Meet the 2025 CCBA Board Members

	PRESIDENT Phil Uptmor Phil Uptmor moved to Chatham County from South Texas 20 years ago for work and enjoys the experience of four seasons and the vibrant farming community and focus on local food that Chatham offers. Phil took the beekeeping class in 2015 and started with a couple packages. Today, Phil manages anywhere from 20-30 colonies depending on the season and sells honey locally at markets and festivals. Phil received his NCSBA master beekeeper certification in 2022 and his EAS master beekeeper certification in 2024. He is the NC Zoo Chair for the honeybee exhibit and is a past president and vice president for the CCBA. Phil also helps manage the teaching apiary, has helped teach and plan bee schools each year, and is part of the CCBA and Hives for Heroes mentoring programs.
	VICE PRESIDENT Pat Weisbrodt Pat started beekeeping in 2007 with the 8-week course that Debbie Roos offered. She took it very seriously and almost didn’t get bees right away. She didn’t know if she would be able to devote the time necessary in order to be a responsible beekeeper, but she did know she wanted hygienic bees. As a retired nurse, Pat knew only too well what resistance could occur with medications given too frequently. It was going to be beekeeping without chemicals or nothing. Pat started with Minnesota Hygienics and over the years she basically raised her own queens but has purchased different hygienic queens along the way. Pat had many good mentors working on the team that cares for the 4 C’s bees and never missed a state meeting, even attending EAS a few times. Pat received her Master Beekeeper Certificate in 2015 and started keeping bees for clients. Pat felt if she spread hygienic hives around the county then better stock would be had by all. Pat has helped friends and mentored many new beekeepers over the years. Pat has held the offices of president, VP, and treasurer, been in charge of the swarm line, the 4 C’s bees, helped with numerous bee schools as well as pollinator day. Pat is thankful for living in this county with a lot of organic growers and great beekeepers.
	TREASURER Sharon McConnell Sharon has lived in Chatham County for over 30 years and is a retired lawyer. She and her family have raised various sorts of livestock over the years and thought about adding honeybees for a long time. In 2018, after becoming empty nesters, she and her husband attended a one-day beekeeping course in Lee County that really ignited a spark for them. Due to weather and a late start, they did not get bees that year, and then Sharon attended the excellent CCBA bee school and bought 2 nucs in 2019. That was a rough year but starting in 2020 all has gone much better for their bees. She credits the wonderful resources of CCBA with helping her figure out some things and become a Certified level beekeeper. In CCBA, she has been a mentor and worked on the State Fair Committee. She has enjoyed serving as Secretary the past two years and looks forward to continuing to contribute to CCBA in the Treasurer role.
	SECRETARY Michael Smith Mike grew up in eastern Kentucky and has lived in North Carolina for 28 years after leaving the military in 1998. He has been in the Information Technology field for over 32 years and started beekeeping in 2023. He has since earned his NC Certified Beekeeper certification and has served on the CCBA State Fair Committee for the past two years. Mike currently maintains four bee colonies and enjoys catching swarms.
	DIRECTOR Scott Stilwell Scott Stilwell has been interested in beekeeping ever since his dad brought home a 5-gallon bucket of comb from a wild bee tree when he was a kid. Finally, as an adult in 2019, he started with a single nuc after building his first beehive. This initial nuc quickly led to catching wild swarms and many splits, allowing Scott to expand his apiary to 80 hives by 2024. After 16 years as a mechanical engineer, he took the plunge in 2024 to become a full-time beekeeper with his venture, “Blue Truck Honey”. Always eager to explore various beekeeping techniques and practices, Scott has gained a deep understanding of bee health management, honey production, and sustainable practices. His goal is to share knowledge with fellow enthusiasts and club members, fostering a community passionate about the vital role of bees.
	DIRECTOR Mark Evans Mark grew up on a farm in Northwest Ohio and combined that experience with his high school interest in math and science to develop a career in Agricultural Engineering. After teaching engineering for 12 years, he made a jump to industry where he designed compact tractors and mowing equipment for 18 years. He got interested in beekeeping after purchasing land in Chatham County and being encouraged by a coworker that kept bees. After retiring in 2018, Mark’s other main hobby of woodworking got in the way as he built and equipped his woodworking shop. Finally, in 2024, after taking the CCBA one-day beekeeping course in February, Mark took the plunge and started two colonies. As a woodworker, he enjoys building all his wooden equipment. One thing Mark learned through his engineering career is that you learn more when things go wrong. Mark learned a lot in 2024. Thanks to Phil Uptmor’s mentorship and donation of bees, he still is in the game. Mark has completed the requirements for the Certified Beekeeper level of the Master Beekeeper Program.
	DIRECTOR Skip Story I have been a resident of Chatham County for over 30 years and retired as a Captain with the North Chatham Volunteer Fire Department. During my time with the Fire Department, I worked alongside a third-generation beekeeper, who not only provided contract pollination services but also raised queens for sale. After many discussions, I decided to start my beekeeping adventure and acquire my hives. One key concept I’ve learned from conversing with other beekeepers is that education is essential. I took classes, joined the Chatham County Beekeepers Association, and connected with a mentor. Recently, I passed the NCSBA Journeyman Beekeeper level exam and plan to continue my education and training for the next level.