Ellen Snyder- Ecologist & Education Specialist (AZ)

Ellen Snyder is an Education Specialist and Ecologist with GEM. Her educational background is in environmental science and ecological restoration, and she loves botany. Ellen came to GEM after she had her daughter and was looking for a family-friendly position that would still involve her being in STEM. Ellen had volunteered with GEM during the pandemic and felt that it was a natural choice for a place to serve as an AmeriCorps member. Ellen's personal hobbies include gardening, playing strategy board games, hiking, and cross-stitching. She works at the Prescott, Arizona office.
​Superpower of choice: "It would have to be the ability to transform into any animal at will"

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Halle Ann Fernandez- Outdoor Education Specialist & Outreach Coordinator (AZ)

Halle is an Outdoor Education Specialist and our Outreach Coordinator at GEM. She is a Leave No Trace trainer, passionate about teaching people of all ages to be stewards of our environment. Halle is a recent graduate with a B.A. in Psychology and Human Development with a minor in Adventure Education. Halle found GEM when she was invited to volunteer at the first Women in STEM event in 2021. Prior to that she felt little to no relation to anything in the STEM-field, and since then has been a fierce advocate for Women in STEM. Her favorite hobbies include chilling out with her partner, Sam, puppy, Kornelius, and rabbit, Shadow.
Superpower of Choice: "Definitely botany-manipulation! I would love to be able to control plant growth!!"

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Louis Occhiline- Program Coordinator & Crew Leader (AZ)

Louis is our Crew Leader and Program Coordinator for GEM. When he was looking for a career change, he wanted to do something that "had meaning rather than 9 to 5 for a company that doesn't really care". In Louis's free time he enjoys music, bass guitar, games, basketball, movies, learning about his surroundings, comedy, and debate videos. Louis is based in Cordes Lakes but works in the Prescott Office.  
Superpower of Choice: " A big old dusty book of wizard spells!"

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Gabriel Saiz- GIS Intern (NM)

Gabriel is a GIS Intern based in Albuquerque, New Mexico at the Bureau of Land Management's Rio Puerco Field Office. After graduating, Gabriel wanted to find work related to his degree in Geography. He recalls reading the description of what is now his current position and knowing that he would be a great fit for it. A jack of all trades, Gabriel has recently spent most of his free time exercising and salsa dancing!
Superpower of Choice: " If I could chose a superpower, I would have the ability to shapeshift like Beast Boy from Teen Titans!"

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Andres (Andy) Cadena- GIS Analyst (NM)

Andres is a GIS Analyst based in Socorro, New Mexico. He was looking for entry-level experience in the GIS field that would still allow him to work in the field and collect data. His hobbies include playing video games, reading fiction novels, and listening to podcasts (scary ones OR finance). Andres is passionate about his vinyl collection and music.
Superpower of Choice: "Time Manipulation, too many things to get done and not enough time in the day!"

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Duncan Lindsey- Fluid Minerals Leasing Intern (NM)

Duncan is a Fluid Minerals Leasing Intern based in Santa Fe, New Mexico with the Bureau of Land Management. He graduated from UGA with a bachelor's degree in Anthropology. Duncan decided to pursue an internship through GEM Corps, because he loved the potential to learn more about the Bureau of Land Managment and the opportunities that would be offered as a result of assuming the position. In Duncan's free time he likes to read and loves playing DnD! 
Superpower of Choice: "If I had a superpower, I would choose teleportation so that I could travel more!"

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Isaiah (Zay) Trippett- Abandoned Mine Lands Crew Lead (NM)

Isaiah is the Abandoned Mine Lands Crew Lead based in Socorro, New Mexico. He joined the GEM team to learn new skills, better himself, and support his family. Isaiah explained, "GEM has given me a sense of direction for my future". In his free time, Isaiah likes games like achievement hunting, cooking and grilling, and raising kittens! 

Superpower of Choice: "I would choose to have the Wish Spell from DnD"

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Levi Tucker: Assistant Crew Leader (NM)

Levi is the Assistant Crew Leader of our New Mexico Crew team. He is based in Socorro, New Mexico with the rest of his team. Levi says that his favorite hobbies when off the clock include kickboxing and wrestling. 

​Superpower of Choice: "Understanding everything in existence."

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Nolan J. Peters- Assistant Crew Leader (AZ)

Nolan is our Assistant Crew Leader for GEM Corps. He wanted to work with GEM to have the ability to gain knowledge and experience in the field. Nolan enjoys camping, rock climbing, and really anything outdoors. 
Superpower of Choice: "The superpower that I'd have would be time control".

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