2009 Crew Leaders
Park Crew Leaders
Tiffany Soukup, Elmore State Park
Tiffany Soukup has trekked her way north to the VYCC from Pennsylvania. She has a wide range of experience teaching leadership and technical skills. Most recently Tiffany worked with Second Nature Wilderness Program in Utah where she was a Field Instructor. Before that, she worked with the Mile High Youth Corps in Denver, Colorado. While there she gleaned the management and leadership skills she will be utilizing with the VYCC.
Chris Brader, Elmore State Park
Chris Brader joins us from Pennsylvania, or is it New Zealand… or Fiji? Or possibly from Denver, Colorado where he served as a Crew Leader with the Mile High Youth Corps? It could also be Utah where he was working as a Field Instructor for Second Nature Wilderness Program….OR Buffalo State College in New York. Wherever he may come from, Chris brings a wide range of trail, people, and management skills to the VYCC.
Nathan Hart, Hapgood Pond GMNF Campground
Nathan Hart is returning to Vermont from the Islands of Hawaii, where he was most recently working as a Senior Guide and Instructor for Kailua Sailboards & Kayaks in Kailua. Before his sabbatical by the ocean, Nathan served with the VYCC an Assistant Park Manager at Silver Lake State Park. Now back with us again, Nathan will bring his excellent teaching and communication skills, a Bachelor of Science Degree in Outdoor Recreation Leadership & Management, and intense technical skills that he learned while fighting wildfires in Yellowstone and Glacier National Parks.
Samantha Rush, Moosalamoo USFS Campground
Samantha Rush has migrated north from Georgia, where she has been working as Development Coordinator at Metro Atlanta Task Force for the Homeless in addition to serving as an AmeriCorps Force Member. Sam was a Team Leader for a year with AmeriCorps*National Civilian Community Corps. In this role, Sam gained excitement for conservation work with the Nevada Conservation Corps and other technical skills with Green Light New Orleans, Habitat for Humanity, and Alliance for Affordable Energy. Sam attended the University of Miami and is fired up about exploring Vermont.
Park Educators
Anthony Christiano, Elmore State Park
Anthony Christiano “wants to be part of something big.” Anthony holds a Bachelor of Arts from Champlain College where he majored in Professional Writing. While at Champlain, Anthony volunteered with Camp Hope in St. Bernard’s Parrish, LA. He recently served with the National Civilian Community Corps, specializing as the Media Coordinator. Anthony is a recipient of the prestigious Congressional Service Award. With great enthusiasm, energy, and a desire to progress along a path of new understanding, Anthony is set up to have an amazing field season.
Travis Quetal, Elmore State Park
Travis Quetel is back in his home state of Vermont after spending time traveling throughout the southern United States. Travis comes with experience and knowledge gleaned while working with the North Forest Canoe Trail as their Youth Program Intern and as a Teen Expeditions Leader with the W. Alton Jones Environmental Education Center at the University of Rhode Island. Travis holds a Bachelors of Science from Johnson and Wales University where he concentrated on adventure, sport, and nature based tourism.
Phil Bohannon, Quechee State Park
Phil Bohannon hails from Bowling Green, KY. Phil most recently worked in Driggs, ID, where he provided the “know how” to many visiting and local skiers. Before his stint on the slopes, Phil worked on a trail crew in Alta, WY, where he completed two downhill mountain bike trails and a base to peak trail. Phil has had many experiences in teaching, facilitating, and numerous outdoor activities that will enlighten all on his crew. Phil is an alumnus of the National Outdoor Leadership School and the Wilderness Medical Institute.
Jason Rhoades, Hapgood Pond GMNF Campground
Jason Rhoades has returned to New England as a recent graduate of Michigan Technological University. At MTU, Jason earned a Master of Science through completion of the Peace Corps Master’s International Program. Jason had the unique experience of combining Peace Corps service in Armenia with his studies in Forest Science. Jason has a wealth of knowledge from his experience as a trail crew volunteer with the Connecticut Forests and Parks Association trail and the Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection.
Dan Lee, Moosalamoo USFS Campground
Dan Lee has returned to the great state of Vermont from his hometown in West Chester, PA. Dan can draw from his experiences last year as a Crew Leader in Quechee State Park for the VYCC and his time as an intern for the Nature Conservancy in Seattle, WA. Dan will bring a wealth of experience in environmental education, crew management, and cooperative living to his peers again this season. Dan holds a bachelors of science for the University of Vermont where he studied Natural Resources Planning.
Wilderness Crew Leaders
Erin Bicknese, Wilerness 1
Erin Bicknese is making her way to Vermont from Wisconsin, yet another great cheese state! Erin brings to the table four seasons as a Camp Counselor at The Cedars Camp. While there, her responsibilities ranged from recreation planning to group facilitation. Erin has held a wide variety of jobs that focused on service, including working at a Women’s Shelter and leading multiple day backpacking trips for Northland College Orientation. Currently she is enrolled at Northland College majoring in Peace, Conflict, and Global Studies. Erin is an avid outdoor person who is well versed in leading and working with people of all ages and is prepared to handle anything that comes her way!
Zack Foster, Wilderness 1
Zach Foster hails originally from Bridgewater, Virginia, although he is coming to us from the great state of Wisconsin. Zach brings with him a bag full of useful tools to make this season a great one for the Wilderness Crew that he is Co-Leading with Erin Bicknese. Zach has solo led a crew in the rugged country of Mesa Verde, Colorado doing front country trail work for the Southwest Conservation Corps. He has also served as a Wilderness Ranger for the United States Forest Service in Virginia. With his commitment to making the world a better place through meaningful conservation, the VYCC is excited to have Zach aboard as a Crew Leader for 2009 Field Season.
Kate Hilfiker, Wilderness 2
Kate Hilfiker joins the VYCC from her most recent job at Big Bend National Park in Texas. She brings a wealth of trail-building and Crew Leading experience from her work with the National Park Service in Yosemite. She has also served as an environmental educator with the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation. Kate fueled her excitement for all things outdoors with 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.
Don Maryanski, Wilderness 2
Don Maryanski most recently worked at Big Bend National Park in Texas. He has a solid foundation of technical skills built from his time as a Trail Worker, Crew Leader, and Physical Science Technician at Yosemite National Park in California. Don brings a passion for botany and ecological study. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Biology from the State University of New York Environmental Science and Forestry and an Associate’s Degree in Environmental Studies from Finger Lakes Community College.
Roving Crew Leaders
Mary McQuiggan, Co-ed Leadership Development Crew
Mary McQuiggan is returning to the VYCC yet again this summer, for her sixth 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. Last year, Mary co-led the pilot Leadership Development Crew, and was an integral part of bringing the rigorous curriculum to life for her Corps Members. She is currently working on a professional trail crew with Timber and Stone, LLC on trail and restoration projects throughout New England. Mary holds a Bachelor of Science in Landscape Architecture from Cornell University in Ithaca, New York. She’s also worked for the Urban Ecology Institute in Boston, and rounds out her interests with an affinity for the theatre.
Adam McCullough, Co-ed Leadership Development Crew
Adam McCullough comes to the VYCC this summer after completing a Bachelor’s Degree in Conservation Ecology at Sterling College in Craftsbury, Vermont. A Vermont native, Adam got his start with the VYCC in 2004 and then again in 2008 as a Corps Member. During his experience, he honed leadership skills that he gained working for two summers as a camp counselor at Camp Downer in Sharon, VT. Adam is also a skilled outdoorsman and has experience with botany, tracking, and handcrafting his own tools.
Jacqueleen Albanese, Female Leadership Development Crew
Jacqueleen is returning for a second year with the VYCC! Last year, she co-led both a summer Roving Crew, as well as a Fall Leadership Crew with our Parks program. She 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. Jackie has a passion for sustainable design, conservation & the environment. She has been a Habitat for Humanity Project Coordinator as well as an Ultimate Frisbee team captain.
Jamethiel Crabb, Female Leadership Development Crew
Jame Crabb is beginning her second field season with the VYCC this year and we are excited to have her back. Jamé brings a wealth of Conservation Corps experience to the table. She began her Youth Corps Experience with four seasons of work with the Northwest Youth Corps in Eugene, Oregon. But wait! That’s not all, she also served as a Corps Member in 05’ with the Student Conservation Corps in New Mexico and after that she found her way to us here at the VYCC where she was a Corps Member in 06’. Last summer Jamé worked as Equestrian Hero at Camp Augusta in Nevada City, CA. She is currently pursuing a degree in Conservation Education from Sterling College in Vermont while living and working in nearby Lincoln, Vermont.
Heather Moor, Learn Earn and Prosper (LEAP) Crew
Heather Moore is currently pursuing a Masters in History at the University of Vermont after completing a BA in History, Government, and Environmental Studies at Skidmore College. At Skidmore Heather helped to establish a stewardship program for a small woodland adjacent to campus, started a community bike sharing program, was President of the Environmental Action Club, and wrote a book about the history of Architecture in Saratoga Springs, NY. Last summer she worked at a camp for the visually impaired called Enchanted Hills Camp for the Visually Impaired. Heather is extremely excited about this field season and can’t wait for the adventure to begin!
David Silverman, Learn Earn and Prosper (LEAP) Crew
David Silverman is making his way back full circle to the VYCC. David got his epic start with the VYCC back in 2006 where he served as a Corps Member at Elmore State Park with our Park Program. David also participated in our Gulf Recovery Crew for Hurricane Katrina Relief. Since then David has been all around the country. He served as a member of the City Year Program in Chicago, IL doing a variety of service projects ranging from tutoring youth in math and science to seeking out donations of food for the Spencer Starfish Program. Most recently David has been in California working with the SCA’s Desert Recovery Corps protecting wilderness areas from off highway vehicle use. We are glad to have David back as a Crew Leader for the WRC Program!
Iyla Hopkins, Roving 4
Iyla Hopkins grew up in Maine, where she enjoyed thoroughly exploring its coastal mountains and beaches. She attended Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia, majoring in Anthropology. In 2007 Iyla participated in a NOLS semester in the Yukon Territory and then went on to spend 2008 in Southern Africa, studying at the University of Cape Town, and backpacking extensively through Lesotho, Namibia, Swaziland, and South Africa, as well as working at two Organic Farms and leading trips with Outward Bound South Africa. She is very excited to be at VYCC, having spent the winter working minimum wage jobs in Colorado in order to support her skiing habit.
Brent Sawyer, Roving 4
Brent Sawyer brings a wide array of experience to the VYCC and his crews this summer. He has made his way around the United States, doing a myriad of outdoor activities and jobs. Brent has lead trips with the Flying Moose Lodge in Maine where he honed his skills in whitewater rafting and hiking. The SCA’s Exotic Plant Management Pro Traveling Crew benefited from his presence in their many locations including Yosemite National Park and Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park. Brent was a student at the National Outdoor Leadership School in Laramie, WY, where he participated in student led expeditions. Welcome aboard Brent!
Meg Paugh, Roving 5
Meghan Paugh is relocating to Vermont from her home-state of Pennsylvania. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology from East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania. After college, Meg focused on counseling work with teenagers at various therapy and human service organizations, as well as with Christ Hamilton United Lutheran Church. Meg will draw upon teaching skills gleaned as a yoga instructor and a hiking guide with Edge of the Woods Outdoor Outfitter. She brings much enthusiasm to working with youth and refining her technical skills.
Nathaniel Crompton, Roving 5
Nat Crompton is returning for his second consecutive season as a VYCC Crew Leader with a great deal of excitement and experience! Nathaniel’s 2008 crews built bridges with the legendary Gary Salmons and fought off hordes of rain clouds at the Sterling Pond trailhead, having a great time all the way. Prior to his work with the VYCC, Nathaniel spent multiple sessions completing conservation projects across Arizona, Idaho, Oregon, and Washington with both the Southwest Conservation Corps and Northwest Youth Corps. In his free time, he enjoys dueling bears with his trusty sword and cracking code for the C.I.A. He is currently an Environmental Science major at Lyndon State College and has a great interest in Outdoor Sports, Art, Music, and of course, the Environment.
Maddie Ruth, Roving 6
Maddie Ruth arrives at the VYCC after graduating from Temple University with a degree in Geography & Urban Studies and a focus in Environmental Studies in May. After an inspiring semester with NOLS in New Zealand, Maddie went on to spend a field semester with Northwest Connections’ Landscape and Livelihood program and volunteered as an Environmental Educator at Little Stars School in Varanasi, India. With an extensive background in outdoor education and leadership, Maddie is excited about the potential for place-based education and community development to foster a healthy, growth oriented, and inclusive learning experience.
Chris Ricker, Roving 6
Chris Ricker brings his background in Adventure Recreation from Green Mountain College to the VYCC this season as a Roving Crew Leader. Born to the urban environment of New York City, Chris feels more at home in the wilderness of Vermont than the jungle of the big city. A Leave No Trace Master and graduate of one of the Wilderness Education Association summer courses in Utah, Chris strongly believes taht experiential and community development curriculums create competent outdoor leaders. With a combination of work experiences ranging from Camp Pack Forest, to leading trail crews at Green Mountain College, to his training in Outdoor Education, there is no doubt that Chris’s crews are in for an incredible session.
Emily Pratt, Roving 7
Emily Pratt is a Vermont native who we are glad to have back on the team! Emily honed many useful skills as a Corps Member on both Wilderness and Roving Crews. While attending Mount Holyoke College, she majored in geology, served as the “Ombudperson” for the Mount Holyoke Hockey team, and co-captained the cross country team. Emily was a research assistant with the Svalbard Research Experience for Undergraduates in Svalbard, Norway, conducting field work in the Arctic, serving as a mentor to other students, and working on an independent research project. Since graduating, she has been working as a geologist for an environmental consulting firm. Emily is an avid outdoor person who can and will bring a high level of enthusiasm, excitement, and skill to the VYCC team!
Maggie McKillop, Roving 7
Maggie MacKillop arrives at the VYCC after graduating from the University of Vermont with a Bachelors of Science degree in Natural Resource Management. A NOLS student in both Idaho and New Zealand, Maggie is passionate about the role of outdoor and wilderness experiences to give people the space and challenge to step outside of their comfort zones and gain valuable personal insight. At UVM, Maggie was a guide for the TREK program, leading new students on backpacking trips in the Green Mountains and Adirondacks. She has also worked as an exhibit interpreter at Lake Champlain’s ECHO Lake Aquarium and Science Center. Along with her interest in the outdoors, Maggie is also proud bagpipe performer and an avid traveler, having backpacked through Eastern and Western Europe, Costa Rica, Belize, and Mexico.
Becky Pinkus, Roving 8
Becky Pinkus joins the VYCC from her most recent job as an outdoor educator in South Carolina. Previously, Becky was a ropes facilitator and trail guide for the YMCA of Minneapolis. In addition, Becky has served as an Assistant Crew Leader and Education Mentor for the Southwest Conservation Corps and a Crew Member with the Nevada Conservation Corps. She will be bringing her technical skills focus full-circle back to the Northeast, as she first began working on trails in Baxter State Park in Maine in 2006. Becky holds a Bachelor of Art Degree in Film and Video from Grand Valley State University in Michigan.
Paul Schwartzkopf, Roving 8
Paul Schwartzkopf comes to us from Burlington, Vermont, where he is the Sole Proprietor of Schwartzkopf Design/Build. Paul graduated Magna Cum Laude in 2006 from the Savannah College or Art and Design in Savannah, Georgia. Paul brings to the table a grand amount of design and building skills as well as his experience in working with Eagle Adventure Company in Copperhill, TN where he was the Director of Environmental Volunteer Work. While in this position he supervised and partook in trail work and invasive species identification and removal. Paul is ready and excited to hit the ground running and further his skills in group leading and conservation work.
Community Crew Leaders
Ainsley Chew, Montpelier Community Crew
Ainsley Chew joins us from Warren, VT to lead the Montpelier Community Crew this summer. A lover of farming and gardening, Ainsley has worked outside in Colorado, Wyoming and Rhode Island, but is especially proud to be back in Vermont. Since receiving a BA in Hospitality and Tourism Management at Johnson State College, Ainsley has worked as an intern at NOLS, a raft guide in CO, and as a ski instructor in VT. She has put her hand in the dirt with Sunshine Organic Gardening and has apprenticed at New Leaf Organics. With her enthusiasm for mentoring young people and getting down and dirty with her crew, we’re confident that Ainsley will have a rockin’ field season!
Donnie Ager, Montpelier Community Crew
Donnie Ager returns to us this year after leading a successful Community Crew in Burlington in 2008. He recently graduated from the University of Vermont with a BA in Environmental Studies and Community Development & Applied Economics. Donnie originally hails from Hillsboro, NH, where he started a Students against Destructive Decisions group and gained valuable leadership skills as a member of the New Hampshire Teen Institute’s Youth Advocacy Council. Donnie has most recently worked as the Assistant Web and Data Manager with the Vermont Monitoring Cooperative and Head of Public Relations with Essex CHIPS. Donnie has extensive carpentry and landscaping skills that he is excited to utilize while working with Vermont Youth this summer.
Emily Rose, Woodstock Community Crew
Profile coming sonn!
Ian Foertsch, Woodstock Community Crew
Ian Foerstch is a recent graduate of Green Mountain College in Poultney, Vermont, with a Bachelor of Science in Natural Resource Management. Ian was both a Resident Assistant and a Research Assistant at Green Mountain College. He has completed a semester with the National Outdoor Leadership School in Mexico and an internship with the Student Conservation Association in the Inyo National Forest in California. Ian rounds out his experiences as a staff member on Heirloom Harvest Community Farm and CSA in Westborough, Massachusetts.
Erika Reed, St. Albans Community Crew
Erika Reed comes to us from Trondheim, Norway by way of Portland, Oregon and Putney, Vermont. Erika brings the VYCC her knowledge in group leading, peer mediation, and community building. Erika has done everything from chainsaw carving, to teaching Leave No Trace Curriculum, and co-teaching a fourth grade biology class at Grout Elementary School in Portland, Oregon. Erika earned her BA in Art from Reed College in Portland, Oregon and is an avid outdoors enthusiast and advocate. We look forward to having Erika on our team and envy her Crews for the fun they will surely have!
Nate Stratton, St. Albans Community Crew
Nate Stratton originally hails from Illinois, but is coming to the VYCC after extensive international adventures. Nate studied Mediaeval History at the University of St. Andrews in Scotland for four years. Upon graduating, Nate packed his bags and relocated to a rural village in the Japanese Alps, where he spent two years teaching English to villagers of all ages. He then caught the outdoor education bug and took a job as an instructor at the Redcliff Ascent Wilderness Therapy Program in Utah. Nate has also spent a year as an intern for a NGO in Taiwan, focusing on ending child prostitution and trafficking. The VYCC is proud to welcome Nate to New England and is excited about his passion for educating young adults.
Kasie Enman, Richmond Career Development Crew
Kasie Enman lives in Huntington, VT with her husband Eli, and their two cats, Furball and Roamer. Their solar-powered house is still standing, despite the fact that they were its carpenters, electricians, and plumbers! When not at the VYCC, she spends as much time as possible running, coaching X-C and track, and learning to play the guitar. Kasie has worked with youth in a variety of settings from classroom to the wilderness and has a strong belief in the connectedness of education and the environment. With her skill in trail work and experience at Antioch University in New Hampshire in the Educating for Sustainability Masters Program, she will be able to bring a wealth of experience in providing not only the Hows of conservation work but also the Whys.
Chris Mendenhall, Richmond Career Development Crew
Chris Mendenhall is rolling into the VYCC to head up the Richmond Community Crew. Chris currently lives in Burlington, Vermont but that doesn’t mean he isn’t familiar with the woods and hard work. Chris was a Head Instructor with Redcliff Ascent Wilderness Therapy in Utah. In his three years of experience at Redcliff, Chris led hikes, taught survival skills, and worked with youth on therapeutic interventions. Chris was also able to refine his community building skills to almost perfection. Chris brings amazing enthusiasm and a great sense of humor, pride, and passion for the VYCC and his future Corps Members. We look forward to having him on our team!
Silvia Cassano, Barre Career Development Crew
Silvia Cassano comes to us from Bennington, Vermont but has had her feet in many New England states. Silvia received her B.S. in Parks, Recreation, and Tourism from the University of Maine in Orono, ME. Silvia has also worked as an Appalachian Trail Ridge Runner in Pittsfield, MA for the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation. No matter where Silvia has worked, she has always been a great addition to the team and we are glad to have her join our family here at the VYCC!