Board of Directors – Friends of DeSoto

Margo Belaga, President

Margo is an entrepreneur, artist and business owner. Having lived in Bradenton for 30 years, she and has owned and operated numerous businesses in Insurance, Restaurant Equipment, and the Arts. As a graduate of University of Miami with a degree in psychology, its Margo’s love of community and nature that has anchored her to Bradenton. Her passion for nonprofit causes has included: VP of the Artist Guild of Manatee, Director of Arts Council of Manatee, VP of the Art League, Community Liaison for Meals on Wheels Plus as well as founding member of The Pottery Group and Networking for Non Profit. She has spent many years visiting DeSoto Memorial and is looking forward to adding her experience to the continuing the great work of the Friends of DeSoto.

Bob Milligan, Vice President

Bob is the owner of Wayward Computers, a web design and development company located in Bradenton Florida. When Bob is not working hard helping local businesses survive on the web and generally making the internet a better place, he can be found lumbering through the trails of the Desoto National Memorial, complaining about his bicycle’s seat on the local roads or kayaking the local waters with a near perfect lack of both grace and style.

Mary Hawk, Secretary

Mary is an attorney practicing with the law firm Becker & Poliakoff. She is also a Supreme Court Certified Circuit Civil Mediator and a Certified Arbitrator. She has been in practice since 1998 in the Sarasota/Bradenton area. Mary concentrates her mediation and litigation practice in the areas of commercial litigation, condominium and homeowner association law, probate litigation, landlord/tenant law, and mobile home law. Mary has a Bachelor’s degree from Florida State University (Fine Arts, cum laude), and from Georgia State University (Journalism, with honors), and she received her law degree from Georgia State University College of Law (magna cum laude). She lives in Bradenton with her husband and son. She enjoys the wonderful Gulf Coast climate and outdoor activities with her family.

Fran Lohnes, Treasurer

Fran recently moved to the Bradenton area from Saratoga Springs, New York where she taught High School Science for 30 years. She has a bachelor’s degree in geology, a master’s degree in science education and was a national board certified teacher. Along with her teaching responsibilities she was a member of the Board of Directors for her local section of the Science Teachers Association of New York State (STANYS) for over 10 years where she served as a subject area representative for Earth Science as well as Treasurer. Currently, Fran still serves on the Board of Directors and as a member of the Scientific Review Committee for the Greater Capital Region Science and Engineering Fair (GCRSEF), an affiliate fair for the Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF). Fran likes to dance, hike, read, do Tai Chi, and learn new things. She looks forward to a rewarding retirement getting involved with her new community.

Sharry Lueck, Director

Sharry was born at Ramey AFB in Puerto Rico and moved to Randolph AFB in San Antonio, Texas shortly after. When she was 5 she moved to Watertown, WI where she grew up. She graduated from University of Wisconsin-Whitewater with a Bachelor of Education degree and a music minor.

Sharry retired as the Circulation Manager from the Watertown Public Library after a 34-year career. She moved to Bradenton in 2016 when her sister, Donna, invited Sharry to move in with her.

Sharry loves the National Park System and has been visiting and camping in national parks for over 40 years. She was very excited at the opportunity to volunteer at De Soto National Memorial where she staffs the visitor center desk on Wednesday afternoons and helps with other projects.

Sharry played trumpet with the Watertown Municipal Band for over 25 years, was a member and past president of the Watertown Jaycees and a charter member of the Friends of the Watertown Public Library.

Sharry currently volunteers at De Soto National Memorial, Mornings with Mommy at her church, Braden River Branch Library, Manatee Parks and Natural Resources, Inspired Living at Lakewood Ranch and Fox Creek Pet Ranch.

Sharry enjoys reading, playing her trumpet, hiking, camping, visiting the preserves, walking her dog Bullet and most of all her yearly cross-country national park trips which have taken her to all 50 states.