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Eric Buel
Degrees and Schools: BA in Chemistry, University of Delaware, Ph.D. in Chemistry, University of Missouri
Past Position: Director, Vermont Forensic Laboratory, Retired
Why you served on the Board: After retiring from the Vermont Forensic Laboratory, I found serving on the SCI board as a means to assist our local community. I wanted to use my knowledge, training and experience in science to help students pursue their interest in STEM.
Board Member: 2012 – 2018
Stuart Strife
Board Member: 2018-2022
Personal Information:
Stuart grew up in central New York, very close to where Herkimer diamonds (quartz) are mined. He has always been fascinated with science, nature, and being outdoors. As a high school student, he decided to pursue a career in geology, and later earned BS and MS degrees in geology from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. As a professional geologist, Stuart spent his career exploring for oil and natural gas deposits across the United States. He retired to Vermont in 2010 so that he could be close to his children and grandchildren. Stuart loves everything about earth science and, of course, has an extensive collection of minerals, fossils and gems. He enjoys reading about and studying the geological history of New York and New England.
David Thompson
Dave Thompson is a Swanton,Vermont native and graduated from Swanton High School in 1968. He received his AS in Accounting from Champlain College in 1970 and BS in Business from Johnson State College in 2004. He served with the Vermont Army National Guard from 1970 to 1976. Dave has been employed as Controller at Mylan Technologies, Inc. (formerly Bertek, Inc) in St. Albans for 37 years. He has served on the Swanton School Board, North West Supervisory Union School Board, Northwestern Technical Center Advisory Board and Swanton’s Church of the Nativity Parish Council. Dave also served as an Auditor for the Town of Swanton for several years. Dave currently resides in St. Albans Town with his wife of 39 years, Celine (Laroche) Thompson. He has three grown children who are all graduates of MVU. He has nine grandchildren. Eight of these children are attending Franklin County Schools; one at MVU, three at Highgate Elementary, three at Swanton Elementary and one at St. Albans Town Educational Center.
Jim Naylor
Board Member: 2016-2018
Degrees and Education: Associates Degree in Liberal Arts – Green Mountain College 1987, Bachelors Degree in Sociology – University of Massachusetts, Amherst 1989, Masters Degree in Education – University of Vermont 1996
George Coy
Board Member: 2018-2022
Education: Ohio Northern University – BS Electrical Engineering
Current Positions and Appointments:
- President CAS Ltd — Aircraft Sales and Service
- Treasurer EAA Chapter 613 Experimental Aircraft Association
- Member Vermont Aviation Advisory Council — State Advisory Council on Aviation
Why were you interested in serving on the board: I have always viewed aviation as a way to get children interested in the math and sciences. I believe I can help make aviation related activities available to more children and to pass on the aviation torch to the next generations.
Personal Information: I own and operate several aviation related companies. We have always supported aviation activities for children. Through the EAA young Eagles program, we give free introduction rides to children ages 8 to 18. We provide group tours for children through the after school programs, including week long day camps in the summer as well as after school programs through the local schools. We have supported Boy Scouts aviation badges. We have organized aviation career days. I am now working on expanding the Vermont ACE Camp, a week long aviation day camp for kids in 6th through 9th grades. This camp has been ongoing for over 20 years. It has recently been offered only in Springfield, VT. This year we are expanding to a second camp in the North West Vermont area. I hope to add a South West camp and a North East camp in upcoming years. It is a week long day camp sponsored by the VAAC and jointly with the Vermont Agency of transportation and the Federal Aviation Administration.