Staff Biographies
Lois Carter Fay, APR- Lois joined The Journal staff as Editor-In-Chief in April 2005. After spending many, many years working in several advertising and public-relations agencies, in 1990 she started her own marketing agency serving the small-business market. She now publishes three online/e-mail newsletters focusing on marketing and business issues, and maintains two Web sites. Lois is an accredited public relations professional (APR) and holds a B.A. from the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee. E-mail: editormaic@gmail.com
Nicole Neitzey - Nicole is the Managing Editor and Online Editor for The Journal of ERW and Mine Action and has been working at the Mine Action Information Center since 2001. She graduated from James Madison University in 2002 with a B.A. in technical and scientific communication and an online publications specialization. She enjoys working on a professional journal and would like to continue pursuing a career in publishing. E-mail: neitzenx@jmu.edu
Daniele Ressler - Daniele is Program Manager for the Mine Action Information Center and Research Specialist/Content Editor for The Journal of ERW and Mine Action. She holds a Master of Science in violence, conflict and development studies from the University of London's School of Oriental and African Studies. She has also studied in both Caux, Switzerland, earning a Certificate for Applied Studies in Peacebuilding, and Nairobi, Kenya. Daniele has previously worked in the fields of conflict mediation and youth counseling. She enjoys singing, playing the bass, gardening and traveling. E-mail: ressledj@jmu.edu
Geary Cox - Geary is Assistant Editor for The Journal of ERW and Mine Action and Research Specialist for the Center for International Stabilization and Recovery, having joined the Mine Action Information Center in March 2005 as an Editorial Assistant. Geary received his Master of Arts in English in 2008 and his Bachelor of Arts in English/political science in 2006, both from James Madison University. E-mail: coxga@jmu.edu
Jennifer Risser - Jennifer is an Assistant Editor for The Journal of ERW and Mine Action, joining the staff in April 2009. Previously, she worked as an Editorial Assistant at the Penguin Group in New York. Jennifer received a Master of Arts in Publishing Studies from City University, London, and a Bachelor of Arts in English from James Madison University. E-mail: risserje@jmu.edu
Holley Watts - Holley Watts is a Content Editor for The Journal of ERW and Mine Action, joining the MAIC staff in February 2008. Previously, she was a professional fundraiser for public TV and radio in Michigan and Virginia. In 2004 she wrote a memoir about her Red Cross 1966–67 Vietnam experience and most recently co-wrote and narrated a documentary about the program for release in 2008. Her interests include reading, writing poetry, public speaking, piano repair and traveling. E-mail: wattsjh@jmu.edu
Ashley Beaudin - Ashley Beaudin has been working with The Journal of ERW and Mine Action since September 2008. She is a senior at James Madison University with a major in media arts and design and a minor in Spanish. She hopes to pursue a career in humanitarian photojournalism.
Shruti Chaganti - Shruti Chaganti joined the Mine Action Information Center in May 2008 as an Editorial and Research Assistant. She is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in political science and a Bachelor of Arts in philosophy at James Madison University.
Amy Crockett - Amy Crockett is a senior studying media arts and design at James Madison University. She is also an anthropology minor and Copy Editor at The Breeze, JMU's student newspaper. One day she hopes to work for National Geographic or Newsweek.
Cory Kuklick - Cory is a junior at James Madison University, where he is pursuing a major in print journalism and a nonprofit studies minor. In addition to working for The Journal of ERW and Mine Action, he writes a music column for The Breeze, JMU's student newspaper, and has written for various music Web sites.
Chad McCoull - Chad has worked for The Journal of ERW and Mine Action since January 2007 as an Editorial Assistant. In May 2008 he graduated from James Madison University with a Bachelor of Arts in technical communication with a minor in writing and rhetoric. He is currently pursuing a masters of public administration, specializing in international NGO management.
Kate McFarland - Kate has been working at the Mine Action Information Center since May 2009. She is from Alexandria, Virginia. Kate is a senior at James Madison University pursuing a degree in history and English, with a minor in Middle Eastern studies.
Katie Monroe - Katie has been working for The Journal of ERW and Mine Action since May 2009. She is a sophomore at Haverford College in Pennsylvania and has not yet declared a major.
Megan Sarian - Megan joined the Mine Action Information Center in January 2009 as an Editorial Assistant. She is pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in English with a concentration in creative writing at James Madison University.
Alex Sharp - Alex is a senior journalism and writing major with a minor in anthropology. He is the Managing Editor of the James Madison Undergraduate Research Journal. Alex worked as a reporter for three-time Pulitzer Prize winning editor Jim Gannon of the Rappahannock Voice, and has published headline articles in The Breeze, The Rappahannock News, The Culpeper Star Exponent, The Rappahannock Voice, and the JMU Undergraduate Research Journal.
Emma Smith - Emma has been working at the Mine Action Information Center since October 2008. She is from Warrenton, Virginia, and attends James Madison University. She is pursuing a Bachelor of Science in communication studies with a minor in nonprofit studies.
Alex Tsurdinis - Alex joined The Journal of ERW and Mine Action as an Editorial Assistant in March 2009. She is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in technical and scientific communication at James Madison University.
Eric Wuestewald - Eric has been working with the Mine Action Information Center since May 2009. He is a senior at James Madison University and is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in English with a minor in creative writing. In addition to working for The Journal of ERW and Mine Action, Eric also acts as Programming Director for WXJM Harrisonburg, JMU's college radio station.
Leah Young - Leah has been working at the Journal of Mine Action since January 2008. She is from Virginia Beach and attended James Madison University. She graduated with a B.S. in Justice Studies and a minor in Spanish.