1960
Walter Kehm (LA) published a book, “Accidental Wilderness”, which is now available on Amazon and in bookstores. He credits two ESF professors, Dr. Sven Heiberg and Arthur Viertel and notes that his five years at ESF were extremely important to his career development.
1976
Dr. Donald Moore (EFB) writes, “After a long career in conservation biology and zoo-based endangered species stewardship in the U.S. and globally, I have semi-retired in the Age of COVID-19. I continue to consult with modern zoos, animal sanctuaries and national parks, and volunteer with NGOs like IUCN to create a better future for bears and other apex mammalian carnivores, as well as deer, elephants and even birds and “lower animals” including pollinators. Friends can find me back on the East Coast most days. #ReverseTheRed! #ConservationWorks.” Upon Dr. Moore’s retirement, Polar Bears International honored Dr. Moore with a tribute for his lifelong dedication to the role that zoos play in conservation of animals, both in captivity and in the wild.
1980
Nancy (Johnson) Hayden (EFB) and John Hayden (EFB) are pleased to announce their book, “Farming on the Wild Side: The Evolution of a Regenerative Organic Farm and Nursery” (Chelsea Green Publishing 2019) which highlights their ecological perennial fruit farming adventures in Vermont. After 29 years on the farm, they recently moved to Maine and down-sized to ‘Wild Side Gardens.’ Check out their new coastal ecosystem adventures on Facebook.
1983
After over 20 years of service in the U.S. Navy in the Judge Advocate General Corps on active duty for four years, and in the Reserves for the remainder of his military career that included service in Iraq during Operation Iraqi Freedom, Kevin M. Comstock (ES) honorably retired at age 60 at the rank of Captain (O-6) on Aug. 15, 2020. He continues federal public service as an Assistant U.S. Attorney in the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia, and expects to retire after more than 35 years of federal public service in the next two or three years. His wife, Cynthia L. Comstock, a paralegal at the same office, expects to retire next year after more than 35 years of federal public service.
1984
Darren Tracy (WPE) and his wife Lisa, owners of West Branch Engineering and Consulting in Saratoga Springs, have been awarded an Excellence in Historic Preservation award by the Preservation League of New York State for their work restoring a historic building located at 5 Culvert Street in Glens Falls that was slotted to be demolished in 2017 due to safety concerns after years of neglect. The building is on the state and national register of historic places and was once the office of Dr. James Ferguson in 1870. It’s the third smallest house in the city at 627 square feet and is known for its high French Second Empire style peaks
1985
Mark Lichtenstein (ES) secured a $5.75M grant from the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation to create the first-of-its-kind New York State Center for Sustainable Materials Management at ESF. The center will be promoting and accelerating waste reduction, reuse, recycling, and composting solutions.
1987
Patrick Hackley (EFB/FRM) was confirmed as the New Hampshire State Forester by the New Hampshire Executive Council. Patrick was nominated for the position by Gov. Sununu. Patrick brings a wealth of experience to the post, and for that reason his nomination was supported by the New Hampshire Timberland Owners Association (NHTOA). For private timberland owners and the forest products industry, the state forester position is the most important position in state government. Most recently, Patrick was associate director for land conservation for the New Hampshire chapter of the Nature Conservancy. Prior to that he was a timberland broker for Fountains Land and a forester for the Forest Resources Association. From 1993 to 1999 he was communications director at the NHTOA.
1991
Formerly serving as director for the U.S. Geological Survey’s Leetown (Fish) Science Center, Thomas O’Connell (EFB) was recently asked to expand his responsibilities to include the Patuxent Wildlife Research Center, and lead an effort to combine the two science centers.
1992
Scott Leroy (ES) was recently hired by Ingenesis as an epidemiologist for the Pennsylvania Department of Health to help fight the COVID-19 outbreak. He will be enjoying time with family and friends this fall and winter remotely and sends well wishes of health and safety to fellow alumni.
1993
Ronald Pernisi (FEG) retired after 20 years as a construction engineer with Onondaga County. He currently works as a senior project representative for an engineering firm in Charlotte, North Carolina.
2000
Armin Stuedlein (FEG) has been promoted to Professor of Geotechnical Engineering at the School of Civil and Construction Engineering, Oregon State University, where his research focuses on the response of soils and foundations to earthquakes. Armin has also been appointed editor at the ASCE Journal of Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Engineering.
Adam G. Wells (ES) is a research ecologist with USGS Southwest Biological Science Center in Flagstaff, Arizona working on the Southern Border Fuels Initiative with DOI, OWF, and USFWS Masked Bobwhite Quail recovery effort at Buenos Aires National Wildlife Refuge, Arizona.
2006
Scott Swayze (ES), a federal civil rights attorney, received a pro bono service award from Chief Judge Suddaby (right) after completing a three-year 42 U.S.C. § 1983 case. Scott’s arguments on prisoner grievances were recently cited by U.S. Magistrate Judge Hummel in Stephanski v. Allen (2020).
2012
Ellen Czajkowski (EFB) is the natural resources legislative counsel attorney for the Vermont Legislature. She drafts bills and provides legal advice on a nonpartisan basis to legislators and committees. She specializes in land use, wildlife, forestry, and air pollution. She lives in Montpelier, Vermont.
2020
Since completing the Graduate Certificate in Environmental Leadership, Zachary Ehrlich was presented a Certificate of Merit from the National Environmental Health Association for his work in environmental and public health. He will begin a Doctor of Public Health program in 2021.
Jack Zeng (EFB) took a seasonal position at the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation (OPRHP) or New York State Parks. As the invasive species technician, he assists the stewardship specialist as a team in invasive species control projects. He and his team found the first infestation of spotted lanternfly in New York state. The spotted lanternfly is an invasive crop pest from Asia that has already invaded Pennsylvania and caused more than $50 million annually in economic damage within the state. The first infestation arriving in New York state is terrible news for the future of New York’s economy. The team found the infestation at the Clay Pit Ponds State Park Preserve (CPPSPP) located in Staten Island and have found at least two more infestations in the state park since then. The press release about the infestation in Staten Island can be found at: https://agriculture.ny.gov/news/new-york-state-announces-confirmed-finding-spotted-lanternfly-staten-island.