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Jeff Orchard

DIRECTOR

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Jeff's family has a long history in Meddybemps and he currently owns property in the village that was purchased and built upon in 1955 by his grandfather, Lewis Campbell. Lewis Campbell's wife Grace was born on Green Hill, and was sister to the legendary Trapper Lombard. That property became Jeff's parents retirement home in 1977, and has since passed to his brother and himself. It is situated right at the outlet of the lake, the headwaters of the Dennys River.

Jeff grew up spending summers and holidays at the lake. After his retirement, he moved back to the area and has continued to enjoy and celebrate the lake in all seasons. In his spare time, Jeff enjoys rock hounding, aerial imagery, writing (currently working on his second book, The Geology and Natural History of Meddybemps Lake), tinkering and making pretty good margaritas.

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Education

After graduating from Pinkerton Academy in Derry (NH), Jeff attended Keene State College for a year with an eye toward becoming a biology teacher. A 2 month stint as a substitute teacher showed him the error of his ways. Jeff transferred to the University of NH where he majored in Geology, completing almost 3 years of study before life interrupted. The lack of a formal degree has only encouraged Jeff to further his education on his own.

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Professional Background (which in Jeff's case might also be titled “Additional Education”)

Right out of college Jeff spent 12 years as a professional firefighter, reaching the rank of Lieutenant and serving as arson investigator in East Derry, NH. That schedule allowed him to engage in one of his lifelong passions: aviation. As a commercial pilot and flight instructor, Jeff has accumulated over 8000 hours in the air, much of it spent saying “the other left”. Jeff still holds the NH State Distance Record in a 15 meter sailplane, at 165 miles. He has had several rewarding careers, including work in wind energy, manufacturing management, construction management of remediation projects, and finally putting Biology and Geology together as a NH Certified Wetland Scientist (#55). Jeff's last 25 years of professional employment has been as an environmental consultant, specializing in wetland restoration.

 

Professional Affiliations

  • Meddybemps Lake Land Trust Board of Directors

  • Lake Meddybemps Association Board Member

  • Marion Transfer Station Vice Chairman

  • Director and Captain on the Charlotte Volunteer Fire Department

  • Charlotte Planning Board Secretary

  • Charlotte Conservation Commission

  • State Certified Fire Instructor I & II.

  • Other former affiliations

    • Founding member of New Hampshire Association of Arson Investigators

    • Founding member of New Hampshire Association of Wetland Scientists

    • AssociateProfessor of Wind Energy Technology, University of NH, 1983-84

    • Interim Director of the Prince William Sound Conservation Alliance, Valdez Alaska 1989

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