Our Staff

Rick Savage (Rick.savage@carolinawetlands.org)

Executive Director

Rick worked a wetland scientist for the North Carolina Division of Water Resources from 2004 until 2015. In 2016 after the state government ended the wetlands monitoring program, Rick helped to form the Carolina Wetlands Association. He served as the Board president until he was hired as Executive Director in November 2021. Rick has an MS degree in Systems Engineering from Virgina Tech and a Masters of Natural Resources from NC State University.

Chase Bergeson (chase.bergeson@carolinawetlands.org)

Wetlands Monitoring Program Volunteer Coordinator

Chase is an environmental scientist living in Raleigh, NC. She is passionate about working with communities on conservation of our water resources. She has an MS in Natural resources from NC State University and has experience working in water quality monitoring, environmental consulting, and environmental education. She loves to spend time with her friends and family, travel, swim, kayak, and walk in the woods.

Aaron Ellis (pronouns she/her)

Project and Finance Coordinator

I have had a unique career, based in project administration for environmental and engineering firms since 2004, intermingled with 14 years of active and reserve duty with the US Coast Guard in logistics, finance, and procurement. I am looking forward to applying these skills as the lead Project Coordinator for our Volunteer Wetland Monitoring Program, Parker Creek, and other projects. I am also responsible for our general financial procedures including AP/AR, invoicing, timekeeping, and reporting. Ultimately, both my personal and professional lives have revolved around natural resources; I am also an avid hiker, camper, kayaker, and equestrian. I am looking forward to spending more time in our beautiful wetlands and promoting conservation through citizen science. Hope to meet you soon and get our feet wet together!

Our Interns

Erin Mansfield

North Carolina State University

Environmental Sciences, Soil Science (minor)

Erin is interested in soils, water quality, and ecology, so wetlands are a perfect intersection of her environmental passions. During her time at Carolina Wetlands Association she has assisted in field work, newsletter and social media content, educational outreach, and data analysis and general assistance for grant funded projects. After graduating, she plans to continue on to graduate school (and to continue volunteering with CARWA!).

Bryce Carleton

North Carolina State University

Environmental Technology and Management, Forensic Sciences (minor).

Bryce is equally interested in most things environmental, and started working for Carolina Wetlands Association for extra experience to leave college with and assist in his education. Over the summer he has condensed decades of wetland flood-mitigation research for quick and convenient access and helped on many projects. After graduating, he plans to go into his career, working in the environmental sector for one half, and criminal forensics in the other.