Meet the ESA Staff
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Chris Stelzig, CAE
cstelzig@entsoc.org
1-301-731-4535 ext. 3012
he/him
Contact Chris about: Governing Board | ESA governance | ESA strategy | Code of Conduct | ethics concerns
Chris has enjoyed working with ESA in a wide array of management areas since March 2000, including science policy, certification, membership, data management, and strategy. Today he leads the headquarters office as the executive director. He is ESA's primary liaison between staff and governance as well as serving as a primary point of contact for the society on many allied groups.
Chris' education and background is in marketing, and he came to ESA from serving eight years in the newspaper industry. He has stayed with ESA for so many years because he is a firm believer in the mission of the Society and the opportunities for insect science to make the world a better place through the strategic principles of social responsibility, global impact, and increasing influence. He is a frequent volunteer for a variety of philanthropic organizations and has served on the board of local Annapolis charities. He was born in Fargo, ND, grew up in Morgantown, WV, and now lives within walking distance of the ESA headquarters office.
Favorite insect: Mantids. Really pretty much anything from Mantodea
Rosina Romano, CMP, DES
rromano@entsoc.org
1-301-731-4535 ext. 3010
Contact Rosina about: everything Annual Meeting │your membership experience │Code of Conduct
Rosina brings members together to share their passion for insects. As the Chief Operating Officer, she leads staff in creating memorable experiences throughout the year leading up to the society's Annual Meeting in November.
Rosina specializes in nonprofit conference planning, starting part-time with her first association in 1999. She first fell in love with supporting their annual legislative conference. Since then, Rosina has worked for a variety of membership organizations, steadily increasing the size and scope of their conferences and events. Prior to joining ESA, Rosina was the director of meetings and events at the National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO), managing a team of four planners hosting 60 meetings a year.
Born in Alabama, Rosina grew up in southern Virginia. She earned her bachelor's degree in international affairs (2001) and her master's in tourism administration (2009) both from the George Washington University. In 2010 she earned the Certified Meeting Professional designation from the Events Industry Council.
Favorite insect: "Fireflies. You should see our backyard in the summer!"
Neil Willoughby
nwilloughby@entsoc.org
1-301-731-4535 ext. 3005
Contact Neil about: any financial or administrative matters | Chrysalis Fund | Education & Outreach Committee
Neil oversees all financial operations of the Society. As the director of finance, he serves as a support vehicle for its membership, ESA management, and the Society's Governing Board.
Neil has specialized in nonprofit association financial management and budget planning since 1997. During that time, Neil has worked for several organizations, increasing his capacity and responsibility in each successive role. Prior to joining ESA in 2008, Neil was controller at the Washington Scholarship Fund, and deputy director of finance and budgeting at the American Legislative Exchange Council.
Neil was born in Washington, DC, and has remained local to the mid-Atlantic region most of his life. He earned his bachelor's degree in finance (1996) from Frostburg State University and a master's degree in both accounting and financial management (2017) from the University of Maryland University College.
Favorite insect: Acherontia styx ("Also known as the death's head moth, indirect subject in one of my favorite movies.")
Alexis Lyons
alyons@entsoc.org
1-301-731-4535 ext. 3017
Contact Alexis about: vendor payments | membership payments | refunds
Alexis helps ESA members with payments that need to be made to the Society, ranging from membership renewals to Annual Meeting payments. She also helps facilitate any refund requests. When not helping the members, Alexis assists the director of finance with monthly and annual reporting and regular day-to-day accounting functions.
Trained in accounting business finance, Alexis started her career with major audit firm Deloitte and Touche. Her path has led her into the nonprofit realm, where she values being involved with an organization that has a meaningful mission to her. While she may not keep a bee hive at her house, she recognizes the importance of our pollinator population and is happy to whatever she can do to support the scientists that love them.
Favorite insect: Glass-winged butterfly
Stacie East
seast@entsoc.org
1-301-731-4535 ext. 3030
Contact Stacie about: diversity, equity, and inclusion │ EntoMentos │ Diversity & Inclusion Committee
Stacie spearheads ESA’s diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts. She practiced law for more than 25 years after graduating from Yale Law School and the University of Chicago. She has extensive professional association volunteer experience, and has served on a number of association committees, task forces, and boards. In addition, Stacie was recently the director of a diversity pipeline program and served as associate director of diversity and inclusion at the California Western School of Law.
In her downtime, Stacie lifts weights and hikes.
Favorite insect: June bug
Erin Cadwalader, Ph.D.
ecadwalader@entsoc.org
1-301-731-4535 ext. 3025
Contact Erin about: Science policy and advocacy | Leadership Development | Elections
Erin leads the Society's science policy and advocacy efforts, including the Grand Challenges Agenda for Entomology, as well as overseeing leadership development programs like the Professional Advancement Career Training (PACT) program and elections. She is a key liaison between ESA and many allied groups and leads the recently established Vector-Borne Disease Network. Before joining the ESA staff, Erin worked with the Society for several years as the leading voice for ESA on Capitol Hill as an external consultant and lobbyist.
While her background is in biomedical research, she transitioned from the bench to the science policy community in D.C. nearly a decade ago and has worked on a wide range of advocacy issues related to scientific research and workforce development, higher education, and social justice for organizations such as Research!America, the Association for Women in Science, and Lewis-Burke Associates LLC. She is passionate about the importance of evidence-based policymaking and ensuring science and research are part of the conversation.
Erin grew up on the East Coast and in the Midwest. She earned her bachelor's degrees in biochemistry and molecular biology from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and her Ph.D. in neurobiology and anatomy from the University of Utah. After slowly drifting westward, she now calls Maryland home.
Favorite insect: Western Hercules Beetle
Matt Hudson
mhudson@entsoc.org
1-301-731-4535 ext. 3020
Contact Matt about: ESA's publications | how to publish a book with ESA | ESA's editorial boards and Publications Council | Common Names of Insects Committee
Matt believes that nonprofit societies like ESA play a unique and important role in supporting scientists and scientific research. He directs the Society's publications, communications, and marketing program. Together, this team produces ESA's eight journals, the member magazine, books program, blog, media outreach, and email marketing efforts. Prior to ESA, Matt spent 15 years with the Geological Society of America.
Matt earned a bachelor's degree from the University of Notre Dame in English and environmental science and a master's of fine arts in writing from the Vermont College of Fine Arts. He was born on the East Coast but has moved around, including stints in Tokyo, Minneapolis, and Colorado. He now works remotely from Michigan.
Favorite insect: Phasmids
Jessica McEwan
jmcewan@entsoc.org
1-301-731-4535 ext. 3024
Contact Jessica about: journals | ScholarOne | publishing | peer reviewing
Jessica oversees the day-to-day operations of the ESA journals and assists with strategic planning.
Jessica believes that high-quality research is critical to the preservation of our planet’s delicate ecosystems. She is motivated by the ESA’s mission to enable members to share their science globally and she enjoys helping authors and editors publish impactful research. Prior to ESA, Jessica spent 15 years with the Society for Vascular Surgery where she helped to launch, grow, and manage a portfolio of journals.
Jessica earned her bachelor’s degree in journalism from Keene State College. She lives in her hometown of Canaan, New Hampshire, and spends her free time cooking, reading, and hiking in the White Mountains.
Favorite insect: Snowberry clearwing
Irene Nudd
inudd@entsoc.org
1-301-731-4535 ext. 3028
Contact Irene about: general inquiries | journal information | manuscript updates | peer-review | ScholarOne | American Entomologist | Insect Calendar Committee
Irene assists in managing ESA's scholarly journals through a variety of administrative and creative tasks. From communicating with authors on manuscript statuses to working on projects to improve the flow of publication, her main priority is supporting those who volunteer their time and work for the advancement of entomological research.
Irene received a B.A. in English from George Mason University and has always had an interest in publishing. She got started in publishing as an editorial intern at the Gastroenterological Association and developed a passion for journal publishing. From there, she went on to become the American Geophysical Union's first publications intern.
Originally from Woodbridge, Virginia, Irene is currently located in Richmond, Virginia.
Favorite insect: Periodical cicadas (Magicicada septendecim). ("I wish I could take a 17-year nap.")
Joe Rominiecki, CAE
jrominiecki@entsoc.org
1-301-731-4535 ext. 3009
Contact Joe about: Entomology Today | social media | media relations | World of Insects Calendar | Better Common Names Project
Joe helps ESA members tell their stories about insect science. As manager of communications, Joe leads several of the Society's key external communication channels, including the Entomology Today blog, social media, and public relations. He also provides communications support for Science Policy and other ESA programs.
Trained in journalism, Joe originally had sportswriting in his scopes but found the mission-driven and service-oriented environment of nonprofit membership organizations much more engaging during nine years at the American Society of Association Executives. His role as a writer and editor for ASAE's Associations Now magazine brought him face to face with the best and brightest ideas in association management, and now he brings that experience to his role in communications for ESA.
Joe was born in Philadelphia, grew up in Ohio, and earned his bachelor's degree in journalism at Ohio University (2005). Today he works remotely for ESA from western Connecticut.
Favorite insect: Ticks ("I know, not an insect, and more of a morbid fascination, particularly living in New England.")
Laura Sparks
lsparks@entsoc.org
1-301-731-4535 ext. 3022
Contact Laura about: website technical support | email subscription questions
Laura helps educate and engage ESA members, with the goal of improving the member experience. As the marketing and web manager, Laura is the owner and driver of marketing across all program and service areas of ESA.
She serves as the staff expert on email communication, all ESA website properties, surveys, and branding. She also manages the ESA booth on-site at the ESA Annual Meeting. She works to elevate the Society's brand, programs, and services through customer-centric thinking, data-driven marketing campaign design, and strong data analysis.
Laura has spent her career focused on strategic marketing and innovative communication strategies across a variety of platforms and industries. She earned her bachelor's degree in journalism and vocal performance at Indiana University, Bloomington (2011).
Favorite insect: Damselfly
Chloe Mullaney
cmullaney@entsoc.org
1-301-731-4535 ext. 3021
Contact Chloe about: eNews | email subscription questions
Chloe helps ESA members stay informed and engaged, and supports ESA’s goal of maintaining a strong, communicative brand.
Chloe has a background in radio and television production and performance, and began her career working in the construction industry where she managed marketing efforts and client communications. She was initially drawn to ESA’s missions of education, collaboration, and inclusion, and is passionate about supporting ESA’s members and their discoveries.
Raised in South Carolina, Chloe later earned her BA in radio/television production from UCF, and now lives in Central Florida where she can be spotted running with her dog, reading, or buying more books.
Favorite insect: Emerald Swallowtail, it’s pretty and won’t bite.
Willet Hossfeld, ICE-CCP
whossfeld@entsoc.org
1-301-731-4535 ext. 3026
Contact Willet about: everything certification-related | BCE | ACE | ACE-International
Willet leads the charge for ESA's Certification Programs, helping individuals quantify and demonstrate their arthropod understanding, whether they are pest management professionals or entomologists looking to specialize their knowledge.
Willet began working with certification programs in 2009 while working as a software vendor for various medical associations. Willet made the transition to working for an association in 2013 and has overseen the development, support, and update of several certification programs. He is an advocate for certifications in whatever aspect of life is relevant, believing they serve as a concise, easily understandable way for the general public to understand an individual's expertise. He joined ESA in 2017 to oversee the BCE and ACE programs and has enjoyed his crash course in entomology and pest management, having minimal exposure to either prior to joining ESA.
Born and raised on Long Island in New York, Willet earned his bachelor's degree in Spanish and Latin American Studies from Hobart College in 2006. When he's not working, he prefers to spend as much time outside as possible, preferably on the water.
Favorite insect: "It's a toss-up: The white witch moth and rhinoceros beetle were two of the first insects I really learned anything about, and the orchid bee is just such a cool looking bee, sort of metallic blue/green."
Rebecca Martin
rmartin@entsoc.org
1-301-298-5520
she/they
Contact Rebecca about: All Certification Programs
Rebecca works with the Certification Programs Manager to help individuals quantify and demonstrate their arthropod understanding, whether they are pest management professionals or entomologists looking to specialize their knowledge. She also assists the Director of Strategic Initiatives.
Rebecca was drawn to the mission of ESA and the opportunity to support the important work of championing insect biodiversity and sustainable pest management practices. Prior to joining ESA, they worked as an educator and in the literary nonprofit sector, where they have a background in creative and academic writing. She is excited to continue supporting access to education and knowledge in the Certification Programs at ESA.
Rebecca is originally from Ohio, but now calls Pittsburgh home. They earned a B.A. from the University of Pittsburgh (2018) and an M.F.A. from Oregon State University (2022).
Favorite insect: Luna moth
Associate Director of Partnerships, Programs, and Events
Cindy Myers, DES
cmyers@entsoc.org
1-301-731-4535 ext. 3001
Contact Cindy about: exhibiting | Corporate Partner Program | awards | Student Affairs Committee | Annual Meeting logistics
Cindy builds relationships with ESA's Corporate Partners and helps them reach their marketing goals by connecting them with ESA members. She also fills the exhibit hall yearly with exciting and interesting exhibitors for Annual Meeting attendees.
She loves planning and organizing, which shows each year during the Annual Meeting. Along with the meetings team, she executes the onsite logistics of the meeting, including registration, student volunteers, security, and the exhibit hall.
Cindy grew up in Maryland and earned her bachelor's degree in marking at Salisbury State University (2000). Cindy joined ESA in 2012 and brought with her more than 12 years of hotels sales and conference planning experience.
Favorite insect: "Scarab beetle (but only the pretty ones)"
Becky Anthony, CMP, DES
banthony@entsoc.org
1-301-731-4535 ext. 3018
Contact Becky about: Annual Meeting | submissions | registration | Branches | Branch meetings
Becky manages the scientific program for the ESA Annual Meeting and serves as the primary staff liaison for ESA Branches, providing strategic and logistical support to the leadership.
Becky began her career in the food and beverage industry, where she worked for several years before transitioning to meeting planning. Her position with ESA combines her love of planning and logistics with her service-oriented personality, allowing her to connect personally with a large number of members throughout the Society.
A longtime resident of Baltimore, Maryland, you can frequently find Becky at the ballpark to catch an Orioles games or headed to the beach. She earned her bachelor's degree at Carson-Newman University in 2002. In 2018, she earned the Certified Meeting Professional designation from the Events Industry Council.
Favorite insect: Butterflies
Danielle Tempesta
dtempesta@entsoc.org
1-301-731-4535 ext. 3029
Contact Danielle about: Annual Meeting │ Branch Meetings | submissions │ registration │ webinars │ membership inquiries
Danielle supports the ESA Annual Meeting, Branch Meetings, and ESA's webinar series. She also assists with general membership inquiries.
Danielle began her career working in the events department of a science museum, and then moved to Chicago to work in the event department of the Field Museum of Natural History. While at the Field Museum, Danielle volunteered in the Division of Insects digitizing the collection inventory, with a focus on Cerambycidae and Tingidae. Prior to joining ESA, she was recently working on tech conferences.
Born in New York City, Danielle later grew up in Florida, and earned her bachelor’s degree in Event Management from the Rosen College of Hospitality Management at UCF. Danielle currently lives in Central Florida where you can find her riding her bike, reading a book, or spending time outside in the garden.
Favorite insect: Orchid mantis - for their beauty and speed
Mary Campbell
mcampbell@entsoc.org
1-301-731-4535 ext. 3013
Contact Mary about: membership │ data inquiries │ elections
Mary helps ESA members take full advantage of all the benefits the society has to offer. Her focus is to promote engagement and ensure that members are satisfied. She also provides support for key member programs and manages ESA's relationship with its outside database provider.
Mary was drawn to nonprofit association work, as an opportunity to support the mission of organizations she feels passionately about. Prior to joining ESA, Mary provided membership and constituent services support at Trout Unlimited, the Greater Maryland Chapter Alzheimer's Association, and the Natural Resources Defense Council.
Mary grew up in Annapolis, Maryland. She earned her bachelor's degree in Animal Science from the University of Maryland (2014).
Favorite insect: "Honey bee, but I'm grateful to all pollinators for their good deeds!"
Elynn Owens
eowens@entsoc.org
1-240-696-3770 ext. 3027
Contact Elynn about: grants │ diversity, equity, and inclusion
Elynn manages ESA’s diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives and grant development portfolio.
She earned her BA in Public and Urban Affairs from the Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Virginia Tech) and received her dual Master of Science in Business Administrations and Health Administration from Mary Baldwin University. Elynn has extensive experience in program management for non-profit organizations, addressing public policy issues in various community types through public and private grants. Prior to her role, she served as a Project Manager of Community-Police Engagement at the International Association of Chiefs of Police.
Favorite insect: Ladybug