Home » Archive by category 'STAFF LISTING'

Morgan Krell – Science Technician

Friday, December 15th, 2023

Contact: mkrell@inlandbays.org | (302) 226-8105 

Morgan Krell joined the Delaware Center for the Inland Bays in November 2023 as the Science Technician. At the Center he is primarily responsible for the fish passage program, oyster reef construction, and shoreline fish surveys. Morgan will also play an important role in our continuous water quality monitoring, wetland restorations, and other science and restoration projects.

Morgan was born and raised in New York City, and from a young age found refuge in the natural world. He grew up exploring the green spaces in and around the city, particularly the salt marshes of long island. During high school, Morgan participated in research on American Eel passage, invasive freshwater clams, and oyster predation. He attended Purdue University in Indiana, where he graduated with a BS in Aquatic Sciences and a concentration in Fisheries. During his studies, Morgan worked in Utah and Minnesota as a summer fisheries intern. Since his graduation in 2022, Morgan has assisted master’s students on their research projects in Yellowstone National Park and Northern Wisconsin as part of the USGS Cooperative Fishery Research program. Morgan is excited to bring his experience in freshwater fisheries back to the estuaries of the mid-Atlantic region. He is passionate about protecting native species, restoring native habitats, and using an ecosystem-based approach in fisheries management.

In his free time Morgan is often on the water fishing day or night. He also enjoys tying his own flies and jigs. He can frequently be found on his kayak, bike, or in a bowling alley. Now that he lives in Delmarva, Morgan plans to take up surfing and complete the Maryland section of Appalachian Trail.

 

Taylor Hoffman – Science Coordinator

Friday, December 15th, 2023
Contact: thoffman@inlandbays.org | (302) 226-8105 ext. 710
 
Taylor joined the Delaware Center for the Inland Bays as the Science Coordinator in October of 2023. Her current work focuses on a variety of restoration and monitoring projects, including but not limited to submerged aquatic vegetation, reforestation, living shorelines, and ambient water quality monitoring.
 
She grew up in Allentown, PA, and earned Bachelor’s degrees in Marine Science and Chemistry in 2020. Following graduation, she moved to Lewes, DE to work as a laboratory technician working on microplastics in Delaware’s Inland Bays, as well as researching blue crab reproduction in Delaware Bay. During this time she became acquainted with the Center and volunteered with the annual horseshoe crab survey program and fish surveys. She then obtained her Master’s degree in Marine Biosciences from the University of Delaware where she continued blue crab research. While finishing her Master’s degree, she began an internship with the Center before accepting an offer for her current position.
 
In her spare time, she can be found out on the beaches and trails taking photos, biking, paddle boarding, or lounging with a book in hand!

Jaime Argo – Director of Finance

Tuesday, October 3rd, 2023

Contact: jargo@inlandbays.org | (302) 226-8105 ext. 701

Jaime Argo joined the Delaware Center for the Inland Bays as the Director of Finance in April 2023.  After graduating from University of Delaware with a B.S. in Agriculture, she worked for beloved Georgetown CPA, Jane L. Stayton.  Jaime entered the accounting office at the ground-level assembling client income tax returns, later helping with client book-keeping needs and payroll tax payments.  This led Jaime to then work for Growmark FS, LLC, where she was an accounting assistant.  As part of the accounting department, she reconciled bank transactions for all 35+ Growmark FS locations and performed various accounting and financial duties.  For the 8-year period prior to joining the Center, Jaime worked at USDA’s Farm Service Agency.  First as a program technician in the Sussex County Service Center, then at the state office as a program specialist.  Jaime is delighted to be a part of the entire team at the Center, and to once again be working in her wheelhouse of bank reconciliations and accounting functions. 

Jaime was born, raised, and still lives in Milford.  In her spare time, Jaime enjoys spending time with her 21-year old daughter, Kally, and close friends.  She loves being outside, especially walking at Killens Pond State Park.  She also likes to cook, read, and take cross-country road trips.

Christophe Tulou – Executive Director

Thursday, January 19th, 2023

Contact: ctulou@inlandbays.org | (302) 226-8105 ext. 704

 Christophe Tulou is Executive Director at the Center for the Inland Bays. Prior to joining the Center, Christophe served as Senior Counsel for the U.S. Senate Environment and Public Works Committee Democratic staff. He previously served as senior advisor on the Chesapeake Bay to EPA Administrator, Gina McCarthy. He brings a diversity of executive and legislative experience at all levels of government, having served for ten years in various capacities in the U.S. House of Representatives, as cabinet secretary of the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC) under then-Governor Tom Carper, and as director of the District Department of the Environment in Washington, DC.

Christophe worked as executive director of the Pew Oceans Commission and directed the Resilient Coasts Initiative for the H. John Heinz III Center. He also served as acting director of the Interstate Technology and Regulatory Council, operating under the umbrella of the Environmental Council of the States (ECOS).

He was born in Geneva, Switzerland, earned his B.S. in biology at the College of William and Mary, two masters in Zoology and Marine Affairs from the University of Rhode Island, and a law degree from Georgetown University.

Christophe, his wife, Debi, and two dogs live in the Inland Bays watershed at the north end of Rehoboth Bay.

Jack Gazda – Shellfish Program Specialist

Wednesday, December 21st, 2022

Contact: dcys@inlandbays.org | (302) 226-8105

Jack joined the Center for Inland Bays in November 2022 as one of the Center’s Shellfish Program Specialists.

Growing up in Metuchen, New Jersey, the oldest of six siblings, created the lifetime traits of diplomacy and helping others. For the past seven years, Jack and his siblings have administered memorial scholarships in honor of their parents to two graduating Metuchen High School Seniors. Jack’s working career consisted of twelve years of progressive management roles with distribution and light manufacturing organizations, followed by 32 years of multi-location sales, service, operations, and facilities management within international organizations in the healthcare and water treatment industries.

Recently retired and relocated from their long-time Southern New Jersey home to Millsboro, Delaware, Jack and his wife, Barbara, are the proud parents of two girls, who are both in the healthcare field. Barbara and Jack enjoy taking advantage of lifetime passes to both the Delaware State and National Parks, walking, bike riding, the beach (ocean and bay), surf fishing, regaining golf swings, improving the landscaping of their home, and utilizing handyman skills at home and for family and friends. Jack is a Graduate of West Chester State College where he received his BS in Education.

Mary Hartnett – Administrative Coordinator

Tuesday, September 13th, 2022

Administrative Coordinator                      Contact: mhartnett@inlandbays.org  | (302) 226-8105 ext: 720

Mary joined the Center in August 2022. Originally from Northern Virginia, Mary has lived in Sussex County since 2014.  She graduated from Marymount University in Arlington, VA with a degree in Communications.  Prior to working at the Center Mary enjoyed a long career in the banking industry.  She enjoys the beach, biking, and boating the bays. Mary can be found in her free time in the Bethany Beach area with her family and Ollie her beagle.

Meghan Noe Fellows – Director, Estuary Science and Restoration

Tuesday, September 13th, 2022

Contact: mnoefellows@inlandbays.org  | (302) 226-8105 ext. 723

Meghan Noe Fellows is the Center’s Director of Estuary Science and Restoration. In this position, she leads the Center’s research, monitoring, and ecosystem restoration efforts. Meghan brings over 20 years of environmental project management experience in academic, non-profit, and local government positions to the Center. Before joining the Center in 2022, she managed stream and forest restoration and riparian corridor planning, implementation and monitoring for the Fairfax County, Virginia, Department of Public Works. She also has an ongoing small research program on a southern California salt marsh endemic plant. Prior to that, Meghan held positions with the local government’s natural resource management programs in Maryland and Virginia, leading programs in resource management, invasive species, reforestation, community science, strategic planning and program development.


Meghan has moved around before moving to Delaware, from upstate New York, to California, Maryland, Florida, and most recently, Virginia. She earned a B.S. in biology with marine science from Cornell University and Master’s in biology with restoration ecology from San Diego State University. Meghan became Virginia’s first Certified Ecological Restoration Practitioner (CERP), from the Society for Ecological Restoration in 2018. Meghan enjoys experiencing the estuary and salt marshes above the mean high water line, especially at the wrack line, which collects so many interesting things.
Outside of her Center job, Meghan enjoys spending time with her family, pets, native plant gardening, reading, hiking, and kayaking.

 

Bryanna Lisiewski – Watershed Coordinator

Friday, August 26th, 2022

Contact: Blisiewski@inlandbays.org | (302) 226-8105 ext. 722

Bryanna came on board with the Delaware Center for the Inland Bays as the Center’s Watershed Coordinator in 2022. In her role, she will be supporting the Watershed Program, coordinating activities for implementing the Comprehensive Conservation and Management Plan (CCMP) and Pollution Control Strategy (PCS) objectives.

She first joined the Center as an intern in 2016, as part of Sussex Technical High School’s work-based learning program. Throughout college, Bryanna remained involved with the Center through a combination of internships and volunteer work. She also spent a year working as a Seasonal Officer with DNREC Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police.

Bryanna graduated from the University of Delaware in 2021 with a Bachelor’s degree in natural resource management, as well as a degree in agriculture and natural resources.

Bryanna grew up in the Watershed and whether fishing, hunting, or kayaking, she is likely to be found around the Inland Bays.

 

Maddie Fox – Environmental Education Specialist

Friday, August 26th, 2022

Contact: mfox@inlandbays.org | 302-226-8105 Ext. 721

Maddie joined the center as the Environmental Education Specialist in August of 2022. 

She grew up in Baltimore, Maryland and attended the Community College of Baltimore County, where she was a member of the environmental science and gardening club. Following her graduation from CCBC, she attended Stevenson University and earned her Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science. 

Prior to her role at the Center, Maddie worked as a naturalist for Marshy Point Nature Center in Middle River, Maryland, where she cared for a wide variety of native wildlife and led educational programs. 

Maddie moved to Delaware to join the Center- but spent many summers here growing up. In her free time, she enjoys traveling, going to the beach, and painting. 

Marina Feeser – Development Specialist

Wednesday, July 20th, 2022

Contact: mfeeser@inlandbays.org | (302) 226-8105 

Marina joined the Delaware Center for the Inland Bays team in July 2022 as the Development Specialist. She grew up on the other side of the Chesapeake Bay, but moved to the Eastern Shore in the spring of 2016 and has loved every second of living the shore life. Prior to working for the Center, Marina worked as a graphic designer as part of the marketing and communications team at Salisbury University. 

 

Outside of work, you’ll find Marina exploring the coastal bays of both Maryland and Delaware on her paddleboard, enjoying the beach, trail running, camping, and hiking. Marina also currently chairs the Ocean City chapter of the Surfrider Foundation and is passionate about protecting all of the beautiful waterways where she enjoys paddleboarding. 

Mark Carter – Director of Development

Tuesday, June 28th, 2022

Contact: mcarter@inlandbays.org | (302) 226-8105 ext. 717

Mark Carter, Director of DevelopmentMark is a Delaware native and grew up on a farm outside of Milford, Delaware. He has a Bachelor of Arts in History from the Virginia Military Institute, and he served for 8 years as a Public Affairs Officer in the U.S. Marine Corps. As a result, he has lived in (and adventured in) many environments around the U.S. and a few around the world also.


After completing his time in the military, Mark worked as a kayak guide and instructor for several years with Quest Adventures and volunteered many years with the Surfrider Foundation (DE Chapter), the Delaware Nature Society, The Nature Conservancy, and other local non-profits. He comes to the Center recently from Dogfish Head Craft Brewery where he has spent over a decade directing the community outreach and philanthropic programs.


Outside of his Center job, Mark can often be found on the water surfing, paddleboarding, or kayaking. He also is known to cover some miles afoot or via pedal power, and he enjoys reading on the front porch and dabbles in some woodcraft. He resides in Milton with his partner Sara, a variety of constantly hungry teenagers and a few eccentric backyard chickens.

Caitlin Chaney – Communications Coordinator

Tuesday, February 22nd, 2022

Contact: cchaney@inlandbays.org | (302) 226-8105 ext. 716

Caitlin is a Sussex County native who loves spending time hiking, kayaking, fishing, and catching beach sunrises with her dog. Prior to joining the Center, Caitlin worked with Southern Delaware Tourism and The Lewes Historical Society and she looks forward to continuing to share her love of Southern Delaware and its essential Inland Bays.

 

 

James Tully – Shellfish Program Specialist

Tuesday, December 14th, 2021

Contact: oysters@inlandbays.org | (302) 226-8105 

James Tully joined the Center for the Inland Bays as an Shellfish Program Specialist in December 2021. This position involves assisting the oyster gardeners as they nurture and grow oysters and otherwise supporting the program goals.

After a career in the fire service in the Baltimore metropolitan area, and in emergency management at local, state, and federal agencies, Jim and his wife Rhonda moved to Bethany Beach in 2019. Since then, Jim has volunteered with the Center on several occasions, including the 2021 Osprey Survey.

Jim received a Bachelor of Science degree in history and in mass communications from Towson State College, and a law degree from the University of Baltimore.

Since moving to Delmarva, Jim and his wife have enjoyed the beach life, paddling on the bays, swimming, and travel.

Andy Twarowski – Shellfish Program Specialist

Wednesday, October 20th, 2021

Andy Twarowski joined the Center for the Inland Bays in August 2021 as the Center’s Shellfish Program Specialist.

Andy was born in Baltimore, Maryland, the son of poor Polish immigrants and World War II veterans.  He and his wife Debbie are the proud parents of four daughters and are active Catholics at St Ann’s Parish in Ocean View, DE.  Andy strives to be a responsible member of the community and has done lifelong volunteer work.

For more than 10 years, he coached youth basketball and softball teams in New Jersey. He also coached an elite girl’s fastpitch softball team for two years.

In addition to his work at Delaware Center for the Inland Bays, Andy volunteers his time on the Board of Directors of the Selbyville Public Library and the Board of Directors of Bayview Estates Home Owners Association.  He is also the Project Manager of the Bayview Estates canal restoration project.

Andy has a BS in Chemical Engineering from the University of Maryland and a MBA from the University of Baltimore. 

Professionally, Andy has worked for the 3 different companies over a 40 year stretch, always advancing to positions of increasing responsibility in the fields of engineering, operations management, and organizational leadership.  As a member of management, he was always respected as an effective leader and businessman, especially known for his ability to help others succeed and to develop to be their best.   

Andy retired in 2018 and has, together with his wife Debbie, settled into a life of leisure and volunteerism in Selbyville, DE.   

Andy is one of the faces behind the Don’t Chuck Your Shucks program: driving to 20+ restaurants, collecting used oyster shell, and delivering it to the curing site. Learn more about this “dirty job” here »

Jackie Knoll – Manager, Environmental Education

Saturday, September 11th, 2021

Contact: jknoll@inlandbays.org | (302) 226-8105 ext. 713

Jackie Knoll joined the Delaware Center for the Inland Bays in September 2021 as the Center’s Manager of Environmental Education.

Jackie grew up outside of Philadelphia and received a degree in Environmental Studies from Skidmore College. She solidified her love of the coast during her semester abroad in the Turks and Caicos through the School for Field Studies. 

Following graduation, Jackie moved to Berkeley, California to work as an environmental educator with a local nonprofit. She then accepted a position as an instructor with Haw River State Park in North Carolina. Most recently, Jackie worked with the Chincoteague Bay Field Station in Virginia before joining the Center.

In her free time Jackie likes to fish, explore local public spaces, do crossword puzzles, and watch Philadelphia sports.

Lisa Swanger – Director, Outreach and Education

Monday, March 9th, 2020

Contact: lswanger@inlandbays.org | (302) 226-8105 ext. 703

Lisa Swanger joined the Delaware Center for the Inland Bays (CIB) as the Director of Outreach and Education in February 2020. Her primary responsibility is to lead education and outreach efforts for diverse audiences in accordance with the Inland Bays Comprehensive Conservation and Management Plan.

Prior to CIB, Lisa gained extensive environmental education and program management experience with non-profit, private, and state organizations. Most recently, she worked in the Burroughs & Chapin Center for Marine and Wetland Studies at Coastal Carolina University as the Coastal Waccamaw Watershed Educations Programs Coordinator. In this position, she was responsible for coordinating the Coastal Waccamaw Stormwater Education Consortium established to assist local governments located along South Carolina’s northern coast to meet federal stormwater permit requirements for public education and involvement.

Lisa’s deep-rooted passion for the ocean and particular interest in the human dimensions surrounding coastal and marine conservation led her to obtain her Master of Science Degree in Marine Resource Management from the College of Earth, Ocean, and Atmospheric Sciences at Oregon State University with a focus in outreach and education.

As a personal motto, Lisa strives to “live with intention” which inspires her to make a positive impact on the environment in both her professional and personal life. She enjoys hiking and camping alongside her husband and two rescue dogs, practicing yoga, paddle boarding, and tending to her numerous house plants with a cup of tea in hand.

Anna Fagan – Deputy Director

Monday, May 2nd, 2016

Contact: afagan@inlandbays.org | (302) 226-8105 ext. 702

Anna first became involved with the Center as a volunteer in 2017. She later joined the organization as Administrative Specialist before accepting her current position. She holds an M.S. in Food Systems and Society from Marylhurst University in Oregon, and a B.A. in English from the University of Delaware. She has contributed writing related to food systems issues to Food Tank: The Food Think Tank. Prior to embarking on her journey with the Center, Anna enjoyed a long tenure in the restaurant industry.
 
Originally from Frederick, Maryland, Anna has lived in Sussex County since 2009. She spends her free time in Delaware’s beautiful State Parks or on the town in Rehoboth Beach, enjoying the local music scene.  

Michelle Schmidt – Director, Conservation and Watershed Planning

Wednesday, December 16th, 2015

Contact: mschmidt@inlandbays.org | (302) 226-8105 ext. 707 

Michelle is the Director of Conservation and Watershed Planning with the Center for Inland Bays. Prior to this position, Michelle worked for the American Forest Foundation as the Western Conservation Coordinator and for the USDA Farm Service Agency as a Program Technician. She holds a B.S. in Environmental Studies and Physical Geography from Salisbury University and a Master’s of Natural Resources degree from Virginia Tech.

Michelle has lived in Berlin, MD for five years after moving from outside Washington, D.C. and loves everything the Shore has to offer. In her spare time, she is often outside hiking, kayaking, bike riding, or laying on the beach! 

Bob Collins – Manager, Programs and Facilities

Wednesday, December 2nd, 2015

Contact: jamesfarm@inlandbays.org | (302) 226-8105 ext. 711

Bob Collins is the Manager of Programs and Facilities at the Center for the Inland Bays. Some of his duties include: property manager for the James Farm Ecological Preserve, the Building for Our Bays, and the CIB’s boats and vehicles. He is also the project manager for various for living shoreline projects.

Bob has been employed by the CIB since 2012, but his volunteer involvement with the organization goes back to 1998, with the Inland Bays Tributary Team. In 2005-06, he was Secretary of the Board of Directors and Chairman of the Citizens Advisory Committee. He was a member of the CAC for over ten years, and received the Friend of the Bays award in 2004.

Bob was a golf course superintendent in the watershed for 20 years, and still holds the title Certified Golf Course Superintendent. He is also an Accredited Organic Land Care Professional and a Delaware Nutrient Management Consultant. He has led hundreds of kayak trips as a guide for a local ecotourism provider. A Bethany Beach resident since 1990, he lives with his wife Kelly and has a daughter, Carly. He enjoys paddling, hiking and running.

Nivette Pérez-Pérez – Manager, Community Science

Wednesday, September 30th, 2015
 

Contact: nperezperez@inlandbays.org | (302) 226-8105 ext. 709

Nivette Pérez-Pérez

Nivette M. Pérez-Pérez is the Center’s Manager of Community Science. Originally from Ponce, Puerto Rico, Nivette completed her Bachelor’s in Coastal Marine Biology at the University of Puerto Rico in Humacao. She then went on to complete her Master’s of Science in Natural Resources through Delaware State University as part of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Living Marine Resources Cooperative Science Center in Dover, Delaware.
 
Before her work at the Center, she held a field technician position with Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control and the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission and worked as an independent consultant for the Caribbean Fishery Management Council. Through these experiences, she interacted with numerous recreational and commercial anglers learning first-hand about fisheries and aquatic ecosystems. These interactions motivated her passion for science communications.
 
In her spare time, she can be found training Krav-Maga, helping organize events to promote outdoor recreation like Delaware’s Becoming an Outdoors Woman program, working to increase Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in the fisheries sciences with the DEI Committee and Equal Opportunity Section of the American Fisheries Society, hiking Delaware’s trails or fishing Delaware’s waterways with friends and family.