Our Staff

Joanna Ashford
UK Recycling

Joanna has served as the Recycling Coordinator for the University of Kentucky since 2018. She continues to work with campus partners to minimize waste and find creative solutions to waste generated. As staff advisor for Lexington Environmental Youth Outreach, Joanna is passionate about environmental education and outreach!

Sophie Beavin
UK Office of Sustainability

Sophie is a Graduate Assistant for the Office of Sustainability. She is currently pursuing her Master of Public Administration with an emphasis on environmental and sustainability policy.

Carlie Laughlin
UK Office of Sustainability

Carlie Laughlin is a Faculty Programs Coordinator for the Office of Sustainability. She is also a graduate student pursuing her MA in Applied Environmental and Sustainability Studies.

Courtney McCarthy
UK Center for Applied Energy Research

Courtney McCarthy is the Assistant Director for Facilities and Operations at UK CAER. Since 2009, she has managed over $25 million in construction and renovation projects. Courtney and her team oversee UK CAER’s infrastructure and daily operation of the facilities, health and safety, informational technology and capital construction. 

Dave Melanson
UK Center for Applied Energy Research

Dave is a Assistant Director for External Affairs and Development at UK CAER. He has worked at UK for more than 17 years, serving in variety of communications, marketing, alumni relations, public relations, and philanthropy roles. Dave also serves as the Staff Representative on UK’s Board of Trustees.

Esther Moberly
UK Recycling

Esther Moberly works as the Waste Recycling Trucking Manager for the University of Kentucky, managing all municipal solid waste for the University of Kentucky, including UK Campus, athletics facilities, off campus facilities, and UK Healthcare.   This includes landfill waste, recycling, organics and waste diversion efforts.  She has over 20 years of experience in environmental issues and education, waste management and diversion.

Thomas Pinkerton
UK Center for Applied Energy Research

Thomas is a multimedia specialist at the UK Center for Applied Energy Research. After graduating with his Masters in Library Science in 2012 from UK, he soon began work at CAER in tech services: managing web and print design, databases, and conference planning.

Kevin Puckett
UK Center for Applied Energy Research

Kevin is a Senior Communicaton Officer at UK CAER and statewide for KY NSF EPSCoR, specializing in brand strategy, graphic design, and motion design, while also embracing social media marketing, story mining / journalism, and event planning. A freelance designer for 12 years, he also serves as an active member of No Trademark Lexington, a think-tank for Lexington creative professionals.

Shane Tedder
UK Office of Sustainability

Shane Tedder has served as the Sustainability Coordinator for the University of Kentucky since 2009.  In this position he supports a wide range of programs and initiatives including serving on the President’s Sustainability Advisory Committee, the Faculty Sustainability Council and as the staff advisor to the Student Sustainability Council.  His office is active in policy development and planning processes for the University and led the development of the University’s first Sustainability Strategic Plan. This includes an Implementation Plan for UK’s Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reduction Commitment. He frequently guest lectures in a variety courses and works to make sure the campus of the University is available as a living laboratory for students and faculty.

Tiana Thé
UK Office of The President

Tiana Thé graduated from the University of Kentucky in 2019 with bachelor’s degrees in Environmental and Sustainability Studies, Political Science, and Philosophy. She currently serves as Communication Coordinator in the Office of the President, and she is working toward a master’s degree in Geography.

Hannah Phillips
UK Recycling

Olivia Tussey