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Teatown Lake Reservation Staff

Dianne Barron, Interim Director
Ms. Barron is responsible for the overall daily functioning of Teatown’s operations and staff. She joined Teatown in 2001 after 14 years of experience in the for profit business world having held such positions as Ferro Alloy Trader at Associated Metals & Minerals, Nickel Trader at Brandeis Intsel, a division of Pechiney, and Assistant to the VP of Raw Material Sourcing and Trader for Ferrous Metals at Metallurg.  She also worked at Perry Kennedy Realty for 9 years as a Licensed Realtor.

Diane DiVernieri, Director of Finance
Ms. DiVernieri is responsible for overseeing all the financial activity and records at Teatown including A/R, A/P, payroll, budgeting and reporting.  She has worked at Teatown since August 1997.  Ms. DiVernieri received a BA in Math from New York University in 1969.

Anne Wakelee Bishop, Director of Development
Ms. Wakelee Bishop began her career at Teatown in 2001 when she was hired as an Administrative Assistant. Since then, she has received several promotions including Office Manager, Volunteer Coordinator, and Special Events Officer and Volunteer Manager.  In 2006 she was named Director of Development and is responsible for overseeing Teatown’s development activities including membership, volunteers, marketing, public relations, fundraising special events and major gifts.  Prior, Ms. Wakelee Bishop worked as a Personnel Associate for MCI in Rye Brook, N.Y.  She has a BA in Business Management from Simmons College in Boston, MA. In 2006, she received a Fundraising and Board Development Certificate from SUNY Purchase having completed a 16-course, graduate level program. She is a member of the Association of Development Officers.

Phyllis Bock, Director of Education
Ms. Bock is responsible for overseeing all the children and family nature programs at Teatown including weekend programs, summer camp, school vacation camps and children’s multi-week series.  She has worked at Teatown since October, 1991, when she began as a volunteer Nature Guide. Ms. Bock possesses a BA Biology with a concentration in field studies from Queens College, CUNY.  She is a member of the Yorktown Conservation Board and  the Advisory Committee on Open Space.

Mike Rubbo, Ph.D., Director of Conservation Science
Dr. Rubbo is responsible for leading Teatown’s science-based habitat management initiatives and developing specific monitoring and management protocols aimed at preserving Teatown’s biodiversity.   Previous to the position at Teatown, he worked as an environmental consultant in Dutchess County, where he specialized in biodiversity assessment and habitat mapping.  Dr. Rubbo received his Ph.D. in Biology from Pennsylvania State University in 2004, his MS in Biology from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette in 2000 and his BS from SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry, Syracuse in 1995. After graduating, he was a Post-doctoral Research Associate, Department of Biology, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University where his research focused on the ecology of vernal pools.

Lisa Baugh Senior Environmental Educator
Maggie Pichura Environmental Educator
Beth Rhines Environmental Educator & Volunteer Coordinator
Erin Smithies-Baker Animal Care Supervisor & Environmental Educator
Lisa Kelly Animal Care
Elissa Schilmeister Animal Care
Jean Maiorano Membership & Development Assistant
Luis Pereira Facilities Manager
Alex Cochran Land Steward
Leah Kennell Wildflower Island Curator
Yvonne Beldotti Administrative Assistant to the Executive Director
Millie Dellaquila Administrative Assistant
Jo Ann Gackstetter AM Receptionist
Sandy Rotella PM Receptionist
Terry Broadway Weekend Receptionist
Alexia Finley Weekend Receptionist
Mary Haley Communications & Special Events Coordinator

CONTRACTUAL RESOURCES
Leigh Draper East Hudson Regional Representative NY-NJ Trail Conference
Erin Smithies-Baker Cliffdale Farm Caretaker
Justin Baker Cliffdale Farm Caretaker
Lydia Howie Senior Development Consultant
Terry Kardos Environmental Educator
Becci Donnelly Environmental Educator