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Craig Lukatch
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Lukatch is a Hazleton native, currently residing in Peckville PA who has extensive experience with more than 15 plus years in nonprofit administration and fundraising most recently working as the CEO of the Greater Pittston YMCA and the Director of Development at Wyoming Valley Children's Association, Forty Fort. He is a graduate of the University of Scranton with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Philosophy and Theology. Lukatch currently serves on the Boards of Directors of the Pennsylvania Association of Environmental Educators and Indraloka Animal Sanctuary and has served on various boards of nonprofits from the NEPA chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals, to the Hazleton YMCA and the Community Services for Sight organization in Hazleton. Over his tenure he has raised over $6 million from foundations and for capital projects for local nonprofits.
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.
Jamie Reeger joins the Lacawac team with more than 20 years of Environmental Education experience. She has a Masters of Science in Ecological Teaching and Learning from Lesley University in Cambridge MA as well as a Bachelors of Arts in Elementary Education and Environmental Science from East Stroudsburg Univeristy. Environmental education has never been a job for Jamie but a true passion in which to share her knowledge and wonder of being part of incredibly perfect planet. Prior to her position at Lacawac, Jamie worked at Lackawanna College Environmental Institute/Education Center as the director. She also served as the environmental educator at Monroe County Environmental Education Center and was the director of the Bear Creek Camp and Nature Center. She is excited to help build the programs at Lacawac and can see amazing potential with a wonderful team of dedicated professionals. Beyond environmental education Jamie enjoys spending time with her husband Larry, and two children, Leah and Caden. Jamie is an avid gardener and tries to grow much of the family’s food for the year. Eating local whole foods is another way she believes she can affect positive change for Earth and her family. She also enjoys biking, skiing, camping, canoeing and anything outdoors.
Gene comes to Lacawac after a long teaching career as a Wallenpaupack High School Teacher. He recieved a Bachelors in Science in Biology from Penn State University. During his tenure teaching he received a Pennsylvania Governor's Award for Environmental Excellence for helping to develop the Lake Wallenpaupack Watershed Education Program at Wallenpaupack Area High School. Gene has also guided a group of students to display their alternative energy device to President Obama at the the White House Science Fair. Besides being a high school teacher, Gene has taught Environmental Education Programs at the Brookfield Lake Wallenpaupack Environmental Learning Center. His hobbies include fly tying and fly fishing for trout, traveling, hiking, and gardening.
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Brooke Hallstead
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Brooke comes to Lacawac with a B.A in Environmental Science from Prescott College. Before joining Lacawac’s team as an Environmental Educator, Brooke was traveling abroad. While traveling she taught English and Math to India's youth, worked on a farm in rural Guatemala, and spent 130 days backpacking through California while studying natural history and public lands. Her passion to work with children and inspire them to see the interwoven relationship we all share with the Earth led her to a career in environmental education. Brooke has worked with after-school programs abroad, nature mentorships with Sterling College in Vermont, and as summer staff for Lackawanna College Environmental Education Center. Brooke believes the start of a viable future begins with a green youth.
Roy Chesseri
Land Stewardship Manager/Operations Manager
Roy Chesseri is an experienced Operations Manager and Business Consultant. Roy started his career at Bell Laboratories in Murray Hill, NJ performing research on electrical connector systems. He rapidly progressed into high level management positions at Hewlett Packard, Wallace & Tiernan and Steinway Piano Companies. These positions all focused on optimizing all aspects of Manufacturing Operations. Roy started his involvement with Lacawac after a fortuitous encounter with Arthur Watres at a Technical Seminar about ten years ago. Roy has been on the Lacawac Board of Directors and continues to contribute to the improvement of Lacawac in a wide variety of ways.
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Martha Spreen
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