Staff

National Office
Delaware Valley Earth Force
FrontRange Earth Force
Lake Erie-Allegheny Earth Force
Lowcountry Earth Force
Pine Jog Earth Force
Suncoast Earth Force
Windy City Earth Force

National Earth Force

Jessica Bromelkamp, Program Manager
Jessica has an extensive background in the field of environmental education and conservation. Most significantly, she was the Potomac River Program Manager for the Chesapeake Bay Foundation. The responsibilities associated with this position included leading daily hands-on watershed investigations for students and teachers on the Potomac River as well as conducting several weeklong professional development seminars throughout the Washington, DC area. Jessica has worked with teachers and students throughout the Chesapeake Bay watershed in similar capacities at organizations such as the Alice Ferguson Foundation and Potomac Overlook Regional Park. Jessica will be finishing her Master’s in Environmental Science and Policy at Johns Hopkins University in 2007.

Harry Ford, Chief Operating Officer
Harry A. Ford has spent most of his life as an entrepreneur.  After earning his Ph.D. in Social Work and Organizational Psychology, he entered the non-profit realm, co-founding FrontRange Earth Force with Lisa Bardwell in 1997.  After leaving FrontRange Earth Force in 2001, he conducted a feasibility study to establish Groundwork Denver and later became its first Executive Director.  Harry returned to work with Earth Force, his first love, as a consultant in early 2007 and became the Chief Operating Officer in early 2008.  Harry's responsibilities include supporting all the Earth Force sites and overseeing operations in general.  Harry works for Vince Meldrum and Lisa Bardwell, President and CEO respectively.

Erin Gallay, Watershed Education Manager
Erin received her Bachelor of Arts degree in environmental education form the University of Michigan with an emphasis in alternative forms of education and is currently pursuing teacher certification in secondary science education. Since then she has worked as a practitioner of environmental education programs in nature centers and with non-profit environmental organizations throughout Michigan, developing programs to teach young people the civic skills needed to tackle environmental challenges. In addition to her work as an educator, Erin has collaborated on a number of national research projects looking at how youth view democracy and social responsibility. Since joining Earth Force in 2004, Erin has worked with the GM GREEN program to introduce young people to water quality sampling in their communities and civic action projects to protect their watershed. She works with community partners, corporate mentors and educators to facilitate this program throughout Michigan.

Alyssa Hawkins, Director of GREEN
Since joining Earth Force in 2002, Alyssa has been working to facilitate corporate - community partnerships around the country through the GM GREEN program. Alyssa trains corporate mentors, educators, and community partners in an effort to introduce young people to their watersheds, helping to make youth action a reality. Alyssa graduated from the University of Minnesota's College of Natural Resources with a Bachelor of Science degree in Water Resources. She has worked with young people in many settings, and is currently pursuing a master's degree in education.

Jan Hosier, GREEN Program Manager - Indiana and Ohio
Jan has a Masters of Science in Environmental Science from Indiana University's School of Public and Environmental Affairs and a Bachelor of Science in Biology from Appalachian State University in North Carolina. She most recently served as the Volunteer and Outreach Coordinator for Hoosier Riverwatch, Indiana's statewide program for volunteer stream monitoring and watershed education, where she taught water quality workshops and supported volunteer water monitoring efforts for over 3 years. Her teaching experience has ranged from teaching secondary science in Ghana, West Africa as a Peace Corps volunteer to environmental education on the Outer Banks of North Carolina. Jan joined the Earth Force GREEN team in October 2005 and will be supporting GREEN partnership efforts to engage young people in environmental citizenship in Indiana and Ohio.

Vince Meldrum, President
Vince Meldrum is the President of Earth Force, Inc. He has been active in the academic and nonprofit world for over 20 years, as an educator, program developer and executive. Vince has been a member of steering committees for programs such as the World Water Monitoring Day, the Campaign for the Civic Mission of Schools, and Service Learning United. He is also a member of the General Motors Educational Advisory Council and the Ethos International Advisory Board.

 

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Delaware Valley Earth Force

Janet Starwood, Executive Director 
Janet has a Bachelor of Arts degree from CornellUniversity and earned her Juris Doctorate at HofstraUniversity. A founder of the Delaware Valley Earth Force, Janet and her staff have worked with 12,000 students and successfully trained more than 500 teachers since the office opened in 1999. Janet has established partnerships with more than 50 local and regional educational institutions, government agencies, and community-based organizations that provide expertise, resources, and support to Earth Force programs.

Evelyn Christian, Program Coordinator
Evelyn has a B.A. in English from the University of California, Irvine and a M.A. in Anthropology from The University of Colorado at Boulder. She is currently working on her Ph.D. in Anthropology at Temple University in Philadelphia. Her research interests include ethnographic filmmaking, informal and formal educational practices and organic farming. Prior to graduate school, she taught humanities and performing arts at a middle school in South San Francisco, California. In addition to her teaching experience, she coordinated a Gifted and Talented Education (GATE) Program, developed inter-school arts projects, and served on the District Curriculum Committee.

Corri Gottesman, Resource Manager
Corri has a Bachelors of Science in Environmental Science from University of Massachusetts/Amherst and a Masters of Arts in Teaching from Tufts University. Before coming to Earth Force, she worked as a commercial recycling consultant for ten years, working with government, schools and private businesses. Prior to that, Corri was a science teacher in the classroom and at the Open Eye Science Museum in Jerusalem. She also worked as a researcher in ecological planning for the State of Israel. For two glorious summers Corri was a park interpreter at Boston Harbor Island State Park and Ein Gedi Nature Reserve.

Wendy Weber, Assistant to the Director
Wendy has extensive experience with non-profit organizations such as the Free Library of Philadelphia, the Galleries at Moore College of Art and Briar Bush Nature Center, both in development and executive assistant capacities. Earlier in her professional career she worked at Sotheby s auction house for nearly ten years, first in New York in the Bids, Silver and Russian Works of Art Departments, and later in the Philadelphia branch office as administrative assistant. She has a B.A. degree in American Studies from Bowling Green State University in Ohio.

 

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Front Range Earth Force

Lisa Bardwell, Executive Director
lisa.bardwell@ef-den.org, (303) 433-0016, ext. 6
As executive director and one of the founders of FrontRange Earth Force, Lisa is responsible for the overall vision and management of the Denver office. Prior to joining Earth Force, she was a professor/lecturer and research scientist in sphere of high education, and published works relating to the theoretical and practical applications of environmental education. She has built an expertise in environmental education, community development, service-learning, environmental problem-solving, and how our environment influences people’s well-being and ability to function. She is deeply committed to the neighborhood in which she lives and to being instrumental in ensuring that youth are seen as effective leaders and change agents in their communities.

Ana Soler, Director of Programming
ana.soler@ef-den.org, (303) 433-0016, ext. 2
Ana is an advocate for the underserved and underrepresented. She served on the Board of Directors of FrontRange Earth Force for several years, and recently joined the staff as Director of Programming. She has served as an outreach worker with runaway/homeless youth, a case manager with homeless families and a case manager with juvenile offenders. She spent time in the classroom, as well, as an English as a Second Language instructor. She recently served as the Director for Victim Services Network, working to improve services to victims of crime in Denver on a system-wide level. She holds a Masters of Education in Curriculum and Instruction from University of Colorado-Denver.

Deborah Currier, Admnistrative Assistant
deborah.currier@ef-den.org, (303) 433-0016, ext. 0
Deborah is responsible for FR Earth Force office functions, including office administration, bookkeeping, human resources, data management and more. She is a part-time member of our staff, and owns her own business providing medical and therapuetic massage therapy.

Tracy Vlnicka, Professional Development and Technical Assistance
tracy.vlnicka@ef-den.org, (303) 433-0016, ext. 8
Tracy is a recent graduate of the University of Denver, where she earned a BS in Environmental Science. She has worked with FrontRange Earth Force since her first year in college, as the coordinator of the Youth Advisory Board and as a member of the Board of Directors. She was a Earth Force/Public Achievement coach at Cole Middle School, and coordinated the Clean Energy Campaign at DU during her time as a student.

Tashmesia Mitchell, Professional Development & Technical Assistance Team
tashmesia.mitchell@ef-den.org, (303) 433-0016, ext. 7
Tash is a Colorado native with a background in science education. She taught secondary science for six years before joining our staff. Tash completed her BS in Biology at Spellman College in Atlanta, Ga. Her interests, inquisitive nature and career choices have afforded her the opportunity to gurther her education in the areas of both education and anthropology at the University of Colorado at Denver.

Charlie Chase, Professional Development and Technical Assistance Team - Contractor
charlie.chase@ef-den.org
A conservation and restoration ecologist with 30 years experience in many parts of the world, Charlie has a MS in Biology from the University of Colorado and PhD in Evolutionary Ecology from Florida State University. He worked at the Denver Museum of Natural History and for the Division of Wildlife. He works with FrontRange Earth Force to support teachers using CAPS to enhance environmental science and GIS in the classroom.

Liz Henry, Professional Development and Technical Assistance Team - Contractor
liz.henry@ef-den.org
After graduating from the University of North Carolina at Wilmington with a BA in Spanish, Liz moved to Colorado and received her teacher certification from the University of Denver. She spent three years teaching third and fifth grade English Language Learners in Northwest Denver, and used CAPS with her students. Liz holds a MA in Curriculum and Instruction, with a focus on Urban/Multicultural Education, from the University of Denver.

 

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Lake Erie-Allegheny Earth Force

Margarita Dangel, Director of Education 
Margarita Dangel has been with Earth Force since 1997. As Education Director of Earth Force she facilitates educator training throughout the school year and summer for Act 48 certification throughout western Pennsylvania. She also leads, develops and delivers environmental education throughout the year to students grades K-8 promoting a watershed concept, community problem solving and taking action. She delivers programs in schools to support Earth Force educators in the classroom with special programs that are project specific and related to environmental issues. She organizes and presents Earth Force Youth Training Days with at least one hundred youth at each training. Before working with Earth Force, Margarita was the Summer Camp Director and an Environmental Educator. She has a degree in Special Education from Stuttgart,Germany. As a young adult she volunteered for several years in a youth-driven organization that organized recreational activities for young people with and without mental disabilities.

Pat Lupo, OSB, Program Director 
Pat is an environmental educator and advocate. She works with 2-5 year olds and their caregivers, students and teachers in K-12, pre-service and in-service educators, and watershed citizens. Pat's ministry links environmental education, stewardship, civic responsibility, and spirituality. Her passion for the environment enables her to challenge others to improve the quality of life in their watershed. Pat also serves on the following boards: Great Lakes United, Great Lakes Protection Fund, PA Lake Erie Watershed Association, PA Sea Grant, Erie County Environmental Coalition, Lake Erie Region Conservancy, and the Citizen’s Advisory Council to the PA Department of Environmental Protection. In 2003, Pat was part of the steering committee for the International Coastal Cleanup. This group involved over 600 volunteers in 10 sub-watersheds collecting 42,000 pounds of trash, tires, and recyclables along 37 miles of shoreline and adjacent land in the Lake Erie Watershed. Pat co-chairs the Annual Bike Around the Bay with EF board member Dr. Steve Ropski. Riders can choose one, 25, or 50 mile rides. At rest stops educational materials are provided and displays teach riders about sub-watersheds.

Annette Marshall, OSB, Administrative Director
Annette Marshall, a member of the Benedictine Sisters of Erie, has been with Earth Force since the local program pilot in1997, having come from a background in both education and administration. She serves as Director of Administration for both the LEA EF office and for the national Earth Force organization. Annette also serves as President of Freshwater Future, formerly known as the Great Lakes Aquatic Habitat Network and Fund, a Great Lakes Basin organization serving grass roots activists. She is a founding member of the PA Lake Erie Watershed Association, and is treasurer of Hands Across Borders, a local solidarity organization with a Sister City in El Salvador.

Susan A. Smith, Director of Development
Susan comes from a sales and marketing background in the corporate and hospitality markets. She brings experience in fundraising, communications, public relations, special events, publications, appeals, and networking. She serves on the boards of the Presque Isle Advisory Board, Purple Martin Conservation Association, and the Presque Isle Audubon Society. Susan also offers birding classes, programs, and field trips. At Earth Force, she is involved in fundraising, producing press releases, and coordinating the annual Earth Force Youth Summit.

Kostoula Vallianos,Southwest Program Manager
Kostoula holds a Bachelor of Science in Conservation and Resources Studies from the University of California Berkeley and a Masters of Environmental Management in Resource Ecology from Duke University. Kostoula has extensive experience as environmental planner and environmental educator. Prior to joining the Earth Force team in 2005, Kostoula worked as an environmental educator with the University of California Botanical Gardens, the National Park Service, and Pennsylvania Resources Council. Kostoula is a member of the Green Education Movement group, a consortium of environmental educators in the Pittsburgh region and is also a land steward for the Allegheny Land Trust.

Bill Bartlett, Southwest PA, Development Coordinator
Bill is presently serving LEA in an ad hoc capacity, supervising “neighborhood programs” in Erie, while simultaneously beginning to generate a diverse funding base for the LEA Pittsburgh office. The father of a young beautiful son, Bill began work at Earth Force facilitating after-school programs, which he continues to do occasionally. Bill most recently served a year with LEA as an Americorps VISTA member. A capable writer, he has produced an environmental auditing manual for Latin America, published by the Alliance of Religions and Conservation, and writes the occasional technical piece. His educational background is in Philosophy, Mathematics, and Engineering Technology, and he has been an active member in a number of local political and issue-oriented campaigns. He is presently on the Board of Voices on the Border, an organization working in solidarity with the people of El Salvador.

Lowcountry Earth Force

Anna Richardson, Executive Director
Anna is originally from Peak, SC, a small town located near Columbia, SC. She received her undergraduate degree in Political Science from the University of South Carolina. She then moved to Boone, NC where she received her Masters in Public Administration from Appalachian State University. Upon graduation, Anna relocated to Charleston with her husband Tim and yellow lab Star. Anna began her professional career by working at Ashley Hall, a private all girls school where she worked in the Advancement Office. Most recently, she worked with LifeManagement Center as their Development Associate. In addition, Anna is heavily involved with AFP (Association of Fundraising Professionals), an organization that provides resources and professional development opportunities to those in the fundraising industry. At Earth Force, Anna will use her fundraising and communications experience and her passion for educating children about the environment to work to make Earth Force the leading provider of service learning programs in the Lowcountry.

Stacey Littlefield, Program Manager
After earning her bachelor's degree in Biology from the University of South Carolina Upstate, Stacey left her hometown of Spartanburg, SC to pursue her MS in Marine Biology at the College of Charleston. While working on her master's degree, Stacey was awarded a National Science Foundation GK-12 teaching fellowship, which allowed her to become involved with Charleston county public schools. As a teaching fellow, she worked with students and educators to develop projects and lessons that involved local environmental issues. She has been active in the Charleston community through the graduate student association at the Grice Marine Laboratory and through volunteer work with schools in low-income areas. As the Program Manager for Lowcountry Earth Force, Stacey will combine her strong science background and teaching experience to engage students and educators in becoming lifelong, active stewards of the environment

Pine Jog Earth Force @ Pine Jog Environmental Education Center

Carrie Mohanna, Program Coordinator

Carrie is a Florida native, who grew up just outside of Orlando. She coordinates the Earth Force program in West Palm Beach, working with college and high school students as facilitators through a program called the Marshall Fellowship. Before coming to the Pine Jog Environmental Education Center, College of Education, Florida Atlantic University, she managed a marine science center where she designed and taught all of the classes and summer camps. In addition, she was responsible for creating a gift shop and caring for all of the animal displays including turtles, marine aquariums, freshwater aquariums and alligators. Previous to that, she spent just shy of a year focusing on Historic Preservation for the City of West Palm Beach. At Pine Jog Carrie supervises two full-time staff members who help to implement various components of the program. She attended the University of Florida and earned a BS in ecology and conservation biology. She and her husband, Micah, live in a rural area in Jupiter with their son and Weimaraner.

Suncoast Earth Force

Jeremy Lake, Program Coordinator

Jeremy joins the Suncoast Earth Force staff after spending over nine years working in informal science education institutions in the Tampa Bay area, including Lowry Park Zoo, the Museum of Science and Industry, and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s Fish and Wildlife Research Institute. During his career, he has worked very closely with teachers throughout the region as well as nationally. He is currently a member of the National Marine Educator’s Association and a board member of the Florida Chapter. He is also a member of the National Science Teachers Association and the Aquatic Resource Educators Association. Jeremy has a Bachelors degree from Eckerd College in Environmental Studies and is currently working on his Masters in Science Education at the University of South Florida. An avid outdoorsman, he loves fishing and kayaking.

Tracey Shadday, Program Director

Tracey began her career with Suncoast Earth Force as an Earth Force teacher in a gifted classroom in 2001 and then joined the staff as Program Director in 2004. She taught in the private and public sector in Hillsborough County, Florida for twenty-three years, focusing much of her experience in gifted education. She was a gifted endorsement instructor for Hillsborough County and served on the district’s Steering Committee for Gifted Educators. She became a Certified Health Education Specialist in 1994 and received National Board Certification (Middle Child Generalist) in 2001. She graduated with a BA in Elementary Education and MPH in Health Education from the University of South Florida. She enjoys camping, sailing, traveling, and scrapbooking.

 

Scott Willis, Executive Director

Scott started with Suncoast Earth Force in 2005 as a Program Coordinator and became Executive Director in 2007. He envisions the Suncoast office as the preeminent regional leader in environmental service learning with an emphasis on youth voice; led by a strong Earth Force curriculum. Prior to 2005, he was a fishery research scientist at the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s Fish and Wildlife Research Institute for 25 years and then Director of the Institute’s Education and Information Office for ten years. He has been closely associated with the National Marine Educators Association and its state chapter. He was on the Board of Directors at The Florida Aquarium and Chaired the aquarium’s Education Committee. He is a Past President of the Florida Chapter of the American Fisheries Society. Favorite activities include kayaking, camping, and gardening.

Windy City Earth Force @ The Field Museum

Kirk Anne Taylor, Manager of the Conservation Education Program

As the conservation program manager, Kirk Anne Taylor oversees the development and expansion of the Calumet Environmental Education Program in the Calumet region and the Windy City Earth Force field office. Kirk Anne coordinates the training, recruitment and support of conservation education participants in the ability to take action to preserve and conserve the biodiversity of the region. Before joining Windy City Earth Force, Kirk Anne supported students and educators involved in Earth Force programs in Charleston, South Carolina and taught at the Barrier Island Environmental Education Center on Seabrook Island, SC. Kirk Anne graduated with a BA in English from Hendrix College in Arkansas.