Thomas Becker Email & Phone Number

Kent, Ohio, United States

Senior project manager at Davey Resource Group (DRG), over 12 years of diverse expertise, spanning ecological restoration, invasive species management, risk management, and wildlife conflict resolution. Certified in wildland fire effects and prescribed burning, coordinates contracts at DRG, overseeing projects related to invasive plant management, habitat assessments, native plant installation, and more. Roles extend to developing project estimates, preparing proposals, ecological restoration designs, land management plans, and prescribed fire monitoring and management plans.

Cuyahoga Valley National Park

Invasive plant management team lead and Integrated Pest Management coordinator for Cuyahoga Valley National park. Site selection and evaluation of invasive species management strategies in a 33,000 acre park. Pesticide application and mechanical removal of invasive plants for over 2,100 acres. Native plant seed collection and propagation. Greenhouse and nursery management. Project site evaluation and selection for native plantings (over 100 acres reforested). Biological surveys: butterfly survey, monarch butterfly caterpillar monitoring, pollinator monitoring, mammal spotlight survey, cervid biological sampling, aquatic sampling, water quality monitoring, mussel reintroduction studies, fish sampling. National Wildfire Coordinating Group FFT1, ICT5, FAL3 qualified Wildland Urban Interface analysis for four National Park Service sites in Ohio. Deer management crew member: observer of animal movements, bait station management, and postmortem biological sampling.Integrated Pest Management Coordinator for three National Park sites, overseeing the pest management program, submitting pesticide use proposals, utilizing 11 step process to determine best practices in pest management.

Manhattan, Kansas

Audited course work for future interns and students through the SAVE FarmWorked as natural resource specialist ensuring sustainable farming practices reducing soil lossBee keeping apprentice duties (hive construction and maintenance, honey collection (60+ lb lifting), wax melting, public speaking, fundraising events)Lead lavender industries intern scheduling farm tours throughout Kansas

Manhattan, Kansas

Collected urban carnivore study data for KSU graduate studies. Operated 4wd vehicle, camera trap equipment, scented bait station.Worked in extreme weather conditions 100+ degree Fahrenheit, rough terrain, and other hazardous conditions.

Manhattan Kansas

As a technician, I worked with shareholders and landowners on whole farm conservation issues. From soil loss, water retention, and erosion to agricultural waste systems (32 hour Ag Waste Management System Level 2). I would conduct site visits and surveys (using GPS, laser level, and GPS survey grade equipment) to evaluate potential projects. Continuing in the office, using programs ToolKit and ArcGIS, I would evaluate on a watershed scale implications of projects. With the use of satellite imagery and LiDAR (Topographical tool) I would design practices following NRCS guidance. Conservation recommendations were discussed with participant and practice would be tailored to meet their needs within the scope of NRCS guidance. Finalized designs would be approved by district conservationists and area professional engineers. Projects would then be monitored and evaluated to ensure they fall within the NRCS perimeters. Other projects included conservation district meetings, district farm maintenance, Ag Waste compliance assistance and design, and prescribed burn assistance.

Kansas State University

Graduate teaching:Supervised and instructed 26 students in Hunters Education Instruction courseUtilized state standards and curriculum to plan lessons, tests, and field days to develop volunteers for the Kansas Hunters Education programProvided safe handling of firearms and shooting classroom practices through NRA Range Safety Officer certification and as a Hunters Education Instructor Supervised and instructed 28 students in Introduction to Wildlife and Outdoor Enterprise Management Utilized program curriculum to plan lessons in the outdoor industry, planning and coordination of educational trips and developed testing deadlines for student successSupervised and instructed 28 students in Firearms Cartridges and Ballistics, and Rifle and Handgun Range Development and Operations (Firearm handling and operation)Graduate Research:Developed centralized database for avian disease outbreaks in Kansas Collected and compiled data for qualitative and quantitative evaluationAnalyzed statistical output of Program R and Program MarkPresented professional presentations on research findings at national and state conferencesDeveloped professional journal articles, grants, and other scientific communications

Manhattan, Kansas

Maintenance, repair, new builds, troubleshooting, and all things bicycles.

Eglin Afb, Florida Usa/ Spangdahlem Afb, Germany/ Langley Afb, Virginia Usa

Ensured safe operations as EOD Team Leader mitigating hazards to personnel and civilians while managing emergency situations, conducted geospatial mapping of incident locationsProvided protective support for the United States Secret Service for the President, Vice President, and other foreign dignitaries around the worldConducted range clearance operations coordinating efforts in the clearance of unexploded military munitionsDeveloped lesson plans, Team Chief and continuity standard operating procedures, program management instructions and assisted in preparation of operating instructions governing EOD responsesSupervised personnel with full responsibility for work assignments, scheduling, performance review, disciplinary action, and career planning development promotionDeveloped Range Safety procedures ensuring safety of all personnel during explosive operations and weapons trainingAwarded Air Force Small Arms Expert Marksmanship ribbonCommunications Security custodianHazardous Material custodianHeld Top Secret Clearance

Bachelor Of Science - Bs, Wildlife And Outdoor Enterprise Management

Activities and Societies: Ducks unlimitedHospitality, finance, biology, and agriculture

Master'S Degree Horticulture And Natural Resources, Avian Disease, 3.44/4.0

Activities and Societies: Kansas State University Chapter of Ducks Unlimited, Wildlife and Outdoor Enterprise Management Club (Treasurer).

Bachelor'S Degree, Wildlife And Outdoor Enterprise Management, 3.52/ 4.0

Activities and Societies: Ducks Unlimited, Wildlife and Outdoor Enterprise Management Club, Veterans AssociationWildlife Biology, Business.