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[From Summer 1995]
In April, Stephanie Brady came on-board as the new Refuge Operations Specialist at Chincoteague NWR. She transferred from Blackwater NWR in Cambridge, Maryland, after completing training at the Federal Law Enforcement Center in Glynco, Georgia. While at Blackwater, she worked on several projects, including the sub-impoundment project along the wildlife drive and a Geographic Information System which provides computer generated mapping of the refuge.
Stephanie completed her Master's degree at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst last summer. Her degree is in Wildlife Management with an emphasis in marine science. Her thesis research was on sea turtle distribution and the incidental take in the swordfish fishery in the northeastern United States. Her expertise lies in coastal conservation, endangered species management, and the applications of a GIS system. She received her undergraduate degree from Southern Illinois University at Carbondale, where she majored in Biology and Microbiology.
Before attending graduate school, she worked on Cape Cod for several years as a research biologist for the Massachusetts Audubon Society. She primarily conducted research on the state-listed threatened species diamondback terrapin (Malaclemys terrapin), but also worked on the sea turtle and marine mammal stranding network.
She has experience in environmental education, having taught at Barrier Island Environmental Education Center in South Carolina for one year on the natural history of barrier islands. While at Audubon on Cape Cod, she taught natural history classes to day camp students, as well as science courses in the local elementary schools.
In May, Marion Jackson, Jeffrey Munn and Beth Homa were selected to fill the seasonal fee collector positions at the refuge. Bill Everingham, a veteran, returned from last year. Billy attends Salisbury State University and is majoring in Environmental Planning/Resource Management. He is in his third season at the refuge. Marion Jackson is from Chincoteague and has eight years experience in public relations and working as a cashier. She plans to attend University of Maryland, Eastern Shore, in the fall to pursue a teaching degree. Jeffrey Munn has a two year degree in Criminal Justice and is looking for a career in law enforcement. He is originally from New York, and now lives in Wachapreague with his parents. Beth Homa is a 1995 graduate from Arcadia High School where she graduated fourth in her class. She plans to attend the college of William and Mary in the fall.
The new faces in Visitor Services include Leo Kane, Jeri Fields, Michelle Bulger, Emily Loose and Terry Rioux. Leo Kane was formerly a refuge volunteer. He is retired and lives in Parksley. Jeri Fields hails from the Bluegrass State. The Kentucky native resides in Bowling Green, the Corvette capitol of the world. She is a student at Western Kentucky University where she has a double major in Agriculture Education and Environmental Science. Jeri enjoys horseback riding, sewing and singing, and lives with her parents, three siblings, fourteen horses, five dogs, one rabbit and four cats.
Michelle Bulger, originally from Cortland, New York, is a recent graduate of Salisbury State University. With a Bachelor's degree in Biology, she hopes to pursue a career that will keep her outdoors. She enjoys outdoor activities of all kinds, having been active in SSU's Outdoor Club, but hiking and canoeing top her list. Emily Loose comes to us from Pennsylvania. She is working toward a degree in Marine Biology at Long Island University in Southampton, New York. Emily would eventually like to work at a rescue and rehabilitation center for marine mammals. Terry Rioux is a Cultural History intern and has a B.A. in Anthropology from Plattsburgh, New York. She served four years in the United States Coast Guard. As a Coast Guard spouse, she looks for unusual opportunities within each assignment.
Returning intern Kendra Pednault has again joined the biological staff. Kendra is a 1995 graduate of Texas A & M University with a B.S. in Wildlife and Fisheries (most appropriate for working with the Fish & Wildlife Service). Kendra's future plans include a return to school in order to prepare for obtaining her ideal job of avian veterinarian (a.k.a. doctor for the birds) or other wildlife related work. She hopes to be able to work in the Northwest and/or Alaska. Kendra would like a change of pace from Texas weather by relocating to a place that has four seasons. (Editor's note: - Why isn't Kendra considering Chincoteague? She could often experience four seasons practically any month of the year!) The future also holds a name change since on August 5th she will marry James Willett, a law enforcement officer. We wish Kendra all the best in both her marrage and career.
Tom Penn has also returned to serve a second year as a biology summer intern. Tom is a fourth-year student majoring in Wildlife Science at Virginia Polytechnic and State University (VPI & SU) in Blacksburg, Virginia. Originally from Roanoke, Virginia, Tom would like to live in the Pacific Northwest. His hobbies include biking and playing the guitar. His short-term goal is to produce more piping plovers. Long-term, Tom would like to be involved in the formulation and implementation of national endangered species policy.
Michelle O'Malley (a.k.a. "Mo") is our third biology intern. She is also a senior majoring in Wildlife Science at VPI & SU. Mo will be graduating next may and plans to return to Alaska. Her goal is to work with the wolves on the Kenai Peninsula.
Vic Coffman was selected as the law enforcement summer intern. He attends the University of Tennessee at Martin, Tennessee. Vic's career objective is to obtain a wildlife biologist - law enforcement position.
Returning as seasonal law enforcement officers are James Willett and Celeste Reagan.
Faces that will be missed at the refuge are Maggie O'Connell, who received a promotion and moved to Okefenokee NWR in Georgia, and Jim Kenyon, who has assumed the lead Outdoor Recreation Planner position at the Eastern Shore of Virginia NWR.
Refuge Staff
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