New Hampshire NRCS Welcomes Two New Staff Members

Mary Drago joins New Hampshire NRCS as the new Executive Assistant working out of the Durham State Office. Below is more information about Mary.

 I was born and raised in Massachusetts.  Graduating from Methuen High School in June of 1977, I joined the United States Army in November and spent the next 12 years as an Image Interpretation Analyst, traveling Europe and the United States. I retired from the Army in 1989 to pursue other opportunities, which included education and raising my family.   

In May of 1996, I received an AAS in Computer Information and Sciences from E.C.P.I College of Technology.  I am currently enrolled in the Paralegal Studies program at Macintosh College and expect to graduate in May of 2009.

In 2003, I joined Department of Veterans Affairs staff at the Edith Nourse Roger Memorial Veterans Hospital, Bedford, Massachusetts. I have spent the past five years at the Bedford facility working in the Office of the Station Director, as the Staff Assistant to the Associated Hospital Director

In October 2006 I formed and directed “The Ride for Pride”, who’s first ride took place in July 2007.  “The Ride for Pride” is an annual charitable motorcycle ride which donates all proceeds to Edith Nourse Roger Memorial Veterans Hospital Veteran’s Services.  In addition to being the founding member of the “The Ride for Pride”, I am a member of the Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association (New Hampshire Chapter V) as well as, being the associations’ webmaster.

In my spare time, I study karate and have a Brown Belt in Uechiru style and I am currently preparing for my Black Belt in Shaolin Kempo style.  I am also active in numerous Veteran functions and activities, especially those that allow me to ride and participate on my motorcycle.  Any remaining spare time that I have is on my motorcycle.

Genevieve Backus
New Hampshire NRCS recently brought on another Student Conservation Association (SCA) intern to serve as the Communications and Information Specialist and Earth Team State Volunteer Coordinator for 12-months. Genevieve Backus, of Milwaukee, WI, will be replacing Melissa Hemken who has completed her term of assignment.

Genevieve Backus attended Milwaukee Public Arts Schools, focusing on the viola. In college, she decided her true calling was writing and was accepted into University of Wisconsin-Madison’s Journalism School. While gaining basic reporting skills, she excelled in Public Relations and Advertising courses, earning a degree in Strategic Communications.

Through college Genevieve worked in Dr. Walt Stevenson’s vegetable pathology lab, where she became an integral part of the student research team. Focused on curbing common blight in Wisconsin’s potato fields, she developed an interest in U.S. agriculture and food systems, and a love for field work.

After graduating in 2006, Genevieve spent time indulging her first passion, soaking in the arts and culture of Europe. She also pursued more field know-how, working at a small garden shop, and food knowledge while working at Whole Foods Market.

As a Student Conservation Association intern, Genevieve looks forward to combining her communications and agricultural backgrounds at the Natural Resources Conservation Service in Durham, New Hampshire.

< Back to News...