Jim Elliott, the Executive Director and Founder of the Avian Conservation Center, has been a life-long student of birds. His many years of experience have been significantly effective in his quest to protect avian species and their habitats.

Early in his career, Elliott became aware of the need for a professional level of care for injured birds of prey in South Carolina, equipped to sufficiently manage the direct threats to the birds of prey population. That awareness eventually led Elliott to establish the Charleston Raptor Center in 1991. As the Center grew, Elliott recognized the need to increase public understanding of avian species and the crucial role they play in the environment. This expanded vision led Elliott and his growing team to broaden the scope and reach of the organization. In 2004, the Avian Conservation Center opened, incorporating The Center for Birds of Prey and the Avian Medical and Oiled Bird Treatment Facility.

Elliott has participated in a number of professional rehabilitation and veterinary internships and training focused on the ecology, care, housing, and medical care for birds of prey, and has studied and consulted extensively with leading raptor centers both in the United States and abroad including the Rocky Mountain Raptor Program at Colorado State University, the Raptor Center at the University of Minnesota at St. Paul and the National Birds of Prey Centre in the U.K.

Additionally, Elliott has led research initiatives in South Carolina, including the South Carolina Coastal Hawk Migration Study and a long-term American Swallow-tailed Kite survey. In 2002, he established the Wildlife Toxicity Working Group to investigate secondary barbiturate poisoning of bald eagles in public landfills, and in 2005, he co-founded the Avian Medical and Oiled Bird Treatment Facility in cooperation with the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources.

Elliott now serves as a member of the National Wildlife Rehabilitators Association, the International Wildlife Rehabilitation Council, and the Raptor Research Foundation. In 2016, Governor Nikki Haley awarded Mr. Elliott the Order of the Palmetto for his extraordinary contributions to avian conservation, research, and educational outreach. The Order of the Palmetto, the state’s highest civilian honor, recognizes a lifetime of service and achievements of statewide and national significance. Also in 2016, Jim became the inaugural recipient of the Lifetime Achievement in Wildlife Conservation Award at the Southeastern Wildlife Expo, another award honoring a lifetime of conservation work. In 2001, he received the Environmental Awareness Award given by the Governor of South Carolina, and in 1998 he received the Wildlife Conservation Award given by the South Carolina Wildlife Federation. Additionally, the Center received the 2006 Award for Excellence in Management given by the South Carolina Association of Nonprofit Organizations.
In 2022, Jim was recognized for his lifelong contributions by the Charleston Animal Society with their highest honor, the Elizabeth Bradham Humanitarian Award. This award, given occasionally, not annually, recognizes Jim for all he has accomplished to alleviate the suffering of animals, and his significant and lifelong impact in our local community and beyond.

Audrey began working at the Center as a Volunteer Staff Member in 2008 and completed an undergraduate internship with the Education Department in 2009. Upon graduating from the College of Charleston with a B.S. degree in Biology, Audrey joined the education staff full-time. Throughout her childhood, she had opportunities to work with wildlife in a variety of settings, including caring for injured and orphaned animals. Her growing passion for animals and their welfare led directly to her career in animal husbandry and education with the Center.

In her current role, Audrey oversees the daily operations of the Avian Conservation Center while continuing to support the Center’s core mission of conservation, education, and raptor care. Additional responsibilities include managing the Center for Birds of Prey propagation program and the annual Hawk Migration Survey, while continuing to assist in the daily care of the Center’s educational collection, training raptors for flight demonstrations, and conducting on-site education programs.

Drew joined the Avian Conservation Center in August 2025 as a Bird Staff Educator, but her journey with the organization began years earlier. Since 2020, she has volunteered on the Avian Medical Center side, helping care for and rehabilitate injured wild birds. She also gained hands-on experience at the South Carolina Aquarium, first as an intern in avian and mammal animal care, then as an educator, roles that sparked her lasting love for both teaching and birds. During her internship, she especially enjoyed working with a barn owl who was born at the Center but now resides at the Aquarium, strengthening her connection to both organizations. A Charleston native, Drew holds a B.S. in Biology from Johnson & Wales University, an M.S. in Biomedical Sciences from the University of Georgia, and a Master of Wildlife and Fisheries Resources from Clemson University in December 2025. Outside of work, Drew loves being on the water boating or fishing, unwinding with a good book, playing tennis, and spending quality time with her dog, Tyson.

Barbara Mosacchio joined the Center in 2025 and brings over 20 years of nonprofit leadership experience. With fundraising at the heart of her work, she is passionate about celebrating and honoring the mission of the organization and most importantly, celebrating and honoring every single donor that enables the organization to fulfill its mission.

As an alumnus of 2 Outward Bound Wilderness Courses, she developed a profound love for, and life-long commitment to our natural environment. Originally a native of Chicago, her nonprofit work has taken her to Texas, Georgia, and then back to Texas. She and her husband move to Charleston in 2021 and fell in love with its natural and unique beauty and population of wild birds.

Working in collaboration with our President & CEO, Board and staff, Barbara provides strategic leadership and vision for all the Center’s fundraising. She says,

“Every person who chooses to give, whether its $25 or $25,000 matters greatly. When I think of my work here at the Center, I am motivated and inspired by every donor. They truly are what give flight to our critical work, and our beautiful birds of prey.”

Her passions beyond her work are her family, exploring the world and cooking.

Emily Edwards began at the Avian Conservation Center in 2024 as a volunteer for our education staff. In April 2026 she joined us as a full-time staff member, our Office and Administrative Manager.
Originally from Aiken, South Carolina she decided to stay in the Charleston area after graduating from the College of Charleston with a B.S. in Psychology. From a young age she has always had a strong appreciation for nature and wildlife. She is deeply inspired by the Center’s mission and all the behind-the-scenes hard work that goes into making it happen.
Outside of work she enjoys nature walks, reading, yoga, and spending time with her partner and their cat, CoCo.

Katie joined the Avian Conservation Center in May of 2024 as the Avian Medical Clinic Manager. Prior to this role, she served as the Avian Care Manager at the Raptor Education Group, Inc., a center in Northern Wisconsin. A Wisconsin native, Katie’s passion for wildlife was instilled at an early age, growing up amidst the abundant wildlife of the Northwoods. She began her journey in wildlife work in 2015, engaging in various internships ranging from environmental education to avian wildlife rehabilitation, and has been dedicated to the field ever since.

Katie believes that wildlife conservation is incredibly important and feels honored to be a part of it. In her free time, she enjoys backcountry backpacking, hiking, and spending time at the beach.

Morgan joined the Avian Conservation Center in 2021 as volunteer staff in the medical clinic. She is a Charleston Native and has grown up knowing the importance of the work the Center for Birds of Prey does and is elated to join the team as an Avian Clinic Technician. Her background is in small animal veterinary nursing and wildlife rehabilitation. She resides in Mt. Pleasant with her husband and their two dogs.

Morgan believes that caring for animals is one of the highest callings a person can have and is passionate about providing quality treatment to all patients in her care.

Angelina first joined the Avian Conservation Center team as a volunteer in 2021. During this
time, she was also working at a small animal clinic, gaining essential veterinary experience.
She was hired as an Avian Clinic Technician in October 2024.

As a Charleston native, Angelina grew up an avid birder and developed an upmost
appreciation for shore bird and raptor species. She is very passionate about wildlife
conservation and rehabilitation and has a profound understanding of the importance of
birds within the ecosystem. She attended the College of Charleston, completing a
Bachelor’s Degree in Biology with a minor in Environmental Science and Sustainability.
Angelina enjoys traveling the world and engaging in outdoor activities such as hiking,
kayaking, and gardening.

Jose Biascoechea, DVM, DABVP earned his BS and DVM from Kansas State University. He has the distinction of belonging to an elite group of specialists worldwide who has successfully completed the rigorous training and testing to become a Diplomate of the American Board of Veterinary Practitioners (ABVP) in Avian Practice, the highest diploma in his field. He founded Exotic Vet Care in 2000 and has been practicing exclusively exotic animal medicine and surgery since. He is the staff veterinarian for The Center for Birds of Prey and provides consulting and relief services for the South Carolina Aquarium and The Turtle Survival Center. He lectures frequently at local, state and national conferences.