The GEM Team along with previous service member, Patrick Willoughby, went out yesterday and updated the GEM Environmental Story Walk at Acker Park. 

Along Tom's Trail at Acker Park, you will find a series of informational stations that are set up and maintained by our team. Ryder Moreno, our Program Coordinator and AmeriCorps Team Leader, put together an amazing selection of native birds in this area! Ryder obtained information from Jay's Bird Barn in Prescott, Arizona.

​GEM Environmental and GEM Corps would like to congratulate Ashley McDonough. Ashley is now the new Vice President of GEM Environmental, NFP. On Monday, September 12th, 2022, at our quarterly Board Meeting, the Executive Director and President, Eric Welsh, nominated Ashley to fill the VP position. Wayman Trujillo motioned to approve this which was seconded by Chino Martinez, and after a unanimous vote, Ashley became the official Vice President!
Ashley has worked for GEM as our GEM Corps Program Manager since June of 2021 and is a vital role to our company’s growth. Her commendable work ethic and outgoing personality make Ashley a pleasure to have on our team.
Ashley became interested in this role while working alongside the President, Eric Welsh. Learning all she could about the position, Ashley felt it was a natural progression to continue to grow with the company and assist Eric to her best ability. The responsibilities of being the Vice President include maintaining strong communication amongst the staff and volunteers at GEM and making sure the team has a relaxed work environment and healthy work relationships. A strong leader is necessary to provide the tools to keep things running smoothly, and Ashley is just that! 

Growing up as an only child, Ashley learned to take on responsibilities at a very young age. She developed a take-charge attitude and feels that it will help her fulfill the obligations of the Vice President role. She enjoys over coming obstacles and thinking outside the box to get the job done. Her experience working with people of all demographics will help her to fulfil these obligations. With the rapid growth of GEM and GEM Corps, Ashley feels that the need to remain consistent and work side by side with our community partners, is the key to things running smoothly. She understands the challenges she will face, and is ready to deal with anything that comes her way.
Ashley plans to use strong communication and team work to help her maintain highly functional relationships with her staff.
​“We have many different types of people that we work with; partners, team members, and AmeriCorps members, so making sure that we are all on the same page by not focusing on myself being the Vice President, but working together on our goals is my main objective.”- Ashley McDonough

​Once again, congratulations Ashley! We wish you all the best in your future endeavors with GEM. You are appreciated beyond words.