Category: Speakers

Cindy came to appreciate the outdoors growing up in Michigan and became interested in aquatic ecosystem and their stressors at Michigan State while working on her Bachelor of Science. She has a special interest in the Great Lakes; invasive species prevention, detection, containment, and control; and risk assessment and decision science. Cindy is most interested in the influences of ecosystem stressors on global processes, especially at the nexus of science, policy, and natural resource management. She earned a PhD from the University of Notre Dame and has been an adjunct professor at George Mason University.

Kelsey Potlock first attended WYSE back in 2011 when she was in high school. Since then, Kelsey earned her BS in Environmental Science from the University of North Carolina Wilmington (UNCW) where her undergraduate research focused on the benefits of living shorelines and assessing the erosion/accretion of a historical shoreline using Geospatial Information Systems (GIS).  In the summer after graduating from UNCW and before graduate school, Kelsey participated in an internship at Mote Marine Laboratory in the Manatee Research Program in Sarasota, Florida. Upon completion of this program, Kelsey worked on and completed a Masters of Philosophy (MPhil) at Newcastle University in the United Kingdom, where her research focused on odontocete acoustics before, during, and after the construction of an offshore wind farm. After graduation from her MPhil program, Kelsey contracted through Integrated Statistics as a Regulatory Biologist with the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (USFWS) in the Anchorage, Alaska field office with the Regulatory Program. Currently, Kelsey is a marine biologist contracting with NOAA Fisheries’ (NMFS) Office of Protected Resources on marine mammal and MMPA issues through Ocean Associates, Inc. When not working, Kelsey likes to spend her free time playing pickleball, crocheting, antiquing, baking, playing video games, hanging out with friends, and spending time with her cat (Miska).

Sean is an environmental consultant with over 15 years of experience with a diversified knowledge of environmental principles and practices in the environmental sciences field and related sciences and disciplines. He conducts complex field biology assessments including, but not limited to, wetland delineations, endangered species/habitat assessments and surveys, plant identification/tree surveys, and land use studies. Sean also directs and conducts field work and attends meetings both inside and outside the firm pertaining to existing and potential projects. He performs project development for complex projects, including finalizing scope of projects, preparing bid summaries, preparing project budgets, and cost estimates. He also monitors and supervises design, including reviewing plans, specifications, estimates, and calculations, and he gives technical advice on corrective actions. Sean has earned a BS and MS in Environmental Science from George Mason University.

Presidential Honors graduate from West Virginia University with a Bachelor’s of Science in Agriculture Business and Natural Resource Management. Former intern at WV Department of Agriculture; instructor at Cacapon Institute; Fundraising Assistant for Manchin for US Senate; Events Coordinator for WV Democratic Party; State Assistant and Outreach Representative for US Senator Joe Manchin III; Staff Assistant for US Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Currently a Legislative Correspondent for US Senator Ben Ray Luján, member of Senate Agriculture Committee, working on Animals, Agriculture, Energy, Environment, Science, Tourism, and Trade issues. I also continue to help my parents on our 6th generation farm in the Potomac Highlands of West Virginia. It is critical that the future of the agriculture industry and environment be cared for.

In her current position at the U. S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) Ms. Bisbee and her team review DHS S&T proposed projects for possible environmental, health, safety and energy impacts. In her role as Senior Environmental Protection Specialist / NEPA Program Lead she ensures S&T compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), to include: the Clean Air Act; the Clean Water Act; the Endangered Species Act; the National Historic Preservation Act; the Migratory Bird Treaty Act; and Environmental Justice concerns. During her time in college, Ms. Bisbee was provided the opportunity to work as a Cultural Resources Technician in the Noatak National Preserve, Alaska, for the National Park Service, Department of the Interior. She has an active interest in planting native plant species and is slowly converting her 1-acre property into native plant habitat. When not puttering in the gardens she’s running the local trails with her 8-year old black lab, Ori.