Conner Wilson Email and Phone Number

I worked as a teaching assistant and student office manager for the Forest and Rangeland Stewardship Department at CSU. In this job, I helped to grade, troubleshoot, and facilitate five separate college courses within the Forest and Rangeland Stewardship department. In addition to this, I held a role in the office itself, working with all of the professors, faculty, and students within the department. Frequent tasks included student advising, consulting with prospective students, administrative support, Forestry and Natural Resources buildings maintenance, relaying communication, and organization between and within departments.I have assisted in teaching F 101, Intro to Forest and Rangeland Stewardship, NR 150, Oceanography, NR 193, FRS First Semester Seminar, NR 321, Natural Resource Rights and Reconciliation, and NR 693, Graduate Natural Resources Stewardship Seminar.

I worked with Dr. Melinda Smith's lab on campus as a research assistant. The lab is focused on analyzing long-term trend patterns within drought-affected rangeland ecosystems. My work centered on primary data collection through field visits, identification, and record keeping. Additionally, I utilized data analysis in R and Excel to assist in more advanced stages of Ph.D. candidate research projects.

I worked as an analyst intern for the Government Accountability Office (GAO) as part of the Natural Resources & Environment group (NRE). I collaborated remotely with a team of three other analysts located across the country, and together, we investigated methods to improve competition for Department of Energy (DOE) and National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) nuclear contracts. Our work involved conducting interviews with DOE, NNSA, and private industry employees, analyzing available data across fifteen competitions to identify areas of concern, and referencing similar research in other governmental branches to determine the best recommendations for improving competition. It was a challenging and rewarding experience that allowed me to develop valuable skills in research, analysis, and communication.

As a Forest Ecology Field Technician at the Colorado Forest Restoration Institute, I conducted field data collection for long-term forest monitoring projects in the Colorado Rocky Mountains. I utilized my plant identification skills and forestry measurement instruments to compile site-specific health assessments. I collected various data points including canopy cover estimates, tree group, height and DBH, seedling and sapling abundance, understory species composition, litter and duff distributions, 1k and fine fuel loads, and topographical assessments. I completed these tasks in the field, often camping overnight, and working under highly variable weather conditions. I worked collaboratively with a group of two to three other experienced and motivated individuals to maintain positive cohesion, even in the face of challenging work conditions.

I worked as a Wildland Firefighter for the United States Forest Service in Chiloquin, Oregon, where I played a vital role in containing and controlling wildfires. I worked tirelessly under highly stressful and challenging conditions for extended hours to ensure that we fulfilled our mission objectives. I obtained several certifications, including Red Card and A Faller, as well as First Aid and CPR certification. Additionally, I became proficient in operating a fire engine pump, using a variety of tools and hoses to contain fires, and communicating effectively with my team and dispatch through both radio and in-person briefings. I also performed critical tasks such as fuel loading calculations and browns transect models to estimate potential fine particle output in areas where fires were likely to occur. I gained this experience while working with and around helicopters, planes, and heavy equipment dozers.

Served tables in a fast-paced breakfast restaurant following diverse and urgent requests from customers and management promptly with a professional attitude.

Served tables in a fast-paced fine dining pizzeria, ensuring enjoyment of experience and fulfillment of all requests from customers and management.

As a co-owner of Sandwitch Skateboards, I gained valuable experience in managing finances and logistics while designing and selling skateboard decks in person and online through our virtual marketplace. During my nearly four years of experience, I specifically managed our income statements, statement of cash flows, and asset balance sheets, allowing me to develop strong financial and organizational skills.

As a student in the Blue Valley CAPS program, I had the opportunity to work with The Gerson Companies on a data analytics project. Along with another student, we analyzed sales data and found correlations between product images and selling potential. We also identified inefficiencies in the company's overseas factories. As the key communicator between our group and the client, I ensured that we delivered the project's objectives before the deadline. This experience allowed me to apply my analytical skills and communication abilities to a real-world business problem.