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Craig Lukatch
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Craig Lukatch, a Hazleton native now residing in Lake Ariel, PA, brings more than 25 years of experience in nonprofit administration and fundraising. Before joining Lacawac Sanctuary, he served as CEO of the Greater Pittston YMCA and as Director of Development at the Wyoming Valley Children’s Association in Forty Fort. A graduate of the University of Scranton with a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy and Theology, Lukatch has dedicated his career to strengthening community organizations. Over his tenure, he has successfully secured more than $15 million in foundation support and capital funding for local nonprofits.
He currently serves on the Boards of Directors for the Rainbow Alliance, the Pennsylvania Association of Environmental Educators, and the Newfoundland Rotary. His past board service includes the NEPA chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals, the Hazleton YMCA, and Indraloka Animal Sanctuary.
Lukatch has been with Lacawac Sanctuary for more than 11 years, where he continues to advance its mission of research, education, and preservation.
The president of Lacawac Sanctuary is responsible for leading the organization in its mission of environmental education, research, and preservation, which includes overseeing programs for all ages, developing new initiatives like conservation leadership academies, and acquiring land for preservation. This role involves a leadership position in the organization's strategic planning, fundraising, and community outreach to support its educational goals and long-term conservation efforts
He currently serves on the Boards of Directors for the Rainbow Alliance, the Pennsylvania Association of Environmental Educators, and the Newfoundland Rotary. His past board service includes the NEPA chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals, the Hazleton YMCA, and Indraloka Animal Sanctuary.
Lukatch has been with Lacawac Sanctuary for more than 11 years, where he continues to advance its mission of research, education, and preservation.
The president of Lacawac Sanctuary is responsible for leading the organization in its mission of environmental education, research, and preservation, which includes overseeing programs for all ages, developing new initiatives like conservation leadership academies, and acquiring land for preservation. This role involves a leadership position in the organization's strategic planning, fundraising, and community outreach to support its educational goals and long-term conservation efforts
Beth grew up in a small town in New Hampshire where interaction with the natural world was a way of life. She has always been interested in science, particularly ecology. She received a B.S. in Biology from Bridgewater College, a small liberal arts school in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia. After a short interlude teaching middle and high school science and math classes, she earned a M.S. degree in Biology from James Madison University and a Ph.D. in Biological Sciences from Virginia Tech. Beth has also worked as a post-doctoral researcher for Trent University and Michigan State University. Beth is an ecosystem ecologist interested in how interactions among organisms influence the structure and functioning of freshwater habitats. Her research investigates how essential elements like nitrogen and carbon are transformed and transported through ecosystems and the role microorganisms, plants, and animals play in these processes. She also studies how these relationships are affected by human activities such as land use change, nutrient loading, and pollution. Beth uses experimental manipulations as well as natural studies in her research, at scales ranging from laboratory microcosms to whole ecosystems.
The Director of Science and Research at Lacawac Sanctuary is responsible for coordinating all scientific activities and managing the sanctuary as a biological field station. The role involves internal research, facilitating external scientists, education, and community outreach.
The Director of Science and Research at Lacawac Sanctuary is responsible for coordinating all scientific activities and managing the sanctuary as a biological field station. The role involves internal research, facilitating external scientists, education, and community outreach.
Casey is an avid outdoor enthusiast with a strong passion for the environment. He has been the Director of Facilities for the last two years working on various projects to improve and restore Lacawac. Prior to Lacawac he was a professional free-skier traveling the country skiing for Samuel Adam’s, Ski The East and Peak resort. He was a freestyle skiing coach for a range of kids from beginner to Olympic level athletes. He loves anything that is adrenaline packed and is always seeking out the thrill. He has 10+ years of experience as a carpenter/construction worker. When he is not holding a power tool he is planning his next thrilling adventure mountain biking, rock climbing, or anything exciting outdoors.
Lacawac's Facilities Director is responsible for managing the physical campus and its operations as well as handling maintenance, repairs, and budget for the facility. Key duties include overseeing third-party contractors, setting and enforcing the facilities budget, scheduling and managing staff, and ensuring the grounds and buildings are maintained, safe, and secure for visitors and educational activities.
Lacawac's Facilities Director is responsible for managing the physical campus and its operations as well as handling maintenance, repairs, and budget for the facility. Key duties include overseeing third-party contractors, setting and enforcing the facilities budget, scheduling and managing staff, and ensuring the grounds and buildings are maintained, safe, and secure for visitors and educational activities.
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Susan Cosgrove
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Bringing more than 20 years of experience as a middle and high school science teacher in Fredericksburg, VA, Sue Cosgrove has also served as a nature center educator in Fredericksburg and San Jose, CA. She holds a B.S. in Biology from West Chester University, an M.S. in Chemical and Life Sciences from the University of Maryland, and an Educational Specialist (Ed.S.) degree from the University of Alabama. Originally from Upper Darby, PA, and raised on summers in the Poconos, she recently returned to the region after two decades in Virginia and now lives locally with her husband and two dogs. A trained flutist who still plays for fun, Sue is passionate about hands-on environmental education and connecting learners of all ages to the plants, animals, and geology of the Pocono Mountains.
The Assistant Director of Education at Lacawac is responsible for implementing environmental education programs for students of all ages and the public, focusing on topics like forest and water ecology, animal adaptations, and conservation. The position also develops and leads public programs such as nature hikes, citizen science projects, and lake paddles.
The Assistant Director of Education at Lacawac is responsible for implementing environmental education programs for students of all ages and the public, focusing on topics like forest and water ecology, animal adaptations, and conservation. The position also develops and leads public programs such as nature hikes, citizen science projects, and lake paddles.
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Carlos Roca, CPA
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Experienced Senior Director Finance with a demonstrated history of working in the financial services and other industries including Non for Profit Organizations. Skilled in Analytical Skills, Management, external/internal audit and SOX compliance, Financial Accounting, Systems implementation, Month-end close efficiency improvements and USGAAP/IFRS accounting standards guru. Strong finance professional graduated with MBA from Fordham University - Graduate School of Business Administration. CPA in US (NY/PA) and Spain. Double nationality and proficient in English, Spanish and French.
A financial controller is responsible for managing a company's accounting operations, including financial reporting, budgeting, and cash flow management. This includes preparing financial statements, overseeing internal controls, ensuring regulatory and tax compliance, and acting as the liaison with external auditors. The role involves both day-to-day oversight of accounting functions and a broader responsibility for strategic financial planning and analysis to support business objectives.
A financial controller is responsible for managing a company's accounting operations, including financial reporting, budgeting, and cash flow management. This includes preparing financial statements, overseeing internal controls, ensuring regulatory and tax compliance, and acting as the liaison with external auditors. The role involves both day-to-day oversight of accounting functions and a broader responsibility for strategic financial planning and analysis to support business objectives.
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Theresa Black, M.S.
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Before teaching, Theresa worked as an industry professional completing environmental site reviews and hazardous materials inspections. Her interests lie in water resource management. She has been developing 360° video virtual field trips of various watershed features for use in the classroom. She is also researching the use of 360° video to further learning outcomes and will soon be publishing a case study on her classroom experience. Theresa has a Master of Science Degree in Environmental Science from Towson University and a Bachelor of Science in Biology from Lycoming College.
Lacawac Sanctuary's Pocono Lake Ecological Observatory Network (PLEON) manager is responsible for leading the lake monitoring program, which involves data collection, analysis, education, and community engagement. The overall goal of the program is to educate the public and lake associations on water quality and lake management to preserve Pennsylvania's lake ecosystems.
Lacawac Sanctuary's Pocono Lake Ecological Observatory Network (PLEON) manager is responsible for leading the lake monitoring program, which involves data collection, analysis, education, and community engagement. The overall goal of the program is to educate the public and lake associations on water quality and lake management to preserve Pennsylvania's lake ecosystems.
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Allison McDermott
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Allison is a longtime resident of Lake Ariel, PA. In 2024, she graduated from Marywood University with a BFA in Graphic Design. With a strong passion for art and design, Allison takes pride in approaching every project with creativity and care, always finding new ways to bring ideas to life. During her final year of college, she took up photography and has since developed a passion for capturing the beauty of the natural world.
Lacawac's Marketing Communications Manager is responsible for developing and executing communication strategies to promote the organization's brand and mission. Key duties include creating and managing marketing campaigns, overseeing content and social media, coordinating with internal and external teams, analyzing campaign performance, and ensuring brand consistency across all channels.
Lacawac's Marketing Communications Manager is responsible for developing and executing communication strategies to promote the organization's brand and mission. Key duties include creating and managing marketing campaigns, overseeing content and social media, coordinating with internal and external teams, analyzing campaign performance, and ensuring brand consistency across all channels.
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Charlotte Betz
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Charlotte is a Long Island native, who now lives in Shohola, Pennsylvania. She obtained her undergraduate degree in History from SUNY Cortland in 2023 and is currently working towards her masters in Education. Charlotte has experience with children of all ages and has worked at two different YMCA summer camps since she was 16 years old. During the school year you can find her substitute teaching in Port Jervis, New York, or outside on the many different trails NEPA has to offer with her dog Otis. She is an avid beach goer and recently has taken up golf, pickleball and paddle boarding in her free time.
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Rich Arthur
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Diane Tabone
Head Gardener |
