Meet The Team

Eric M. Welsh, Founder and Executive Director
Born and raised in Northern Arizona, Eric has always been fascinated with the beauty and intrigue offered through National Forests and Public Lands. His interest in Geology grew after taking an introductory class at Yavapai College while working on AA in Business Administration, this inspired him to continue his education and enroll in the Geology Program at Northern Arizona University where he earned a BS in Geology. He has since completed a MS in Information Technology emphasizing in Project Management and is currently working on a DPA in Nonprofit Management. Upon graduating from NAU, he formed a consulting agency and began working as a geologic consultant with individuals and small companies looking to claim mineral rights or expand operations on existing claims by completing basic survey, mapping, and safety assessments on a contractual basis. After working with small miners in the Nevada desert, he was awarded a GeoCorps Internship with the BLM which lead to his being contracted as a liaison with the Bureau of Land Management in the Abandoned Mine Lands (AML) Program in New Mexico assisting in their inventory and remediation project work as a geologic consultant. It is through this experience that Eric decided to change his consulting agency into a non-profit organization benefiting geoscience students struggling to find jobs due to lack of experience or contacts within the industry. It is Eric's dream to create an environment through GEM's programming where students can apply the knowledge they have acquired in school to the practical industry applications used by many leading geologic and mining companies before they graduate, giving those students a higher chance at landing a job in their area of study, post graduation.
Contact him at Ericwelsh@gemenvironmental.org 
Jessica R. Cook, Chairman of the Board and Business Manager
Jessica was born and raised in Arizona and currently resides in Prescott with her husband Brandon, puppy Winslow, and two cats Damien and Pablo. She studied Business Administration at Yavapai College after working in the construction industry along side her grandfather. It was through the experiences she gained working after high school that she decided to start her career in Construction Management. Currently, Jessica is working as an Office Manager for a local paving and construction company. Jessica benefits our organization with her experience in bookkeeping, accounts receivable, accounts payable, contract writing, policy enforcement, and her ability to stay current on state and federal policy changes. She is passionate, loves helping those in need, and is excited to take on her new role in environmental conservation while assisting the development of GEM. As Chairman of the Board, Jessica takes pride in creating new partnerships between our organization and local businesses who share our passion and drive in creating new opportunities and experiences for those involved in our project work.
Contact her at: jessica@gemenvironmental.org
Mona L. Welsh, Treasurer and Secretary
Mona Welsh has lived in Prescott with her husband Gary for over 30 years where they raised two children. Her mission with the organization is to help develop and raise awareness for the scholarship program which will enable STEM students to help in funding their college education costs. She is enthusiastic about getting the community involved in fundraising. Throughout her life, Mona has worked with several nonprofit organizations in the Prescott Community where she has served as a board member for the YMCA to build a new pool and fitness center, as a board member on the Diamond Valley Water District special committee, and as a secretary for our local chapter of ABATE. Aside from work, Mona loves traveling in her motor-home with her husband where they visit National Parks and attend the Ranger programs. She believes that educational opportunities provided by programs such as the National Parks Ranger Program provide enjoyment, education and inspiration; all of which she hopes to foster in her continued work with G.E.M. Environmental. During her time off,
she hopes to visit every National Park in the United States.
Contact her at: Monawelsh@gemenvironmental.org
Alejandro "Chino" Martinez, Diversity Officer
As a native Arizonian, Chino has always felt a certain responsibility and commitment towards the community that raised him. This sense of responsibility inspired him to begin taking psychology classes at Yavapai College. While attending his first semester, Chino quickly developed a deep passion for charitable work. He fell in love with the rewarding feeling gained through nonprofit work while attending community college. This resolve stuck with him through the rest of his collegiate years, leading him to complete a Bachelors in Social Work at Northern Arizona University. After 5 years working with several different behavioral health nonprofit companies, Chino decided to continue his dream and further his education. Now working towards a MS in Professional Counseling, Chino hopes to continue his support for our local community and is happy spending his days keeping Arizona and Prescott an amazing place to live, one program at a time.
Contact him at: Chino@gemenvironmental.org
Robert Briggs, Operations and Program Technician - Member at Large
Robert, a 21-year resident of the Prescott area, moved to Yavapai County from Sacramento when he was 25 years old. After working as a reputable auto mechanic for 20 plus years, he elected to change his career path and made the decision to return to college life as an older student at the age of 42. With persistence and dedication, he graduated in the spring of 2015 from Northern Arizona University with a BS in Geology. During his work in the auto industry, he attained ASE Master Tech certifications and developed the ability to fix just about anything. This has led to a unique opportunity for Robert to join GEM as our fleet supervisor and as a contract geologist working with our Abandoned Mine Lands Inventory team. He thoroughly enjoys being outside with his eyes constantly on the terrain. His experiences working in the automotive field and his renewed zest for geology offer GEM a unique ability to visit remote field locations without fear of being stranded.
Contact him at: robertbriggs@gemenvironmental.org
Brandon White, GEM for STEM Program Manager
Brandon grew up in a small town in Southern Michigan and has lived in Prescott for the past year. He graduated from Michigan State University with a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology and a specialization in Health Promotions. In his free time, he enjoys hiking, attending live music, playing music, reading, and rock climbing. Brandon has always loved science and is excited to help foster a passion for STEM programs in students.
Contact him at: brandon@gemenvironmental.org
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Madison Link, GEM for STEM Program Coordinator
Madison was raised in Georgia with a loving, close family. She graduated summa cum laude from Georgia College & State University in three years with a Bachelor’s in Psychology and a Minor in Mathematics. She worked as a mathematics tutor at the college and as a legal assistant at a law firm while attending GCSU. She knew that she wanted to serve her country after college and joined AmeriCorps VISTA to help fight poverty through indirect service. After being raised by a science teacher mom and a data scientist dad, she realized that one of the best ways to help combat poverty is by creating STEM educational opportunities for children while collecting data that confirms those opportunities are working as intended. She is very excited to be part of G.E.M. Environmental has already fallen in love with the beautiful city of Prescott. During her off time, she can often be found working on other charitable projects or kayaking on Watson Lake.
Contact her at: madison@gemenvironmental.org

AmeriCorps/AZ Service Members

We are pleased to have partnered with AmeriCorps and Arizona Serve to provide several exciting service positions. Scroll down to learn more about our new team members.
Abby Ruby, AmeriCorps VISTA Member and STEM Outreach Specialist
Abby is from Bel Air, Maryland. She went to school at the University of Alabama where she majored in Mechanical Engineering. She loves anything outside, whether it be hiking, kayaking, or rock climbing! Abby also played Ultimate Frisbee for four years at school and during summers. Her love for science and math has helped her reach her goals and has furthered her education. This is why she wants to use her passion and get other students excited about STEM and show them all the possibilities they can have for their future education. 
Contact her at: abbyruby@gemenvironmental.org


​Jessica Certain, AmeriCorps State Member
Jessica grew up in the Prescott area and has loved exploring the local community. She loves to go hiking, camping, fishing, hunting, and has grown up with the outdoors being a large part of her life. Jessica is currently in school and wishes to become a Geologist. Along the way, she hopes to inspire young people to be more excited and want to study the sciences.
​Contact her at: jcertain@gemenvironmental.org

 Field Interns

G.E.M. Environmental partnered with The Corps Network  and The Arizona Bureau of Land Management to provide conservation internship positions. Interns work on a variety of science based projects under the mentorship of BLM Staff Scientists in and around Arizona.
Dallas Willoughby
Dallas grew up in Arizona and Utah with two younger brothers. He is a scout and has taken classes and programs on land navigation and management and feels this internship will help him in the field to identify mines and other things. He has always had a knack and love for science and feels that through the G.E.M Environmental internship he will be able to expand his horizons of science-related work. During his first internship in 2019, Dallas was an AmeriCorps State Member through Arizona Serve. Dallas is currently participating in a GEM field internship for the summer of 2020.
  Zac White       
  Zac was born and raised in Arizona and spent most of his childhood outside. He was a Boy Scout and    felt lucky to have the opportunity to go and explore the state by camping, hiking, fishing, and                    swimming  in beautiful parks and trails. This time outside gave him an appreciation for the natural            world and piqued his interest in having a career studying and protecting it. Zac began his college              education at Arizona State University as a 1st generation college student. At ASU he floated between      majors in Biochemistry, Biology and Sustainability until he found his calling in Ecology. Taking classes      in each of these STEM majors broadened his horizons on understanding nature, how we interact with      it and how we can help protect it. He hopes to turn his love of nature into a career protecting it. ​
​Michael Branham
Michael is a 31 year old Arizona native. He likes to spend his free time outside. His favorite outdoor  activities are fishing, exploring, gold panning/mineral hunting, and camping. He values STEM education  because it gives him the educational background he needs to make sense of what he finds and sees in  the wilderness. It has also instilled in him, the value and importance of it’s preservation and  management.
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       Mariah McGhee
       Mariah is from Kansas City, Missouri. She recently graduated from the University of Missouri-Columbia           with a BS in Natural Resource Management with an emphasis on Forestry and a minor in Soils. She is            the oldest of 4 and grew up in the city! Mariah enjoys a variety of activities that require her to be                     outside.  These activities are hiking, exploring new places, shopping for succulents, and believe it or
       not mowing the lawn (a Midwest task)! She also competes in Crossfit competitions and it is a big part             of  her life.
Jordan Bracy​
Jordan was born in Safford, Arizona and raised in Phoenix, Arizona. He graduated at Northern Arizona University in the fall of 2020 earning his Bachelor of Science in Environmental and Sustainability Studies with a minor in Anthropology. He has an interest in both indoor and outdoor activities. For his preferred indoor activities, he enjoys watching shows, putting together puzzles, and bonding with family. His favorite outdoor activities include going on walks either in the city or on trails, going fishing, and recently he has decided to take up gardening. Jordan think STEM education is important because teaching people of all ages the importance of different sciences allows for an inter-disciplined population that both respects and desires to participate in STEM-based activities
Jackson Lodermeier
This summer Jackson made the trek from Milwaukee, Wisconsin where he was born and raised. He grew up fishing, camping, and enjoying what the Great Lakes region has to offer. This led to his excitement for the outdoors and prompted him to begin studying Geography. Jackson is now a senior at the University of Wisconsin-Madison finishing his B.S. in Cartography and GIS. He is grateful for the support and education from his STEM teachers and professors because he now sees the value these subjects carry in a pursuit for a brighter future.
Jack Ford
Jack is a hard-working guy who enjoys the outdoors. He grew up in Gilbert, Arizona but he spent a lot of time in the North due to his parents’ love of camping. Jack feels that conservation and STEM are important because we only have one earth and cannot just press the undo button. ​