ACE’s Leaders in Conservation – Emily Merlo

Bio Coming Soon

Bio Coming Soon

Garrett has joined ACE as the National Operations Manager. He grew up on a farm in northern New York state, and graduated with an Environmental Management and Policy degree from the University of North Carolina at Asheville. Prior to joining ACE, Garrett spent many years managing transportation and fleet programs in university, healthcare and local government settings, having served most recently as the Parking Services Manager for the City of Asheville, NC. When not working at ACE, Garrett enjoys reading a good book, spending time with family and friends, and exploring new places to handcycle – most often in western North Carolina and east Tennessee.

Ariannah’s love for environmentalism has been fostered since she was in high school. However, her passion for sustainability began during her time in college. Throughout her educational career, Ariannah took advantage of the internship world working at nature centers, botanical gardens, and other various non-profits that focused on community-based conservation. While gaining a Masters in Biology in a hybrid program called Project Dragonfly through Miami University in Oxford, Ohio and Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden, she realized working with an organization like ACE would help her achieve her personal and professional life goals. Ariannah find’s ways to connect people with nature on and off the clock. During her free time, you can normally find her out exploring on a trail with a camera in hand or in the gym attempting to lift heavy weights. However, on the days she needs down time she is playing video games or finding a new anime series to watch.

As a Southern California native, I am keen on natural spaces with geographical diversity. I am fascinated by the nature surrounding me and how I play a part in sustaining the planet Earth, otherwise known as our home. My college career started in community college where I explored these concepts in a class that I fell in love with titled Natural Resources. I was so inspired by this class that I changed my lifestyle and my diet to take into account environmental justice, becoming a plant-based eater and a gardener. I graduated with my AA in English at College of the Desert, and two years later I graduated with my BA in Literature and Writing. I became an assistant teacher at the college level while completing my undergraduate studies at the University of California, San Diego. At UC San Diego I integrated my knowledge of environmental justice, social justice, and sustainability into an interpersonal and collaborative approach to teaching. What I learned along the way is that environmental sustainability is social just as much as personal, and it relies on our collaborative efforts to be maintained appropriately. In my free time, I love to write, thrift, practice yoga, and hike along the beautiful San Jacinto mountainside. I am proud to be a staff member at ACE because this organization aligns with my values and beliefs. As we welcome people of diverse backgrounds to help in these environmental efforts, we take agency in sustaining this planet for many generations to come.

Mac grew up in Southern Appalachia, rooting herself in natural lands and storytelling. This led her to acquire a Bachelor of Arts in English with a Minor in Outdoor Experiential Education. Upon graduating, she spent several years doing seasonal work around the country. From serving with ACE’s EPIC program to leading conservation projects across Colorado, she is devoted to paving ways for future stewards and empowering existing efforts in encompassing inclusivity in the outdoors.

Hi! Kevin here. I’m from the DC suburbs of Maryland. I served as a crew member with the Maryland Conservation Corps in Southern MD as a member starting in 2015. I worked as a Crew Lead with MCC at Deep Creek Lake State Park before moving to Utah in 2019 and Crew Leading with ACE MtW. I spent two seasons as a Wildland Firefighter on a Type 5 Engine with the Washington Dept. of Natural Resources. In May 2023 I came back to ACE as a Crew Lead for the summer before becoming MSC in September. In my off time I enjoy all things musical in addition to spending time outdoors camping, hiking, biking and birding. Members are the strength of any conservation corps, and I look forward to using my field experience and dedication to this work to ensure every member has a fun, productive and memorable experience here at ACE.

Born and raised in Potomac, Maryland, Corinna is an Appalachian State University grad with a hunger for conservation. Having studied Sustainable Development and having professional experience in conservation corps, stewardship centers, and land trusts, Corinna is passionate about direct and actionable ways to protect and steward land for the foreseeable future. Her conservation journey began as a Corps Member on a Women’s+ affinity crew with Southwest Conservation Corps, and she later took on the role of Crew Lead with Heart of Oregon Corps. When she’s not immersed in conservation work, you can find Corinna enjoying live music, biking, rock climbing, and eating Asian food.

My name is Claire and I’m so excited to be re-joining the ACE team as Project Manager! I graduated from Christopher Newport University in Virginia and got a double major in Environmental studies and Biology, as well as a minor in Anthropology. Shortly after graduating I joined ACE Flagstaff as a corps member and worked my way up to crew leader. Some hobbies of mine include kayaking, hiking, and drawing.

Cait served two terms as a CREW member in Flagstaff, AZ and as an EPIC Invasive Species Member with Friends of Desert Mountains in Palm Desert, CA. She is passionate about conservation and looking forward to helping others find their path within this field.

Dan started working with ACE in 2017, where he opened the doors and served as the Division Director to the former ACE-Gulf Coast Division, headquartered in Corpus Christi, Texas. Following the departure of a long-time colleague, Ian Torrence, Dan took the job as the National Restoration & GIS Specialist in the summer of 2021. Dan spends much of his time with ACE working with Project Managers and senior staff providing technical support within the restoration discipline. Dan’s career in conservation and land management started in 2010 with the National Park Service, where he worked for 7-years in Resource Management and Wildland Fire. Between his time with the NPS and ACE, Dan has had the opportunity to collaborate with numerous land management agencies, and over 60 parks, refuges and preserves across the United States. His passion for progressive land management practices is driven by over a decade of experience in invasive plant ecology, monitoring, wildland fire, forest management and leveraging the power of collaboration. Dan spends his weekends with his wife, Kristy fly fishing and exploring the unknown in Southwest Montana.

Kim grew up in New Hampshire and earned a degree in Business at Champlain College in Burlington, VT. She has more than 20 years of experience in Accounting, including publicly traded and privately held companies. Most recently, she spent three years as a Staff Accountant at The Student Conservation Association. Kim is excited to continue her career with an organization dedicated to such an amazing mission. In her spare time, she enjoys outdoor cooking, photography and camping, at lakes and State Parks, with her husband, daughter and dog.

In late August of 2023, Becky became the Director of Compliance, Contracts, & Legal at ACE. Prior to joining ACE, Becky had a diverse and impressive career at The Student Conservation Association (SCA) over the past decade. She held multiple roles, including managing and expanding the Agreements and Legal team at SCA. Her most recent position at SCA was as Corporate Paralegal. Becky is driven by her ethos to “leave it better than when it came to you”. She brings a unique blend of legal expertise, innovative thinking, and inclusive management skills to her role at ACE. Her passion for conservation and nature stems from her upbringing as the daughter of an organic potato farmer. She was raised on a pioneering organic potato farm and was heavily involved in 4-H. This background has instilled in her a deep appreciation for the earth and its natural beauty. Her love for National Parks and Refuges was nurtured through adventurous trips with her mother to the National Park Service’s Cape Cod National Seashore in Massachusetts. . Becky is an ACF Accredited Chef and holds a BS in Hospitality and Resort Business Management from Green Mountain College. Additionally, she recently obtained her Paralegal Certification from the University of Massachusetts, Lowell. Currently, Becky resides on the New Hampshire and Vermont border, living alongside the Connecticut River with her partner and their beloved pets. She strongly believes in the potential of the world and quotes Doe Zantamata to convey this sentiment: “What you see depends on how you view the world. To most people, this is just dirt. To a farmer (or a conservationist!), it’s potential.”

Rami Toubia Stucky studies jazz and American popular music and is currently writing a book titled Bossa, Beats, and the Paths of Rhythm: How Brazilian Music Changed the Sound of 1960s America. He is excited to bring his expertise to ACE as he helps the National Parks Service document its role in the spread of punk and gogo in Washington D.C. He has a passion for digital humanities, multimedia forms of publication, podcasting, and map making and other forms of spatial analysis and presentation. Sometimes he plays the drums.

Joshua is a History Ph.D. candidate at Duke University and a proud graduate of North Carolina Central University. His research interests include 19th century African American history, specifically Emancipation, Reconstruction, and their intersections with migration. His dissertation asks what political, economic, social, religious factors contributed to black migration patterns in North Carolina following the Civil War. He also enjoys public history and scholarship with extensive experience in digital humanities and curriculum development. When he is not working, Josh enjoys playing music and spending time with family and friends.

I’m Brittany Romanello, but almost everyone calls me Bri. I earned my Ph.D. in Sociocultural Anthropology from Arizona State University. I conducted years of ethnographic research in the Southwest and borderland areas to understand better how the intersections of race, ethnicity, legal status, and religion shape Latinx immigrants’ lives, social networks, family structures, parenting, and identity. Off the clock, I enjoy existing outdoors, buying too many books, cooking pasta, thrifting, cumbias, movies, and hanging out with my cats: Butter and Oona.

Michelle earned her PhD in Anthropology at Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey after completing her Masters degree in Anthropology at the University of Nebraska. Her research focuses on the potential to reduce stereotyping and prejudice against contemporary Indigenous communities in the US by shining light on atrocities committed against Native American people in the past. For her dissertation research, Michelle conducted ethnographic research with the Sacred Horse Society, an intertribal Oceti Sakowin group based in South Dakota that organizes horseback rides to commemorate the experiences of their grandmothers and grandfathers and to promote healing from intergenerational trauma. Her additional research interests include intergroup bias, social justice, and the boarding school era. Michelle lives in Lincoln, Nebraska with her husband Wayne, their daughters Emma and Livia, and their grandson Emelio. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her family, reading, playing golf, and walking her dog Coco

Sarah Montoya is a queer Mexican-American settler working at the intersection of Settler Colonial Studies, Critical Geographies, Feminist Technology Studies, and Critical Information Studies. She earned a Ph.D. in Gender Studies at UCLA in 2023. Her research interests include histories of scientific racism, critical legal studies, queer and trans of color studies, and abolitionist discourse and activism. She is excited to utilize her experience as a curator, researcher, site designer, and programmer on public humanities projects in her new position. In her free time, she enjoys her dog, Eevee, and horror and sci-fi movies and books.

Bio coming soon!

Beth grew up in central Illinois and spent over a decade crisscrossing North America driving semis. Her hobbies included learning about American History. She chose to return to college as an adult learner, earning a Ph.D. in American History from the University of Mississippi. She is eager to share her passion for public history with ACE partners.

Lisa Fink holds a PhD in Environmental Sciences, Studies, and Policy and a Masters in English from the University of Oregon. Bridging Indigenous studies, Asian American studies, and environmental humanities, her research and teaching explore human-nature and human-animal interaction at the nexus of US racial formation, settler colonialism, and environmental change. Her current book project investigates racial and colonial discourses of invasion applied at once to species and human immigrants; counter-narratives in Asian American, Arab American, and Indigenous literatures; and Indigenous knowledges and practices concerning species considered invasive. Dr. Fink’s public humanities work with the group Just Language for Ecology Education brings this research to community environmental educators and practitioners of restoration ecology. Author of the poetry chapbook Her Disco (dancing girl press, 2013), she also holds an MFA in Creative Writing (Poetry) from the University of Virginia, and her poetry has been published widely in journals such as Boston Review, Ecotone, and [PANK]. When not working, she can often be found tree-gazing, hiking, reading, or relaxing with family and friends.

Laura Dominguez is a historian of race, heritage, and placemaking in the American West. She received her Ph.D. from the University of Southern California and joins the New Perspectives in Transcontinental Railroad History Team as its postdoctoral fellow. She earned a bachelor’s degree from Columbia University and a master’s degree in historic preservation from USC. She previously held positions in education and advocacy at San Francisco Heritage and the Los Angeles Conservancy and serves on the boards of Latinos in Heritage Conservation and the California Preservation Foundation. From 2019-2021, she served on the Los Angeles Mayor’s Office Civic Memory Working Group. Laura lives in Los Angeles (the ancestral and unceded territory of the Tongva people) with her husband, toddler, and kelpie. She enjoys hiking, yoga, slow cooking, and dancing with her son.

Jennifer is an NPS Mellon Humanities Postdoctoral Fellow with the American Conservation Experience. Jennifer works with Rangers and CHamoru on Mariana Islands Wartime Experiences through Oral Histories, which is placed with War in the Pacific National Historical Park in Guam and American Memorial Park on Saipan. These World War II focused parks work to share the stories of the conflict in the Pacific as told by those who experienced it on these islands. These islands oral histories share sensory experiences of immersion in place, and when engaged in these stories Jennifer evokes heart-centered practices. These practices involve work with community-based archaeology to expand the stories in the webs of relations of past experiences to include the animals, the spirits, and the other-than-human beings with traditional scientific rigor. Jennifer’s background is in underwater cultural heritage of the Asia Pacific Region. Jennifer used archaeology/museology methodologies to organize data and note patterns (esp. spatial and particular locations), linguistic methodologies to study cultural concepts and a human worldview; and all in tandem with her specialization in Maritime Archaeology, which aims to understand and interpret the past relationships between humans and WATER.

Bio coming soon!

Kelli Barnes is a scholar whose interests include 18th and 19th-century United States history, Black American girlhood, transatlantic material culture, interpretive planning, and exhibit design. She earned her Ph.D. in History and a graduate certificate in Museum Studies from the University of Delaware, where she was an African American Public Humanities Fellow. Her dissertation, “Quotidian Resistance: Black Girls, Their Girlhood Embroideries, and the History of Education in the Northeastern United States, 1789 – 1852,” is an interdisciplinary examination of the lived experiences of Black girls during the early formation of the nation. During her time at the University of Delaware, Kelli honed her digital humanities skills by working with the award-winning Colored Conventions Project and completing the digital exhibit “Segregated Sands: Delaware’s Segregated Beaches During the Jim Crow Era” featured on the Delaware Historical and Cultural Affairs website. Prior to returning to school, Kelli worked in architecture, design, and preservation for over ten years. She previously earned a graduate degree in Historic Preservation from the University of Pennsylvania and an undergraduate degree in Interior Design from Drexel University.

Hazim Abdullah-Smith is a scholar specializing in Black and queer geographies. He is interested in using community ethnography, archival research and digital tools to amplify complex stories about Black communities in and beyond the United States. He earned his Ph.D. in American Studies from the University of Maryland, College Park. His dissertation, “Paradise Remixed: The Queer Politics of Tourism in Jamaica,” was a multidisciplinary ethnography that investigated the intersection of tourism and queer life in Jamaica. With a commitment to interdisciplinary thinking, he earned graduate certificates in Digital Studies in the Arts and Humanities and Women’s, Gender and Sexuality Studies. He earned his undergraduate degree in African American Studies from Northwestern University. His professional and academic trajectory has been generously supported by a Fulbright grant for research in Kingston, Jamaica, the African American Digital Humanities (AADHUM) fellowship, the Wylie Dissertation Fellowship, the Social Science Research Council / MMGIP and the Mellon Mays Undergraduate Fellowship.

I grew up in both Ohio and New York diving deep into nature whenever and however I could, with plenty of bug bite scars to prove it. Fueled by my interest in all things animals and natural spaces, I studied and received a Bachelor of Science in Animal Science from the State University of New York at Cobleskill and now have a satisfying background in biology, education, and conservation. My degree allowed me to work within the zoological field for four years which led to the discovery of my fondness for helping young people unearth their love and drive for advocacy for the outdoors and its inhabitants. Being an internship coordinator for a small, nonprofit zoo in New York gave me a glimpse into this passion which is why working full-time for the people of ACE excites me. Our organization provides me with seemingly limitless opportunities to support young professionals and assist them through the door into the world of natural resources and on their way to finding their own calling. The feeling of seeing someone discover what makes their heart soar and their cheeks hurt from smiling is something indescribable. When off the clock, you will find me outdoors engaging in activities like hiking, kayaking, birdwatching, and fishing. And when the season turns chilly I’m often curled up in a cozy blanket painting landscapes of my adventures.

Growing up on the banks of the Indian River Lagoon in South Florida fostered in Sheana a passion for the outdoors and the space it holds for human connection. While earning degrees in History and Political Science from the University of Florida, she learned how to lead compassionately and impactfully as a Lead Guide at UF’s Center for Outdoor Recreation and Education. After graduating, she wanted to give back to the same public lands that had taught her so much. She immersed herself into the world of conservation with a 6-month term with ACE Pacific West. Since then, she has had a wide array of experiences in the field of conservation, from working on prescribed burns in South Florida to restoration projects in California. She is excited to continue connecting folks to natural spaces in her new role with ACE. In her free time, you can find her making zines, hiking with her family, or dancing anywhere and everywhere.

Tony grew up in a small town and has always loved the outdoors. He was blessed to participate in many activities in the community until going off to college. He graduated from Utah State University with a bachelors degree in Accounting. After graduating from Utah State he started his career at Enterprise Rent-A-Car while continuing his education to get a MBA from Westminsters College. While growing in his career, he also worked for Cargill Inc., Squire and Associates CPA’s, and recently Recyclops, a recycling start up. He enjoys mentoring others and also spending time with his family.

Jennifer is an NPS Mellon Humanities Postdoctoral Fellow with the American Conservation Experience. Jennifer works with Rangers and Chamoru on Mariana Islands Wartime Experiences through Oral Histories, which is placed with War in the Pacific National Historical Park in Guam and American Memorial Park on Saipan. These World War II focused parks work to share the stories of the conflict in the Pacific as told by those who experienced it on these islands. These islands’ oral histories share sensory experiences of immersion in place, and when engaged in these stories Jennifer evokes heart-centered practices. These practices involve work with community-based archaeology to expand the stories in the webs of relations of past experiences to include the animals, the spirits, and the other-than-human beings with traditional scientific rigor. Jennifer’s background is in underwater cultural heritage of the Asia Pacific Region. Jennifer used archaeology/museology methodologies to organize data and note patterns (esp. spatial and particular locations), linguistic methodologies to study cultural concepts and a human worldview; and all in tandem with her specialization in Maritime Archaeology, which aims to understand and interpret the past relationships between humans and WATER.

Amylee has spent her life exploring the deserts and mountains of Arizona and Montana. As a Flagstaff native, she feels a deep connection to the land and waters of the Colorado Plateau. Amylee spent her elementary and high school years in Montana until she decided to move back to Arizona to pursue a degree in Wilderness Leadership and Conservation Biology from Prescott College. After college she moved back to Flagstaff where she has been climbing and mountain guiding all over the US, and raising her daughter for the last 10 years. In her spare time Amylee rock climbs, runs, hikes and runs her climbing guiding business from her home, while spending time with her daughter, their dog Jasper and their cat Tomato. Amylee is very excited to share her love and passion for people and the natural world with the ACE family.

Tyler was born and raised on the coast of northern California, where he discovered his love for all things outdoors. He decided during college that he wanted to make conservation his career, where he earned his B.S. in Biological Anthropology at the University of Oregon. He has spent the last three years working and volunteering around Seattle, Washington doing environmental conservation and restoration, one of those years he spent as an Americorps volunteer. He is excited to join ACE where he will support others in their conservation journey, while continuing his own. In his free time, he can be found traveling, reading sci-fi and fantasy, and playing basketball.

Jess was born and raised in TX. She started with ACE as a corps member in 2019, and later served with another corps as a member, leader, and Coordinator before moving into the Logistics Coordinator position with MTW. From there, Jess moved into the Associate Director role and is excited to be a part of the ACE community again in such an important role. In her free time, you can find her participating in creative outlets of all kinds, including writing, baking, craft-making, and anything outdoors.

Emily grew up in New York counting down the days to summer so she could spend time at the beach. During college, she traded the New York beaches for Florida beaches where she completed her Bachelor’s in Environmental Studies. She spent the next 12 years in Florida working with everything from marine invertebrates to large carnivores and earned her Master’s in Conservation Biology. Throughout her career, Emily realized that she enjoyed working with people just as much as wildlife. She is thrilled to serve as the National Visitor Survey Field Coordinator for ACE and spend time exploring her new home in Colorado. Emily enjoys traveling to new countries, birding, hiking, tasting new foods, and spending time with her pets.

Nich is a globally-minded humanitarian with a wide array of teaching and leadership experiences. He graduated from Iowa State University in 2017 with a B.S. in Global Resource Systems and Environmental Science. Leading outdoor trips in the back and front country, collecting vegetative data for the US Forest Service in support of their conservation efforts of the Greater Sage Grouse and working on an organic and biodynamic farm with over 450 heirloom tomato varieties (and almost as many goats) are snapshots of the projects he has been involved in over the past few seasons. He continues to pursue a career that allows him to bring together and support young people for the achievement of an imperative, overarching mission- especially when it comes to restoring public lands!

Emma has always been passionate about the conservation of natural and cultural resources and connecting people to public lands. Prior to ACE, she has utilized her multimedia and communications skills to support the missions of other organizations including the National Park Service, Defenders of Wildlife, and the Sierra Club. Emma has a B.A. in Communications and a minor in Non-Profit Administration from Cleveland State University. When she isn’t exploring the outdoors, Emma resides in Maryland with her partner and cuddly calico cat, Cedar, and can often be found reading, writing, gaming, or enjoying an iced coffee.

Al grew up on Oregon’s south coast working on her family’s cranberry farm. This close connection with the land flourished into a love of the outdoors and an appreciation of hard work. Since graduating from the University of Oregon with a degree in Business Administration and Entrepreneurship, she has worked with several nonprofits managing youth programs in the fields of education and diversity, and moved into the conservation world in 2021 by working as a program coordinator with Northwest Youth Corps. When she’s not hiking, she enjoys playing softball, painting, and hanging out with her cat, Andy.

Megan (she/they) is an historical archaeologist by training. She has worked in museums, commercial archaeology and cultural resource management, federal agencies, academia, and non-profits. Facilitating the sharing of undertold and excluded histories is what gets her out of bed in the morning. When she isn’t working, Megan is transforming her backyard into a pollinator-friendly garden, doing crosswords, and enjoying reality tv. She holds a PhD in Anthropology from the University of Maryland.

My name is Nathan Baeth, and I am excited to help promote land access through property easements and to work outside. I spent 9 years fighting fire around the U.S as part of the Forest Service as well as doing lots of projects in my home forest the Wallowa Whitman. Outside of work I love skiing and fishing as well as a litany of sports. Paddleboarding to waterfalls around Idaho has become a newfound passion of mine. When not outside I enjoy books about historical events.

Chandler started her natural resources career working for the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) in Arizona, Oregon, and Nevada. Having graduated from Arizona State University with a Bachelor of Science in Geography, she worked as a GIS Technician 5/22 with the BLM in eastern Arizona, where she developed her interest in rangeland management. She continued on to be a Range Technician with the BLM in southern Arizona, followed by two Natural Resource Specialist positions in eastern Oregon and northern Nevada where she was focused on vegetation and riparian area monitoring and assessments as well as post-wildfire rehabilitation. Chandler’s interests are a marriage of riparian ecology and rangeland management. She is currently pursuing a Master’s of Natural Resource Stewardship with a specialization in Rangeland Ecology and Management from Colorado State University with the desire to pivot her career toward riparian area conservation on semi-arid rangelands. She is excited to be joining the NRCS Idaho Wetland Reserve Easement program as an Easement Technician. When she’s not working or studying, Chandler can be found either traveling the west to rock climb or enjoying local trails and coffee shops in Boise, her favorite city and home base of several years.

From the sunny state of New Jersey, Sabrina has enjoyed sailing on the Long Island Sound and Raritan Bay since she was twelve. She graduated with a B.S. in history and political science and will finish up her M.A. later this year in public history. Her interest in public service originates from her first EPIC program as a museum technician at Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial. Since then it has grown by working with the National Park Service and local news before accepting a position as a member coordinator for the Asheville branch of ACE. She enjoys finding the highest point in every state, hiking, and spending time with her cat.

Emily spent her early years in Colorado before setting out and traveling all over the West. She began her conservation career with ACE Mountain West in Spring 2019. After serving as a crew member she was promoted to Assistant Crew Leader and eventually worked her way up to Crew Leader. In 2021 she went to the Pacific Northwest and spent two seasons as a Wildland Firefighter with the Washington State Department of Natural Resources on an Engine Crew in the Northwest Region. In 2023 she returned to Mountain West as a Project Manager. Emily loves the outdoors, dogs, music and fantasy novels. Her goal is to provide crews with the same level of fun and professional development she experienced in ACE, giving everyone an opportunity to learn and grow, making a positive impact on the world along the way!

I’m originally from Omaha, Nebraska where I graduated with a major in Environmental Studies and a minor in Fisheries and Wildlife from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. My career has been one of public service and environmental-related work. I have done two Peace Corps services in Zambia where I worked with rural farmers on Aquaculture and gardening projects and the Philippines doing Coastal Resource Management work in coastal communities with the help of local government agencies and NGO’S. I also served as a corps member with ACE in California working in the San Diego and Santa Cruz area from 2017-2019. My most recent job was teaching English at a private Academy in South Korea from 2021-2022. I’m excited to be back with ACE this time as a staff member and help train youth development corps to address the urgent environmental issues facing us today, learning professional skills to be used later in life, and appreciate the outdoors!

Dave Bastian has spent the past decade plus working in the world of youth conservation corps programs. Ten of those were at the Utah Conservation Corps before coming to the Canyon Country Youth Corps. Prior to his time in the Corps world, Dave was Director of Operations at Save Our Canyons and the Membership and Outreach Coordinator at the Utah Rivers Council. Dave was a founding member of the Utah Youth Corps Collaborative and has served on many steering committees such as the Western Collaborative Conservation Network and the Utah Trails Forum. He studied graphic design at the University of Utah. In his spare time, he skies, rides bikes, plays guitar and chases his young daughter around the Public Lands of the Four Corners region.

Born and raised in New Jersey, Sabrina has found a love of nature and conservation work in her 8 months serving as a Corps member for ACE Southwest. Sabrina graduated from Rutgers University with a double major in Communications with a PR Specialization and Human Resource Management, and a double minor in Theatre and Psychology. She has worked in various leadership roles in the arts, entertainment, and undergraduate development. She is looking forward to combining her experience in youth mentorship and leadership development to support members throughout their time in ACE. Sabrina is passionate about connecting young adults to their passions and goals. She believes in the power of experiential learning and the transformations made possible by stepping outside of your comfort zone and learning new skills!

“My name is Carlee and I’m excited to be your new Member Support Coordinator! I received my B.S. in Ecology from SUNY Plattsburgh— nestled in the Adirondack Mountains of upstate New York where I was born and raised. During my time in college I found my passion for outdoor exploration, along with the management and protection of natural resources. After graduating I spent several months traveling throughout Idaho and California working as a conservation corps crew member. I then went on to work for the U.S. Forest Service as a recreation technician and wildland firefighter. I’m excited to be a part of the Pacific West team and I’m looking forward to meeting members and supporting crews through their terms of service!”

Maya found her passion for the outdoors and all things found in nature during her time as a biology major at Valdosta State University. After graduating, she served a term with ACE as an AmeriCorps Habitat Restoration Crew Member in Asheville, North Carolina. That experience furthered her love for protecting public lands and native plant species. She has spent her career gaining experience in various conservation and environmental related professions. Maya is also an ambassador and advocate that empowers marginalized communities to explore the outdoors. She is beyond excited to return to ACE and share her passion with others on their conservation professional development journey. You can find her hiking, gardening, paddle boarding, sunbathing, spending time with her friends and family, but most likely crouched down on a trail taking pictures of her favorite southeast native species.

Michael first developed a love for the natural world when his parents took him to Rocky Mountain National Park each summer as a kid. This led him to pursue a degree in Natural Resource Recreation and Tourism from Colorado State University – which is essentially a long title for a degree that means he wanted to be a park ranger and work outside. He was fortunate enough to live his dream and has either worked or interned at 7 National Parks. He’s now excited to help other people fulfill their dreams to work in their public lands.

Ian McGufficke grew up in WNC, where lush natural resources are abundant. This certainly influenced his love for the outdoors, which helped him earn an undergraduate degree in Recreation Management from Appalachian State University. He worked for years as an outdoor educator helping to teach courses at Appalachian, as well as guiding climbing trips in and around the Boone area. Conservation and stewardship have always been at the forefront of the work Ian has done, by planting the seeds of conservation in the minds of the youth! Ian is excited to have recently accepted a position with ACE, where he can work with members on a much larger scale to promote conservation and complete projects all over!

Hi, I am Linda. Born and raised in Southern California and currently living in the small mountain town of Big Bear, CA. I love being in close proximity to nature, so much so that it inspired a career shift from HR and marketing to conservation / ecological restoration. I was part of an ACE Crew in 2021 doing ecological restoration and trail work. I am a proud NPS Academy alum having done Native Plant work at Rocky Mountain NP summer of 2022. Aside from work and career aspirations, I love spending time outside hiking and biking, camping, looking for hot springs, all while identifying plants and spring flowers along the way. At home, I maintain my indoor / outdoor garden and am starting to venture into the world of composting and growing my own food. I love a good DIY project and am currently building garden beds. I tend to be on the prowl for good coffee and pastries. Speaking of pastries, I love to bake and am always looking for fun new recipes. My current favorite baked goods are Mexican Wedding Cookies and Almond Butter Cups (it’s like a Reeses but better!). I also enjoy cooking and looking for creative ways to reduce food waste (did you know carrot tops make a great pesto?). I’m always down for group board games and my favorites are Catan, Codenames and The Mind. I look forward to joining ACE to help other aspiring conservationists gain valuable work experience and career pathways into conservation.

Kaitlyn grew up in southeastern Pennsylvania, and went to Unity College in Maine where she studied Wildlife Biology and Earth & Environmental Science. After graduating she traveled from Maine to California and back doing seasonal wildlife work, mostly studying shorebirds. She then moved to Virginia where she worked as a soil conservation technician for the NRCS for a year and learned about their Farm Bill programs. After that she moved to New Mexico where she worked for the Bird Conservancy of the Rockies as a Private Lands Wildlife Biologist with the NRCS and Colorado Parks & Wildlife. After working to conserve shortgrass prairie habitat for two years she then transferred to Colorado where she worked to restore forested habitat. She is excited to be returning to New England where she will be closer to family in Maine and Massachusetts. When not at work she can often be found hiking, camping, birding, fishing, or kayaking with her husband and their lab mix Maggie.

Bob is currently the assistant director at the Nelson A. Rockefeller Center for Public Policy at Dartmouth College. His career passion has been imagining and creating youth and young adult national and community service programs in the out-of-doors. Following two years of service in the United States Peace Corps, Bob completed a master’s in public administration degree from the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University where he was involved in hosting the first AmeriCorps national service conference. He joined the Student Conservation Association in 1994 as the Director of the New Hampshire Conservation Corps.

Over the next 20 years he played leadership roles in SCA’s Northeast, California-Southwest, and Midwest regions. As Senior Vice President for Programs, he helped to lead SCA’s national program growth and revenue. He is proudest of having created six residential SCA AmeriCorps programs that have provided hundreds of young people with an opportunity to serve on public lands. Bob joined the Vermont Conservation Corps in 2015 where he served as chief Operations Officer strengthening program quality, risk management and developing educational outcomes.

He served six years as a board member of National Association of Service and Conservation Corps now the Corps Network. Bob has a degree in Political Science from the University of New Hampshire after which he worked for United States Senator Warren Rudman (R-New Hampshire) on Capitol Hill, in Washington, DC. He served in the United States National Guard and Reserve. Bob lives in South Pomfret, Vermont with his wife Philippa Richards and their three children, Claire, Will and Ian plus a barn yard of animals.

Anna first became involved with ACE in graduate school when she worked with ACE EPIC NPS at Fort Pulaski National Monument for two summers as an Interpretation intern. After graduating with her MA in history Anna became a museum director and then taught US History and World History at a technical college. She has returned to ACE with a passion for helping others see the opportunity and reward that can be found in the American Conservation Experience. Anna has the unique perspective of having seen ACE as a prospective intern, an intern, post-internship, and now as an employee. She believes that this experience will only help in her endeavors to find the prospective interns with a bright passion for helping our partners grow their mission. Outside of work Anna likes to play tennis and hike with her husband and mini schnauzer, Sherlock. She loves exploring new places — especially those with mountains and waterfalls. She loves spending time hanging out with her family who share the same excitement for ACE’s mission and values.

Danielle grew up in Portland, Oregon and after graduating from Oregon State University with a B.S. in Fisheries and Wildlife Science, has contributed to environmental conservation projects in Alaska, the Dakotas, Nebraska, Oregon, and Idaho. Her work on avian populations, vegetation monitoring, and ecological health with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Ducks Unlimited, University of Idaho, and other groups led her to ACE where she facilitates meaningful career experiences for future conservationists. Danielle lives in Boise, ID with her partner and cat, where she enjoys snowshoeing, biking, live music, and decent happy hour nachos.

Originally from the Mammoth Cave region of Kentucky, Andrew has always felt at home within a forest. Falling into natural resource work was bound to happen, and he loves the diversity that comes along with the job. He has worked on the federal and private sides of the industry, and is thrilled to become part of the ACE community. He has experience in building/maintaining trails, invasive species mitigation, timber stand improvements, habitat restoration, and arboriculture. He’s been fortunate to have lived all across the country during his career, and has gotten to lead some really awesome crews along the way. It’s always a good day to share some skills, learn some new ones, and get a little dirt under our nails while doing it. Andrew loves trail running, climbing trees, growing microgreens, and finding the best swim holes with his partner.

Lilly began her conservation career in her home state of Massachusetts with the Student Conservation Association. From there she moved out west to lead crews in Oregon, Washington, and Idaho on a variety of projects from fuels reduction to beaver dam construction. She most recently worked on the Pro Forest Projects crew with the Vermont Conservation Corps. Lilly is excited to further advancer in the field of conservation. In her free time she likes to hike, bike, and climb as well as enjoy a good book.

This is Scott, he likes being outside, hiking, and snuggling his cats (Joaquin and Marinara). Scott started his corps career as a member at ACE MTW. Since being a member, he has worked for Colorado Corps (RMYC and CFI) while also working his way up the ACE ladders as an ATL, Crew Leader, Project Manager and now Senior Project Manager. Scott is originally from PA and previously worked as a high school social studies teacher in and around Philly. On the weekends, Scott loves watching PL soccer while snuggling with his cats.

Orginally from Maryland, Patrick studied Environmental Science at UMBC, and spent his first ACE term with mountain west in 2017. He’s stuck with MTW ever since, serving as ATL, Crew Leader and now Project Manager with the branch. He loves working in the field of conservation, as well as helping other people learn and grow in the field as well.

Samira (she/they) spent her childhood in Germany before moving around the US, until her family eventually settled in Florida. There, she attended the University of South Florida (USF), where she received her BA in Anthropology with a focus on intersectional feminism. She traveled abroad to earn her MA in Cultural Anthropology from Chonbuk National University in South Korea, before returning to the US to serve as a Women’s History Research Associate for the National Park Service–where she aided in the diversification of the collections online portfolio. Now, as a member of the ACE staff, she looks forward to supporting others in their pursuit of working within the National Park Service. On her days off, you will most likely find her outdoors, taking care of her pet snails, or participating in local social justice initiatives.

Growing up in the Sonoran Desert, Sarah learned early on to appreciate the outdoors. Her passion for the environment led her to study at Northern Arizona University and earn her degree in Environmental Studies and Parks and Recreation Management. In the past, Sarah has worked as a field biologist, archaeologist, kayaking and backpacking guide. In her free time, you can find her embarking on long backpacking trips, rafting down one of the west’s rugged rivers, throwing ceramics, or tending to her garden.

Shinya grew up in Southern New Mexico where she would camp and explore the mountains with her family. She took her curiosity for the outdoors and completed a Bachelor of Science and GIS Certificate at Fort Lewis College in Durango, CO. Shinya has worked in various fields, from wildlife studies with the University of Wyoming, and water equality in Myanmar, Asia to forestry and fire mitigation in Northern Colorado. Throughout her career, she has focused on ecosystem functions, fire, and water quality. Now she works as a data analyst for the Bureau of Land Management supporting the AIM program. When not working you can find her wandering through mountains, meandering a river, or soaking up the sunshine on a beach.

Erin is passionate about public lands and believes in empowering people to be part of the solution to protect them. She has spent her career in conservation communications and education, working for the US Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management and Leave No Trace. At ACE she combines this experience to tell meaningful stories about our work. She enjoys any and all time in the mountains, whether it’s hiking, backpacking, or climbing.

Tyler discovered his love of outdoors at a young age from the backyards to visit to National Parks. After studying both Urban Studies and Planning and Environmental Science at UC San Diego he ventured abroad to New Zealand to lead conservation and environmental education volunteer groups. From there he began on the path to more natural resource management positions with various conservation corps, government agencies and private contractors. Soon his passion for the outdoors led to long distance hiking, becoming the first Asian-American and Person of Color to hike a Calendar Year Triple Crown in 2018. He continues to pursue outdoor passions such as rock climbing and is currently learning more about the rivers and lakes that the Pacific West has to offer.

After graduating from UNC Asheville in her home state of North Carolina, Caris served with AmeriCorps NCCC on the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) specialty team. Traveling to ten different field offices in California, all while living in a tent, she gained an appreciation for managing and enjoying public lands. Caris joined ACE EPIC in 2021 working with the BLM at the Palm Springs South Coast Field Office. During her time in the desert, while fighting dehydration, she found a love for supporting youth conservation programs. She spent this past summer in Butte, MT working with the US Forest Service maintaining campgrounds. In her free time, Caris likes to travel, read, watch reality tv, and spend time with her cat, Bear.

Nick joins ACE with a B.A. in Energy Policy & Management from the Institute for Energy Studies at
Western Washington University. Prior to joining ACE, Nick served as a Conservation Fellow in the Frank
Church – River of No Return Wilderness before moving back East to join Southern Appalachian
Wilderness Stewards (SAWS) as a crew leader. He is excited to join ACE to work alongside USFWS and
develop a national energy audit program to meet federal reporting requirements outlined in section 432
of the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 (EISA). Outside of work, he enjoys hiking, fly-
fishing and golfing.

Ronald Bethea was a corps member at the SEN branch in 2019 after finishing his undergraduate studies in Environmental Studies. After completing his term and participating in Covid shenanigans. He returned as a Crew Leader 8 months later for ACE Southeast, focusing on restoration projects and forestry. After almost 2 years of Crew leading he made the step up to Project Manager for the Southeast division of ACE. Hobbies including cooking, fishing, kickbacks and comedy shows. Aiming for being a part of the USFWS service one day.

Hailing from the cornfields of Illinois, Jennifer started the path to ACE after accepting a position as Corps Member in Flagstaff, AZ. She had graduated with B.S. for wildlife biology in Indiana before she headed west in 2017. From 2017-2020, Jennifer spent her time as Corps Member on and off in Flagstaff and in Asheville, NC, before accepting a position as Crew Leader for the Asheville branch of ACE.  She enjoyed all her time in the field both in Flagstaff and in Asheville before accepting a new role as a Logistics Coordinator. She enjoys animals, playing most Pokemon games, causal hikes, and crosscutting.

Amanda joined ACE as a crew member in March 2021 after finishing up her undergrad in chemistry and environmental studies. She quickly realized that she enjoys the hands-on restoration process much more than research in a lab, and decided to stay with ACE and learn more about conservation by working as an ACE Crew Leader. She is originally from Michigan, but has fallen in love with the mountains since joining the ACE Eastern branch, probably in part because she likes to spend her free time hiking and rock climbing.

Bio coming soon.

Sarah Miggins is the Deputy Director for the California State Parks’ Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Recreation Division (OHMVRD). The OHMVR Division works to ensure quality recreational opportunities remain available for future generations by providing education, conservation, and enforcement efforts that balance OHV recreation impacts with programs that conserve and protect cultural and natural resources.

Miggins has been on a steady career path from volunteer service to executive level leadership positions over the last 30 years. Before her current position, she served as Chief of Staff for American Conservation Experience (ACE). Prior to ACE, she held numerous positions based in California; including Audubon California, Southern California Mountains Foundation, LA Conservation Corps and the Inland Empire Economic Partnership.  Miggins holds a Master of Management from the University of Redlands and a Baccalaureate of Science in Geography and Environmental Studies from Ohio University.

She enjoys spending time with her two hunting dogs (that don’t hunt!), Ruger and Reese, exploring the trails of Northern California and has recently discovered that she really enjoys painting dog portraits.

Leanne brings diverse marketing, communications and stakeholder engagement experience to her role with ACE. Her background includes spearheading marketing, public relations, and fundraising for nonprofit agencies and serving as a freelance digital marketer supporting a range of clients. She is passionate about environmental and wildlife conservation and is proud to be a part of ACE and supporting its work to protect America’s public lands for the benefit of generations to come. Leanne lives in the foothills of Boulder County, CO with her husband, daughter, and three spoiled dogs where they enjoy the rural setting and exploring the hiking trails near their home.

Eleanor holds a PhD in U.S. History from the University of Washington and a Masters in Public History from Loyola University Chicago. Her research and writing examine the intersections of public lands policy and economic change in post-World War II America. She has fifteen years of experience working in conservation, historic preservation, and public history, and has taught courses on U.S. environmental history and the development of the National Park System. When she isn’t working, Eleanor spends time with her family visiting nature centers, libraries, local parks, and playgrounds.

Olivia was born and raised in Arizona, graduating from Northern Arizona University in 2018. She is joining ACE and returning to Flagstaff after spending the last 4 years in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where she served as an AmeriCorps VISTA! Since her AmeriCorps year, she has worked primarily for education non-profits and in Human Resources.

Olivia is excited to be working with ACE because she is passionate about conservation and direct service. She hopes to open more opportunities to diverse populations interested in conservation and exploration.

Outside of work, Olivia enjoys bike rides, eating food, traveling, and spending time with her cat, Dwayne.

Elizabeth grew up in a small town in southeastern Michigan exploring the many nearby woods, creeks, rivers and lakes. Her love and respect for the natural world grew and blossomed into a lifelong commitment to environmental advocacy and activism. She moved to Flagstaff in 1997 to raise her children and enjoy the abundant mountains, canyons and wild places of the Colorado Plateau. She’s excited about her role providing support to the people of ACE.  Elizabeth is especially proud to be part of an organization that has a profound impact and the ability to make a difference by providing valuable environmental service opportunities for so many across the country. When not working she can be found hiking and biking with her partner Chris, fostering puppies and kittens, painting, drawing, making yummy meals, or sitting with a good book on her patio while birds socialize at her feeders.

Emily (she/her) is originally from Sarasota, FL but moved to Western NC in 2017 where she attended Warren Wilson College. She earned a BA in Environmental Studies, concentrating in environmental policy & economics. She has previously worked for the WNC Nature Center in the education department, and most recently has served as a front country campground ranger in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. While working for NPS she discovered her love for connecting folks to conservation work and the outdoors, which she is excited to continue doing through work with ACE. In her free time you can find her hiking, biking, and fishing all around Southern Appalachia.

Born and raised in Texas. Michael completed his first tour with ACE in 2016 when he finished a 6 month term at the Asheville branch. Leaving with a new appreciation of conservation and an interest in nonprofits, Michael went on to get his Masters of Public Administration in 2018. He returned to ACE in 2021 as a Crew Leader serving in Asheville and Flagstaff. Michael most recently moved into a Member Management role in 2022. Outside of the office, Michael enjoys music, college football, the beach, and breakfast tacos.

Elyse comes to ACE with a background in environmental science, outdoor education, and community organizing. With a passion for people and the outdoors, Elyse joined ACE excited to connect with ACE members while encouraging them to pursue their passions. Outside of work (pun intended) you can find Elyse swimming, climbing, and spending time with community.

Joost was born and raised in the Netherlands. He has a M.Sc. in Conservation Biology from the U.K and a B.Sc. in Wildlife Management from The Netherlands. In the past 15 years, Joost has worked in conservation in Africa, Asia, Europe, and the Western USA. He now looks forward to working with ACE to work in a beautiful region to help preserve our natural resources.

Jake was born in Maryland and after graduating from Salisbury University with a BA in Psychology was drawn to ACE in California for a change in pace and scenery. After 2 terms as a Corps member in California, Jake moved on to his first staff position as a local housing manager in Central California. After a year helping to oversee the different properties in the Pacific West division, Jake moved onto a national role helping with all of ACE’s facilities. Jake is now located in Flagstaff, AZ where he is an avid snowboarder and hiker.

Johnny has served as a Project Manager with the Southwest division since May 2021, after working as a Crew Leader with SWA from October 2020 to May 2021! He is happiest when he is in the field with his teammates or hiking during the off days. He fell in love with conservation work as a corps member doing ACE Flagstaff in 2017, after obtaining his bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science from the University of Central Florida. Since then, he has worked with the Appalachian Trail Conservancy doing boundary maintenance in New England, as well as ACE Pacific West on the 2020 Pacific Crest Trail crew. Johnny’s passion for the outdoor s has led him back to Flagstaff, where it began, to serve as a mentor for the next generation of conservationists.

Dawn is so excited to be a part of the ACE community.  She brings a heart for helping others achieve goals and grow and a desire to feel connected with nature. She lives in Inyokern, CA with her partner and 4-legged kiddos Greta Mae and Rowdee. Dawn looks forward to supporting members and helping ensure they have an amazing experience at ACE!

Freshly graduated from Northern Arizona Universities Social Work program, Becca is beyond excited to begin their work at ACE as the new member support coordinator. Combining Becca’s love for nature and preservation with their passion for helping others has created their own personal heaven on earth. The next closest thing to a personal heaven on earth for Becca would be a day spent outside, hiking with friends. Becca was born and partially raised in Manalapan, New Jersey, where their love of the woods and spending time outdoors flourished. Going to college at NAU solidified that the forest and the woods are exactly where Becca needed to be. Fast forward to graduating with a Degree in Social Work while double minoring in Psychology and Sociology, Becca found their passion in the field of people. Understanding the societal, internal, and biological factors that impact every person each day is the foundation of Becca’s compassion and something they try and help others to understand in efforts to build more empathy is those around them.

geology from the University of Minnesota, Morris. Over spring breaks he traveled out west to hike and camp in national parks. He spent a semester studying geology abroad in Italy. While earning his degrees he ran for the cross country and track programs and continues to run daily. A couple of months after graduating he joined ACE Southeast as a corps member to experience the southeast region of the country. After less than a year he became a crew leader for ACE Southeast. After two years of crew leading, Gabe is now looking forward to his new role as a project manager for ACE Southwest.

Michael Bee is very much looking forward to becoming part of the ACE team. He has an educational background in environmental and forestry sciences from both the University of Louisiana and Louisiana Technical College. Although most of his career has been focused on forest management, he is excited to explore and broaden my professional scope, and as such, learning to contribute to the ACE team as an NRCS Louisiana Easement Technician.

Judi is a farm girl from Indiana who moved to Florida when she was 12 years old. She went to College at the University of Tampa and completed an MBA and then passed the CPA exam. She has more than 25 years of experience in accounting including public, corporate, governmental, higher education and non-profit. She is thrilled to be joining the ACE team where she hopes to apply her skills to further the mission of this wonderful organization. Judi is “mom” to two dogs and one cat and splits her time between Florida and North Carolina. In her spare time she can be found birding in the swamps of Florida, dabbling in photography, or reading a good book.

Emanuel graduated from North Carolina State University with a degree in Environmental Science and soon thereafter accepted a Diversity Equity and Inclusion fellowship position with the National Outdoor leadership School focusing on DEI work in the outdoor industry as well as training to become an outdoor recreation instructor in backpacking and rock climbing. His love for conservation and outdoor education was nurtured there and further expanded upon during their time with their County’s Park and Recreation system where they were a Program Manager. Emanuel is excited to start this new chapter with the American Conservation Experience where they will go from working in their local park system to the national park system. When not working you can find them rock climbing, practicing their social dancing (salsa, contra swing dancing), binging media in all its forms, or napping.

Kyle grew up in Western North Carolina admiring the beauty and life in the Appalachian Mountains. He received a BA in Hispanic Literatures and Cultures and a BS in Information Science from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He fell in love with conservation work while serving an AmeriCorps term with Montana Conservation Corps. He later worked as an arborist and with Southern Appalachian Wilderness Stewards. When not working, he can be found hiking in the Wasatch Mountains, reading, or watching Carolina basketball.

Kerri Ryan began her conservation career as a corps member for ACE Southwest in early 2014 after earning a degree in Environmental Geoscience. After serving as an ACE corps member for about 9 months, Kerri became a Crew Leader for the ACE Southwest division. Kerri led ACE crews on various field projects focusing on Restoration projects, but also leading trail, forestry, and other projects throughout the Southwest. After ACE Kerri worked for the Forest Service seasonally, and then accepted a more permanent job with NYC Parks Natural Resources Group. In NY Kerri helped with Forest Restoration projects throughout the 5 boroughs of NYC, and helped plant thousands of native trees and shrubs each spring and fall throughout the natural areas of NYC. Kerri is very excited for the opportunity to return to ACE as a project manager for the Southeast division.

Shannon grew up in Maryland and found a love of adventure and travel which has taken her all over the world. She has always held a passion for environmental conservation ever since she can remember. Her experience leading up to ACE includes sea turtle nest monitoring through AmeriCorps and working for the Volunteer Office in Yosemite National Park. Through ACE Shannon aims to help individuals grow their passions through the adventure of conservation work. In her spare time, Shannon can be found rock climbing, hiking, skiing, looking for salamanders, or crocheting.

Originally from Tennessee, I am now planted in Bloomington, Indiana working with the Wetland Reserve Easement program in the southern half of the state.  After completing my Bachelor’s degree in Fish and Wildlife Science, I began working with game birds in New Mexico and South Carolina as a research technician. I then went on to study at the University of Georgia where I worked with translocation of Northern bobwhite in the Sandhills of North Carolina. After completing my Master’s degree at Georgia, I took a bit of a sabbatical from the professional world to enjoy the mountains and rivers of southwestern Colorado. In my free time, I like to find myself exploring a river with a fly rod or looking for game birds with my dog Maggie.

Hunter grew up in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, before he made a move out west. A week after he graduated high school in 2015 he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps. He has been enlisted as a basic engineer/ Bulk Fuel Specialist since then and was quickly promoted to the rank of Sergeant at the age of 22. His military experience has given him a multitude of experiences to include, bulk logistics, leading / planning operations, and working with different branches of service such as the US Army and US Navy. Hunter started his conservation experience as an ATL for ACE in Pacific West, spending most of his term doing rock work on Mount San Jacinto. Hunter later moved into the Logistics Coordinator position to continue supporting conservation projects. Hunter found a new way to love the outdoors by doing conservation work. He also found some new hobbies in backcountry camping and rock climbing.

As a Wisconsin native, Jake grew up surrounded by exceptional natural beauty and diversity, and has been working to advocate for the protection and sustainable use of natural areas worldwide ever since. He joined ACE as a corpsmember in 2016, eventually becoming a Crew Lead and Project Manager before leaving ACE to continue his career in conservation and trail work elsewhere. In 2022 Jake returned to Flagstaff to continue working as a Project Manager. When not in the office or field Jake pursues a wide variety of ever changing hobbies and is always looking to learn something new.

Victor is an avid outdoors person who enjoys hiking, skiing and any outdoor recreation. Victor started the journey as a software developer back in 2020 through a boot camp at the University of Utah. Victor always enjoys the performing arts and loves helping others through a non-profit based in Utah.

Jenn comes to ACE after spending 8+ years in multiple partnership-focused roles at the Student Conservation Association, most recently as a Regional Vice President for Partnership. Prior to joining SCA, Jenn worked in government relations and higher education management at Carnegie Mellon University. She holds a Black Belt in Innovation Engineering, enjoys hiking and kayaking with her family, and is president of the board of Allegheny GoatScape, a Pittsburgh-based invasive plant management organization that utilizes herds of friendly goats for browsing.

Caroline graduated with a Bachelors of Science in Wildlife Ecology from the University of Maine and since has traveled and worked both nationally and internationally in the field of ecology. Recently she has received a graduate certificate in Conservation Actions: People, Land and Animals through Colorado State with a focus on communications. Throughout her career she has focused on small mammal ecology and habitat relationships in large scale landscape studies. Recently her career has shifted to focus on the ways conservation careers impact its workers and how to create more inclusive spaces in the environment through recruiting efforts. Outside of her career she is an avid hiker, kayaker, backpacking and reader!

Gabriella Logan is an Atlanta Native and proud graduate of Spelman College and Vermont Law School. With over 10 years of experience in both the non-profit and entertainment fields, she brings a wealth of knowledge about community development, recruitment, and the arts. She managed the Greening Youth Foundation Public School Initiatives after-school program where she recruited and trained interns from local colleges and high schools to execute the C.L.E.A.N (Children Living Energetically and Advancing Nature) environmental curriculum. Additionally, she ran the adult education programming at Trees Atlanta where she curated and recruited diverse speakers from the development and conservation fields. Her passion for community and education inspired her to stay committed to the cause through and through. She is a musician and legal educator and believes it is important to invest in education and the arts. She is a writer for Guitar World Magazine and She Shreds Magazine, the Board Chair of Girls Rock Asheville , a Voting Member of the Recording Academy, The President for the Girls Rock Camp Alliance Board of Directors, and the Diversity Editor for Guitar Girl Magazine.

Growing up in Florida, Jamie developed a love for the outdoors while camping and hiking through upland pine forests and hardwood hammocks. It wasn’t until college, though, that she discovered a passion for conservation and land management as a volunteer with The Nature Conservancy and decided to pursue a career in the outdoors. After college, Jamie joined ACE Flagstaff as a Corps Member and got to work on trail maintenance in the Grand Canyon and fencing construction in the Petrified Forest. She loved her term with ACE but found herself missing the verdant east coast. After a five day mountain biking trip through Pisgah National Forest, she was convinced that she needed to move to Asheville to be in the mountains and spent her first year there interning and volunteering at a wildlife rehabilitation clinic. Eventually, she found her way back to ACE as a crew lead and is thrilled to be involved in restoration work in the Southeast.

Matt grew up in Hendersonville, NC. Matt took what would end up being 10 years off from undergrad at UNCA, during which time he served 2 full terms with AmeriCorps, as well as serving as a Staff member for 7 offices of 5 conservation corps, and has now wound up at ACE. Matt has loved working in the Conservation Corps community and is super happy to be back at it! He enjoys piano, martial arts, time with dogs, and is currently trying to get decent at woodworking.

Laura Craig excitedly joined ACE in 2022 as Chief Financial Officer. Laura comes to ACE as a not-for-profit accounting and financial executive with over 25 years’ management experience, which includes over 15 years’ experience as a Chief Financial Officer at various nonprofit organizations predominantly focusing on youth, education, and poverty alleviation.

Laura is well versed in the ever-growing complicated world of federal and state governmental accounting, with a comprehensive understanding of the universal guidelines and regulations that make not-for-profit accounting so challenging.  She has a proven record of being an effective accounting and financial executive implementing complex budgets, cash flow projections, financial analysis and forecasting, financial reporting, technology analysis and implementation, streamlining processes, internal control, as well as fiscal strategic planning.

In addition to Laura’s accomplishments in the office, she also served as an adjunct professor of accounting and business at Great Falls College-Montana State University for seven years.

Laura recently relocated back to North Carolina, to the foothills of the Blue Ridge Parkway, after spending 13 years in rural Montana and two years in rural Washington state, fighting the war on poverty.

Laura has a Master of Science degree in Community Economic Development from Southern New Hampshire University, a Master of Science degree in Accountancy from University of Phoenix, a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration (Finance concentration) from Salem College, and an Associate of Applied Science degree in Accounting from Forsyth Technical Community College.

While not at work, Laura enjoys traveling nationally and internationally to explore beautiful natural areas and National Parks with her family.  Laura is an avid swimmer (she was on a swim team growing up), and she especially loves any natural area with water.

Ama’s love of the outdoors, teamwork, and tangible results led her to a career in trails and conservation. Since 2005, Ama has served as a volunteer, crew member, crew leader, project manager, founder of a conservation corps, program director, and educator in the public, nonprofit, and private sectors across 18 different states throughout the country. Combining her bachelors degree in Public and Nonprofit Administration from Grand Valley State University with her extensive trail construction experience, Ama enjoys building partnerships in order to complete complex projects and sharing her passion for inclusivity and accessibility as it relates to sustainable recreation.

Originally from Chicago, David’s outdoor career path began with his sojourns through the world of the conservation corps of Texas and Montana. From there he worked for the Forest Service in Northern Arizona and later the National Parks of Crater Lake and Yosemite. Other experiences in the world of conservation have included trail maintenance on Catalina Island and teaching outdoor education in the mountains of Southern California. David has also given his time working to rebuild the lives of those affected by natural disasters in Texas, Louisiana, Puerto Rico, and Northern California.

Raised where the Great Plains meet the Eastern Forest, Sam was instilled with an appreciation for nature from a young age as he explored the bountiful and diverse Kansas Landscape. Following his graduation from Baker University in the Spring of 2016, Sam began his first term with ACE – a three month stint that quickly transitioned into three years. A time that defined the beginning of his career in conservation, and was highlighted by many beautiful locations and close friends. After a couple different jobs in natural resource management, he is back, hopeful to help create a similar experience in which members are able to express themselves, engage in meaningful conservation projects, and develop both personally and professionally.

Johannah grew up in Tennessee and graduated from the University of Tennessee with a bachelor’s degree in Environmental Studies. She volunteered in Costa Rica with sea turtles and studied plant community ecology in the Colorado Rockies while an undergraduate. Johannah developed her research and mentor skills while working with undergraduate interns at the University of California Irvine’s Center for Environmental Biology conducting plant community restoration research. Johannah completed a Master’s degree in Wildlife at Mississippi State University and then joined the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in North Dakota. Johannah worked for USFWS for 3.5 years, where she primarily facilitated the conservation easement program, managed FWS lands, and completed a variety of GIS and data management tasks. Johannah was introduced to ACE during her time with the service, as she had the pleasure of supervising ACE GIS interns. Johannah especially enjoys interacting with and mentoring young people, so she is excited to connect young professionals with conservation opportunities as an ACE Division Support Specialist. She is also excited to maintain her connection with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and looks forward to developing new partnerships. In her spare time, Johannah enjoys hiking, traveling, crocheting, and spending time with her husband, daughter, and cat.

Jake’s love of nature was instilled in him from an early age.  His summers as a child were spent camping and fishing on the rivers, bays, and swamps near his home in rural northwest Florida.  This eventually led him to obtain a degree in wildlife ecology & conservation from the University of Florida, where he participated in research projects which ranged from turtles and manatees in the natural spring runs of central Florida, to ecological biodiversity on the savannahs of South Africa and Eswatini.  Post-graduation, Jake worked for the University of Tennessee monitoring box turtles on the Cumberland Plateau, worked for USGS on marine turtle research in northwest Florida, and eventually served as an ACE EPIC member for a vegetation research project in southern Appalachia.  He steps into this permanent position with ACE EPIC FWS after 2 years of administrative experience with another nonprofit.In his free time, Jake is an education and outreach volunteer with Great Smoky Mountains National Park and an avid Dungeons & Dragons player.  You can also find him in the mountains photographing wildlife and hiking with his fiance and his dog. 

Andrew grew up and attended college in California and then moved to Delaware to attend graduate school where he studied the neural basis of memory-guided foraging behavior. Following that, he worked on various projects at a USDA National Wildlife Research Center-Predator Research Facility in northern Utah. Now working with EPIC-FWS Division, he is excited to combine his passion for wildlife conservation with his enthusiasm for outreach and youth engagement. Outside of work, he enjoys running and backpacking.

Victoria (Vic) was born and raised in the suburbs of Maryland. She first developed a care for the natural world through her high school’s Global Ecology program. With a degree in Environmental Science from the University of Maryland and experience in leading Outdoor Recreation trips, she set herself up nicely for the grand adventure that is seasonal work. She found a consistent home working at REI before relocating to Utah to work in Wilderness Therapy. Working in the high desert of Utah fostered an unexpected love for the desert. This love led her to an internship with the American Conservation Experience and Saguaro National Park as a Resource Management intern. She is now excited to pause her seasonal work to help others connect and deepen their relationship with the land as a Recruitment Specialist. When Vic is not working she will be eating avocado toast on sourdough bread, surrounding herself with books, and climbing plastic and real rocks.

A Maine native, Matt is excited to be a part of ACE and help connect others with the world of conservation and volunteerism. Graduating in 2014 from the University of Maine with a BS in Parks, Recreation, and Tourism, Matt has spent time working in natural spaces over the last nine years. He has held such positions as a backcountry ranger in Kentucky, a trail crew leader and Field Coordinator with the Maine Conservation Corps, and has over four years experience working with the Forest Service. Most recently, he worked as a contractor with the Forest Service on the Burned Area Emergency Response (BAER) team as a Recreation Specialist for the Caldor Fire in California. Outside of work Matt enjoys hiking, camping, cooking, catching up on shows, playing board games, and exploring nearby areas.

Born and raised in California, Devin has worked in the conservation world for 12 years. Before joining ACE in 2013, Devin worked with California State Parks and the California Conservation Corps. Over the years, they worked on many different types of projects, but their passions lie in trail construction and working with our fuels reduction crews. In their free time, you can find them mountain biking on the coast or tinkering with something in a shop somewhere.

Gail Adams is the Vice President of Communications and External Affairs at the EnerGeo Alliance, an international upstream energy trade association. She has more than 20 years of experience in the environment and natural resources public policy arena and working with states and local government. She has more than 30 years’ experience in public affairs, non-profit organizations, and governmental affairs.

She is a former Presidential Appointee as Director of the Office of Intergovernmental and External Affairs (OIEA) for the U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI), Immediate Office of the Secretary where she managed relationships between the DOI and Governors, state and local elected officials and the more than 6000 stakeholders and organizations that represent interests related to DOI. She also had a key role on the President’s Task Force on Travel & Competitiveness and helped to craft the nation’s National Travel and Tourism Strategy which brought the United States from 10th in the world back to first in market share for world tourism.

Adams is a former television news anchor, public affairs show host, and radio personality. She is also a certified grants writer. Adams is a graduate of Louisiana State University.

Prior to joining ACE, Joellyn spent the last nine years with the Student Conservation Association. During her time with SCA, as a public grants officer she oversaw the planning, development, and submission of federal, state, and local municipal grant proposals at the six and seven figure level. She was responsible for managing a complex grant development process, incorporating knowledge of relevant content areas, organization priorities, and proposal requirements, to ensure that the proposed strategies and submission content comply with grant guidelines. Additionally, she managed all aspects of the grants once awarded including compliance, achievement of deliverables, budget management, programmatic and financial reporting, and communication with awarding agency staff. Before joining SCA, Joellyn spent 20 years in health care. She holds a Master’s degree in Public Health. While not at work Joellyn enjoys taking walks, kayaking, and most recently has taken up golf. She most enjoys spending time with her dogs and two grandchildren.

Deidra brings a medley of experiences to ACE – from team building facilitation, outdoor adventure education, environmental education, and resource interpretation – all with the common thread of supporting emerging professionals developing into incredible leaders. Deidra holds an Integrated Studies BA (Florida Gulf Coast University) and is currently working towards an MS in Experiential and Outdoor Education (Western Carolina University).  Deidra started off a professional public lands connection by participating in the 2016 Grand Teton NPS Academy, and since has worked in three national parks as intern, as well as Bureau of Land Management (Yaquina Head O.N.A. on the Oregon coast) as a seasonal ranger. Other professional pursuits include 8 years as an experiential educator in recreation and environmental education settings. Outside of work, Deidra is involved in several initiatives to create equity in the outdoors-locally and beyond. Hobbies include hiking with dogs Cairo and Neri, paddling, incredibly amateur photography (Deidra’s words!), playing the viola, and ziplining.

Sarah is originally from New Jersey, but spent time growing up between NJ and New Orleans, Louisiana, where she also completed a bachelor’s degree from Tulane University. It was her time in Nola that contributed to her love of the outdoors and protecting natural resources. Since then, she has worked as a marine scientist in Florida, South Africa, and Maine, in health education in New Orleans, and as a science journalist in Boston. She is excited to head west of the Mississippi and continue her passion for conserving socio-ecological systems through human-dimensions work. In her spare time, you can find Sarah hiking with her dog, Bella, and participating in any water-based activity.

My name is Melissa Watson and I’m new to ACE! I grew up in Lafayette, Louisiana and got my B.A. from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. I’m currently completing my Master of Public Affairs degree at Western Carolina University.

Trevor works to protect and enhance wetlands on NRCS conservation easements. With a B.S. in Geology, he began his career in consulting where he specialized in stopping anthropogenic erosion from polluting sensitive fisheries. He continued to grow his passion for conservation while managing diverse open space preserves and conservation easements with a nonprofit in California. More recently, Trevor worked for a state agency in Idaho managing thousands of acres of working lands and regulating navigable waters. As a member of ACE, Trevor enjoys using his skillset to support public conservation agencies and private conservation landowners while protecting and enhancing natural resources. When not working, Trevor can be found camping, fishing, cycling, and spending time with his family.

Deanna holds a Bachelor’s degree in Anthropology from Auburn University. Upon graduation she discovered her love for teaching youth outdoor environmental classes while serving several seasons as an environmental educator in TN and TX. Her passion for the outdoors was further nurtured during her time with the National Park Service. Deanna’s NPS adventures have consisted of cultural resources work at Death Valley NP and Cumberland Island NS and interpretation at Carlsbad Caverns NP. She then bridged to the nonprofit world where she spent 4 years as a regional recruiter for SCA. More recently she’s spent the past several years in the areas of contract and grants management for a variety of public service projects while working to complete her Master of Public Administration. She met her husband while working at Carlsbad Caverns NP and they have been adventuring ever since! In her spare time, she can be found hiking, paddleboarding, skiing, with her husband, son, and husky- Loki (which lives up to his namesake daily).

I grew up in Carlyle, Illinois surrounded by agriculture and nature. I earned my Bachelor’s Degree in Wildlife Biology at Murray State University and my Master’s Degree in Forest Science at the University of Arkansas in Monticello. My passion is in wetland conservation and I have worked in wetlands for about 5 years. I am excited to continue this work with ACE here in Indiana. I love everything outdoors, from hunting and fishing to camping and gardening.

I am originally from the east coast, spent time living and working in the west and northeast before landing in New Hampshire. I have worked in the parks and recreation/conservation field for almost 9 years including working for the National Park Service, municipal and state recreation and higher education. Most recently, I worked at SCA starting as a National Program Coordinator for the Northeast and Mid-Central Region of the US and the AmeriCorps National Program Manager. I received my Master’s degree in 2017 in Recreation Administration and Management with an interest in urban green space development and youth access from the University of Toledo. I have a passion for youth in conservation and supporting open access to healthy and sustainable recreation opportunities for all. Outside of work I spend time hiking, stand-up paddle boarding, running, playing/coaching competitive ultimate frisbee, cooking and competing in the Punkin Chunkin’ World Championships with a team holding the current world record of launching a pumpkin 4091 feet from a catapult.

Erik was born and raised in Santa Fe, New Mexico where he developed a love of the outdoors. After graduating from high school, he moved to Flagstaff, Arizona to attend Northern Arizona University. There he earned a B.A. in English and a certificate in creative writing. After college, he served as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Nicaragua. Since then, he has worked primarily in education. In 2021, he joined ACE as a corps member because he wanted to transition to the environmental sector. Halfway through his term, he was hired as Provisions and Supplies Coordinator. He is excited to do food and tool logistics and thereby continue to contribute to the work of environmental conservation. In his free time, he enjoys hiking, mountain biking, and making art.

Cassie joined ACE in the summer of 2017 after completing her B.S. in Biology at The University of North Carolina Wilmington. After completing three AmeriCorps terms in North Carolina and California, she wanted to continue her career in conservation, and has since worked as a Crew Leader and Project Manager. Cassie is most passionate about backcountry trails and rigging projects, as well as habitat restoration. In her free time, she enjoys hiking, cooking, gardening, and reading outdoors.

Kody grew up in Bullhead City, Arizona, alongside the rushing Colorado River. As a child, Kody enjoyed outdoor adventure and always influenced his family to take him out on the water, for hikes in the Black and Pyramid mountains or just up the hill by his house. In 2013, Kody began his conservation journey where he served as a conservation corpsmember in the Verde Valley of Arizona cutting down tamarisk and removing other invasive species along the Verde River riparian corridor. After serving as an Americorps member, Kody Crawford went on to lead a mapping crew, which mapped invasive and rare species along the Verde River and in the Kaibab, Coconino and Tonto National Forests. After completing the mapping project, Kody became a trail crew leader for the Island Trail project within Walnut Canyon National Monument. Since 2015, Kody has spent his time developing public access for blueways and greenways in West Virginia as an Americorps Volunteer in Service to America (VISTA) and in South Carolina as a private contractor for conservation organizations. Outside of ACE, Kody Crawford can be found hanging out with his cat, biking around town or trying to find a good swimming hole.

Alex D. Tremble serves as the American Conservation Experience, Chief Culture Officer. In this role he is responsible for ensuring that systems are in place and utilized to develop and sustain a best-in-class workplace culture. He started his journey in the conservation field working for the U.S. Department of the Interior, Office of the Secretary. After creating and managing the Department’s first executive leadership development program, he went on to serve as the National Parks Services’ National Youth Employment Programs Coordinator, and later the Chief of Staff for National Capital Parks-East. Alex is an award-winning speaker, author, and leadership expert who has over 10 years of experience coaching and advising some of our nation’s most senior level government leaders. He is also the host of the leadership and career advancement podcast, The Alex Tremble Show, and was named as a Leadership Center for Excellence 40 under 40 honoree. Alex is passionate and committed to helping our nation’s leaders reach their highest potential; personally, and professionally. Alex received his Bachelor’s degree in sociology and psychology from William Penn University and his Master’s degree in industrial and organizational psychology from the University of Baltimore.

Hallie grew up in NC and graduated with a degree in Sustainable Development from Appalachian State University. After a few cross country road trips, an AmeriCorps term in Denver Public Schools, and doing “van life” for a few months she began a career in the conservation world in 2019 with Montana Conservation Corps. Recently, Hallie accepted a position with ACE and is excited to work with members to help foster their love and stewardship of the outdoors.

After receiving a B.S. in Chemistry from Central Michigan University, and deciding I did not want to work in a lab, I have been in the world of trails and conservation for most of my 20s. I have had the pleasure of working all over the southwest from the Sierras to the Rockies. I love being able to appreciate the beauty of the outdoors, which is why I enjoy putting in the work to help keep wild spaces well maintained and accessible to future generations. Hobbies in my free time include: hiking, yoga, climbing, playing music or enjoying a good book.

Grady has been doing seasonal natural resource management since 2015 or so. His travels have sent him everywhere from Ohio to Alaska…twice. He is a self-proclaimed highlands river pirate who specializes in invasive plant management as well as a variety of tree work categories. His experiences have seen him go from backpacking herbicide to flying a 55’ bucket truck trimming palm trees to canyoneering with a chainsaw clearing trees off the sides of cliffs in Alaska. Whenever he isn’t hanging precariously off cliffs wielding chainsaws, he enjoys studying pirate history, cooking delicious meals, and woodworking. If you come across him in his natural habitat, he can be positively identified by his fantastic facial hair, brightly colored clothing, and generally cheerful demeanor. Some sightings have noted his fashionable kilt attire, but this has yet to be professionally verified.

Marilyn is a native Texan, but went to school at Rhodes College in Memphis, TN, earning a degree in Environmental Science and minoring in Spanish and Latin American Studies. During college, she studied abroad in Chile and met her husband while backpacking in Patagonia. After school, she worked on a USGS sage grouse project, chasing after birds for a season, and then worked at Lake Amistad in southwest Texas for a year doing GIS and field work. She’s excited to join ACE to work on GIS and data management for the USFWS Trails Program. In her free time, Marilyn enjoys traveling, hiking, camping, and birding. She lives with her husband, Carlos, and their cat, Buddy, in San Antonio, TX.

Adam comes to ACE with experience with various public lands agencies in Colorado including Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado Parks and Wildlife, and Boulder County Parks and Open Space. Adam has a passion for the youth corps world having served on a chainsaw crew with the Nevada Conservation Corps and also as a crew leader with the Mile High Youth Corps in Denver. Previously, Adam grew up in Maryland and earned his BA in Environmental Studies from Bates College in Maine. Adam is excited to join ACE in 2021 as a Division Support Specialist in the Fish and Wildlife Service Division. Outside of work, you can find Adam enjoying soccer, ultimate frisbee, and a variety of outdoor activities on public lands.

Bianca (Oneida, Kiowa, Comanche, and Ottawa) hails from the plains of central Oklahoma and attended the University of Oklahoma, earning degrees in Environmental Sustainability and Native American Studies and completing research on Native participation in National Parks. After graduating, she spent a summer at Grand Teton National Park through ACE EPIC, where she found a passion for working and educating in the great outdoors. Bianca loves a good balance of activity and relaxation. You are just as likely to find her climbing a mountain as you are to find her sunbathing on a beach. She loves her daughter, her dog, and her husband (in that order).

Having had the opportunity to live and grow-up in a variety of unique ecosystems and landscapes, Ellie fell in love with conservation science and engaging others in the outdoors. She received her B.A. in biology from Vassar College, and completed her M.S. degree at Boise State University where she studied the human-environment system interactions of outdoor recreation and human well-being. Since then, Ellie has participated in ecological community mapping, wetland and stream restoration efforts, and environmental education. In her free time, Ellie likes to read books, bake bread, as well as go hiking and exploring with her husband.

Madison has had a profound love for wildlife and the natural world as far back as she can remember. This love was nurtured throughout her childhood by her role models like Steve Irwin and Jane Goodall, and by her family through their travels across the country exploring our National Parks. She was born and raised in Tampa, Florida which fostered her fascination with coastal and wetland ecology, and it was no surprise that she then attended the University of Florida and graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Wildlife Ecology and Conservation. From there, her experience in conservation science ranges from ecological research in the savannahs of South Africa and Eswatini to the mountains of Idaho. Her story with ACE began as an education and interpretation park ranger intern stationed in Cades Cove, Great Smoky Mountains National Park. She continued her work with ACE as crew leader for a vegetation research project on federal lands around the Great Smoky Mountains area, and then as a community engagement coordinator out of Great Smoky Mountains National Park headquarters. With a strong background in ecology and conservation, as well as environmental education and outreach, she is thrilled to take on this new role as a Recruitment Specialist for American Conservation Experience to assist other emerging professionals in conservation by finding their career path through the National Park Service. Due to having lived and worked in such vastly different ecosystems, Madison enjoys a wide variety of outdoor recreational activities, from surfing and kayaking to hiking and camping. She also loves horseback riding, wildlife writing and photography, and any activity she can do with her two favorite companions – her fiance and her dog.

Born on the east coast in Maryland, Hannah didn’t really see truly big mountains till she moved to Reno, Nevada. After moving west she discovered her love of all things outdoors, specifically climbing and back country skiing in Mammoth and the Lake Tahoe area. After a few years of rock and snow filled adventures through California and Nevada, she moved to southern Utah. Her love for the outdoors introduced her to the abundance of outdoor advocacy projects, non-profits, and coalitions all working to help protect the land that she loves and gets to play on everyday. Hannah came to ACE Mountain West in 2021 to be a part of protecting that land, and serve as a Member Support Coordinator to directly support the crew members who do just that. After work, she can usually be found riding her bike at Hurricane Cliffs, Gooseberry Mesa, or painting at home.

Jack became involved with ACE in 2020 as a member of an Ecological Site Inventory team for the Bureau of Land Management in the western deserts of Utah. Originally from the coastal state of Rhode Island, Jack attended Appalachian State University in the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountainswhere he studied Geography, focusing on GIS. He is thrilled to help get passionate people involved in conservation and land management. Prior to joining the ACE team, Jack had worked in the outdoor recreation industry as a rock climbing instructor and kayaking guide and is often torn between the ocean and the mountains. In his free time you might find Jack trying to figure out how to make his guitar sound good, climbing in the Wasatch range,or fantasizing about adopting a dog.

Carolyn Getschow joined ACE in July 2013 as a Management, Development, and Logistical Support Intern, and stepped into the role of AmeriCorps Program Manager in February 2014.  She is a graduate of the University of Southern California, where she earned degrees in Biological Sciences and Mathematics and spent a semester studying at the Wrigley Institute on Catalina Island.  Carolyn is a lifetime member of the Girl Scouts, and her favorite habitat is underwater, in the kelp forests of California.  She lives in Santa Cruz with her cat Colby and enjoys cross stitch, baking, and volunteering as an official for the Santa Cruz Roller Derby league.

Inspired by the rolling hills and flowing cricks of her hometown in central Pennsylvania, Nicole set out west in 2014 to Flagstaff, AZ to learn more about conservation as a corps member with ACE. After two 900-hour terms with ACE, Nicole began leading crews until 2017, when she then transitioned to seasonal trail work with NPS and USFS throughout the west, while also pursuing a Master’s degree in Sustainable Communities. After Nicole completed her graduate degree with her thesis research focused on the intersection of conservation and justice, she has circled back to working with ACE in this position of Associate Director of Member Resources to cultivate community within ACE and to support emerging conservationists on their ACE journey. Outside of work, Nicole enjoys tending to her plants, reading science fiction, taking nature strolls, and spending time with her partner, dog, and cat.

Chris’ passion for long-distance hiking and cycling led him to pursue a career in conservation. Since 2008 he has served as a volunteer, crew leader, trail manager, operations director, and deputy director for a number of non-profit conservation and trail organizations around the country. Chris holds undergraduate degrees from Boston College and advanced degrees in landscape architecture and natural resource management from Utah State University. He lives at Lake Tahoe and is an active member on his local Search and Rescue team.

Scott Springer currently serves as a Supervisory Natural Resource Specialist and Regional Realty Officer with the US Department of the Interior, Bureau of Reclamation, at the California-Great Basin Region, in Sacramento, CA. The disciplines under his supervision include realty, land and water uses, outdoor recreation, wildland fire and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) since 2015.  Scott has also served 7 years as the Regional Outdoor Recreation Planner at the California-Great Basin Regional Office of Reclamation, where he provided advice and assistance to the Area Offices regarding recreation issues, policy guidance and partnership development beginning in 2008.

Scott is a born and raised Washingtonian.  He lived in western Washington state as a child growing up in a small town in Grays Harbor County. He received a Bachelor of Science degree in Wildland Recreation Management, from Washington State University, Pullman, WA in 1990.  

Scott has a broad spectrum of educational and experience opportunities in various urban, rural, and backcountry recreation settings.  Beginning in 1986, Scott has held recreation positions with the Washington State Parks and Recreation as well as the Department of Natural Resources. He began is federal career with the Bureau of Land Management on the Rogue River in Grants Pass, Oregon in 1990.  His experiences then shifted to 18 years of recreation and land management experience with the U.S. Forest Service in the Congressionally designated Hells Canyon National Recreation Area of Idaho and Oregon and Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area and the Gifford Pinchot National Forest.  

Scott enjoys being in the great outdoors with his dog. Backpacking, fishing, golfing, biking and completing five marathons in the past 15 years.  He visits the great Pacific Northwest often, spending a majority of that time in northeastern Washington at a family farm outside the small town of Chewelah.

Mark Comer was born in Bisbee, Arizona. With ten years of experience in the automotive industry under his belt, he moved north and joined ACE SWA as an AmeriCorps member in 2018. He was able to end his term early and join SWA as Fleet and Facilities Manager in 2019. He is our repairman of engines small and large, driving instructor, and handsaw-sharpening aficionado. When he is not managing the fleet, he enjoys attempting to tame his dog Flynn, dirt biking, and generally adventuring around this state he loves.

Born on a small island in Maryland, Mary enjoyed spending all her free time playing on the water and in the marshes.  Determined to see more of what nature had to offer, she decided to attend college in the Shenandoah Valley of VA.  She graduated from James Madison University in 2017 with a B.S. in Biology. Promptly after graduation and with another jump in ecosystems, she landed in Flagstaff, AZ where she completed two terms as a corps member with ACE. She left the sunny, dry deserts to explore the foggy forests of the northwest spending a year in Oregon leading youth crews and teaching environmental education.  Again, she packed her bags, bound for the Colorado Rockies where she continued doing trail work and environmental education but this time at 14,000 feet.  Now she’s back in Flagstaff and excited to help foster a passion for land stewardship in all the ACE corps members she gets to interact with!

Jack first joined ACE as an international member back in 2011, his first project took him to the bottom of the Grand Canyon and after that he knew this was a place he wanted to work. Jack worked as a Crew leader in 2011 and 2012 and loved every moment of it developed a love for trails and the South West area. That love of the South West brought Jack back in 2016 and he has been with ACE ever since. In Jack’s down time he loves spending time hiking and exploring the great outdoors with his Wife Sarah and Daughter Maggie.

Dennis started with ACE Pacific West in early 2014 as a Conservation Volunteer before moving into an Americorps member, Crew Leader, California Restoration Coordinator, and most recently the Associate Director of Partnerships. Dennis has spent much of his time on the road supporting restoration and forestry projects over the years, but has moved into a more remote administrative role here in ACE PW with the main focus of setting up new and existing projects all around the West Coast. He hopes to see you in an upcoming training or a fuel reduction on the beach soon!

Aaron joined ACE in 2019 as Regional Director for the Mountain West Division, and brings to ACE many years of experience directing facilities, programs and high-performance teams in the recreation, sustainable travel/tourism and outdoor behavioral health industries.

For the past eight years prior to joining ACE, Aaron served as Executive Director and founder of an expedition travel and gap year provider for young adults in the for profit outdoor behavioral health segment. In this capacity Aaron was responsible for building entrepreneurial teams, developing all divisions, and creating world class adventure education programming with a strong emphasis in environmental conservation stewardship volunteerism.

With an extensive professional guiding and adventure videography background, Aaron is a certified Wilderness EMT and brings the perspective of thousands of backcountry days leading and filming expeditions including: mountaineering, rock climbing, canyoneering, fly fishing, paddling, trekking, ski & snowboard touring, mountain biking, scuba diving, adventure motorcycling and wilderness self-reliance through traditional life ways.

Aaron holds a Bachelor’s of Science Degree from Brigham Young University in Recreation Management and Youth Leadership, Leisure Services Management with an Entrepreneurial Business Marketing emphasis through the Marriott School of Business. In his free time, Aaron enjoys travel adventures with his children and pursuing his passion for aviation. Aaron holds a private pilot certificate and enjoys building and flying experimental aircraft.

Karen grew up in the Atlanta area and got her first taste of hiking and camping in the Smokies and the mountains of north Georgia. She has degrees in Environmental Science and Forestry. She spent the early part of her career doing restoration with the NPS and other organizations out west, including many summers at Yosemite National Park. In 2006, she also happened upon a little upstart conservation corps called ACE and worked out of Flagstaff for a few winters. She moved back east for a job at Great Smoky Mountains National Park, and now is excited to be working for ACE again after all these years!

Nick is an ACE Partner Conservationist with NRCS Idaho. Prior to joining ACE, Nick held positions with varying capacities in conservation – he has worked in education, as a naturalist, a forester, and with several conservation nonprofits. When he joined ACE in 2018, he was the NRCS Division’s first partner conservationist. He has a bachelor’s degree from Montana State University and master’s degree in environmental conservation from New York University (NYU). At NYU, he published research on environmental decision making and served as a referee for several academic environmental psychology journals. He also co-wrote a middle school textbook on climate change in conjunction with Earth Day Network. When not working to improve and expand conservation easements, he can often be found chasing birds in the hills of Idaho with his pointer, Pete.

Hayley has led NRCS monitoring programs at ACE since June 2019. She carries out nationwide easement monitoring projects and leads the development of an ecological questionnaire. Her exploration and education of the natural world began along the shores of Lake Superior while studying Environmental Science at Northern Michigan University. Her interest in wetlands, restoration ecology, and natural resource monitoring and management was set in motion during her work with NRCS-Tennessee supporting the wetland easement programs. She completed her graduate degree from Montana State University in Environmental Science and Land Resources. She is thrilled to be working with ACE, stomping around in wetland projects. In her free time, Hayley enjoys hiking, biking, camping, writing bios about herself in the third person, reading, and slacklining.

Fiona provides specialized program support for the NRCS Division. Originally from Santa Cruz, California, Fiona grew up swimming in the Pacific Ocean, hiking and camping in the redwoods, and traveling to nearby National and State Parks. She took her love for the outdoors to Utah where she worked in the outdoor behavioral health industry prior to joining ACE in 2019. Fiona has over a decade of experience in the mental health field, working with adolescents and adults, and continues to be passionate about mental health work in an outdoor setting. She has a BS in Psychology, with minors in Spanish and Peace and Conflict Studies. In her spare time, Fiona loves to travel, bake, and spend time with her husband and two cats. 

Ellen has been with ACE since her graduation from Vanderbilt University in 2017. She grew up in Ohio, but fell in love with the west after her first position as an ACE-Americorp intern, doing resource inventory for the BLM in northern California. Her term with the BLM only strengthened her passion for conservation and public lands, and she pursued another position with ACE as the logistics coordinator for the USFWS National Visitor Survey project, based in Colorado. She has since come on as the Agreements and Project Manager for the USFWS division, and loves helping others on their conservation career path. In her free time, Ellen can be found outdoors – she is an avid hiker and backpacker, and a geologist by hobby.

Josh has spent his life chasing outdoor adventures and now focuses on sharing these experiences with his daughter, Cody Ann. Josh is a passionate and accomplished backcountry skier, mountain biker and trail builder. “I believe trails aren’t just about getting from point A to point B. Good trails are like those bumper stickers that say that life is about the journey, not the destination. A great trail IS the destination as they provide an adventurous experience that highlights the landscape and hugs the natural contours, takes the user to beautiful viewsheds, rock outcroppings and other points of interest. Trail design and construction isn’t just a job for me, it’s an artform.”

Colby joined the ACE team after five years of working with nonprofits serving refugees in Boise, ID and Salt Lake City, UT. He monitored compliance for several federal grants, conducted data analysis, and administered a cash assistance program for newly resettled refugees. Colby also has a background in Archaeology, volunteer development, museums, and GIS, and is excited to return to these roots in contributing to the mission of ACE.

A.J.’s career in the non-profit conservation field began in 2013 as an AmeriCorps member with the Student Conservation Association in western Massachusetts. There he learned invaluable skills regarding hands-on conservation projects and environmental education for future land managers. He began working for ACE in 2014, starting out as an Outreach Coordinator for the Southwest Arizona division in Flagstaff.  He has since been fortunate enough to assume various roles throughout the organization such as AmeriCorps program management, agreement management, compliance, and administration. Having lived in states ranging from Arizona to Maryland he currently lives in his home state of Wisconsin. In his spare time he enjoys golfing, landscape photography, and spending time with his Golden Retriever, Macy.

Born on the land now known as Wisconsin, Mackenzie began her conservation journey as a child “up der in da north woods,” scouring streams for rocks and helping her dad with outdoor projects. After graduating from Wisconsin-Madison in 2014 with degrees in Biology and Spanish (and a Certificate in Gender & Women’s Studies), she used her aquatic background to complete an internship with jellies at Chicago’s Shedd Aquarium before getting into invasive species work. In 2016, Mackenzie made the move to Arizona for her first of two 900-hour Corps Member terms and later helped facilitate the start of the Gulf Coast Division as a Crew Leader. After finding great fulfillment working as the Youth Programs Coordinator, Mackenzie is now happy to be a part of the Marketing & Communications Team as she works towards a graduate degree in Sustainable Communities. In her free time, Mackenzie enjoys a good nonfiction read, getting outside, and catching up with ACE family all around the country!

Joel served with ACE as a corpsmember and Crew Leader in the Southwest Division before departing to pursue new opportunities and finally returning! Joel has built many trails in his time working with various conservation organizations and the National Parks Service. Of those truly innumerable trails, the one that weathered the years the most stolidly was the trail that has led him back to ACE. A Washington native he grew up loving to spend time getting covered in dirt, a passion that has been foundational in his continuing career in conservation, and one that continues to be his guiding star.

Katie Lyon joined the USFWS Division as the National Trail Inventory Project/Data Manager in 2020. She previously worked with ACE and USFWS on the national visitor survey project and is excited to join the ACE team. Katie holds a bachelor’s in Natural Resource Recreation & Tourism and a master’s in Human Dimensions of Natural Resources from Colorado State University. She currently lives in Lander, WY, with her partner Chris and Aussie dog Alta, and enjoys gardening, climbing, hunting, and paddleboarding.

Mitch grew up in central rural North Carolina where he went on to study Natural Resource Management and Forestry at Western Carolina University. He served with AmeriCorps NCCC and then transitioned into the conservation field, working for Coconino Rural Environmental Corps (C-REC) as a corps member then a mentor for YCC in Flagstaff, Arizona. Mitch continued in building his conservation experience working as a crew leader for The Conservation Corps of Minnesota and the Conservation Corps New Mexico. Outside the Corps world, he has worked in the outdoor recreation industry including guiding paddling trips, working as a camp counselor for a summer camp, and grooming ski trails in Colorado. Outside of the ACE office, Mitch can be found hiking, kayaking, and fly fishing across the southwest.

Christian graduated in 2015 from the University of Wyoming with a double major in Wildlife Biology and Environment & Natural Resources and a minor in Spanish. When not in school, Christian enjoyed summers with the Wyoming Conservation Corps leading crews, tracking lions in Kenya for his thesis, and wildland firefighting throughout the West. Luckily for Christian he was never eaten by any lions and he can now enjoy passing on his skills to future conservation superheroes who are pursuing their passions with ACE.

Alassane Naing joined the ACE team in 2019 as part of the ACEglobal division. Alassane works with all staff on basic administration, human resources, and program development. He is originally from Mali, Bamako, Africa but moved to the United States when he was seven years old. His first languages are French and Bamara, but he learned to also speak, read and write English upon arriving in Utah.  Alassane is a black belt in Shotokan Karate and recently completed his final year of eligibility as a cornerback at the University of Utah Pac12 Football team. He is currently living in Salt Lake City, Utah and about to graduate from the University of Utah with a BS in Economics and a minor in Computer Literacy.

Jim has been with ACE for over 10 years and oversees the maintenance and construction needs of all ACE properties in the Western ACE Divisions, including office spaces and member housing. When not at work, you may find him coaching the local high school cycling team or even out for a race himself. With over 20 years of cycling experience, Jim is constantly lending his expertise to help reconstruct and re-purpose bikes around the office. 

Not only does Jim bring a lifetime of prestigious accomplishments and skills to his position but also invaluable kindness and dedication. Without him and the help of his team, we might quite literally fall apart at the studs!

Rafael Rosa joined ACE in 2020 as Chief Program Officer.

Rafael spent six years with the Student Conservation Association as a Regional Vice President for Partnerships (RVP) and Senior VP of Program. As an RVP his team was responsible for all SCA partnerships in a 16 state area. As SVP his team placed and supported 2500+ members each year. 

Previous to SCA, Rafael spent 25 years in the museum environmental education and conservation field in Chicago. He led teams that developed and implemented environmental curriculum in museums, schools and in local communities with an emphasis on helping youth understand that despite living in an urban area they were not divorced from nature.

While not at work, Rafael enjoys spending time with his wife and sons who as a group have visited National Parks and other natural areas in 44 states and counting.

As the National Division Director for ACE EPIC, and its NPS partnerships, Peter oversees all aspects of project creation and management, ensuring that smooth and positive partnerships continue without a hitch.

Peter brings a host of conservation experiences from the field including backcountry patrol work in the Brooks Range and Yukon River of Alaska (NPS); resource management and environmental education as an AmeriCorps member in Barnstable Co, Massachusetts (DNR, NPS, and non-profit land trusts); wildlife monitoring in the Sierras (Sequoia National Forest, USFS); and vegetation dynamics research in Chobe National Park, Botswana. When he’s not working with talented EPIC Interns/Fellows and amazing NPS staff, Peter can likely be found running or backcountry skiing in the Wasatch, or traveling with his amazing wife.

Shayne has been a member of ACE’s Board of Directors since the spring of 2013. He has served as the chair of the board’s finance committee and served on the special committee charged with selecting ACE’s current CEO and President. Shayne brings experience in accounting, real estate transactions, finance and banking. He is currently the Chief Financial Officer of Youth Health Associates, Inc. located in Salt Lake City, Utah. He has held previous positions as a controller and analyst for small companies in real estate and construction and in business banking with US Bank. Shayne lives with his family in Sandy, Utah and enjoys Utah’s variety of outdoor recreation opportunities, especially the world-class fly fishing.

Chris has an extensive background in conservation and resource management, most recently spending the past six years with the Student Conservation Association in a variety of roles. As Vice President of Partnership, his responsibilities included program and partnership development, government relations, and staff management.

Originally from England, Chris took the opportunity after university to come to the United States and work for the US Forest Service in the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area, Oregon. Subsequently, Chris moved to Arizona and spent 8 years working for the City of Phoenix operating outdoor recreation programming for youth and people with disabilities, before moving back to

Oregon taking the position of Recreation Manager for Oregon State University, College Forests, in Corvallis Oregon, Chris holds degrees from Writtle College, England in Rural Resource Management, and Arizona State University in Recreation Management.

Heather grew up in the deep south – Memphis, TN – with cotton fields surrounding her high school. After graduating, she moved to Flagstaff to pursue a degree in Mathematics. In college she ended up switching her major about 5 times, so like any early twenty something year old, she moved to Portland, OR to find what she was passionate about career-wise. Life led her back to Flagstaff, college goals changed to Accounting, her beautiful daughter Rosalie arrived and work took a turn to the dental industry. Still feeling that accounting/mathematics nudge, she joined the ACE finance team. Heather manages our Accounts Payables and all things credit card. Her work with ACE will help hone her Accounting skills so that she can finish her degree, once her daughter starts Kindergarten.

ACE is lucky to have recruited such a smart, organized and amazing finance-minded addition to our staff.

After spending 20 years in various roles with ADP in Seattle, I spent a couple years living on Maui working for the Pacific Whale Foundation running AP and Payroll. I relocated back to Arizona in 2016 and spent a year and a half running payroll for a commercial sign and lighting company in Tucson, and also spent some time working for the city of Tucson. I have always been an advocate for the environment, and an avid outdoorsman. I am pleased to bring my many years of accounting and payroll knowledge to ACE, and my goal is to bring an easier and more user friendly payroll process to all staff and interns.

When not at work I enjoy hiking, camping, skiing, snowshoeing and photography. I enjoy traveling and exploring our national parks.

Laura Herrin joined ACE in 2018 as President and CEO.

Laura has a long tenure working in the youth conservation arena serving fifteen years with the Student Conservation Association in numerous roles, ultimately as the Senior Vice President for Program. In this role, Laura was responsible for all aspects of program and partnership development and implementation, risk management and safety, and organizational growth. In her tenure she implemented a number of initiatives including summer youth employment programs and conservation service programs for urban and underrepresented youth.

Most recently Laura worked with the Corps Network overseeing fund development and partnerships for the membership organization supporting the work of more than 130 Service and Conservation Corps across the country.
Laura’s professional career has always been in the non profit space and includes work with Children Youth and Families as well as the US Ski Association.

Laura holds a bachelor’s degree from Wheaton College and a Master’s degree in Organizational Management and Leadership. Additionally, she is a certified black belt in Innovation Engineering.