Betsy Coy, MS, MBA
General Manager
Growing up on a farm in Kentucky fostered Betsy’s love of nature. That love has grown into enthusiasm for, and a deep appreciation towards, the natural world and its conservation.
Betsy studied at Hollins University where she earned a BA degree in Biology. She continued her education with an MS at the University of Kentucky, and later earned an MBA from the University of North Florida. Keenly interested in zoo husbandry, Betsy traveled the globe, visiting zoos from Jacksonville to Chicago and Germany to Costa Rica. Her children delighted in the occasional elephant or camel ride, and actually found it quite normal, along with attending an elephant’s carrot cake birthday party at the zoo.
Betsy volunteered for six years at the Jacksonville Zoo. She was awarded Keeper Assistant Volunteer of the Year 2003-2004. Betsy taught as an adjunct biology professor at College of Coastal Georgia, where she enthusiastically shared her love of the natural world and the extreme importance of its conservation with her students.
Putting her MBA to work in the world of business, Betsy went from customer service to new product development at Equifax. She also worked in non-profit administration and grant writing at Alzheimer’s of Glynn/Brunswick, and in medical office marketing at Sunbelt Behavioral Health Services. She continues to oversee the business of the family farm, which is still operational in Kentucky.
Shortly after moving to Glynn County in 1983, Betsy had the awe-inspiring view of her first loggerhead turtle. She was parasailing off the beach and looked down to see its huge shadow swimming a short distance offshore. That incredible moment continues to motivate her dedication to the conservation of this magnificent creature.
Biology and business merged together for her role as General Manager in 2010. She works with GSTC’s departments of Rehabilitation, Research, and Education, as well as the Jekyll Island Foundation and Jekyll Island Authority. Her responsibilities include keeping resources in place for GSTC to achieve its mission to increase awareness of habitat and wildlife conservation challenges, promote responsibility for ecosystem health and empower individuals to act locally regionally and globally to protect the environment.
Betsy and her husband, Mark Friedman, a retired psychiatrist, live on St. Simons Island, They share their busy lives with two dogs, three cats, fish tanks and, of course, an outdoor turtle pond!