Michael Jordan has been a commercial beekeeper in Wyoming since 1999, beginning his journey when he purchased a share in a large pollination company. Driven by a passion to continuously expand his knowledge, Michael has studied beekeeping practices from around the world, even earning a master beekeeper certificate through Uganda’s Department of Interior correspondence course. He is the instructor of the M-3 9/11 commercial beekeeping course and has been a key figure in the Bee College since its inception, proudly serving as its first speaker.”
As a career educator, Paul is passionate about both learning and teaching. He has been keeping bees as a hobby in Southeast Wyoming since 2015 and has owned and operated Prairie Wind Bee Supply part-time since 2018. Working with breeders and suppliers, Paul sells bee packages, nucs, and equipment throughout the region, gaining valuable insights into beekeeping in the Rocky Mountain area.
David Bench hails from the small town of Moroni, Utah, where his childhood was filled with time spent on his Grandpa’s farm. Whether he was working in the garden or savoring the world’s best food prepared by his Mom and Grandmothers, David’s love for nature, gardening, cooking, and hard work took root early on.
Grandpa used to say David could spend hours just watching bugs—a curiosity that eventually led him to bees. What started as a promise to his wife to keep just one hive quickly expanded into a full-fledged apiary. That first package of bees turned into three hives within the first summer, with five additional swarms joining the yard. Remarkably, all of them survived the winter. Over the years, David has continually split his hives and has never needed to purchase more bees to maintain his growing apiary, which now includes around 400 hives.
David is not only a professional chef who enjoys gardening and beekeeping, but he’s also a devoted husband and father. He will tell you that his greatest accomplishments are his amazing wife and four daughters.
Albert Chubak, a dedicated bee enthusiast and beekeeper since 1999, is a trusted resource within the beekeeping community. His passion for teaching and deep knowledge of bee behavior have made him an indispensable guide for both novice and experienced beekeepers alike.
Albert’s journey into the fascinating world of honey bees includes active participation in the American Beekeeping Federation, where he has contributed insightful articles for new beekeepers. In 2013, he created the Mini Urban Beehive (MUB), a small hive designed to nurture young honey bee colonies. This hands-on experience provided him with a profound understanding of hive dynamics, enabling him to effectively instruct both budding beekeepers and young learners.
Albert’s dedication and innovation were recognized in 2017 when he received the prestigious P.F. Thurber Award for Inventiveness from the Western Apicultural Society. This honor was awarded in recognition of his groundbreaking Eco Bee Box and his publication, Mini Urban Beehive.
As an active member of the American Beekeeping Federation, the Western Apicultural Society, the Eastern Apicultural Society, and the Saskatoon Bee Club, Albert continues to contribute to the field. His writings and expertise in beekeeping led to an invitation in 2017 to teach beekeeping throughout Jordan.
Albert Chubak is a father of three and resides in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, with his wife, Camellea, and their tabby cat, Tiggar. Beyond his involvement in beekeeping, Albert’s interests include teaching, traveling, woodworking, restoring early Volkswagen Beetles, gardening, and finding humor in life’s moments.
Steen is experienced in overall business operations and has been involved in the small business and workforce development sectors for more than 25 years. A business veteran, he co-founded businesses in the oil/gas, retail, and construction industries. He’s also been involved in the academic sector, teaching classes in entrepreneurship, marketing, management, accounting, and construction planning at numerous colleges and universities.
Sabrina is a PhD student in Dr. Michael Dillon’s lab at the University of Wyoming. Their research focuses broadly on insect adaptations to extreme environments, with a current emphasis on the effects of heat stress on bumble bee worker capabilities and how this impacts colony success. [Name] is also passionate about teaching and outreach, actively working to increase community involvement in pollinator protection programs.
Sabrina earned a BS in Entomology and Nematology from the University of Florida in 2014, where they studied insect pest resistance to radiation under modified atmospheric conditions. Following graduation, Sabrina moved out west, working in the outdoor industry and serving as an officer in the U.S. Navy before returning to graduate school to further pursue their passion for entomology.
Dr. Mark Carroll is a Research Entomologist at the USDA-ARS Carl Hayden Bee Research Center in Tucson, Arizona, located in the heart of the Sonoran Desert. He earned his Ph.D. from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and initially focused on plant elicitors that trigger anti-herbivore defenses at USDA-ARS CMAVE in Gainesville, Florida. In 2006, Dr. Carroll shifted his research focus to the complex and fascinating world of honey bees.
Dr. Carroll is deeply interested in understanding how bees work together, how their cooperation can break down, and what can be done to mitigate the problems that honey bees face. His research aims to improve colony nutrition, brood production, and queen performance, especially under the severe stressors that bees encounter, such as drought, poor nutrition, forage dearth, pesticides, pathogens, parasites, and the impacts of various treatments. He is particularly focused on strategies to better support colonies during the challenging periods of overwintering and forage dearth.
In addition to his research, Dr. Carroll mentors students and postdoctoral researchers from the University of Arizona. He collaborates with other scientists to deepen the understanding of honey bees and to enhance efforts to protect and care for them.
Sabrina earned a BS in Entomology and Nematology from the University of Florida in 2014, where they studied insect pest resistance to radiation under modified atmospheric conditions. Following graduation, Sabrina moved out west, working in the outdoor industry and serving as an officer in the U.S. Navy before returning to graduate school to further pursue their passion for entomology.
Dr. Tom Repas has been fascinated with honey bees for as long as he can remember, being the fourth generation in his family to keep bees. Growing up as the son of Hungarian immigrants, Tom was captivated by his father’s beekeeping and received his first two hives at age 13. He quickly expanded his collection by catching swarms and tracking feral colonies.
Today, Tom lives with his wife Jeanne in the Black Hills of South Dakota, where he breeds queen bees that are winter-hardy, gentle, productive, and Varroa mite-tolerant. To enhance his breeding program, Tom mastered the specialized technique of queen bee instrumental insemination at Arizona State University Bee Lab.
Tom is certified as a Master Beekeeper through the University of Montana, a role that involves educating others about honey bees and beekeeping. In addition to his beekeeping, Tom began home brewing in 1992 and eventually focused on mead making. After honing his skills, he returned to mead with greater success, earning numerous awards, including the Mazer Cup International Home Best of Show in 2015 and 2017—becoming the only person to win this title twice.
In March 2019, Tom was honored as National Mead Maker of the Year by the American Mead Makers Association, and in 2021, he received the Ken Schramm Award for outstanding service to the mead community. He now makes mead commercially at Zymurcracy Beer Co. in Rapid City, SD.
For Tom, mead making is both a science and an art, driven by a deep respect for honey and bees. Beyond beekeeping and mead making, Tom enjoys teaching and has been invited to present at various prestigious venues, including the American Beekeeping Federation annual meeting and the American Mead Makers Association Mead Makers Conference.
Joe Komperda, known as the Average Joe Beekeeper, spent nine seasons keeping bees with his wife Debbie in the Denver, Colorado area before moving to North Carolina last year. A certified Master Beekeeper since 2019, Joe managed 40–50 of their own hives and maintained over 25 hives for others across notable Colorado locations, including the Denver Broncos Training Center, the Clio Hotel, and Centennial Airport—the second busiest General Aviation Airport in the U.S.
Joe’s “Bee-Engaged: An Average Joe Beekeeper’s Guide…” presentations are designed for hobby beekeepers but are valuable to participants at all levels. He blends his beekeeping experience with a love of science and biology to enhance his audiences’ understanding of honey bees. Currently, Joe teaches Basic Beekeeping as part of the NC Master Beekeeper Program for Certified (Apprentice) Beekeepers and presents classes for Journeyman (Intermediate) candidates. He is also an avid swarm rescuer, with numerous rescues along Colorado’s Rocky Mountain Front Range and now in North Carolina.
Joe served as Secretary of the Colorado State Beekeepers Association and was a Director for the American Beekeeping Federation (ABF). He has held various officer roles in local beekeeping clubs and associations and is currently the Vice President of the Iredell County (NC) Beekeepers Association. Additionally, Joe is a certified Project Management Professional (PMP) and a retired U.S. Army Lieutenant Colonel.
Brandon Bryant is a dedicated beekeeper from Worland, Wyoming, where he lives with his wife and two daughters. As a key figure in the family business, Bryant Honey, Brandon works closely with his brother, father, and uncle. He holds an associate degree in Business from Casper College, which complements his practical beekeeping expertise.
Brandon’s beekeeping journey includes valuable experience in Kona, Hawaii, where he mastered the specialized art of raising and growing queens. His work in Hawaii focused on the genetics behind producing high-quality queens and the importance of maintaining healthy bee populations. Brandon places significant emphasis on breeding queens with hygienic traits, which is crucial for sustaining robust and thriving colonies.
With a strong commitment to advancing Bryant Honey, Brandon continuously seeks ways to improve and expand the family business. His dedication and innovative approach inspire those around him, driving the company to new heights.
Brady Bryant hails from Worland, Wyoming, where he lives with his wife and children. As a fifth-generation beekeeper, Brady has been immersed in the world of beekeeping from a young age, working alongside his family at Bryant Honey. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Business Management from the University of Wyoming, blending his family’s legacy with modern business acumen.
Throughout his childhood and college years, Brady worked diligently to deepen his understanding of beekeeping, a profession he cherishes. His passion extends beyond his own practice; he is dedicated to sharing his extensive knowledge with others. Brady is particularly enthusiastic about the intersection of technology and beekeeping, believing that innovative approaches can empower both novice and experienced beekeepers.
Brady’s life is deeply intertwined with the art and science of beekeeping. He relishes every opportunity to help others gain confidence and proficiency in this vital field. His insights and experiences make him a compelling speaker, eager to inspire and educate fellow enthusiasts.
Caty Peck, a native of Draper, UT, brings vibrant energy to the world of beekeeping. As a dedicated Journeyman Beekeeper, she expertly tends to 12 educational hives in Murray, UT, while also caring for 5 of her own hives at home. In her role as a Program Assistant with USU Extension, Caty plays a pivotal role in both the Beekeeping Program and the Urban Homestead Program, passionately providing enriching educational experiences to the community.
45 years ago, I needed an FFA livestock project, but living in town meant no livestock for me. Fortunately, my dad connected me with a beekeeper studying at UW, who ran about 100 colonies in Northern Colorado. I spent summers working for him, eventually setting up my own backyard colony.
Years passed, and after our son left for college, my wife and I wondered, ‘Now what?’ I remembered the smell of a beehive and suggested we explore beekeeping. To my surprise, she was eager to join. Our first task, about nine years ago, was changing city code to allow beekeeping within town limits. After pushing back against over 20 pages of proposed regulations, we convinced the City Council to adhere to state rules instead.
Today, hobby beekeeping has flourished in our town, with hives in most neighborhoods. To support this, we continue teaching basic beekeeping and operate a local ‘Swarm Call’ system, where volunteers recover swarms free of charge—a deal we made with the City Council. Now, as my wife and I step back, we’re excited to see the local beekeeping community carry on these traditions.
David Lewis is a hobbyist beekeeper in Cheyenne, WY. He began beekeeping in 2014 after attending the beginner beekeeper class at the Wyoming Bee College. In 2015, after a challenging first year, he started a support group for beginning beekeepers, which later merged into the Southeast Wyoming Beekeepers Association (SWBA). David is a past secretary of the SWBA and a regular presenter at the Wyoming Bee College.
