Meet the Board
Serving wildlife students, researchers, and professionals in Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont
Chalis Bird
President
Chalis was elected President of the New England Chapter of The Wildlife Society in August, 2025. Professionally, she is the Northeast District Wildlife Biologist for MassWildlife. As a district-wide biologist, she studies and works with a multitude of species and habitats. She is involved with wildlife research, urban wildlife management, habitat conservation and public education. Prior to that, she was a Big Game Biologist for South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks where she studied and managed mule and white-tailed deer, pronghorn, elk and mountain lion. In her free time, she enjoys hiking, hunting, fly fishing, backpacking, gardening but more than anything, being a mom.
Laken Ganoe, PhD
Vice President
Laken is the Furbearer Biologist for the Rhode Island Division of Fish & Wildlife in the Department of Environmental Management. She studies all species of furbearers and works to develop sound management plans for the state. Laken received her PhD from the University of Rhode Island where she studied the distribution, habitat selection, and movement of fisher populations int he state. Laken has been involved in TWS at numerous organization levels, including the Pennsylvania Chapter, Northeast Section, Student Development Working Group (SDWG), Early Career Professionals Working Group (ECPWG), Hunting, Trapping, and Conservation Working Group, and Council. Laken is an Associate Wildlife Biologist®.
Mairi Poisson
Secretary-Treasurer
Mairi is a Ph.D. candidate at the University of New Hampshire in the Wildlife Modeling and Management Lab. For her doctoral research, she is examining how wildlife respond to human development and activity, with the intention of creating better communities for all our neighbors, human and wildlife alike. Her past research experience includes working with conservation detection dogs to conduct non-invasive surveys of rare elusive, and endangered species across the United States.
Scott Williams, PhD
Connecticut State Representative
Scott is Head of the Department of Environmental Science and Forestry at the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station in New Haven. He is a Certified Wildlife Biologist® and currently serves as the Northeast Representative for the TWS Certification Review Board. He has been a member of The Wildlife Society for 25 years and previously served as the Treasurer and President of the Northeast Section. He earned his undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral degrees in Connecticut and is proud to represent the state on the New England Chapter Board.
Alexis Sigillo
Massachusetts State Representative
Alexis is currently a PhD student in Molecular and Evolutionary Biology at the University of New Hampshire studying mesocarnivore disease ecology. Previously, she was the Rabies Technician for USDA Wildlife Services in MA/CT/RI where she focused on the vaccination of raccoons in MA. Alexis is an enthusiastic proponent for outreach, education, and engagement.
Andrew Butler, PhD
New Hampshire State Representative
Andrew received his doctoral degree in May 2026 from the University of New Hampshire, where he studied mesocarnivore habitat-relationships and assessed monitoring methods for the state’s mesocarnivore populations. As a long-time member of the New England wildlife community and a recent graduate student, Andrew brings a strong understanding of the needs of both students and professionals to his role as NH State Rep.
David Kalb, PhD
Rhode Island State Representative
David is the Supervisor for the Wildlife Research and Monitoring Staff at the Rhode Island Division of Fish and Wildlife. His work involves managing both game and non-game species programs and research projects throughout the state. He is a Certified Wildlife Biologist® through The Wildlife Society. In his role as RI State Rep, he would like to work on increasing student and young professional membership and participation in TWS.
Tony Roberts, PhD
Vermont State Representative
Tony is the US Fish and Wildlife Service Coordinator for the North American Waterfowl Management Plan. He is a Certified Wildlife Biologist® and was part of TWS Leadership Institute class of 2016. He has previous experience working and studying in the Midwest and Western United States. David is excited to serve as VT State Rep because representation of local wildlife professionals in TWS is important in providing a full perspective on wildlife management in North America.
David Colwell
Past President
David is an Associate Senior Wetland Scientist at Hancock Associates with over 25 years of consulting experience in the fields of wetland science, wildlife biology, restoration ecology, and permitting. He is a certified Professional Wetland Scientist (PWS), Certified Ecological Restoration Practitioner (CERP), and Certified Wildlife Biologist (CWB). He is also an active member, and former chairman, of the Town of Clinton Conservation Commission, and current Vice President of the Association of Massachusetts Wetland Scientists and an active member of the AMWS Wildlife Committee.