Contact

George Carico

Director

For over 27 years, George has held the position of Environmental Manager at Marshall University’s Center for Environmental, Geotechnical and Applied Sciences (CEGAS), concentrating on environmental management, site and business development, energy research and management and related research and development within the business community and various government sectors.

From 2005 to 2013, George also held the position of Program Coordinator for the West Virginia Brownfield Assistance Center at Marshall University.  In 2013, George was appointed Director of this State-mandated Center, working with communities, agencies and economic development entities on redevelopment of brownfield properties for new commercial, industrial, residential, agricultural and recreational use.

Previously, George held positions as a Field Geologist, Project Manager, Drilling Supervisor, and Operations Manager for multiple private companies in the geotechnical and environmental consulting industry.

George has over 35 years of experience in environmental consulting and remediation, including environmental site assessments, remediation design and implementation to operation, abandoned mine land geotechnical and environmental studies, and environmental management consultation for private businesses and various local and state government entities.

Mark Buchanan

Brownfields Project Coordinator

Mark works as a Project Coordinator at the Brownfields Assistance Center at Marshall University in Huntington WV. While Mark is relatively new to the position, he has spent the last 20 years as an environmental professional promoting stewardship from the office and the field.

After earning an MS in Environmental Science, Mark spent 13 years working for the WV Conservation Agency. His work supported the State’s Nonpoint Source Pollution (NPS) Program where he managed numerous projects from watershed assessment and planning to reviewing sediment-erosion control plans.

Mark also currently serves as the Executive Director of the Cabell County Solid Waste Authority. During his time with the CCSWA, he worked closely with the municipalities in the county to restructure Cabell County’s recycling program. The restructuring effort provided the foundation that kept recycling services as an option for the residents of Cabell County and surrounding areas.

Most recently, Mark managed Marshall University’s MS4 – Stormwater Management Program in addition to serving as the University’s Biosafety Officer. He holds a BA in Education and an MS in Environmental Science. When he’s not working, Mark enjoys gardening, kayaking, hunting, and fishing.

Catherine Gooding

Economic Development Specialist

The West Virginia Brownfields Assistance Center at Marshall University welcomes Catherine Gooding to our team.  Originally from Morgantown, Catherine Gooding is a lifelong West Virginian. She joins the Brownfields Assistance Center as an Economic Development Specialist and Research Associate after recently completing her master’s degree in public policy at Brandeis University. Previously, she served two terms as an AmeriCorps VISTA in the Honors College at WVU. She is passionate about building an economically and environmentally strong future for West Virginia and is looking forward to working with communities throughout the Mountain State. Catherine also holds a bachelor’s degree in Anthropology from Wellesley College. In her spare time, she enjoys reading, hiking in WV state parks, and watching Formula 1.

Jamie Wolfe

GIS Manager

Jamie Wolfe is a native of Huntington, WV.  He is a 1991 graduate of the United States Naval Academy with a degree in Ocean Engineering.  After graduation, he served four and a half years in Charleston, SC on board the destroyer USS DEYO.  After his service, he returned to Huntington and began working at Marshall University’s Center for Environmental, Geotechnical, and Applied Sciences where he currently employed.  During this time, he completed his Master’s degree in Environmental Engineering.  He is currently the Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Manager for the Center.

He has been happily married since 1991 to his lovely wife Amy.  They have five children.  Outside of work, he enjoys spending time with his family, hunting, fishing, and enjoying the outdoors.

Mark Lewis

IT Services Manager

Mark Lewis is an experienced information systems and GIS professional. With nearly 20 years of experience, he has developed a diverse skill-set that allows him to excel in multiple areas. Mark has worked on numerous projects ranging from data management and analysis to system design and development.  He has experience deploying and managing containerized applications and is proficient with GIS software such as ArcGIS and QGIS.

Kelli Snyder

Administrative Secretary, Sr.

Kelli has worked as the Administrative Secretary for the CEGAS and Marshall University for the past 10 years.

Carrie Staton

Director

Carrie M. Staton is the Director of the Brownfields Assistance Center at West Virginia University. Carrie provides strategic direction and oversight for the Center and its programs, including development and management of internal processes; program development and implementation; financial and administrative oversight; and partnership development and management. She also manages programs and projects related to community engagement, education, research, and collaborative redevelopment. She has published case studies on brownfield redevelopment in industry publications and textbooks, and has presented at national and international conferences on brownfields and community development. She has also coauthored published research in public administration journals and an edited volume on organizational management.

Carrie is a proud alum of Bethany College, where she received a Bachelor of Arts in Nonprofit Administration, and of West Virginia University, where she received a Master of Public Administration. She is a member of the Leadership WV Class of 2016 and was named one of Generation Next’s Top 40 Under 40 Leaders in 2018. She currently serves as the Past Chair of the Abandoned Properties Coalition and is a founding member of the Community Collaborative Network Steering Committee.

Katie See

Assistant Director

Katie See, AICP, is the Assistant Director for the Brownfields Assistance Center at WVU. In this role, she provides technical assistance on industrial legacy sites throughout WV and EPA Region 3. Katie assists communities with proposals and site development support to establish sustainable economic development initiatives for West Virginia. In addition to working with WV communities, she is the Technical Assistance to Brownfields (TAB) lead for EPA Region 3, where she coordinates education, outreach, brownfield funding, and project redevelopment assistance in coordination with the EPA and state environmental agencies. Before joining the team, Katie worked as a city and county planner since 2006, starting her career as the city planner for Charles Town, WV, where she had the opportunity to work with brownfield sites. Katie also served as a long-range planner for the City of Clearwater, FL, and a senior planner in the Charlotte, NC, metro area. Throughout her career, Katie has worked with communities and stakeholders to create plans to achieve their vision. Katie received her undergraduate degree in urban affairs and planning from Virginia Tech and her master’s in environmental policy & management.

Ray Moeller

Economic Redevelopment Specialist

Ray Moeller was born and raised in Michigan and went to college at Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo, MI. He received his B.S in Computer Science and Applied Mathematics with a minor in Chemistry. After an extensive career in the pharmaceutical industry, he secured an AmeriCorps VISTA position in West Virginia which led him into the community and economic development field. As an Economic Redevelopment Specialist, Ray works with communities around the state, focusing on downtown / Main Street redevelopment strategies. When Ray isn’t working, he and his wife Connie enjoy time together hiking, kayaking, biking, and reading.

Becca Phillips

Outreach and Education Coordinator

Becca is the Outreach and Education Coordinator for the Northern West Virginia Brownfields Assistance Center (NBAC). Becca supports all outreach activities, including organizing conferences and events, coordinating webinars, and managing websites and social media. Becca earned her degrees from Utah State University, specifically a bachelor’s degree in marketing and master’s degree in instructional leadership with an emphasis in student affairs. Becca and her family reside in Point Marion, PA and run a small gluten-free bakery from their home.

Ganga Nakarmi

Brownfields Project Inventory Manager

Ganga Nakarmi is the Brownfields Inventory Project Manager at West Virginia Water Research Institute. In this role, she provides critical support in the development and management of projects, programs, and staff associated with the Northern West Virginia Brownfields Assistance Center (NBAC).

Ms. Nakarmi holds PhD in Human and Community Development (HCD) from West Virginia University (WVU) and Master’s Degrees in Protected Area Management from Alpen-Adria University, Klagenfurt, Austria and in Botany (Ecology) from Tribhuvan University, Nepal. She has received a Graduate Certificate in Geographic Information System and Spatial Analysis from WVU. She has served in the fields of protected area management, human dimensions and conservation, and sustainable development through research, education, and outreach programs affiliated with national and international organizations.

Ms. Nakarmi grew up in Kathmandu, Nepal and moved to Morgantown to continue her studies at WVU. She enjoys hiking and biking in the mountains of WV and sharing her ethnic dishes with friends.

Seth Cardwell

Community Development Associate

Seth is the Community Development Associate for the West Virginia Brownfields Assistance Center. Seth was born and raised in the heart of West Virginia’s Southern Coalfields and has a passion for community-based change and the promotion of economic and environmental sustainability in Appalachia. Seth received his undergraduate degrees at Concord University with majors in History and Political Science and a minor in International Studies. He is also a recent graduate of West Virginia University with a Master of Public Administration. When not working, Seth enjoys immersing himself in the arts, attending ballets, operas, and orchestral concerts, and reading on the front porch with his partner, Joshua.

Jared Stewart

Community Development Associate

Jared Stewart is originally from Sunbury, Pennsylvania and grew up on his parents’ farm along the Susquehanna River. He attended West Virginia University and graduated in 2023 with a B.S. in Economics. After graduation, he worked with the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection on stream restoration projects, education and outreach initiatives, and the West Virginia Dilapidated Properties Program. Jared is passionate about environmental protection and education, sustainable and urban agriculture, and sustainable development. In his free time, Jared enjoys reading, writing, hiking, backpacking, kayaking, cooking, and film photography.

Haley Paul

Outreach and Communications Associate

Haley Paul is the Outreach and Communications Associate for the Brownfields Assistance Center at West Virginia University. In this role, she assists in event coordination, supports various outreach efforts, and manages content for websites and social media pages. Haley earned her bachelor’s degree in Political Science and International Studies from West Virginia University, where she also minored in Agricultural and Natural Resources Law. In her free time, Haley enjoys reading, spending time with her cat, and playing board games.

Bucky Brownfield

WV Brownfields Mascot

Bucky Brownfield is the Brownfields Assistance Center’s cheerful mascot, gnawing away at abandoned buildings one contaminated property at a time. Join him as he builds a brighter, greener future for West Virginia! Oh – and Bucky’s dam good at inspiring communities!