Alverne W. Chesterfield (Chet) - Executive Director
chet@cbfieldstation.org      |     757-824-5636 x108            

Mr. Alverne W. Chesterfield (Chet) is the Executive Director here at Chincoteague Bay Field Station.  Chet hails from St. Thomas, United States Virgin Islands where he graduated from Charlotte Amalie High School.  He attended the University of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES) where he received a BS degree in Business Administration. Chet received a MS from Wilmington University in Public Administration.  He also has completed course work towards his PhD in Organizational Management at UMES.

Upon completing his undergraduate, he immediately begun working at UMES as a Residence Counselor with the Office of Residence Life and later served as its Assistant Director.  After working with Residence Life for 17 years, Chet moved over to the Division of Administrative Affairs to head up a new department – Auxiliary Enterprises.  A year later he was promoted to the position of Assistant Vice President for Administrative Affairs and Director of Auxiliary Enterprises. A very unique and creative individual, Chet turned Auxiliary into one of its most revenue generating areas. In 2013 Chet retired from UMES after working for 36 years.

Since his retirement, Chet has spent time at Elizabeth City State University serving as a Consultant for its Auxiliary Services. He also enjoys working with the kids from his church where he cooks during its Thursday’s YES Program. Chet loves taking pictures and taking trips. In his work environment, he strongly believes to succeed it must be about “US” and not “I”.  TEAMWORK is important for the success of the organization.
Emily Collins - Adult & Family Education Coordinator
ecollins@cbfieldstation.org     |     757-824-5636 x106

Emily grew up on a small farm in the Finger Lakes region of New York.  She graduated from Boston University with a Bachelor's degree in Biology with a specialization in Marine Science.  After college, Emily worked as a Fisheries Observer on commercial fishing vessels both on the East Coast and in Alaska.  She also spent two summers working on a NOAA research vessel.  In 2016, Emily received a Master's degree in Environmental Education as well as a Certificate in Nonprofit Management from Southern Oregon University.  She now loves working at an organization where she can combine her background in marine science with her passion for environmental education.  Her favorite things to do in her free time include traveling, camping, and cooking and she is always up for an adventure!
Emily Foy - School Programs & Summer Camp Coordinator
emily@cbfieldstation.org     |     757-824-5636 x110

Emily grew up in a suburb close to Atlanta, Georgia and spent most of her childhood outside fishing, hiking, and playing in the dirt. She received her B.S. in Biological Sciences from Clemson University. Throughout college she worked at a summer camp in the mountains of North Carolina where she developed her passion of working with kids and teaching about the outdoors. She has worked at several environmental education programs throughout the country, including the Florida Keys and the lowcountry of South Carolina. Most recently she worked at the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources where she was crew and educator aboard their vessels and helped coordinate the Seeds to Shoreline program. When she’s not at work, you can find Emily outside going for walks, exploring new places, kayaking, or somewhere near the water!  
Kelsey Gustafson - University & Research Coordinator
kelsey@cbfieldstation.org     |     757-824-5636 x105

Kelsey grew up in Endwell, NY and spent much of her childhood summers at her family cottage located outside of Syracuse, NY.  She received her B.A. in Biology with a minor in Public Health from Slippery Rock University. As a senior in college, CBFS sparked her passion for field biology and conservation through a summer course. After completing her degree, she interned at MOTE Marine Laboratory with their Sea Turtle Research and Conservation Program, and was a wildlife rehabilitation extern at the Wildlife Center of Virginia. She soon found her way back to the field station and hasn’t left since! Kelsey joined CBFS staff in the summer of 2016 as the College Community Assistant, she was a Field Station Educator for the 2017 program year, and in 2018 she was University and Research Assistant Coordinator. Her favorite part about CBFS is connecting people of all ages to the unique ecosystems located on the Eastern Shore, especially the marsh! Depending on the season you can find Kelsey hiking, skiing, playing field hockey, or reading a good book.
Cortney Weatherby - Community Outreach & Marketing Coordinator
cortney@cbfieldstation.org     |     757-824-5636 x109

Cortney was born and raised in Murray, Nebraska and has a B.S. in Marine Biology from Northwest Missouri State University. She is passionate about connecting people to the outdoors and sharing her love for the ocean. Since graduating college Cortney has worked as a Marine Science Instructor in the Florida Keys leading boat trips and snorkel/scuba diving excursions and spent two years as a naturalist in the South Carolina lowcountry. She was also a guide at a semi-remote field station along the Kachemak Bay near Homer, Alaska for 5 months leading tide pooling and forest hikes. In her down time Cortney enjoys reading, birding, fishing, and going on adventures with her dog Scout. Cortney also serves as the SPARK Program coordinator here at the field station. 
Ben Lam - Adult & Family Education Assistant Coordinator
​Jenna Mercier - University and Research Assistant
John Besecker - Operations Manager
Tony Smith - Operations
Kennie Godwin - Operations
Julie Lurowist- Office & Finance Manager
Diane Lynch - Registrar
Linda Wallop - Food Service Manager
Robin Townsend - Food Service
Matthew Fenton - Food Service
Eunice Handy - Food Service
Felara Hickman - Food Service
Francine Payton - Head Housekeeper
Adell Payton - Housekeeper

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