KATHERYN PATTERSON
Dr. Katheryn Patterson is Professor of Practice at Virginia Tech’s Center for Leadership in Global Sustainability and teaches for their Masters of Natural Resources Program. Katheryn has 20 years of experience working in ocean science, policy, conservation, education, and outreach. She has worked on a wide range of topics such as international fisheries policy, coral disease mitigation, marine protected areas, sustainable tourism, and science communication and brings these experiences into the courses she teaches. Katheryn is also a Legislative Affairs Specialist with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration where she works to advance regulatory and legislative policies. Katheryn is a past WYSE Faculty Advisor and earned her PhD in Environmental Science and Public Policy from George Mason University.
KATHERYN PATTERSON
Dr. Katheryn Patterson is Professor of Practice at Virginia Tech’s Center for Leadership in Global Sustainability and teaches for their Masters of Natural Resources Program. Katheryn has 20 years of experience working in ocean science, policy, conservation, education, and outreach. She has worked on a wide range of topics such as international fisheries policy, coral disease mitigation, marine protected areas, sustainable tourism, and science communication and brings these experiences into the courses she teaches. Katheryn is also a Legislative Affairs Specialist with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration where she works to advance regulatory and legislative policies. Katheryn is a past WYSE Faculty Advisor and earned her PhD in Environmental Science and Public Policy from George Mason University.
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.
JoBeth Delawder is a Presidential Honors graduate from West Virginia University, holding a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture Business and Natural Resource Management. She has extensive experience in agriculture and politics, having interned at the West Virginia Department of Agriculture, instructed at the Cacapon Institute, and served in various roles including Fundraising Assistant for Manchin for US Senate, Events Coordinator for the West Virginia Democratic Party, State Assistant and Outreach Representative for US Senator Joe Manchin III, Staff Assistant for the US Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, and Legislative Correspondent for US Senator Ben Ray Luján, focusing on issues related to animals, agriculture, energy, environment, science, tourism, and trade. Currently, she is the Acting Climate Advisor for the Rural Business-Cooperative Service working on implementation of President Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act (IRA). JoBeth also assists on her family’s sixth-generation farm in the Potomac Highlands of West Virginia, and is devoted to caring for the future of agriculture and the environment.
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.
Dr. Lauren Gibson specializes in empowering young people to take environmental action for societal change. She currently serves as the first special advisor on youth engagement at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), working to bring more youth voices into agency decision-making. In previous roles, Dr. Gibson has consulted on youth-adult partnerships, researched the factors that drive young people to engage in large-scale environmental advocacy behaviors, and communicated the importance of environmental education efforts to Congress. Her experiences growing up as a youth environmental activist herself continue to inform her work. 
Juan Rodriguez is the director of the Clearwater Nature Center in Clinton, Maryland, a facility that offers a variety of interpretive programs hosted by park naturalists.   Environmental education is strongly supported at the nature center through exhibits, displays, programs, special events, clubs, trips, and volunteer opportunities. 
Julia Anastasio joined the Association of Clean Water Administrators in May 2014 as the new Executive Director and General Counsel. Ms. Anastasio has 18 years of experience in government law and policy. In the early 2000s she worked for the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection and for the last 9 years she has worked with the America Public Works Association (APWA). With APWA, she focused on environmental, sustainability and infrastructure development at the local, state and federal levels and has extensive experience in with federal advocacy and administrative law before Congress and the Executive branch agencies. She is passionate about the role of state government in in developing and implementing national water policy and looks forward to working with ACWA’s membership.
Jackie Spicer has been an animal care professional for over 12 years, all with the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute. She began her career volunteering and worked her way up through temporary keeper to her current position as senior keeper on American Trail. She has worked with all types of animals: fish, reptiles, amphibians, birds, primates, carnivores, and marine mammals. She has a bachelors degree in wildlife management and a masters degree in environmental management and policy. She plays an active role in her local chapter of the American Association of Zookeepers, currently working as the chapter president.