and paste to the voting poll when I set it up. I would rather have this in place BEFORE the voting commences.

Thanks everyone....

ps... I'll be highlighting the members on this list who have complied with this request.....

 

[Southern Wolf]

Here is a little bit about me.

Until my reptile biz can support me, I make my living as a correctional officer. I get to deal with all kinds of people and all kinds of attitudes on a daily basis. This in of itself helps me perform my duties in a staff capacity on forums. It gives me the experience to deal with a multitude of personalities.

Aside from Fauna my other sites that I regularly visit are:

HerpFamily.com I am a co-admin over there. I started off as a regular member about 5 years ago and after a while I was asked to become a Mod. After a few years of being a mod Josh asked me to help him run the site as co-Admin. Therefore I do have experience in a staff capacity on a reptile forum.

I also spend time on the BLBC and Tarantulaslair. Both of those I am just a regular member in the grand scheme of things.

If you elect me to be a Mod here on fauna I will do the job to the best of my abilities. I am normally on here daily, and a lot of times there is not any “staff” logged in when I log in as I get on at “not normal” hours. As I'm typing this up there is not any staff here, so choosing me would add a staff member here during off hours.

If you feel I am not qualified that is cool too... It's not the end of the world for me.

Thanks for the consideration,

Kevin

 

[crotalusadamanteus]

My name is Richard (Rick) Carew, Born and raised in So California, mostly greater East Los Angeles area, but I currently reside in El Paso, TX. My heart though is in the Northwest part of the country. I’ll make it there some day too, you just wait and see.

Lets see, got started at a real early age because I was fortunate enough to have a Mom who loved reptiles. I’ve kept Boa Constrictor, except for a few time outs, consistently since 1975. They are my one true love. I’ve also kept Retics, Burms, Cali Kings, Gopher snakes , and a myriad of Colubrids native to Cali, a couple Savanah’s as well, and just about everything venomous you can catch in the Western US. I love firearms, anything related to outdoors, and gold prospecting. I also TRY my hand at photography from time to time.

I’m a Land/Civil/Construction Surveyor by trade, so I spend my career outdoors which, makes me love my job. I’m a Supervisor, but I’m the kind that gets dirty right alongside his workers, leading by example instead of sitting on my butt barking orders out of an air conditioned work truck. I’ve led people like this in every job I’ve had, including my first real job, as a squad leader in the Army.

I am currently an Administrator at Boaddiction.com A small forum focused mainly on constrictors where a few friends gather and share. My happy place if you will. We try to avoid BOI types of issues, because tools like that are only good if there is only one of them. So we tend to recommend those things be brought here where they belong. I believe all of the staff are members in good standing here as well.

What can I offer Fauna Classifieds? Well, ask anybody who really knows me and they’ll tell you I’m brutally honest. I hate everyone equally. I am unbiased when it comes to friends. I’ll knot a friend on the head quicker then I would a stranger, because I expect more from those I call friends. I also treat all people fairly, or at least my opinion of what fair is. I’ve been loved by few, liked by a few more then that, and hated by many others my whole life.

So I guess becoming a Mod wouldn’t change things much. I would of course have to be more “aware” of what I am posting, and not bring shame to Rich’s front door. I think I could do that though if given the opportunity to help out.

 

[StrictlyExotics]

If I am allowed, I would like to say something about each of the nominees BEFORE I talk about myself.

Brandi Hockaday (Miss Tuniwha) - By far the most outgoing person on this site. She is friendly towards everyone and very welcoming. She would give off a warm feeling on the Mod team.

Rick Carew (crotalusadamanteus) - Living proof people DO change. This man earns respect with each and every post. Willing to go the extra mile for each and every person as well as post.

John Cordone (TheFragginDragon) - Probably one of my favorite posters and someone NOT on my friends list. He is reasonable as well as articulate with what he has to say.

Nicholas Hrabowski (Polasian) - This man has a heart of gold. If hes not donating memberships, he is donating to families in need. His posts, as well as threads are logical and to the point. Very level headed and I am honored to call him a friend.

Maia Goldworm (JordanAng420) - I do not know Maia well. One thing I have seen though is Maia posts with integrety and with purpose.

David Gruning (DAND) - This man has my respect. Every time David posts, people read it. Right or wrong, he will be making a statement. His quick wit, ability to read through a post and catch things said is amazing. Cant go wrong with DAND.

Laura Fopiano (Laura Fopiano) - Laura used to post tons on here. She has a great knowledge and passion for what she says. I think she would definitely be a huge contibutor to the Mod team.

Jeff Wise (WiseReptiles) - What can I say about Jeff that people DONT already know.

Gary Orner (Gary O) - I dont know Gary personally. From what I see in Gary's posts is that he could be a great contribution to the Mod team and wouldnt hesitate to bug him for advice.

Mark Batch (snakemansnakes) - Again, someone I do not know personally but have read extensively. Mark is level headed, articulate, and to the point. I respect what he has to say and when he says it.

Tim Johnson (Royal Morphz) - Tim is just, plain and simple, a GREAT guy. He has a lot to offer to this community and any insight he does offer, I listen to with open ears. I am fortunate to be able to call Tim my friend.

Kevin Batchelor (Southern Wolf) - Kevin posts regularly and without conviction. I personally nominated him because I know that, as a mod, he will definitely be someone we would all respect.

Dean Arnold (Roy Munson) - I know Dean has been around for a long time. I think he would be a great contributing factor for all of us.

April Yohn (AbsoluteApril) - April is an amazing person that I have grown to respect by tons. Her threads, as well as discussions, are always of value and pertinence. Even though she may not post a lot, I know she reads tons of what is actually posted here on Fauna simply by the karma she hands out.

Laura Bolt (LauraB) - Very happy that Laura reconsidered her nomination. Laura offers investigative sides of opinions. She doesnt take a side until she finishes her research. A level head and treats people with respect and fairness. She is one of my top votes.

Brian Dierking (brd7666) - Brian is a relatively unknown name for a lot of people here that are somewhat new. This man has my utmost respect though. What he brings to the table is a constant. that constant being that I know when Brian posts, its something I need to read.

Dean Stemple (Strictly Exotics) - I guess this is me. As I have come to realize in the last couple of weeks is that I dont know all of the rules like I think I do. I accept this wholeheartedly. When I am wrong, I have no problems admitting so. Treating people with the same respect that they show me is a key for me.

Maintaining a level head and making a compelling argument, right or wrong, is my strongest asset. I feel that in order to get to parties to see where the line is drawn, you have to be able to reach both sides. This is something I strongly believe in and feel that I can acomplish, most of the time.

Regardless of what I say in my post, or position that I take, people read them. People will love what I have to say, or hate it. There is no in-between for me. Again, this is something I fully accept as well. I dont post with a motive. Everything I have to say is with the fairness of both parties involved and whomever has to read it. The only agenda I have is to get people united and not at each others throats, unlike what some people may feel.

Willing to help people on here is something I feel I can offer as well. I was never treated poorly by any of the moderators on this site and would be capable of offering that same position. I do what I can to help people on Fauna by giving them advice and will continue to do so.

I feel that we have a great mod team already and would love to work with them.

PS. I was also informed that I am currently a mod on another site. I did not realize this as I had only been there twice. I am truly sorry if this seemed like I was being misleading.

 

[Gary O]

Let's see.

My name is Gary Orner. I have been in the reptile trade/hobby for 17 years. Starting with Anoles and quickly working my way up to a solid collection of corns to Jungle Carpets.

My experience as a mod goes back a ways also. I owned and ran The Reptile Room. I am still an admin there but no longer own it. I am very thick skinned and not much a person can say over a forum can even come close to hurting me. I had one of the most controversial forums in the reptile world on TRR called The War Room. None of the death threats, emails, name calling fazed me.

I also do a youtube channel, radio show, and I vend about 30 reptile shows a year now. I use to do over 70 but them days are long gone lol.

What do you get with me. You get what you see. I am not going to change becuase I am a mod. I am not going to change if I am not. I am who I am. I do not look at being a mod as power. It is just a position to help not a position of power. The only difference will be i can correct the wrong doings(rule breaking) if I was a mod. If not a mod I leave it to the mods.

That is me.........

 

[Miss Tuniwha]

My turn I suppose.

My name is Brandi Hockaday, I am nearly 29 years old.. I live in Minnesota and freeze every winter.. I have been in the "reptile hobby" for about 10 years, but only recently started to breed and get into those aspects of it. I deal with ball pythons, boas, leopard geckos and bearded dragons mostly.

Fauna was here 3 years ago after I first got scammed, and I have never left. I call this place home and would love to be able to help guide people into the proper direction. (which many of us do whether we are MODs or not)

As for other sites, the only other one I frequent is Herper Forums, to which I am a minor MOD in (but it is not really up yet.. so have yet to crack the whip on anyone )

It is well known that I am the outgoing one on here, but you can also see that I CAN talk/type in a toned down manner. lol.

thank you, and have a good day (not really sure what else to say)

 

[TheFragginDragon]

Guess I'll step up next....

Name: John Scott Cordone
Occupation: Regional Inventory Analyst/Planner
Other sites I admin and/or mod on:
www.garyorner.com - My best of friends Gary O's new site, currently under contruction.
www.michiganpets.net - a local site dedicated to all pet enthusiasts in Michigan.

I also frequent ball-pythons.net and thereptileroom.org. I also solely own and operate Blue Water Reptiles.

I've had an interest in reptiles in general (and snakes in paricular) ever since I was a boy chasing Garter snakes in the back yard. Never lost the fascination.

I served in the USAF for 10 years as a Aircraft Armament Systems Specialist. I would have stayed in if it wasn't for massive federal budget cuts. Best years of my life (especially those 4 years in Germany) . I've also worked as an end-of-arm tooling assembler and serviceman, warehouse manager, and customer service manager.

I signed up for membership in Fauna back in 2005, but became active after the TSE scandal rose and found myself a member of the 'scammed by CJ' club. Once I realized the value of the BOI and made friends of many of the members here, I realized I was here to stay. I've made it my personal mission to help catch scammers here before they can actually con someone else.

The main reason I accepted the nomination for mod here is I'd like the opportunity to help those that have done so much to help others here.

There's alot of great people that have been nominated, and any one of them would be superb mods, so I guess all I can offer is what you can see in this bio and can read in my posts here on Fauna.

Best of luck to all of the nominees.

 

[JordanAng420]

I'll pipe up next...

My name is Maia Goldworm, and I work as a Certified Veterinary Technician. I specialize in anesthesia, so surgery and pre/post op is where I spend the majority of my time. The practice I currently work at doesn't see reptiles, but I have years of experience with assisting in reptilian medicine.

I first caught the "reptile bug" when a doctor I worked for asked me to care for his snakes while he was on vacation for a month. He had 3 carpet pythons, a columbian rainbow boa, and a hognose. I was to water and spot clean, etc...he also had leopard geckos, bearded dragons, and a tarantula. After that, I was hooked.

I mainly deal with leopard geckos, and I breed them as a hobby, not for profit. I have a collection of 6...when my boyfriend moved in with me, he came with his ball python, and just recently we purchased our first brazilian rainbow boa.

I am a member of geckoforums.net. I'm not a moderator, or anything of any rank. I've been a member there for quite a while and I enjoy the fact that it's geared towards "gecko" folks.

What can I bring to fauna? For one thing, I can bring a plethora of health and medical information regarding reptilian medicine. I'd also like the opportunity to assist other members with information they struggle with. Many difficult situations that don't necessarily have one particular answer are a common occurance here as a staff member. I enjoy situations that challenge my mind. I believe it takes a special kind of person to moderate fauna and I am honored to be nominated for this position. I wish the best and good luck to everyone that has been nominated!

 

[AbsoluteApril]

Hidely-ho there!

My name is April Yohn, known on most forums as AbsoluteApril. I’ve been poking around Fauna since the old BOI and feel that this site is an invaluable resource for anyone buying and/or selling reptiles. Posting and looking at pics of beautiful reptiles is one of my favorite past-times. If there’s a situation where I think I can offer good advice I will do my best to come across in a non-confrontational way and offer additional resources (links or references).

Growing up I was always fascinated by dinosaurs and dragons, it wasn’t until seeing The Crocodile Hunter in 1998 that I realized reptiles could be pets, so here we are today. I keep a small/modest collection of constrictor snakes: boas, atbs and corns. A leo named Pixel is my only lizard although I’d like to eventually work with tree monitors.

Other places you can find me: posting on the kingsnake boa forum and on the Amazon Alliance (dedicated to ATBs). In the past I posted on redtailboa.net and redtailconnect. Just started tracking on iherp:
http://www.iherp.com/Public/ShowUser.aspx?UserID=d21e8097-1471-4447-8bc7-868ae471d17f

You can also check out a couple short vids of some of my snakes on my youtube channel:
http://www.youtube.com/user/AbsoluteApril?feature=mhw5#p/userID=d21e8097-1471-4447-8bc7-868ae471d17f

For the past 3 years I’ve been working in customer service for a packaging distribution company and was just promoted to Team Lead this year. In the past I’ve done autoCad making digital maps for NavTeq and I’ve sold property and casualty insurance for Farmers and worked at Marsh USA as a claims specialist which meant dealing with a lot of very unhappy people.

I’m currently single, working full time and can dedicate a few hours everynight and on the weekends for Fauna. I’m a bit of a goofball and dork. I do not have any mod experience but am a quick learner. Please just ask if there is anything else you would like to know.

There are so many wonderful people nominated! Thank you for your consideration,
-April Yohn

 

[LauraB]

Egads! I didn't know I'd actually have to talk about myself!

I yam what I yam
I work in the legal field, but all things wild and wooly are my passions. I began studying/keeping anything non-human as a little grade school girl, much to my parents chagrin.
Herps (and bugs) are something I gravitated to at a very early age living near woods and water and that's never changed.

I live in Atlanta now due to a job transfer (it's a tolerate/hate thing .. flowers in February are a plus), but my heart remains out west. The very best times of my life have been quitely observing nature and learning, from the mountains to the oceans ... and also becoming something of a computer nerd along the way.

Currently, I keep an array of different herps, dogs, birds .. and whatever rescues/rehabs/part-timers my neighbors bring me from the 200 acres of woods and lake that surround us.

And thank you kindly, Dean for your very generous compliments. Everyone who has been nominated will, without a doubt, prove worthy and an asset.


No, that is not my arm in my new avatar. I just thought the ink was hilarious ... so kids ... think before you ink! Thank you again for the nomination.

 

[SERPENTS DEN]

No, that is not my arm in my new avatar. I just thought the ink was hilarious ... so kids ... think before you ink! Thank you again for the nomination.

And hope the tatooist no's howd to spell...lol

 

[Royal Morphz]

Wow not the best at this.

My names Tim Johnson I'm 31 and have been keeping reptiles since my older brother gave me a African Spurred Tort at 8, so about 23 years. I have bred Western Hognoses, Blood, RTB morphs, and most recently BP morphs. I have kept various different herps since that first tort and will be for years to come.

As for experience I have none. I have been here since 04 and only have a handful of posts. I read here for several hours a day and should ad my input a bit more. I became more active when I started producing things and utilized Fauna's great classifieds and The wonderful BOI. Like Brandi said before me I call this place home I spend more time here then anyplace and I for one would love a chance to make this the best site it can be.

I think of all the noms that were put out there I am low on the list, but given the chance I will do my best.

Thank you for this chance everyone.