Member Profiles

Benny, SAR TECH II Instructor and President

Benny

Benny entered the world of SAR in 1991 as part of the North Carolina State Defense Militia, and was the leader of Task Force 5A. He was team leader of Down East SAR for 16 years.

After being certified as a SAR TECH II in 1992, Benny became a SAR TECH evaluator in 1993 and upgraded to lead evaluator in 1995. In 2010, he obtained the position of master lead evaluator. Meanwhile, he became a FUNSAR instructor for NASAR in 1996.

Benny has over 200 hours of search time and over 1000 hours of training time. His expertise is mantracking.
Benny was approved to teach the State SAR Wilderness course in March of 2018.

Terri, SAR TECH II and Secretary

Retired after teaching science for 30 years in Harnett, Sampson, and Johnston County public schools, Terri completed FUNSAR in April, 2014 and SARTECH II in May, 2014. She has two adult daughters, Whitney – of Raleigh, NC and Lindsay - of Grand Forks, ND. Terri enjoys reading, learning new things, and taking good care of her two Great Danes, Roxie and Chief. Rather than joining a gym, she enjoys getting her exercise in the “briar woods”. Terri received her EMT – B in January 2015 and is a volunteer with 50-210 Rescue Squad at McGee’s Crossroads in Johnston County. She is currently pursuing EMT- P certification at Johnston Community College and is truly thankful to be a member along with the other dedicated searchers on Coastal Carolina Search Team.

Dave, SAR TECH II and Vice President

Dave

Dave has worked and lived in Greenville since 1997. He entered the world of public service in 1999 when he passed the FCC test for an amateur radio license. The first opportunity for Dave to put his new license to use in public service was during Hurricane Floyd. During that event he primarily served in assisting the American Red Cross with communications to coordinate meals between the various shelters. Dave served as Emergency Coordinator for Pitt County Amateur Radio Emergency Services in coordination with Pitt County Emergency Management from 2009-2011.
Dave’s first exposure to Search and Rescue was in 2008 at an exercise at Bell Arthur in an experiment with using amateur radio operators in search teams. Despite the several inches of rain that day, Dave enjoyed it enough to follow with another exercise In March 2010, Dave took the FUNSAR and SARTECH II courses and joined CCST.

Tabatha, SAR TECH II, K-9 Karma, Treasurer

Tabatha is from LaGrange, N.C. . She has a teenage daughter that is the apple of her eye. She has 4 dogs that are very special to her. One of these dogs was a stray that she managed to catch when he was only around six months old. Several people were trying to catch the dog and were having a difficult time. Tabatha had the dog in her truck within 5 minutes and he now has a home forever. She named the dog Bison. Having an interest in Search and Rescue, she was introduced to CCST and has completed all the requirements to be an operational member. In early 2015 Tabatha had to retire Bison because of health problems. Shorty after she managed to acquire Atlas a Bluetick Hound and worked hard to get him certified. In September 2015 Tabatha and Atlas were certified by the NC Police Dog Association in tracking. Shortly after being certified Atlas passed away crossing over the rainbow bridge. Tabatha began working her German Shepherd named Karma. On May 14, 2016 Tabatha and Karma met the standards set forth by BSAR and The North Carolina Search and Rescue Advisory Council, for tracking/trailing.

Brian, SAR TECH II

Shortly after graduating from high school Brian pulled a tour with the N.C. Army National Guard, after his tour with the Guard Brian joined the U.S. Air Force. When he completed his service with the Air Force Brian returned home to start a family and career. It wasn't long after returning home that Brian was married to his wife Angela, and soon afterwards the apple of Brian's eye, his son Dillon became part of the family. Brian's career started with Hospira an International pharmaceutical company. Brian is a very active member in a local volunteer fire department. With a lot of interest in backpacking Brian became interested in Search and Rescue. While participating in a Search and Rescue Training exercise in the western part of the state, Brian met several CCST members and a bond was formed. Brian says " that he now has a new love in his life Coastal Carolina Search Team. Brian is a SAR TECH II

Mark, Founder

MARK AND K-9 ROSCOE

Mark is a retired forest ranger who has always had a love for the outdoors. Mark has known for years that he wanted to own and train a bloodhound to search for lost people. Just a few months after retirement he started making his plan a reality. He purchased Daisey in 2003 and began training her using information from some books purchased at the local bookstore. In early 2004, Mark met Mac Morgan, Chief of North Carolina Canine Emergency Response Team (NCCERT), and was invited to join the team. Mark would like to take this opportunity to thank Chief Morgan for his assistance in pointing him in the right direction in starting a search team and training K-9s. Mark has earned his SAR TECH II certification from NASAR, K-9 evaluator for the North Carolina Search and Rescue Council and most recently FUNSAR Instructor from NASAR, as well as SARTECH II evaluator. Mark and Daisey attended numerous K-9 seminars and other training sessions throughout North Carolina and Virginia. Daisey was certified by NCCERT, North Carolina Search and Rescue Council and the American Bloodhound Club as a trailing K-9. Daisey crossed over the Rainbow Bridge in July 2015. In June 2012 Dean Hewitt donated a bloodhound puppy to Mark to be trained and used by CCST in SAR. Mark gladly accepted the puppy and named him Roscoe. Roscoe has made very good progress and in June 2013 passed the CCST certification standards for tracking and trailing. In August 2015 Roscoe passed the certification standards set forth by Brunswick SAR, CCST and the NC SAR Advisory council. In September 2015 Roscoe passed the standards of the NC Police Dog Association for tracking.
As of July 1, 2018 Mark has officially retired from being an operational member and has donated his two search K-9's Roscoe and Jesse to Central Carolina K9 Search Team. Mark and his wife Gail are currently enjoying their retirement in Hayesville, N.C. and spending a lot of time on Gail's new pontoon boat on Lake Chatuge.

Danielle, SAR TECH II, K9 Demi

Danielle & K9 Demi

Danielle was first introduced to the team in June 2009 when she accompanied her grandmother and mom on a trip to Sam's Club. CCST members were selling their annual fundraising raffle tickets. After a long talk, she filled out an application to join the team. She had an interest in law enforcement, specifically K9 Unit, and felt this would give her some experience. She quickly learned search dogs and police dogs were very different. Danielle completed FUNSAR and obtained her SARTECH II in March 2010. She graduated later that year from Pitt Community College with a degree in Criminal Justice. She quickly enrolled into the police academy. Things don't always go as planned. She gave up her dream for law enforcement and found a new love for EMS. Danielle obtained her EMT certification in July 2012 and Paramedic certification in December 2013. Just recently, Danielle and her husband became owners of a 2 year old German Shepherd named Demi. Danielle plans on training her for the search team.

Hyman K-9 Ginger

Hyman and K-9 Ginger

_ Hyman started in Fire/ EMS service in 1972 and has been serving his community and others since that time in various capacities from firefighter, Police Officer, EMT, EMT I, EMT-P, Emergency room RN to his present position since 1997 with EastCare as a flight Nurse/Paramedic. He has also teamed with Dr. W. Price and ECU school of Medicine and does Medical escorts and providing medical support with motorcycles during events such as "Neuse River Bridge Run", "Patrol Stroll", "Dash for Cash", "Bike MS " and several other non-profit events for charity and community functions such as local festivals. Hyman has supported Mark anyway possible since he came up with the idea of the team and got interested in owning a K9 so he would not be the one hiding all the time. Ginger ( AKA : NO, LEAVE IT, STOP, OFF, DAMN IT!!!) is a Malinois born 26th June 2011. "She is very much smarter than I am and has tremendous drive and instinct" says Hyman. Her training is doing well under the supervision of Drake Parker (team K9 training officer) and Top Dog Academy. We do search exercises at least once a week and other training daily. Hyman says "Being part of the team is personally rewarding in knowing that one day Ginger and I can help our community and others by finding a loved one that has lost their way".
Hyman and Ginger have received certifications from the American Police Working Dog Association and CCST's certification in Air Scenting.

Robert, SAR TECH II, Drone Operator

Robert was born November 12, 1964 on Tyndall Air Force Base, Panama City Florida. After some moving around he landed back in Danville, Va. where his father was from. Robert grew up playing football. Once he turned 18 he joined the US Army, where he served almost 15 years. During military service he saw combat action in Desert Storm in 1991. Upon leaving the military he used his computer training to open a point of sells company which he ran until 2013. In 2013 he sold his company due to major back problems. Robert brings to the team a drone air operation. Robert has been a private pilot since 1982 and has hundreds of hours flying. He began flying RC airplanes about 15 years ago and drones about 5 years ago.