I've been a big Bob Dylan fan for most of my life, but never did I think the times at Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge would change so swiftly and completely since the last issue of the Piping Plover newsletter. But, indeed they have ... at least in terms of personnel.

Specifically, 2004 came to a close characterized by the departure of our senior leadership, Tom Roster, who was selected as Refuge Manager at Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge in New York; and, John Schroer, who retired after 16 years serving as Refuge Manager at Chincoteague.

In addition to losing senior leadership, the refuge gained, or regained, as is the case, two members to the senior staff. William Haglan was selected as the Supervisory Wildlife Biologist, and Mark McGee returned from active duty with the U.S. Coast Guard after one year serving his country during war time.

William Haglan, or Bill as he likes to be called, worked in the Washington Office, Division of Refuges, for several years prior to reporting to Chincoteague. Before Washington, Bill's duty station was the Charles M. Russell National Wildlife Refuge in Montana, where he served as a wildlife biologist. Bill takes on his new position at Chincoteague with many years of experience doing many types of management activities. And that is a very good thing, since he and his staff are already off and running after piping plovers.

Mark McGee, Supervisory Law Enforcement Officer, returned to duty at Chincoteague in February 2005, after his second, one-year reactivation into the U.S. Coast Guard. While away, Mark was stationed in Wilmington, North Carolina, as well as Portsmouth, Virginia.

However, just as quickly as the refuge gained staff, Law Enforcement Officer Celeste Reagan was selected for a position at Cape May National Wildlife Refuge in New Jersey. Celeste served as both a seasonal low enforcement officer and as a permanent officer at the refuge since 1994. Officer Reagan will be missed, but her colleagues know that she will be a true asset to her new duty station where she reported in mid-March.

And just in case you hadn't heard, the senior leadership in the Northeast Regional Office, located in Hadley, Massachusetts, has decided to appoint several refuge- managers in the region as Acting Project Leaders at Chincoteague until a permanent selection is made. Most recently, Terry Villanueva, Refuge Manager at Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge in Delaware, served a 60-day detail. Effective March 7, Susan Rice, Refuge Manager from the Eastern Shore of Virginia National Wildlife Refuge, stepped up to the plate to serve as acting for six weeks.

Stay tuned for more personnel details because the times they are a-changing.

Angela Tracy
Supervisory ORP, CNWR