Laura Carosi
Retail Manager

Tell us about your background

"I started in retail management after running group homes for disturbed children for several years. A love of animals led me to managing a local pet store before deciding to walk on the wild side."  

Why do you work at USA Bird?

"It’s not a traditional retail environment. I loved the educational focus of the store, and the opportunity to connect with people who share my love of nature and wildlife. The best part is that I can bring them into the store so they can also share what they love, too."

When did you first become interested in birding / wildlife?

"More years ago than I’ll ever admit to in public."

Where is your favorite place to watch birds?

"Right at the store. We have several bird feeders outside our window and I wind up spending an inordinate amount of time seeing who’s come to lunch. Please don’t tell my boss that."

Pet(s)?

"I have an English springer spaniel named Tristan who completely rules my life."

What is your dream Jeopardy Category?

"Foods of italy. I never met a pasta I didn’t love."

Who would play you in a movie of your life?

"Catherine zeta jones. People tell me the resemblance is remarkable."

What was your best vacation ever?

"Traveled through Europe one summer. I had the most remarkable conversations with people when we didn’t speak each other’s language and had to learn new ways of communicating."

Christina Schuster
Retail Associate

Tell us about your background

"I was born and raised a city girl and dreamed of country life, when I had kids I decided it was time to make the move. My husband and I moved our family to a farm in Akron N.Y.. About a year later my sister suggested her and I take classes for wildlife rehabilitation. Under the guidance of Jackie Perry of A.W.A.R.E and her amazing staff of volunteers I did just that. I am now a seasoned rehabber and serve proudly on the board of directors for A.W.A.R.E.. My daughter followed in my footsteps I even manage to drag my son into it on occasion. "  

Why do you work at USA Bird?

"When I first walked into our store front I was caught by surprise it is definitely more than meets the eye. Their staff was knowledgeable in all the aspects of wild critters and I felt I had something to offer. I applied and i must say I couldn’t have asked for a better group of co-workers."

When did you first become interested in birding / wildlife?

"I honestly cannot remember NOT being interested in wildlife. As a child I brought anything home that would follow me ( and some that wouldn’t too). But I think I was hooked when i found that first baby robin that fell from the nest and knew just what to do. Watching it grow strong,and eventually fly away."

Where is your favorite place to watch birds?

"My own backyard."

What is your dream Jeopardy category?

"Anything that has to do with animals."

What did you do on your summer vacation?

"What I do EVERY year, I fed baby squirrels and birds and when I wasn’t doing that I was probably out picking one up."

What was the last book you read?

"The study guide for my rehabbing license. Free time for reading? Right! It was all downhill after that."

What do you do for fun?

"I love spending time with my family and my animals. I play rockband with my kids(not well, but I try). I do puzzles and crafts with my mom. And if the weather is nice(I hate the cold) I love to sit or walk on the beach or in the woods or open fields(you never know what you might find)."

Who is your favorite band?

"Styx, hands down."

What was your best vacation ever?

"My Family trip to Howe Caverns and the Catskill Mountains. This past summers trip to a beach about an hour away runs a definate close second!"

Who would you rather have dinner with: Barbara Walters, Bill O’Reilly, Vanna White, David Patterson, Laura Bush, or Lady GaGa?

"I think I’d rather eat alone. Can I pick my own dinner guest? I’d probably order pasta primavera with extra artichoke hearts and a nice glass of sweet red wine. YUMMY!"

Patricia Szarpa
Retail Associate

Tell us about your background

"Born & raised in WNY; formal education in public relations, communications and marketing; informal education and special interest in birding, nature, all areas of the environment and the outdoors. I worked in education and in the eldercare industry until switching to work in my area of interest in the environment."  

Why do you work at USA Bird?

"My love of birds and enthusiasm for backyard birdfeeding. It’s supplemental income and it helps to feed my birdseed habit!"

When did you first become interested in birding / wildlife?

"I became consciously aware that I was drawn to birding and wildlife as a young adult."

Where is your favorite place to watch birds?

"Just about everywhere. WNY is great for birdwatching with diverse habitats, the lakes, farmland meadows and grassland, and is on the eastern flyway for migration. If I am not going anywhere I always enjoy watching to see who is coming to my feeders."

Pet(s)?

"We have 4 cats and a goat! Cats have always been a favorite of mine."

What is your dream Jeopardy Category?

"Backyard birdfeeding in the northeast."

What did you do on your summer vacation?

"Enjoyed a two week Adventure in Alaska!!"

What do you do for fun?

"Hiking, birding, kayaking, camping, visiting our national parks."

What was your best vacation ever?

"Alaska ranks first, but a close second was traveling with my family throughout California for two weeks and spending news years eve and new years day snowshoeing amongst the giant sequoias in Yosemite national park. Awesome!!!!"

Pam Weimer
Retail Associate

Tell us about your background

"Local Resident, Employed full time @ St. Joe’s Hospital, volunteer @ SPCA in wildlife dept, also work as pet sitter for dogs,cats, & other misc. pets."  

Why do you work at USA Bird?

"Like the product line and ideals behind store. Live near by. Nice part time job."

When did you first become interested in birding / wildlife?

"Several years ago as child and over the years."

Where is your favorite place to watch birds?

"My yard, any park."

Pet(s)?

"2 cats."

What do you do for fun?

"Care of pets & wildlife."

Who is your favorite band?

"The Beatles."

Who would you rather have dinner with: Barbara Walters, Bill O’Reilly, Vanna White, David Patterson, Laura Bush, or Lady GaGa?

"None of these. Try Jane Goodall, Sir Richard Branson, Paul Mccartney."

Jay Terkel
Retail Associate

Tell us about your background

"I grew up in Springfield, Illinois, loving animals and nature. I have worked at several zoos as a zoo keeper. Although I worked with all the animals, birds were my specialty. I became interested in photography as a teenager because I wanted to do nature photography, but ended up being a professional wedding and portrait photographer. Check out my animal photography at www.jayterkelphotography.net. I also have worked as a teacher aide in a high school for many years."  

Why do you work at USA Bird?

"I really enjoy watching the birds in my backyard, and I enjoy helping people so they can get the most enjoyment from their backyard."

When did you first become interested in birding / wildlife?

"I think I was born loving nature, or maybe it was in Boy Scouts. I volunteered at a wildlife center when I was a teenager. While in high school, I raised domestic caged birds at home (canaries, finches, cockatiels, lovebirds, parakeets and others). I also volunteered as a wildlife rehabilitator, working mostly with hawks and owls."

Where is your favorite place to watch birds?

"It would be a tie between the Mississippi River between Illinois and Missouri during waterfowl migration and the Land Between The Lakes in Kentucky watching the Bald Eagles, or maybe the Snake River in Idaho.

Lately, my favorite place to watch birds is at home, in my backyard and inside my home. I have 2 parakeets, 2 canaries, an umbrella cockatoo, 2 African Grey parrots, and 3 Senegal parrtos, for now - I still have room for a couple more."

What is your dream Jeopardy Category?

"Zoos or Zoo Animals"

What do you do for fun?

"When I do have time, for fun, I enjoy spending time with my parrots and my family - not necessarily in that order."

Who would you rather have dinner with: Barbara Walters, Bill O'Reilly, Vanna White, David Patterson, Laura Bush, or Lady GaGa? What would you order?

"None of these, I have socialized with Marlin Perkins, Jack Hannah, and Jane Goodall. I have photographed/interviewed President Gerald Ford and Styx and Chuck Berry - and grabbed some food from their backstage buffet - if that counts as dinner. It's hard for me to pick one person that I'd like to have had dinner with, the list would include: James Audubon, Roger Tory Peterson, George Eastman, Thomas Edison, Abraham Lincoln, and Frank Lloyd Wright."