The Shorekeeper

In 2003, the Board of Directors asked Richard Ayers to become the first Virginia Eastern Shorekeeper. He led the organization through the Fall of 2007, and is still in the field watching our waters, but now with the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality.

With 15 years of experience as an environmental educator and guide, as well as strong ties throughout the Eastern Shore community, Dave Burden was recruited to take over the helm as Shorekeeper.

Dave grew up on the water in South Carolina, and studied Environmental Science at the University of Virginia, with a focus on coastal ecosystems.  Dave moved to the Shore in 1999 to launch SouthEast Expeditions with two local business partners, and has been helping residents and visitors "Explore the Shore" ever since.  This kayak outfitting business was founded on a premise of environmental education and promoting sustainable business practices.
The strong business relationships that Dave and his partners developed have allowed SouthEast Expeditions to become a leader in the local business community and helped propel Dave into the public sector.  In 2007 Dave was elected to the Northampton County Board of Supervisors.  His lifelong passion for environmental awareness and sustainable business were the foundation of his campaign.

As the Virginia Eastern Shorekeeper, Dave has stepped up the marketing and awareness efforts of the organization, and is determined to solidify the reputation of the Virginia Eastern Shorekeeper as the premier environmental action organization on the Shore.  Through partnerships with other local and regional organizations, as well as innovative new programs and initiatives, the Virginia Eastern Shorekeeper continues to pursue its mission of protecting, preserving, and promoting the coastal water quality of the Eastern Shore.

Board of Directors

The Virginia Eastern Shorekeeper Board of Directors represents a broad range of scientific, business and educational expertise and managerial experience. Its members have demonstrated a proven capability to provide direction to the Shorekeeper. They will engage in hands-on participation in the conduct of the project and will exercise sufficient control to insure the greatest potential for achievement of project objectives. Following is a list of the Directors and a brief summary of their backgrounds:

Ernest Dodson, Jr., Secretary-Treasurer, attended Virginia Tech before enrolling in the Virginia Pilot Apprenticeship Program. He is a pilot in the Virginia Pilot Association in the Port of Hampton Roads, and he is a hunter, a fisherman and a conservationist.

Eugene R. Hampton is a graduate of Oregon State University, where he received a Masters in Geology. Trained as a groundwater hydrologist, he spent his career in the U. S. Geological Survey. In retirement, he is an dedicated gardener and serves on several committees that deal with conservation issues.

Mark W. Luckenbach, Ph.D.  attended the University of North Carolina and received his Ph.D. from the University of South Carolina.  He is a Professor of Marine Science at the College of William and Mary and has served as the director of the Virginia Institute of Marine Science, Eastern Shore Laboratory in Wachapreague, VA for the past 18 years.  He conducts research on coastal marine ecology, aquaculture and land-use/water quality issues on the Eastern Shore.

 F.M. "Pat" Lusk, Jr. attended the University of Richmond and graduated from the Medical College of Virginia School of Pharmacy.  His career has included work with a pharmaceutical company in research and development and international regulatory affairs as well as twenty-one years of pharmacy ownership.  Pat presently serves on the board of directors of Epic Pharmacies, the session of Holmes Presbyterian Church and is past chairman of Northampton Conservation Voters.  Pat enjoys many different outdoor activities.

Terry Malarkey received his degree in Electronics Engineering from University of Wales Bangor. Born and raised in London England, Terry has worked his entire career in the electronics industry in engineering and marketing in the UK and the USA.   Terry and Judy retired to the Eastern Shore of Virginia in 1999 to live on Chesconessex Creek.   He enjoys immensely being on and around the water.

John T. Ordeman, a graduate of Williams College, has graduate degrees from Columbia University and Johns Hopkins. His professional career spanned forty years as a English teacher and headmaster of several independent schools. In retirement, he is an active volunteer serving as board chairman of the Eastern Shore's Own Arts Center and Citizens for a Better Eastern Shore.

Dr. W. Michael Peirson received a BS from Delaware Valley College and a Ph.D. in marine biology from North Carolina State University. He is employed as manager of Cherrystone Aquafarms, one of the largest producers of cultured clams in the country.

George Reiger received his bachelor’s degree from Princeton University and a master’s degree from Columbia University.  For the past forty years, he has earned his living as a free-lance writer with over a dozen books and a thousand magazine articles to his credit.  He is presently the conservation editor emeritus of Field & Stream and a federal commissioner for the Interstate Commission for the Potomac River Basin.

George J. Savage, Jr., President, attended the University of Virginia and graduated from the Medical College of Virginia School of Pharmacy. His professional career was spent as a pharmacist in a family-owned business in Cape Charles. In retirement he is a avid outdoorsman and very interested in conservation-related public affairs.

F. Victor Schmidt is a graduate of the University of Maine. His professional career was spent with the New Jersey Division of Fish and Game and the US Fish and Wildlife Service, where he served as Deputy Director. He has been an effective volunteer involved with the creation of several conservation-oriented non-profit organizations.

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