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Our Team

Zach

Zach Watkin
Chair

Zach is from West Chester, Pennsylvania but moved to Charleston in 2018. He loves to run, travel and hang with his dogs. His favorite thing about Charleston is all of the hidden nature spots and parks where he can explore while running or walking his dogs.

Julia Plasynski 2025

Julia Plasynski 
Vice Chair

Julia, originally from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, has lived in several states since college. But in 2024, she relocated to Charleston to pursue a career as an endangered species biologist. Her favorite parts about Charleston are the wetlands and the people! Julia has a deep love for all living creatures, but her cat, Finn, is her favorite.

Kelly

Kelly Rudock
Treasurer

Kelly is originally from the greater Philadelphia area. She loves being active, all sports, exercising, and doing anything outdoors. Her favorite thing about Charleston is probably the weather and the beaches. Kelly also loves shark teeth hunting!

Theo Hair Dotties Charleston 1~3

Theo Hair
Secretary

Theo is originally from South Florida and moved to Charleston in 2012. He loves running and being on the beach. His favorite thing about Charleston is the variety of outdoor life and terrain and all the opportunities to explore it. Theo loves being active with Surfrider because of the opportunities to clean and protect the places he loves to be in and share with others.
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Marlo Shedlock
Volunteer Coordinator

Marlo grew up on the Outer Banks of N.C.  She works as the Adopt-A-Highway Coordinator for Charleston County. Her passions are environmental protection, wildlife conservation, and animal rescue. 

 

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Luke Johnson
Beach Sweeps Coordinator

Luke has been on the board with Charleston Surfrider since February 2024. Luke’s favorite Surfrider memory was being a part of the cohort that represented Charleston at the National Summit in Long Beach, CA in October 2024, where he had the opportunity to network with National Staff and other inspiring chapter leaders from all walks of life. 

When not doing Surfrider-related activities, you can find him all over The Lowcountry: paddling more than surfing at Folly Beach, listening to a local bar band(likely at Chico Feo’s) showcasing his appreciation for soup year-round, explaining to Charlestonians he’s from Wisconsin, not Canada, and channeling his creativity through writing. Yeeeewwww!!!!

Jessica

Jessica Graham
Marketing Coordinator

Jessica grew up in Conway, SC, moved to Charleston in 2008 for law school and has been here ever since. Her favorite things about Charleston are how therapeutic the salty air and sea are and how much life is sustained by our unique Lowcountry ecosystem. Coastal South Carolina has a special place in her heart, and she is so grateful she gets to witness its beauty every single day!

Olivia

Olivia McCoy
Social Media Coordinator

Olivia is originally from Lancaster, Pennsylvania. She has a lot of hobbies but lately has been learning to surf, making jewelry out of shells and shark teeth that she finds along the beach, creating content for social media, fostering animals at her local rescue, and enjoying pilates. She loves that living here allows her to be so immersed in nature.

Isabel Burroughs Charleston

Isabel Burroughs
Outreach Coordinator

Isabel grew up in North Carolina and moved to South Carolina in middle school. She is a Carolina girl through and through! Isabel loves everything outdoors which is a big reason she got involved with Surfrider. She enjoys kayaking, hiking, painting, yoga, and hanging out with her dog Folly - named after her favorite beach in Charleston!

Katie Abare Charleston

Katie Abare
Policy Coordinator

Katie was born in Canada, but spent her childhood in both northern and southern states in the United States, as well as in Munich, Germany for the majority of her high school years. She loves being outdoors. She enjoys biking, running, hiking, and camping. Katie also enjoys painting, photography, and traveling. Her favorite thing about Charleston is living so close to the coast.

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Chris Miller
Ocean Friendly Restaurant Coordinator

Bio Coming Soon...

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Taylor Simkins
Hold On To Your Butts Coordinator

Taylor is originally from Cincinnati, Ohio. She moved to Charleston in 2022 and instantly fell in love with the wildlife and scenery. She is passionate about environmental conservation and enjoys many hobbies including hiking, gardening, yoga, and spending time with her dog, Nellie. Outside of Surfrider, Taylor educates Charleston’s youth on litter and sustainable initiatives with Keep Charleston Beautiful. 

Brit Burt

Brit Burt
Communications Coordinator

Brit grew up surfing in Southern California, where her love for the ocean began and continued to shape her life on both coasts. Now based in Charleston, Brit dedicates her time to protecting coastal environments while enjoying surfing, kayaking, and exploring the Lowcountry’s natural beauty. When she’s not on the water, she’s enjoying live music, discovering new restaurants, practicing amateur photography, and taking her chihuahua for sunset walks on the beach.

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Bio Coming Soon...

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Bio Coming Soon...

 

 

 

 

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