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Judith F. Taggart Judith Taggart is the founder and Chairman of JT&A, inc, the premier environmental outreach and education company known for the series of EnviroScape® models used throughout the U.S. and abroad, and the organization behind the National Mitigation & Ecosystem Banking Conference. Even before she established JT&A in 1984, Judy Taggart was known for translating technical and scientific materials into simple terms for the citizen – the lay audience. She was instrumental in developing many programs and materials still in use today -- she wrote and designed the first educational and outreach materials on nonpoint source pollution for the U.S. EPA, the materials for American Wetlands Month, organized the first few years of American Wetland Month celebrations, developed the first National Watershed Conference, and produced materials for Audubon’s America. Judy Taggart also served as the leader of the Education Working Group for the Forum on Nonpoint Source Pollution convened by the Conservation Fund and the National Geographic, and as the U.S. Delegate to the RAMSAR Convention. She has served a number of organizations, beginning with the North American Lake Management Society, for whom she operated its national office, developed its publications, and managed its growth from less than 200 members to more than 2,000. She assumed the management of the not-for-profit Terrene for a number of years. Judy Taggart’s extensive background in environmental issues and her work with the many different sectors surrounding these issues, has established her as one of the leaders in the environmental arena. She is well known for her ability to achieve a balanced approach, thus enabling JT&A to succeed with the National Mitigation & Ecosystem Banking Conference as well as its flagship product: the series of EnviroScape® models used around the world as environmental education and communications tools. Before founding JT&A, Ms. Taggart taught journalism, composition courses and technical writing and editing as an associate professor at Prince George’s Community College, Largo, Md. As the advisor of the student newspaper, she guided students in publishing a paper that was recognized nationally for excellence. She also helped design the English curriculum at Johnson County Community College (Kansas City area), now a nationally known institution.
Carlene Bahler Since joining JT&A in 1992, Ms. Bahler has been involved in all aspects of a variety of projects from domestic, international, government, corporate and defense events and conferences to public outreach projects including the writing, editing and design of brochures, books, posters and extensive proceedings. Some of her major accomplishments include the development of the patented EnviroScape® series, now a series of six models plus accessories in use in all 50 states and internationally. Selected as one of 25 demonstration projects by the National Forum on Nonpoint Source Pollution, JT&A received a prestigious national award for EnviroScape®’s accomplishments. Ms. Bahler assumed direct responsibility for the National Mitigation & Ecosystem Banking Conference in its third year, working closely with the steering committee to grow this Conference from 200 to nearly 500 in its 13th year in 2010. Responsible for all aspects of JT&A’s corporate life, including projects, budgets, and the legal, personnel and financial obligations of JT&A, perhaps her most significant accomplishment is her success in moving JT&A from a 100% services company to the primarily product-based company of today, while significantly increasing JT&A’s profitability and net worth. Prior to joining JT&A, inc., Ms. Bahler worked for the U.S. Foreign Agricultural Service at the Office of the U.S. Special Trade Representative in Geneva and at the Embassy in East Berlin, for the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Administration at the U.S. Department of Agriculture in Washington, D.C, and for Senator Robert Dole (Kansas). Ms. Bahler graduated cum laude with a Bachelor Degree in Marketing from Georgia State University.
Lura T. Svestka Lura Svestka is Senior Vice President of JT&A, responsible for the smooth operation of JT&A on a daily basis. Her impeccable attention to detail and design has contributed to JT&A’s reputation for quality products and services and translated to the successful management of the assembly and fulfillment of EnviroScape® products and the National Mitigation & Ecosystem Banking Conference materials and web site. Ms. Svestka designed and maintains the web site for EnviroScape® and the National Mitigation & Ecosystem Banking Conference. She designs all materials for EnviroScape® and the Conference, and processes all EnviroScape® orders, working closely with JT&A’s fulfillment center. In addition, Ms. Svestka oversees the day to day operations of JT&A including accounting and personnel. Since joining JT&A in 1985, Ms. Svestka has been directly involved in all aspects of the business. She supervises the production work flow through editors, proofers and artists, graphic design and printers and direct mail houses. Ms. Svestka provides graphic design for many JT&A materials such as proceedings, manuals, books, newsletters, journals, magazines, brochures and other outreach materials. She has also managed conference registration procedures and list maintenance for many of JT&A’s clients. She took on the assembly and fulfillment of the Enviroscape® models when JT&A moved its fulfillment in-house in 1998. As EnviroScape®’s manufacturing and assembly needs grew beyond its in-house capacity, Ms. Svestka was responsible for the smooth transition of EnviroScape® operations to an outside source a few years later. Prior to joining JT&A, Ms. Svestka assisted with preparing and handling President Reagan’s briefings, including graphic arts and editorial responsibilities. She worked in all aspects of public information, responding to most of the public phone calls to The White House as well as general correspondence. Earlier in her career, Ms. Svestka served as assistant to the director of government relations for Grocery Manufacturers of America, Inc., a prestigious trade association of the leading manufacturers of food and non-food products sold in grocery stores. She was responsible for arranging and executing a monthly Public Policy meeting, featuring a Congressman as guest speaker. She also prepared booklets and materials on legislative issues, handled mass mailings and made travel arrangements. At one time, Ms. Svestka owned a wholesale bakery, which operated five days a week, averaging 2,000 items daily that were sold through a vending operation in downtown Washington. She supervised two employees and managed all phases of the business, including bookkeeping and clerical duties along with the actual production. She sold the business to Cookie Cafe.
Erin Foster Erin Foster has served as Director of Marketing for JT&A’s EnviroScape ® series since 2001, and has been with JT&A since 1998. Ms. Foster is an integral part of JT&A, with knowledge in all aspects of JT&A’s operations, marketing and product development. She launched herself into marketing EnviroScape® by successfully making the first sales of Enviroscape® to middle schools with cold calls. From there, she was instrumental in the development and launch of EnviroScape®’s Tools for Schools program which enabled the successful integration of EnviroScape® products into many school systems throughout the United States. Ms. Foster continues to promote EnviroScape® through trade shows and fairs, advertising and direct marketing. She is responsible for identifying new opportunities and strategies for increasing EnviroScape®’s market share, and for developing new marketing materials and training programs. She is also involved in the development of new products, working closely with others in the office and those on the review committees from the start through completion of new and improved products. Most recently, Ms. Foster was responsible for the successful creation and completion of a custom order through a new process and relationship she helped JT&A establish. Ms. Foster maintains contact with customers to ensure their questions and needs are being met – a critical part of the success of JT&A. As a senior staff member of JT&A, Ms. Foster participates in other projects when needed, such as site selection and onsite assistance for JT&A’s National Mitigation & Ecosystem Banking Conference. She also is involved in JT&A’s company-wide planning and strategy. Prior to joining JT&A, Ms. Foster worked at Lane Community College in Eugene, Oregon.
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