Grand Isle Office Staff

William (Bill) G. Howland, LCBP Program Manager
William G. Howland has been the manager of the Lake Champlain Basin Program (LCBP) based in Grand Isle, Vermont, US, since 1999. Bill has B.A. and M.A. degrees from the University of Vermont and a Ph.D. from McGill University specializing in biophysical remote sensing and terrain analysis in arctic and subarctic regions. His research, teaching experience and publications include biophysical remote sensing and terrain modeling, ecological biogeography, physical geography and arctic field studies. He was Director of the Northern Studies Program on the faculty of Middlebury College (VT) for a decade, followed by five years as Executive Director of Green Mountain Audubon Society. He lives in Isle La Motte, Vermont.

802/372-3213 Ext. 16

Nicole Ballinger, Communications and Publications Coordinator
Nicole Ballinger has been with the Lake Champlain Basin Program since 1997. She manages the Lake Champlain Basin Program website, produces news releases, designs and creates content for LCBP publications, exhibits, and the LCBP Resource Room at ECHO, and manages special communications projects. Prior to the LCBP she staffed the Williston, VT Conservation Commission and was a seasonal Park Ranger in the Interpretation Divisions at North Cascades and Big Bend National Parks. She has a M.S. in Natural Resource Planning from the University of Vermont and a B.A. in Anthropology with a minor in Studio Art from Skidmore College.

802/372-3213 Ext. 12

Jim Brangan, Cultural Heritage and Recreation Coordinator
As the Cultural Heritage and Recreation Coordinator for the Lake Champlain Basin Program, Jim Brangan’s work focuses on facilitating cooperation between Vermonters, New Yorkers and Quebecers on efforts that improve appreciation of the natural and cultural resources of Lake Champlain. His work includes the Lake Champlain Quadricentennial, the Champlain Valley National Heritage Partnership, scenic byways, Lake Champlain Bikeways, and developing interpretation of all sorts. Jim’s path to the Champlain Valley led him though West Virginia, Idaho, Montana, and Connecticut. Some of his previous experience includes serving as a wilderness/snow ranger in the Clearwater National Forest, developing interpretive programs/exhibits and establishing partnerships for the Monongahela National Forest’s Seneca Rocks Discovery Center, and working as a regional planner in Chittenden County. He lives in Shelburne with his wife and two sons.

802/372-3213 Ext. 13

Colleen Hickey, Education and Outreach Coordinator
Colleen Hickey has been conducting outreach programs within the Lake Champlain watershed in northern New York, Vermont and southern Quebec since 1991. She has focused on media outreach, school programs, educator training and public outreach programs pertaining to the watershed. Colleen received her M.A. in Urban and Environmental Policy from Tufts University and her B.S. in Community Development from the University of New Hampshire. She also held positions as the Communications Director for United Way of Greater Nashua and was employed as a NH regional planner.

802/372-3213 Ext. 11

Eric Howe, Technical Coordinator
Eric coordinates the LCBP Technical Advisory Committee and manages Basin-oriented research grants at the federal, state, and local level.  He holds a Ph.D. in Natural Resources and an M.S. degree in Wildlife and Fisheries Biology from the University of Vermont, and undergraduate degrees in environmental biology and ecology from SUNY-Environmental Science and Forestry and Paul Smith’s College.  His research experience includes examining the effects of shoreline development on the quality of shallow-water habitat in Vermont’s inland lakes and ponds, sea lamprey management in Lake Champlain, acid deposition on numerous Adirondack ponds, aquatic plant management, and extensive water quality monitoring experience in New York and Vermont.  Eric lives in Williston, VT with his wife and dog where he is an avid gardener and explores the art of freestyle cooking.  Eric is also a member of the Williston Conservation Commission.

802/372-3213 Ext. 18

Kathy Jarvis, Office Manager
Kathy Jarvis has been the Administrative Assistant/Office Manager for the Lake Champlain Basin Program since 1993. She acts as receptionist for the program, manages the office operations, tracks office expenses and project budgets, maintains local grant and accounting records, responds to public requests for information and gives administrative support to staff. Prior to joining the Lake Champlain Basin, she worked for the US Immigration & Naturalization Service and the US Postal Service. She is a graduate of Champlain College.

802/372-3213 Ext. 10


Meg Modley, Aquatic Nuisance Species Coordinator
As the Aquatic Nuisance Species Coordinator for the Lake Champlain Basin Program, Meg coordinates management efforts to prevent the introduction and spread of aquatic invasive species (AIS) in the basin. She has worked for LCBP since 2003. Meg has a B.A. in Environmental Studies and Geology and a M.A. in Public Administration from the University of Vermont. Her work has included the development of a Lake Champlain Basin Aquatic Invasive Species Rapid Response Action Plan, implementing the Lake Champlain Basin Aquatic Nuisance Species Management Plan, supervising the Lake Champlain Boat Launch Steward Program, and working with local and regional partners on education and outreach campaigns for AIS. Meg grew up vacationing on Lake George every summer, has a great love for the outdoors, and lives in Charlotte with her dog Osa.    

802/372-3213 Ext. 15

Nicole Grohoski, Technical Associate
Nicole Grohoski has been a Technical Associate with the LCBP since the fall of 2008.  As a GIS Specialist, Nicole manages and manipulates spatial data related to phosphorus loading in support of the International Joint Commission Missisquoi Bay Basin Project.  In addition to working with data, she enjoys creating maps to enhance our understanding on the Basin.  Nicole grew up in Downeast Maine and received a B.A. from Middlebury College in Vermont while majoring in Environmental Studies and Chemistry.  She enjoys bicycle touring, wilderness canoe tripping, and cross-country skiing when she’s not at home in Burlington playing Frisbee, visiting friends, or experimenting in the kitchen.

802/372-3213 Ext. 20

Resource Room Staff

Laura Hollowell, Resource Room Specialist
Laura Hollowell works as an information officer for the Basin Program, primarily in the Lake Champlain Resource Room within the ECHO Lake Aquarium and Science Center in Burlington, Vermont. Working with the public and with schools, she answers questions, creates exhibits, and presents educational programs. Laura has a B.A. from the University of Vermont in Environmental Studies and Political Science. She was employed for many years by the Vermont State Parks, most recently as naturalist and caretaker at Button Bay State Park on Lake Champlain. Laura has also worked as an educator with the Green Mountain Audubon Center and the California Nature Conservancy, and as a free-lance writer, artist and gardener.

802/864-1848 ext. 109

Stephanie Larkin, Resource Room Specialist
Stephanie Larkin has been working as a Lake Champlain Basin Program Resource Room Specialist since the opening of ECHO at the Leahy Center in 2003. She answers many questions pertaining to all aspects of Lake Champlain, including nuisance species, lake friendly cleaning products, and historical events. A native of Vermont, she attended the University of Vermont for undergraduate studies, and then obtained a graduate degree in Education from University of Colorado at Boulder. Prior to her work in the Resource Room she was a classroom teacher in VT, and also an environmental educator in various California natural areas.

802/864-1848 ext. 109

Cynthia Norman, Resource Room Specialist
Cynthia Norman has a B.A. in biology from Guilford College, Greensboro, NC. She spent her early career as an educator with the National Park Service, Monteverde Friends School (Costa Rica), and New Found Harbor Marine Institute (Big Pine Key, FL). Later, she wrote articles for National Gardening magazine and handled circulation at St. Michael’s College Library, while homeschooling her daughter through high school. She enjoys canoeing wetlands, speaking Spanish and biking to work year round.

802/864-1848 ext. 109

Staff at New York DEC Supporting the LCBP

Tom Hall

518/623-1283

Staff at Vermont ANR Supporting the LCBP

Michaela Stickney, Vermont Lake Champlain Coordinator

802/241-3619