The Camp Blue Skies Team

Founder & Board of Directors President

As the founder of Camp Blue Skies Foundation, Dick is responsible for the foundation’s management and sustainability and for ensuring campers’ health and safety. He also serves as a member of the Board of Directors. Dick works in commercial real estate. He has served in charitable leadership roles, including organizations helping people with developmental disabilities.

Executive Director

In June, Kim Conroy joined the Camp Blue Skies team as its first Executive Director. As a longtime leader with the YMCA of Greater Charlotte and Executive Director of YMCA Camp Thunderbird, Kim brings a wealth of experience in camp operations, risk management, and strategic planning. Her responsibilities also will include hiring and managing staff, fundraising, and fiscal management. She reports to the Board of Directors.

Operations Director

Rebecca’s background is in nonprofit management, with experience in working with camps and foundation boards. She is responsible for managing databases of donors, campers, and volunteers and overseeing nonprofit management best practices, including strategic planning, budgeting, financial reporting, and policies/procedures.

Health Services Director

Shira has always had a passion for camp and combined has a decade of experience working as a nurse at various camps. Shira also spends time educating and bringing mental health awareness to the community.

Camp Director

Jim’s entrepreneurial and fitness professional background adds a unique perspective to the Camp Blue Skies team. As a volunteer and program instructor, he has been extensively involved with Camp Blue Skies since 2012. In 2018, Jim was named Camp Director and will be responsible for all camp operations, including overseeing issues related to staff, campers, volunteers, and program instructors.

Weekend Camp Head Nurse

April’s background includes a decade of higher education experience. She now works in emergency medicine with a passion and commitment to vulnerable populations. She joined the Camp Blue Skies team after volunteering for several years. She is our Interim Health Services Director and the Head Nurse for our Weekend Camp. She is responsible for screening campers, ensuring campers’ medical needs are met, and helping recruit medical staff.

Recruiting & Outreach Director

Christina Orr has worked in human resources and recruiting for over 20 years, with experience in the manufacturing and non-profit sectors, including organizations serving people with developmental disabilities. She loves spending time with family and friends, especially outdoors, taking advantage of the beautiful scenery in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains. She also enjoys live music, travel, and pampering her dogs.

Volunteer Coordinator

With over a decade of government experience, Steffany has worked with three governors in Alabama and Wisconsin on grants, budgeting, public speaking, and other tasks. She oversees Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey’s Emergency Management staff and community outreach. She is the state's Voluntary Agency Liaison for nonprofits and community-based organizations. Steffany serves on Gov. Ivey’s task force for individuals with functional access needs and is passionate about equal opportunity.

Camp Logistics Coordinator

After volunteering at Camp Blue Skies for many years, Christie joined the team in 2016. She runs Command Center during camp and the camp store. Christie also occasionally leads line dancing classes at camp. She is a Group Home Manager for InReach.

Special Events & Camp Support

After working as a sportswear buyer for a major retailer, Becky started a second career in 1994 by opening an event design, planning, and production company in Minneapolis. She received numerous international and local awards for her events. In 2017, Becky was named the Minnesota Hall of Fame for Special Events recipient. When the pandemic hit, she retired and moved to Charlotte. She is extremely proud of the work her brother, Dick, has done with Camp Blue Skies. A long-time cabin counselor, Becky coordinates special events for our community and helps with our camps.

Finance & Administration Director

Holly maintains the accounting records, including donations and camper fees. She answers the main phone and manages other organization correspondence. Her background includes public accounting, along with organizational leadership and treasury experience with community and disability-related nonprofit groups.

Development Director

Amy comes with years of experience fundraising for nonprofit organizations in the Charlotte area. She oversees the organization’s fundraising plan and is responsible for the pursuit of grants, the year-end solicitation campaign, and managing donor relations.

Events Director

Mary Tinkey, who was Camp Blue Skies’ first Volunteer Director, rejoined the team as Events Director in 2018. Mary is responsible for Hoops for Camp, Cornhole for Camp, Hooked on Camp, and special events. She also works with the Blue Skies Boosters.

Communications Director

Crystal, a former journalist with a boutique PR/content marketing company, is responsible for external communications including public relations, marketing materials, website, social media, and email marketing. She enjoys taking selfies with campers, volunteers, wacky headgear, and animals at camp.

Williams Syndrome Camp Airport Logistics Coordinator

Kristen Hill, our former Volunteer Coordinator for Georgia, is coordinating the airport transportation for the Williams syndrome camp. She’s working part-time so she can spend more time with her daughter and family.