Field Staff

  • Amanda Garland, Burlington Community Crew

    Amanda is currently pursuing her Master of Science degree in Environmental Thought and Culture at the University of Vermont.  She spent five months in the Bob Marshall Wilderness Complex as a Crew Leader with the Montana Conservation Corps in 2006.  Amanda has also refined her trail skills as a Trails Manger and Park Ranger at Monadnock State Park in New Hampshire.  She is an avid outdoorswoman and loves the community of Burlington.

    1. Community Crews

  • Donnie Ager, Burlington Community Crew

    Donnie is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Arts degree in Environmental Studies at the University of Vermont. He originally hails from Concord, New Hampshire, where he started a Students Against Destructive Decisions group and gained valuable leadership skills as a member of a Youth Advocacy Council.  Donnie has extensive carpentry and landscaping skills and is excited to work with the youth in Burlington this summer.

    1. Community Crews

  • Amber Brantner, Montpelier Community Crew

    Amber hails originally from Wisconsin, but is currently calling Montpelier, Vermont, home. She has a rich background in recreation ranging from employment at Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park to the Monroe Parks and Recreation Department to Crew Leading with YES AmeriCorps in Wisconsin. Amber holds a Bachelor of Science in Recreation Management from the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse. Amber very much enjoys playing in the Green Mountains by foot or by ski with a backpack and a book in hand.

    1. Community Crews

  • Kevin Chap, Woodstock Community Crew

    Kevin was born in New York City, and at a young age the family moved to Stockbridge, Vermont. Kevin attended school in Bethel, where he was heavily invested in both athletics and drama. He went on to attend Villa Julie College in Baltimore, Maryland receiving a basketball scholarship but ultimately focusing his full attention on the performing arts. Kevin then attended the Conservatory for Dramatic Arts in New York and has lived in the city for the past several years. He is extremely excited to be back in the Green Mountains and to be working with the VYCC and the community of Woodstock this summer.

    1. Community Crews

  • Nicolas Nyirjesy, Montpelier Community Crew

    Nicolas is originally from Connecticut but moved to Vermont in 2000 and had his first experience with the VYCC in 2002 as a Community Crew Member. He is finishing his undergraduate degree in History at the University of Vermont after having transferred from Bates College in 2007. Wilderness experiences began early on for Nicolas as he grew up in rural areas but he also had more formal leadership training both with the VYCC and with Outward Bound.

     

    1. Community Crews

  • Asia Harman, Woodstock Community Crew

    Asia is relocating to Vermont from Eugene Oregon, where she has served as an AmeriCorps member with the Northwest Youth Corps. There, she obtained her Wildland Firefighting Red Card and completed various trail work projects in Arizona. She has also worked as a group educator in Yellowstone National Park with a focus on buffalo.  Asia is originally from Indiana and obtained her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Photography from Indiana University. She has a love for local foods and agriculture and is interested in mentoring young folks to develop awareness for the world around them.

    1. Community Crews

  • Erin Seward, Richmond Community Crew

    Erin is originally from Wallingford, Vermont and is a past Corps Member from the 1997 and 1998 seasons.  She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Environmental Education from Warren Wilson College located in Asheville, North Carolina.   Erin has worked as an Assistant Park Ranger at Green River Reservoir State Park, been an intern with the Student Conservation Association at North Cascades National Park, and she has also worked for the Forest Service in Colorado as a Forestry Technician.  Erin joined the VYCC in September of 2007 to instruct for the School Program and to continue building and implementing the framework for the Farm and Nursery at the West Monitor Barn.

    1. Community Crews

  • Ed Robbins, Richmond Community Crew

    Ed is taking a summer break from Johnson State College where he is pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Integrated Environmental Science and his Secondary Science Teaching Certificate. He also holds an Associates Degree in Ecotourism and Adventure Travel from Hocking College in Ohio. Ed has a strong and diverse background in trip leading, including leading wilderness therapy groups with Wilderness Quest in Utah and True North in Vermont. His other interests include kayaking, bread baking, anything snow-related, and tromping around with his dog, Max.

    1. Community Crews

  • Ry Parcell, North Hero State Park

    The VYCC is pleased to welcome Ry from the great state of Colorado where he has most recently been working as a Trail Technician with Jefferson County Open Space in Golden. Ry supplements these trail skills with his experience as an AmeriCorps member with the Mile High Youth Corps in Denver. Fort Worden State Park in Port Townsend, Washington benefited from Ry’s presence as a Park Ranger intern in 2005. Ry holds a Bachelor of Science in Recreation, Park, and Sport Management from the Virginia Commonwealth University. Ry is an avid rock climber, kayaker, and pursuer of all outdoor adventures.

    1. Park Crew Leader

  • Henry Dills, Elmore State Park

    Henry comes to the VYCC from New York State. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Park and Resource Management from Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania. To supplement his degree, Henry has worked at the Delaware Seashore State Park, Genesee County Park and Forest, and the DeWitt Recreational Facility. In 2000, Henry worked with Alaskan Wilderness Outfitters as a seaplane operation attendant and completed an Outpost Camp Guide training program. Henry has also been a certified wildland firefighter.

    1. Park Crew Leader

  • Beth Doyle, Elmore State Park

    Beth joins VYCC from the Maine Conservation Corps, where she has gained extensive trail, group, and administrative skills as a Crew Member, a Team Leader, and a Senior Team Leader. Beth is a member of the Maine Appalachian Trail Club, a Wilderness First Responder, and a certified Sawyer. Beth also serves on the board of the non-profit group Original Works, which focuses on using art to bring together communities. Beth holds a Bachelor of Art in Social Sciences from the University of Maine.

    1. Park Crew Leader

  • Jeffrey Maiden, Elmore State Park

    Jeff brings leadership experience from the Mission Summer Program at the Sylvester Powell Community Center. He draws upon volunteer experience at Camp LuWiSoMo where he was a Youth Counselor for developmentally disabled adults. Jeff is also a proud Eagle Scout, which gave him a wealth of trip and group leading knowledge to bring to the VYCC.

    1. Park Crew Leader

  • Daniel Lee, Quechee State Park

    Dan holds a Bachelor of Science in Natural Resource Planning from the University of Vermont where he was also a resident of the Slade Environmental Co-op community. While attending UVM, Dan worked on the Deconstruction Crew at ReCycle North to divert building materials from landfills. He also worked as an intern with the New England Grassroots Environment Fund. Most recently, Dan completed an internship with The Nature Conservancy in Seattle.

    1. Park Crew Leader

  • Matt Pavelka, Moosalamoo USFS Campground

    Matt has worked as an environmental education instructor with the River Ridge Environmental Program in Tennessee. He supplemented his lessons with conservation themes gleaned from his experience as a trail crew member with the Northwest Service Academy in Washington. Matt has served as a Residential Counselor for adults with developmental disabilities and is a certified massage therapist.

    1. Park Crew Leader

  • Kelly Grzasko, Moosalamoo USFS Campground

    Kelly is a native Pennsylvanian and will be coming to Vermont via Wisconsin. Kelly has instructed in the topics of outdoor and environmental education at YMCA Camp Pendalouan and with the River Ridge Environmental Education Program. Kelly has also worked as a therapeutic staff member at several different facilities providing support for youth. The Forest Service will also benefit from Kelly’s service as a 900 hour AmeriCorps Member with the Northwest Service Academy where she completed a myriad of conservation projects.

    1. Park Crew Leader

  • Laura Marvin, Allis State Park

    Laura will be joining the VYCC team after making the trip from Michigan. Laura has worked at YMCA Camp Manitou-lin leading various outdoor adventure courses. She has also lead wilderness trips for teenager through the University of Rhode Island. Laura holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Child Development and Psychology from Central Michigan University and is also a certified CPR, AED, and First Aid instructor for American Red Cross. Laura brings a very diverse background to the heart of Vermont.

    1. Park Crew Leader

  • Heather Ruggiero, North Hero State Park

    Heather brings a plethora of field work experience to her Crew Leading position. She has most recently been an agro-forestry volunteer in Ecuador. She held another international position as Field Assistant for an Ecology Research Project in Chile. Stateside, Heather has been an intern for The Nature Conservancy and the Cape Cod National Seashore. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Life Science from Guilford College in North Carolina. In addition to international volunteering, Heather is passionate about soccer, mediation, and art.

    1. Park Crew Leader

  • Annmarie DeVivo, Quechee State Park

    Annmarie DeVivo earned her Bachelors Degree in Social Work from Plymouth State University. While earning her degree, she studied Spanish in the Dominican Republic and Costa Rica while volunteering to teach English and work on a trail crew. She has also worked for a Refugee Resettlement Program in Concord, New Hampshire, taught Spanish at Waterville Ski Academy, and been the program coordinator for the Burton Chill Program in Washington DC and Baltimore. She has also served one term as an AmeriCorps volunteer with Habitat for Humanity in Georgia.

    1. Park Crew Leader

  • Erin Schumacher, LEAP, Roving 1 & 8

    Erin is a very recent graduate from the University of Vermont where she obtained her Bachelor of Science in Business Administration. She has been a Resident Assistant for three years while also serving as a Student Ambassador on campus and interning with the Vermont House Agriculture Committee. Erin has a passion for traveling and immersing herself in other cultures while pursuing options for creating her own international business.

    1. Roving Crews

  • Matthew Nicholson, LEAP, Roving 1 & 8

    Matthew is originally from Cleveland, Ohio, and recently arrived in Vermont after spending two years in Seattle.  The Pacific Northwest expanded his appreciation for nature and developed a growing passion to make that experience available to others.  As the Youth Development AmeriCorps VISTA for the VYCC, Matthew has been working to develop the first LEAP Inclusive Crew, where youth with visual impairments and sighted youth will work side by side on high-priority conservation projects.  In addition, Matthew has been focusing his efforts on Field Staff and Corps Member outreach since November.

    1. Roving Crews

  • Mary McQuiggan, Roving 2 & 9

    Mary is proudly returning to the VYCC for her fifth season! Mary is originally from Montpelier, Vermont, and was a Roving Crew Leader in 2006 and a Corps Member on five crews prior to that. Mary holds a Bachelor of Science in Landscape Architecture from Cornell University in Ithaca, New York. At Cornell, Mary has been an instructor for the Cornell Outdoor Education Program.  She’s also worked for the Urban Ecology Institute in Boston and was in her first ever theatrical production this year at Cornell.

    1. Roving Crews

  • Julia Rees, Roving 3 & 10

    Julia is currently pursuing her Bachelor of Arts in Sociology and Elementary Education at the University of Richmond in Virginia. Julia has served as an Elementary Teaching Assistant and a Volunteer Tutor in Richmond. Julia brings a depth of knowledge in Outdoor Leadership Development from YMCA Camp Kon-O-Kwee in Pennsylvania. She supplements her professional experiences with personal explorations in New Zealand and stateside.

    1. Roving Crews

  • Lucas Somers, Roving 3 & 10

    Lucas has a long history with the VYCC. After working as a Corps Member on a Roving Crew and a Fall Leadership Crew, he returned to the VYCC as a Roving Crew Leader in 2007. Lucas holds a Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Science from Green Mountain College. His other various pursuits include environmental education at Frost Valley YMCA in New York and ski patrolling. We welcome Lucas back to continue his Roving adventures.

    1. Roving Crews

  • Carly Farnes, Roving 4 & 11

    Carly will be traveling cross-country to join the VYCC from Utah where she has been working at Uinta Academy to support girls in a residential treatment center.  Carly has also worked at Cache Employment and Training Center assisting adults with behavioral disabilities. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Family and Human Development from Utah State University. Carly is an avid recycler and runner.

    1. Roving Crews

  • Andy Moss

    Andy will be coming to us from his most recent adventure in Mexico, where he was working to perform GIS/GPS analysis. He was also teaching English as a second language. Andy has a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Tennessee in Environmental Science and Policy. Andy has worked in a state park in Tennessee as a seasonal interpretive ranger doing trail work and educational outreach programs. He also brings watershed analysis and restoration experience from the Tennessee Valley Authority.

    1. Roving Crews

  • Danny Farnes, Roving 4 & 11

    Danny has been pursuing his Bachelor of Science degree in Parks and Recreation at Utah State University.  He brings a solid history in park maintenance from employment with Logan City Parks and Streets Department and the Bountiful City Parks Department in Utah.  Danny is a proud Eagle Scout and has had multiple opportunities to manage large groups of volunteers with his church in Florida

    1. Roving Crews

  • Jacqueleen Albanese, Roving 5 & 12

    Jacqueleen holds a Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology and Environmental Studies from Mount Holyoke College in Massachusetts.  She has worked as an outdoor educator at Nature’s Classroom, a SCA Wildlife Management intern at Lassen Volcanic National Park, and led wilderness trips at Manice Education Center in Massachusetts. Jacqueleen has been a Habitat for Humanity Project Coordinator as well as an Ultimate Frisbee team captain.

    1. Roving Crews

  • Randy "RJ" Wright, Roving 5 & 12

    Randy joins us from Potsdam, New York. While pursuing a degree in Business Management and Technology with a focus on Business Law and Environmental Policy at Clarkson University, he organized the Focus the Nation event on campus to raise awareness about global warming. Randy is also an avid mountain biker and gleans many trail building skills through work with the Clarkson Mountain Biking Club.

    1. Roving Crews

  • Tessa Wilson, Roving 6 & 13

    Tessa joins us on her summer break from studying at Massachusetts College of Art and Design. In addition to pursuing her love of photography and nature art, Tessa has been volunteering at MassPIRG as a student coordinator. Tessa brings educational experience, technical skills, and historic farming techniques from her stint with AmeriCorps NCCC* based out of Denver. She is passionate about education and is psyched to be a Crew Leader.

    1. Roving Crews

  • Lehel Somogyi, Roving 6 & 13

    Lehel will be joining the VYCC from Ohio where he is pursuing his Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and International Studies at Baldwin-Wallace College. Lehel most recently served as an AmeriCorps member with SAGA Alaska Service Corps. Prior to that, Lehel was honing his technical skills with the Southwest Conservation Corps based in Arizona. Lehel is thrilled to transition into a leadership position here at the VYCC.

    1. Roving Crews

  • Marloes Pouw, Roving 7 & 14

    Marloes is making the big trip across the pond from the Netherlands to work with the VYCC this summer. She brings a strong history of trip leading with the Sea Scouts for five summers. Marloes has also volunteered with the National Trust of England, honing a variety of skills including nature conservation and cultural and natural interpretation. Marloes holds a degree in Human Geography from University Utrecht. Marloes is excited to stretch her international career experiences.

    1. Roving Crews

  • Nathaniel Crompton, Roving 7 & 14

    Nat will be enjoying his summer break from Lyndon State College while crew leading this year. He is a youth corps veteran, drawing experience from the Southwest Conservation Corps and successful completion of the Leadership Development program at the Northwest Youth Corps, which led him to an Assistant Crew Leader position in 2007.  He is an experienced sawyer, as well as certified in Wilderness First Aid.

    1. Roving Crews

  • Hillary Boone, Wilderness 1 & 3

    Hillary began her adventures with the VYCC as a Wilderness Crew Corps Member in 2005. After moving rocks in Killington, Hillary obtained her Bachelor of Science in Environmental Geology from Northeastern University. While studying, she was an advisor to the Husky Energy Action Team and was a member of the NU Students for Environmental Action Group. We welcome Hillary back to the VYCC after her spring explorations in Costa Rica.

    1. Wilderness Crews

  • Ryan Linn, Wilderness 1 & 3

    Ryan is moving west to the VYCC from Maine, where he has been working with the Appalachian Mountain Club as an all-around staff member at Lyford Ponds Camp and August Camp. Ryan holds a Bachelor of Arts in History from Vassar College where he was an Outing Club Leader. Ryan furthered his outdoor adventures by completing a Semester in the Rockies with the National Outdoor Leadership School. He is also a passionate bread baker.

    1. Wilderness Crews

  • Cherob Opfer, Wilderness 2 & 4

    Cherob joins us with a wealth of outdoor experience. She obtained her Bachelor of Science in Animal Ecology with a focus on Interpretation of Natural Resources from Iowa State University.  Cherob has worked as naturalist as Pleasant Creek State Park and a volunteer at the Australia Zoo.  She also has been a Youth Director and Adventure Program Instructor at various summer camps. Cherob also gleans her wilderness skills from multiple back-country mission trips to South Africa, Botswana, and Brazil.

    1. Wilderness Crews

  • Harry Dunn-Davenport, Wilderness 2 & 4

    Harry got his start with the VYCC in 2005 as a Corps Member on a Wilderness Crew based at Thundering Falls on the Appalachian Trail. Since then, Harry has completed a five month session with the Montana Conservation Corps. He has most recently been living in Utah, working at Snowbird Mountain Resort and Solitude Nordic Center. Harry is truly excited to bring his experience from these adventures as well as his Wilderness First Aid Certification to the VYCC.

    1. Wilderness Crews

Crew Leader Profiles