Headquarters Staff

  • Thomas Hark, Founding President

    Thomas has been with the VYCC since its inception and has led the organization from five summer Corps Members in 1986 to more than the 450 year round positions. A former Crew Leader for the Youth Conservation Corps in Young Harris, Georgia, and Camp Director for the Minnesota Conservation Corps, Thomas is recognized nationally for his vision in making VYCC one of the nation's leading youth leadership, education, and training organizations.

    Thomas received the prestigious Sterling College Environmental Leadership Award in 2009. He currently serves on the Vermont Council on Rural Development (VCRD) Board’s Executive Committee, and as president of the Richmond Area Business Association. In his home town of Williston he has been a past coach for several Little League T-Ball and Soccer teams, assists with local Boy Scout Troop #692, and is a Leader for Webelo Den #1.

    Thomas holds a Masters of Science Degree in Experiential Education from the University of Mankato. He is the former Vice President of the Board of the National Association of Service and Conservation Corps (Corps Network) as well as a past Chair of the Catamount Trail Association, Recycle North Board, Mallets Bay Homeowners Board, has served on the Vermont Environmental Consortium Board as well as many others and was a founding member of the Vermont Alliance of Non-Profit Organizations (VANPO). Thomas lives in Williston, Vermont, with his wife, Dana Hearn-Hark, and their three children, Eli (12), Zachary (10), and Rosie (8).

    Thomas is as passionate today as he was back in 1986.  He is driven to create as many quality positions in the VYCC as possible.  The current economy, while very challenging for VYCC, is also “loaded with potential”.  He is full of passion for his work and loves people to stop into his office (sometimes whole crews from the field!) to talk about the corps’ future – be careful if you do, as his enthusiasm is contagious!

    1. 802.434.3969, ext. 100
    2. thomas.hark@vycc.org

  • Paul Schmidt, Vice President of Operations

    Paul grew up in Minnesota and graduated from the University of Minnesota with a Bachelor of Science in Natural Resources and Environmental Studies.  He started working with conservation corps in 1994 as a Crew Leader for the Minnesota Conservation Corps (MCC) and spent a total of three summers with MCC also filling the roles of Assistant Camp Director and Camp Director. He traveled west for the off seasons and worked as a Program Development Coordinator with the Northwest Youth Corps in Oregon.  In 1998 he started with the VYCC as a Field Assistant. 

    Paul grew with the organization, assuming the roles of Trails Coordinator, Conservation Director, Operations Director, and finally Vice President.  In 2004 he took a sabbatical from the VYCC and spent four years living and working in Alaska, building cabins, mushing sled dogs, and coordinating projects for a local Parks and Recreation Department.  He returned to the VYCC in the late summer of 2008 as the Vice President of Operations, responsible for much of the day-to-day operations at the VYCC including administration, finance, IT, project development and partnerships, logistics, facilities, and lands.  He lives in Starksboro with partner and fellow VYCC alum JJ Boggs, and Daisy and Logan, two Alaska-hardened Setters who are happy to be back in the milder climes of Vermont.

    1. 802.434.3969, ext. 121
    2. paul.schmidt@vycc.org

  • Breck Knauft, Vice President of Program Development

    Breck calls Vermont home after growing up in suburban Connecticut. Following a senior year of high school in Rennes, France, he attended Lawrence University where he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in History and French. Breck settled in Vermont in the mid-90’s where he worked as the dean of students and a teacher at the Gailer School for 10 years, with one year away in pursuit of a Masters in Education from Saint Michael’s College. In addition to his time in the classroom, Breck has worked nine summers at Camp Keewaydin where responsibilities ranged from being one of four directors to leading month-long canoe trips on the rivers of northern Quebec.  Outside of work, Breck spends his time thinking about the Red Sox, art, and potential answers to the Sunday crossword. An avid skier and general outdoor enthusiast, he lives in Huntington with his wife, Margaret and his two daughters, Ada and Frances. The family dogs, Percy and Clyde, also provide exceptional company.

    1. 802.434.3969, ext. 110
    2. breck.knauft@vycc.org

  • Keegan Tierney, Operations Director

    Keegan grew up in Vermont and attended the University of Vermont where he earned a Bachelors of Science in Wildlife Biology. When not focusing on his academic pursuits Keegan also served as the director of the University's Alternative Spring Break program, worked various construction jobs, and re-discovered his love for skiing. But, it was his interest in service that led him to the AmeriCorps NCCC program in Denver, Colorado where he worked on a variety of projects including teaching adaptive skiing and educating elementary school students at a historic farm museum. Keegan began work with the VYCC in May 2005 as a Ranger at Elmore State Park. He has since worked at HQ in various roles with the program and operations departments and is now the Operations Director. Keegan lives in Starksboro and when he is not at work you can find him on his skis or in the woods...or both. If not at either of those locations, check to see if he is banging nails on the house he is building with his partner and daughter.

    1. 802.434.3969, ext. 141
    2. keegan.tierney@vycc.org

  • Kristin Freeman, Administration and Finance Manager

    Kristin moved to Vermont in 2006 to live in a rural community and educate herself about the production of locally grown food. In addition to working on two vegetable farms, she hiked the Long Trail, assisted in an elementary classroom, and apprenticed for an eco-conscious fashion designer. Kristin most recently managed the office for a youth wilderness program. She brings additional experience from New York City where she managed a large music studio, worked at a concert hall, and earned a Bachelor of Music Business from New York University. Although she thoroughly appreciated the culture, architecture, and diverse food of the urban environment, she now prefers to live on a dirt road. Kristin is enthusiastic about promoting conservation and skill-based learning through the VYCC.

    1. 802.434.3969, ext. 134
    2. kristin.freeman@vycc.org

  • Cailie Burns, Development and Events Manager

    Cailie grew up in the small town of Chepachet, RI and lived there until making the move to Colchester, VT in the fall of 2003 to attend Saint Michael College. At SMC, Cailie was a collegiate athlete and heavily involved with the volunteer office and student government. She graduated in 2007 with a B.A. in Political Science and a B.A. in Religious Studies. Cailie’s interest in youth development and leadership led her to the VYCC, where she enthusiastically joined as the Development Coordinator in July of 2009. Prior to the VYCC, Cailie spent two years as the Vermont Network Coordinator with The DREAM Program in Winooski, VT. Currently, she lives in Burlington where you can find her running on the bike path, sitting with a cup of coffee and a good book, or enjoying all the seasonal activities Vermont has to offer.

    1. 802.434.3969, ext. 113
    2. cailie.burns@vycc.org

  • Kate Hilfiker, Operations Coordinator

    Kate first joined the VYCC as a Wilderness Crew Leader in the summer of 2009. She brings a wealth of trail-building and Crew Leading experience from her work with the National Park Service in Yosemite and her time at Big Bend National Park in Texas. She has also served as an environmental educator with the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation and worked at the Student Conservation Association at Long Lake in the Adirondacks. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Ecology from Unity College and an Associate’s Degree in Natural Resources Conservation from Finger Lakes Community College. For the 2009-2010 school year, Kate co-led the U32 / Montpelier School Crew. In 2010, she has transitioned into VYCC Headquarters as the Operations Field Assistant and in the Fall settled into an Operations Coordinator position.

    1. 802.434.3969, ext. 148
    2. kate.hilfiker@vycc.org

  • Lisa Nelson, Operations Coordinator

    Lisa is originally from Colorado and made her way east to join the VYCC for the summer 2010 field season as the AmeriCorps Conservation Program Specialist.  She attended Colorado State University where she tailored her Liberal Arts degree to focus on human/environment interactions.  During her time at CSU she served as president of the Campus Chapter of Habitat for Humanity, backpacked regularly and learned to rock climb.  After graduating Lisa moved to Sweden to work with horses and upon returning to the states she spent a year running a before- and after-school program through an elementary school in Colorado.  Having rarely spent time east of Colorado, Lisa was drawn to the VYCC because it provided the perfect opportunity to explore someplace new while being able to connect her passion for working with youth with her love of the outdoors.  Lisa is thrilled to now be an Operations Coordinator and her dog Maggie is happy in her role as the office greeter.

    1. 802.434.3969, ext. 132
    2. lisa.nelson@vycc.org

  • Libby Copeland, Administration and Finance Coordinator

    A native Vermonter, Libby grew up exploring the woods and waterways of Vermont, which instilled in her a deep respect for the natural world and a fascination with ecosystems of all kinds.  After earning a bachelor’s degree in sociology from Colorado College and spending a few years at the Montana Conservation Corps, she realized that she missed the green mountains and returned to Vermont in 2007.  Libby worked at an energy efficiency non-profit before coming to VYCC this fall.  She’s excited to be at such a dynamic organization, helping to promote conservation and youth development.  When not at work Libby enjoys cooking, podcasts, using her calculator and tape measurer, and spending as much time as possible outside.

     

    1. 802.434.3969, ext. 123
    2. libby.copeland@vycc.org

  • Chris Ricker, Conservation Program Coordinator

    Chris Ricker holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Adventure Education and Outdoor Studies and is no stranger to the VYCC or the West Monitor Barn. Chris spent the past two and a half years with the VYCC wearing a variety of hardhats. Chris was a Crew Leader for the 2009 and 2010 Summer Conservation Programs as well as an AmeriCorps Conservation Program Intern. For 2011 Chris is putting on the VYCC uniform once again, but this time as a Field Assistant for the Conservation Program. After an adventurous winter of skiing, ice climbing, and publishing a book of poetry, Chris is ready for yet another field season. With a strong background in experiential and leadership development education, it is Chris's life goal to cultivate future competent outdoor leaders and environmentally conscious citizens. 

    1. 802.434.3969, ext. 140
    2. chris.ricker@vycc.org

  • Aaron Thurston, Conservation Program Coordinator

    Aaron returned to his outdoor roots via the VYCC in 2011, after spending a few years working in Vermont public schools as a Behavioral Interventionist. He was raised near the beaches of Southern California and graduated with a B.S. in Environmental Sciences from the University of California at Davis. From there, Aaron moved to Oregon and worked as a Biological Technician for the Bureau of Land Management. Three years later, he packed up and moved Bozeman, Montana where co-led a Trail Crew for the Montana Conservation Corps. After his time with MCC, he spent a few more years in Montana working as a Wilderness Instructor for a nearby wilderness therapy school before moving to Vermont in 2007.  When not at his downtown Burlington home, Aaron can often be found rock-climbing, hiking, biking or walking his dog, Maya. He loves learning and teaching all things about the natural world and is excited to be returning to the VYCC as a Conservation Program Coordinator this season!

    1. 802.434.3969, ext. 135
    2. aaron.thurston@vycc.org

  • Pam Schirner, Business Enterprise Program Coordinator

    Pam grew up in Buck County, Pennsylvania. She earned an associate’s degree in Early Childhood Development and a bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice before realizing her passion for service, business, and the restaurant world. She has traveled and lived in many states, opening restaurants in a variety of locations before finally settling here in Vermont. Pam has held several positions within the restaurant industry from management and multi-unit supervision to consulting. Pam joined the VYCC early in 2011 to expand on her passion for service and to utilize her business experience to enhance the success of the Business Enterprise Program.

    1. 802.434.3969, ext. 165
    2. pam.schirner@vycc.org

  • Don Bicknell, Volunteer Extraordinaire

    Don is a retired Waterbury senior with 5 years of volunteer work for the VYCC. Don grew up in Bellows Falls, VT and worked for IBM, the VT Sheltered Workshop from 1957-1971, and the State of Vermont's Waterbury offices from 1972-1995. Don is truly invaluable to the organization. He takes on projects that enable numerous outreach and communications efforts. Don is also essential to office conservation allowing the reuse of numerous supplies. He volunteers whenever asked and is known for staying until the job is done! Don has one of the best attitudes in the world; he keeps us all smiling. Outside of the VYCC Don is very involved in the community. He volunteers at the State Hospital library three days a week, is active in the Waterbury Grange, the Waterbury Historical Society, the Retired Senior Volunteer Program, and the Council on Aging in the town of Waterbury. When you come to our headquarters office make sure to meet the man who deserves the title Volunteer Extraordinaire.