Our Board
The RSC Executive Board consists of representatives from member organizations. They work to uphold the mission of the RSC and move the organization forward in both research and education.
Executive Director
Jeanette L. Schnars, Ph.D.
Regional Science Consortium
Dr. Schnars has been the Executive Director of the RSC since 2007. She received her B.S. degree in Biology from the Pennsylvania State University with a Minor in Marine Science. After working for the U.S. Geological Survey on the sea turtle project at Padre Island National Seashore, TX, she continued her education at the State University of New York – College at Buffalo earning a M.S. degree in Biology working with sea turtles in Costa Rica. While working as an Instructor in the Biology Department of Penn State – Erie, she earned her Ph.D. from the Pennsylvania State University in Wildlife and Fisheries Science researching the effects of contaminants on the common snapping turtles. Dr. Schnars continues to conduct research on fisheries, turtles, and bacterial contamination in Lake Erie.
President – RSC Executive Board
Joe Adserias-Garriga, Ph.D.
Mercyhurst University
Vice President – RSC Executive Board
Kelly Pearce, Ph.D.
Allegheny College
Secretary – RSC Executive Board
Holley Short
Erie Bird Observatory
Treasurer – RSC Executive Board
Tracy Pitcher.
The Bay Point Island Foundation
Executive Board Member
Holly Best
Assistant Park Manager, Presque Isle State Park –
PA Department of Conservation and Natural Resources
Ms. Best received her BS degree in Parks and Recreation – Resource Management from Slippery Rock University and MA in Recreation, Parks, and Leisure Services Administration from Central Michigan University. She has worked for DCNR since 1998 in various capacities in several different state parks. Since 2007, Holly has been in her current position at Presque Isle. Her duties at Presque Isle include: facility manager of the Tom Ridge Environmental Center, overseeing the Environmental Education Programming operation, supervising the summer internship program, and working with resource management at both Presque Isle and Erie Bluffs State Park.
Executive Board Member
Brian Emick
North East School District
Executive Board Member
Greg Andraso
Gannon University