PRESIDENT

A Cherokee Nation citizen, Bill Anthony is the founder and president of East Coast Cherokees. His family comes from the Spavinaw area. He is a Cherokee Warrior, having served in the Navy for 20 years, and he is the eldest living member of his Cherokee family. Bill lives in Winslow Township, NJ, with his wife and two dogs. He has 4 children, 7 grandchildren, 4 great grandchildren, and twin great grandkids on their way (June 2025). He is proud to be part of this group, and hopes that we continue to grow. 

VICE PRESIDENT

Susan Baldridge has been a nursing assistant for more than 25 years. She is a mom of two and dog mom and bunny mom, as well as a proud citizen of Cherokee Nation.

SECRETARY

Julie Cooper is a project manager in health and welfare benefits services. She is a mom of five, wife, and dog mom of three. She is a citizen of the Cherokee Nation.

BOARD MEMBER

Kay Chubbuck is a citizen of the Cherokee Nation. She is Vice President of Engagement & Learning at Longwood Gardens, and has also worked at the New York Botanical Garden, Sotheby’s Institute of Art, Princeton University, and the US Naval Academy. She holds a doctorate from Oxford University. Kay lives in Hunterdon County, NJ, with her husband, son, and dog. 

BOARD MEMBER

Matt Hall is a proud member of the Cherokee Nation. With over 27 years in education, he is currently the Science Department Supervisor at Hunterdon Central Regional High School in New Jersey, holding advanced degrees in education and leadership from Rutgers, Ramapo, and Saint Peter’s University. He lives in Hunterdon County, NJ, with his wife of 26 years, their three sons, two dogs, and six chickens.

BOARD MEMBER

Sonya Hough is a citizen of both the Cherokee Nation and the Delaware Tribe of Indians. She manages Government Relations for CARFAX and has over 20 years of advocacy experience in several fields including health, insurance, education and native affairs policy. She holds a history degree from Marshall University and a Masters in Public Administration from Villanova University. She serves as Board Advisor to Indigenous People's Day Philadelphia. Sonya currently lives in Downingtown, PA, with her daughter, husband, three dogs, three cats, five chickens, and a draft mule.