2025 MBA Board of Directors
President - Terry Leggett
Terry often says that God made him a beekeeper in 2014—when a friend asked for help removing bees from his home. According to Terry, they “did everything wrong,” but the experience sparked a lifelong passion for beekeeping.
Since then, Terry has designed several proprietary tools used in his own apiaries, swarm captures, and bee removals. One of his most successful inventions is a tree-friendly swarm capture box he calls the Honey Bee Haven. Terry consistently captures upwards of 28 swarms a year and sometimes offers them for sale.
Terry practices natural beekeeping, maintaining around 60–70 hives without the use of chemicals or foundation in the brood boxes. His deep respect for the bees and dedication to ethical, sustainable methods is at the heart of his work.
Terry’s philosophy on beekeeping—and life—is simple:
“The more mistakes you make, the smarter you get, (hopefully). Mistakes are proof that you are trying.”
As a leader within the association, Terry emphasizes collaboration and member ownership:
“This club belongs to the members. I’m here to fulfill a role and offer suggestions based on my experience—not to tell anyone how to be a beekeeper.”
Vice President - vacant, how about you?
Secretary - Konstantine Bakintas
Having attended every MBA meeting since November of 2022, I’ve enjoyed meeting and getting to know our members… and truly appreciate the club’s collective knowledge, and everyone’s willingness to offer their insights and support. I consider myself a student beekeeper; I attended MBA’s Beginners Beekeeping Class in 2023, started with two nucs in April of 2024, caught my first swarm in May of 2025, and continue to diligently look after my colonies. Professionally, I enjoyed a 37-year career as a civil engineer; and I’m currently retired, spending my time learning, exploring and enjoying life.
Treasurer - Crystal Whittlesey
Crystal became interested in beekeeping when she moved to the country and decided to try her hand at growing gardens. The bees proved to be a much greater success than the gardens. She took her first bee class from Metro BeeKeepers in 2021 and is happy to serve on the board. Crystal is currently pursuing her Texas Master BeeKeeper Certification.
Program Director - Robert F. Morrow
Robert has practiced natural beekeeping since 2017, the same year his oldest daughter, Amelia, was accepted into the MBA Hill/Stokes Memorial Youth Scholarship program. As he took beekeeping classes alongside her and apprenticed under Stan Keys, Robert became deeply committed to low-intervention, bee-centered methods that prioritize colony health and natural behavior. What began as two backyard hives has grown into the stewardship of roughly 50 hives across North Richland Hills, Colleyville, Keller, Southlake, and Fort Worth.
While Amelia is no longer as hands-on in the apiary, she continues to advocate for honey bees by educating students through school presentations. Robert draws ongoing inspiration from natural beekeeping philosophies, especially the book Keeping Bees with a Smile by Fedor Lazutin, which reflects his belief in working with the bees rather than controlling them.
Youth Coordinator - Gary Dilling
I became interested in beekeeping in 2016 after receiving the tax bill on my 10 acres. Joined Metro and signed up for the beginner beekeeping class taught by Stan Gore. I received 2 nucs from Jason Smith and began the adventure. It had grown to 17 colonies by 2019 (only needing 8 for AG exemption) when I realized I was addicted.
Web & Social Media Director - Keith Miller
I started my beekeeping adventure in 2016 while assisting with spring splits for another beekeeper. My plan is to follow in the footsteps of the most famous literary apiarist and retire to beekeeping in a few years. Using my carpentry skills, I have built equipment for my apiaries and to catch swarms. I also use my knowledge of residential construction to assist in doing removals.
Membership - Katrina Semones
Katrina started her apiary with 3 hives on April 24, 2019. She enjoys her new hobby with her husband, Michael. They reside in Burleson.