| Our Management Team |
| J. Merlin Benner President |
Merlin Benner is a Certified Wildlife Biologist ® and has a broad range of experience as a
professional wildlife biologist, both in research, management, and instruction. He received his
Bachelor's degree from Unity College in Maine, and his Master's from Tennessee Technological
University.
Merlin has worked for Tennessee State Parks, Pennsylvania Game Commission, the
Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, and the Savannah River
Ecology Laboratory.
Wildlife he worked with include deer, elk, turkeys, bats, alligators, feral pigs, turtles, bass,
waterfowl, raccoons, rattlesnakes, herps, and songbirds. His primary expertise is in the
relationships between wildlife and their habitats. Other interests include photography and
writing.
professional wildlife biologist, both in research, management, and instruction. He received his
Bachelor's degree from Unity College in Maine, and his Master's from Tennessee Technological
University.
Merlin has worked for Tennessee State Parks, Pennsylvania Game Commission, the
Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, and the Savannah River
Ecology Laboratory.
Wildlife he worked with include deer, elk, turkeys, bats, alligators, feral pigs, turtles, bass,
waterfowl, raccoons, rattlesnakes, herps, and songbirds. His primary expertise is in the
relationships between wildlife and their habitats. Other interests include photography and
writing.
| Christina Voorhees Senior Director of Research |
Christina Voorhees has strong experience in the fields of wildlife management, human
dimensions of natural resources, and recreation management. She received an Associate
Degree in Wildlife Technology from Penn State DuBois, a B.S. in Wildlife Science from Virginia
Tech, a M.S. in Forest Resources from Penn State, and a PhD in Recreation, Park, and Tourism
Management from Penn State. Her education and professional experience has focused on
biological research associated with the management of both game and non-game species and
human dimensions research on deer and hunting participation.
Christina has worked for the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources,
Penn State University, Devine, Tarbell, & Associates, and CalPoly University. Her field experience
includes bat mist-netting, bird and herp surveys, small mammal trapping, elk and grouse
radio-telemetry, and a variety of deer management projects. In addition, Christina has 5 years of
experience in recreation management focusing on visitor use assessments. Her combined
experience in the educational and professional fields has equipped her with skills that include
field project development and coordination, data management and analysis, communication, and
marketing.
Christina serves as our Senior Director of Research where she coordinates research projects,
produces technical reports, manages data, provides marketing support, and assists on bat
monitoring projects.
dimensions of natural resources, and recreation management. She received an Associate
Degree in Wildlife Technology from Penn State DuBois, a B.S. in Wildlife Science from Virginia
Tech, a M.S. in Forest Resources from Penn State, and a PhD in Recreation, Park, and Tourism
Management from Penn State. Her education and professional experience has focused on
biological research associated with the management of both game and non-game species and
human dimensions research on deer and hunting participation.
Christina has worked for the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources,
Penn State University, Devine, Tarbell, & Associates, and CalPoly University. Her field experience
includes bat mist-netting, bird and herp surveys, small mammal trapping, elk and grouse
radio-telemetry, and a variety of deer management projects. In addition, Christina has 5 years of
experience in recreation management focusing on visitor use assessments. Her combined
experience in the educational and professional fields has equipped her with skills that include
field project development and coordination, data management and analysis, communication, and
marketing.
Christina serves as our Senior Director of Research where she coordinates research projects,
produces technical reports, manages data, provides marketing support, and assists on bat
monitoring projects.
Jon Felton is the business manager of Wildlife Specialists, with a wide range of experience in the
business field and in the natural resources. He received his Bachelor’s degree from Penn State
University in Recreation and Parks, with a minor in Administration. He has owned and operated
several successful businesses over the last 25 years. An avid outdoors man for most of his life,
he has spent a lot of time hiking, camping, hunting, fishing and trapping.
He is a life time member of Penn State’s Alumni Associations, United Bow Hunters of Pa., and
the Quality Deer Management Association. He also is a member of the Heritage Conservancy, U.
S. Sportsmen’s Association, and a board member of the QDMA’s Greater Lehigh Valley Chapter.
Jon has attended and received QDMA’s Deer Stewardship -1 and 2 certifications in 2007 and
2008, respectively. For the last ten years he has been practicing QDMA’s methods and
experimenting with different types of animal food plots on his property in Tioga County, Pa., with
excellent results.
business field and in the natural resources. He received his Bachelor’s degree from Penn State
University in Recreation and Parks, with a minor in Administration. He has owned and operated
several successful businesses over the last 25 years. An avid outdoors man for most of his life,
he has spent a lot of time hiking, camping, hunting, fishing and trapping.
He is a life time member of Penn State’s Alumni Associations, United Bow Hunters of Pa., and
the Quality Deer Management Association. He also is a member of the Heritage Conservancy, U.
S. Sportsmen’s Association, and a board member of the QDMA’s Greater Lehigh Valley Chapter.
Jon has attended and received QDMA’s Deer Stewardship -1 and 2 certifications in 2007 and
2008, respectively. For the last ten years he has been practicing QDMA’s methods and
experimenting with different types of animal food plots on his property in Tioga County, Pa., with
excellent results.
| Jonathan Felton Vice President |
| Barry Butler Wetland Specialist |
Bachelor of Science degree from Houghton College in General Science, emphasis in Biology and
Earth Science, and a minor in Secondary Education.
After teaching Biology and Earth Science in junior high school, Barry joined Corning Inc. As a
research technician focusing on uv-vis-infrared spectroscopy of glass and glass ceramic materials
and new products. Advancing to the position of research scientist, Barry continued in the field of
materials research in uv-vis-ir spectroscopy for a time and then studied electron paramagnetic
resonance spectroscopy, eventually becoming Corning’s primary research scientist in the EPR
field. He retired after more than 39.5 years in Corning’s research and development lab.
Barry is one of our Wetland Specialists and serves as a crew leader for our wetland survey team.
Barry has certification in the US Army Corp of Engineers Wetland Delineation Training Program and
has many years of experience in the natural resource consulting business.
Earth Science, and a minor in Secondary Education.
After teaching Biology and Earth Science in junior high school, Barry joined Corning Inc. As a
research technician focusing on uv-vis-infrared spectroscopy of glass and glass ceramic materials
and new products. Advancing to the position of research scientist, Barry continued in the field of
materials research in uv-vis-ir spectroscopy for a time and then studied electron paramagnetic
resonance spectroscopy, eventually becoming Corning’s primary research scientist in the EPR
field. He retired after more than 39.5 years in Corning’s research and development lab.
Barry is one of our Wetland Specialists and serves as a crew leader for our wetland survey team.
Barry has certification in the US Army Corp of Engineers Wetland Delineation Training Program and
has many years of experience in the natural resource consulting business.
| Tom Swimley Wildlife Biologist/Wetland Specialist |
Has both a Bachelor’s Degree in Wildlife Science and a Master’s degree in Wildlife and Fisheries
Science from Penn State University.
Tom has worked with Penn State University, the Pennsylvania Game Commission, and Frostburg
State University on a wide variety of research projects with river otters, fishers, pheasants, bobcats
and elk. Much of his research experience has focused on species-habitat interactions, survey
methods and capture, and immobilization and handling.
Tom works for us as a Wildlife Biologist and a Wetland Specialist with certification in the US Army
Corp of Engineers Wetland Delineation Training Program.
Science from Penn State University.
Tom has worked with Penn State University, the Pennsylvania Game Commission, and Frostburg
State University on a wide variety of research projects with river otters, fishers, pheasants, bobcats
and elk. Much of his research experience has focused on species-habitat interactions, survey
methods and capture, and immobilization and handling.
Tom works for us as a Wildlife Biologist and a Wetland Specialist with certification in the US Army
Corp of Engineers Wetland Delineation Training Program.
| Renee Rogers Wetland Specialist |
Renee Rogers has experience in aquatic resources and environmental science. She received her
Bachelor’s Degree in Environmental Studies from the University of Pittsburgh and has worked for
the Northern Appalachian Research Laboratory of the U.S. Geological Survey. Renee joined the
staff at Wildlife Specialists, LLC, as a Wetland Specialist and serves as a crew leader for our
wetland survey team. Renee has certification in the US Army Corp of Engineers Wetland
Delineation Training Program.
Bachelor’s Degree in Environmental Studies from the University of Pittsburgh and has worked for
the Northern Appalachian Research Laboratory of the U.S. Geological Survey. Renee joined the
staff at Wildlife Specialists, LLC, as a Wetland Specialist and serves as a crew leader for our
wetland survey team. Renee has certification in the US Army Corp of Engineers Wetland
Delineation Training Program.
| Cody Felton GIS and Information Technology Specialist |
Cody Felton earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Business from Goshen College and formerly worked
as an intern for the Goshen Parks & Recreation Department in Indiana. He is trained in GIS and
serves as our primary mapping specialist. Cody also assisted in developing and troubleshooting a
bat monitoring system used on wind turbine projects.
as an intern for the Goshen Parks & Recreation Department in Indiana. He is trained in GIS and
serves as our primary mapping specialist. Cody also assisted in developing and troubleshooting a
bat monitoring system used on wind turbine projects.
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| Contact Us Wildlife Specialists, LLC Phone: 570.376.2255 Email: info@wildlife-specialists.com |
| Ian Lathrop Wetland Specialist |
Ian is completing his Bachelor’s Degree in Geography with a concentration in Watershed
Management from Mansfield University of PA. In addition, he also holds a Bachelor’s Degree in
Management from Lock Haven University of PA. He has experience in the oil and gas industry
where he formerly worked as a landman in northeastern Pennsylvania and southeastern New
York. Ian works for Wildlife Specialists as a Wetland Specialist and serves as a crew leader for our
wetland survey team. Ian has certification in the US Army Corp of Engineers Wetland Delineation
Training Program including the Northeast Regional Supplement.
Management from Mansfield University of PA. In addition, he also holds a Bachelor’s Degree in
Management from Lock Haven University of PA. He has experience in the oil and gas industry
where he formerly worked as a landman in northeastern Pennsylvania and southeastern New
York. Ian works for Wildlife Specialists as a Wetland Specialist and serves as a crew leader for our
wetland survey team. Ian has certification in the US Army Corp of Engineers Wetland Delineation
Training Program including the Northeast Regional Supplement.
| Jim Hart Mammalogist |
Jim Hart has a broad range of experience as a professional mammalogist and has extensive
knowledge in conservation science, bat diversity, small mammal surveys, woodrat surveys,
threatened and endangered small mammal species, and museum preparation. Jim received his
B.S. and M.S. degrees from Shippensburg University under the direction of Dr. Gordon Kirkland, Jr.
During his career, Jim has assisted the PA Game Commission with a wide variety of small
mammal and bat surveys. Jim works for Wildlife Specialists as a mammalogist and serves as a
qualified surveyor for Indiana bats, Allegheny woodrats, and other small mammal species of
concern.
knowledge in conservation science, bat diversity, small mammal surveys, woodrat surveys,
threatened and endangered small mammal species, and museum preparation. Jim received his
B.S. and M.S. degrees from Shippensburg University under the direction of Dr. Gordon Kirkland, Jr.
During his career, Jim has assisted the PA Game Commission with a wide variety of small
mammal and bat surveys. Jim works for Wildlife Specialists as a mammalogist and serves as a
qualified surveyor for Indiana bats, Allegheny woodrats, and other small mammal species of
concern.
| Michael Shipman Aquatic Systems Ecologist |
Michael is completing a Bachelor’s Degree in Fisheries Management and Watershed Management
from Mansfield State University. In addition, he also holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Industrial Arts
Education from Millersville University. Michael formerly worked for a local school district where he
taught Industrial Arts and has also worked as an engineering aid for the city of Corning and as a
technician for an acid mine drainage reclamation company. Michael has an extensive history with
the military where he has served 26 years in the active U.S. Army and Army National Guard in the
Artillery and Armor branches. He was deployed to ground zero shortly after September 11, 2001. In
2002 he was deployed as a Company Commander in support of Noble Eagle II and in 2004 he
was deployed in support of Iraqi Freedom. Through his work with the U.S. Army, Michael has
attained the rank of Major. Michael works for Wildlife Specialists as an Aquatic Systems
Ecologist and serves as a crew leader for our wetland survey team. Michael has certification in the
US Army Corp of Engineers Wetland Delineation Training Program including the Northeast
Regional Supplement.
from Mansfield State University. In addition, he also holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Industrial Arts
Education from Millersville University. Michael formerly worked for a local school district where he
taught Industrial Arts and has also worked as an engineering aid for the city of Corning and as a
technician for an acid mine drainage reclamation company. Michael has an extensive history with
the military where he has served 26 years in the active U.S. Army and Army National Guard in the
Artillery and Armor branches. He was deployed to ground zero shortly after September 11, 2001. In
2002 he was deployed as a Company Commander in support of Noble Eagle II and in 2004 he
was deployed in support of Iraqi Freedom. Through his work with the U.S. Army, Michael has
attained the rank of Major. Michael works for Wildlife Specialists as an Aquatic Systems
Ecologist and serves as a crew leader for our wetland survey team. Michael has certification in the
US Army Corp of Engineers Wetland Delineation Training Program including the Northeast
Regional Supplement.
