Rev. Dr. Chris Ayers, Owner/Director/Star Party Leader

Chris and his wife, Vicky, own Willis Observatory. Chris is a retired clergyperson, who continues to work for the equality of all people. Chris believes life and faith must be informed by science.

Vicky grew up on Bear Creek, and loves the mountains and her relatives who live in this beautiful area.

Dr. Naveed Moeed, PhD, Observatory University Outreach/Consultant

Naveed Moeed is an Astrophysicist who received his PhD from the University of Kent, Canterbury. Naveed coordinates our relationships to universities, allowing us to host students working on astronomical research projects.

Tamara (Sam) Propst and Jennifer Purves, Star Party Leaders

Tamara (Sam) is the Practice Management Administrator at McAngus Goudelock & Courie. Sam and Jennifer believe our area of the country needs access to state of the art astronomy, stargazing and astrophotography opportunities, and Willis Observatory will bring the universe to our backyard. Jennifer is particularly interested in landscape astrophotography.

Vince Amodeo, Star Party Leader

Vince grew up in Wappingers Falls, NY and earned a BS in mechanical engineering from The University of Rochester NY in 1985. After 30+ years working for the federal government with Naval Sea Systems Command and the Consumer Product Safety Commission, while living in Northern Virginia, he and his wife, Renee, are now happily retired in the mountains of Burnsville, NC. Having taken an astronomy course in college 37 years prior, his interest in astronomy was resparked after a visit to Willis Observatory in 2021. Since then, he has helped with several Willis Observatory star parties and built his own backyard observatory. He enjoys showing others the magic of the night sky.

Kathy Pitman Birkhead, Media Consultant

It's really neat when one of your best friends is your wife's best friend. I can't begin to tell you how much Vicky and I love Kathy. Her son, Jacob, is our godson. Kathy's husband, Clarence, is the first black sheriff in Durham County. We are so proud of him. Recently, Clarence and his team were nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize for legislation they worked on. Amazing. Kathy is a UNC Journalism grad, worked as a writer for several newspapers, worked at Duke University, and now writes for a pharmaceutical company.