Georgia Chapter AFS2021 Award Recipients

COVID-19 brought about many new challenges including how we could best recognize those who have contributed so much to the advancement of fisheries science and being

champions of aquatic conservation

Georgia Chapter of the American Fisheries SocietyCareer Contribution

Dominic Guadagnoli

Dominic has frequently interacted with numerous customers on a daily basis, albeit coworkers, fishermen, school-aged children,

concerned citizens, local governments, State and Federal resource agencies, and members of the media. Regardless of the

customer, Dominic has always been known to be courteous, professional, and desiring to serve.

Georgia Chapter of the American Fisheries SocietyCareer Contribution

Bill Davin

Bill Davin has made substantial and ongoing contributions to fisheries education, management, and research over his decades-long career as a

fisheries scientist and educator in the state. His commendable efforts have greatly benefited the GA Chapter of the American Fisheries Society and its

members.

Georgia Chapter of the American Fisheries SocietyCareer Contribution

Roger Harrell

Roger’s greatest contribution to fisheries management in Georgia is the impact he has had on the people he has worked with and served. Whether it’s through the lessons and skills passed on to

coworkers, knowledge taught to pond owners and lake managers, the excitement gifted to a first-time fisherman, or stoking the fire for fisheries in a young YMCA camp counselor, Roger’s passion for

fisheries management and the people of Georgia will live on.

Georgia Chapter of the American Fisheries SocietyCareer Contribution

Donna Wilson

Donna has certainly shown a strong commitment to doing all she can to meet and often exceed the administrative demands for the daily operations of the Region 6 Richmond Hill office. Her efforts have

helped contribute extensively to the fulfillment of our mission, and her willingness to serve her internal and external customers with utmost

professionalism have not gone unnoticed.

Georgia Chapter of the American Fisheries SocietyCareer Contribution

Rusty Garrison

Throughout his career, Rusty has demonstrated a servant’s heart and displayed strong leadership skills. His commitment to serving the

citizens of Georgia in the common pursuit of managing our fisheries and other natural resources for this and future generations to enjoy

has been exemplary. For his 39 years of excellent leadership, continued commitment to serving the people of this great State, and

undeterred efforts to promote our vast natural resources, we proudly nominate Mr. Garrison for a Career Contribution award, and

we extend our utmost appreciation for all he has done.

Georgia Chapter of the American Fisheries SocietyCareer Contribution

Paul Jones

Paul is the best Fisheries Technician that has ever warn a Georgia state uniform. Thank you, Paul for the 35-year career dedicated to the fishery and aquatic

resources in Georgia.

He worked many fisheries projects including habitat improvements, hybrid production and stocking, broodfish collection, stream team sampling, Robust

Redhorse, Gulf striped bass, largemouth bass stocking, Georgia National Fair, Go Fish Georgia, and countless others. He also served his country as a soldier in the

Army National Guard retiring in 2000.

Georgia Chapter of the American Fisheries SocietyCareer Contribution

Pat Markey

During his 33 years of service with the Georgia Department of Natural Resources Fisheries Section, Pat developed a technique for making a vaccine for enteric redmouth disease, created ways to reduce stress on Buford Hatchery trout during harsh water quality conditions, and helped to develop an education

program for middle school students called “Small Fry to Go.”

His efforts at managing harsh water quality and trout diseases enabled Pat to successfully raise and stock more than 15 million trout for North Georgia trout streams during his career, which created untold numbers of great memories for

Georgia trout anglers.

Georgia Chapter of the American Fisheries SocietyUnsung Hero Award

Cindy Smith and Amy Smith

Amy has been with the Statistics Program for 17 years, while Cindy has served in the Statistics Program for 21 years. During that time, these

ladies have dedicated much of their life and time to tirelessly working to serve behind the scenes to collect data from the many commercial

fishermen in our state and inputting that data into electronic formats for fishery managers to have at their fingertips.

Despite the challenges they often face as the liaison between fishermen and our agency, Amy and Cindy continue to perform their daily duties

with dedication, patience, kindness, and a desire to do whatever it takes to perform excellent work in serving our fishing customers.

Georgia Chapter of the American Fisheries SocietyUnsung Hero Award

Dylan Severens

His guidance and expertise have been essential in promoting the conservation, development, and wise use utilization of fisheries

resources in Georgia. He has been critical to the development of surveys, maps, dashboards, and more that are utilized daily by

Fisheries Management professionals.

Though Dylan remains busy, he has also offered his assistance and expertise toward the recruitment, retention, and reactivation of

anglers in Georgia. Dylan exemplifies the role of “unsung hero” and his results are impactful and appreciated by many.

Georgia Chapter of the American Fisheries Society2021 Fisheries Professional of the Year

Jason Mitchell

Jason’s efforts in 2020 to overcome the obstacles and challenges of COVID-19, continue our flathead removal efforts,

oversee the continued maintenance of our facilities and participate in critically important education efforts is a great

achievement accomplished during difficult times.

Georgia Chapter of the American Fisheries SocietyFisheries Professional of the Year Finalist

Greg Abercrombie

Greg has gained a wealth of knowledge from his years of experience as a Clarks Hill creel clerk, McDuffie PFA and Warmwater Hatchery technician and District Fisheries technician. Greg constantly shares this institutional knowledge and

skills with newer GA DNR employees, showing his commitment and dedication to shaping and improving the future of GA DNR and fisheries management. He also regularly participates in environmental education programs and serves as the district’s Kids Fishing Event coordinator, showing his commitment to the

future of fishing altogether.

Georgia Chapter of the American Fisheries SocietyFisheries Professional of the Year Finalist

Tony Beck

Tony has many attributes that exemplify what is expected of a fishery professional of the year for the Georgia American Fisheries Society.

Tony’s efforts on the Walton Hatchery renovation and new recirculating system, in addition to his day-to-day activities as a

Fisheries Technician III – Hatchery Manager, will have far-reaching consequences for the conservation and sustainability of fishery

resources for many years to come.

Georgia Chapter of the American Fisheries Society2021 Fisheries Conservationist of the Year

Jim Page

One of this past year’s highlights is the creation of a Georgia aquatic nuisance poster and a children’s workbook about Georgia’s aquatic nuisance species.

Both of these are an example of Jim’s dedication to the conservation of Georgia’s aquatic species and their habitats. The poster and workbook will serve as additional resources aquatic educators in Georgia can provide to

students, teachers, and parents about the threats aquatic nuisance species have on Georgia’s native species.

Georgia Chapter of the American Fisheries SocietyFisheries Conservationist of the Year Finalist

Katie Owens

“It has been exciting to watch aquatic conservation efforts in the Coosa transform from the planning phase to effective

partnerships getting the work done. Katie’s skill and energy has been critical to this transformation”.

~ Brett Albanese

Georgia Chapter of the American Fisheries SocietyDistinguished Service Award

Jackson Sibley

During these past several years Jackson has served as the Chapter’s Fundraising Committee Chair. Jackson has helped the

Chapter increase its number of donations for our annual fundraiser which in turn has led to more money for our Chapter to invest in our education outreach projects, scholarships, and

donations to aquatic habitat improvement projects. Fundraising is a year-round job and is a very challenging job

because you will hear a lot of “not at this time” before you get a “yes, I will be glad to donate”. Jackson took on this challenge

and has done a phenomenal job.

Georgia Chapter of the American Fisheries SocietyDistinguished Service Award

Chalisa Fabillar

During these past several years Chalisa has served as the co-chair for our Awards Committee in charge of student judging. Through her

leadership we increased the number of volunteer judges to evaluate student presentations and posters. She has updated how we score

student presentations and streamlined judging guidelines that allows for her to assign a different set of judges for each session. COVID-19

has added additional challenges this year and Chalisa had to get more creative in how to help her judges manage the scoring of students’

video presentations. Chalisa has done a phenomenal job and is deserving to be considered for the Georgia Chapter Distinguished

Service Award.

Georgia Chapter of the American Fisheries SocietyCertificate of Appreciation

Richmond Hill Fish Hatchery

Thank you Georgia DNR and Richmond Hill Fish Hatchery for allowing us to use the guest house as our command center to manage our virtual

meeting

Georgia Chapter of the American Fisheries SocietyChapter President Award

Rebecca Brown

“As I was wrestling with the decision of who to recognize, I thought about many of the names you just heard in the

previous awards, and others. But at the end of the day, the elephant in the room was that there was simply nobody so

integral to the day-to-day functioning, long-term goals, institutional memory, and DNA of this Chapter.”

~ Jamie Roberts

Georgia Chapter of the American Fisheries SocietyStudent Oral Presentation Awards

First Place

Brendan DulaWarnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources, UGA

“Effects of Hurricane Michael on annual recruitment, mortality, and behavior of Gulf Sturgeon in the Apalachicola River, Florida”

Georgia Chapter of the American Fisheries SocietyStudent Oral Presentation Awards

Second Place

Frank McQuarrieUGA Marine Science, Engineering Depts.

“Acoustic Coverage Without The Guitar: Using autonomous

underwater vehicles to quantify marine protected area effectiveness”

Georgia Chapter of the American Fisheries SocietyStudent Oral Presentation Awards

Third Place

Lauren MonizGeorgia Southern University, Department of Biology

“Lipid metabolites as energy stores in stingrays”

Georgia Chapter of the American Fisheries SocietyStudent Best Poster Presentation Award

Piper RackleyGeorgia Institute of Technology and Georgia Aquarium

“Organic contaminants in two species of thresher sharks”

Georgia Chapter of the American Fisheries SocietyRonnie J. Gilbert Scholarship

Brendan Dula

Masters Student at UGA, Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources

Georgia Chapter of the American Fisheries SocietyGeorgia Chapter AFS Scholarship

Bryson Hilburn

Undergraduate Student at UGA, Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources