Virginia Tech has a long history of supporting CRC’s Scientific and Technical Advisory Committee (STAC). Brian Benham serves as chair of STAC, and Kurt Stephenson was recently appointed to the Executive Board. In addition, several VT researchers also serve on STAC, including Tess Thompson, Gene Yagow (retired), and Zach Easton, who recently led the review of the Chesapeake Bay Program’s Phase 6 Watershed Model. Virginia Tech members of STAC all work on watershed-level issues, including hydrology, watershed modeling, environmental economics, and pollutant issues.

As Chair, Benham serves as the link between STAC and the Chesapeake Bay Program. STAC provides independent scientific advice to CBP on a wide range of issues, including nutrient loads, watershed modeling, and more. He attends a range of meetings and acts as a liaison to all facets of STAC. While serving as Chair, Benham continues his work on developing and implementing local total maximum daily loads (TMDLs) at his extension research appointment.

As a member of the Executive Board, Stephenson and other board members act as a sounding board for the Chair. Their primary function is to shape the priorities and agenda of STAC. His research focuses on market-based environmental policies, water resource economics and policy, and economic analysis in public policy. Before he was involved with STAC, Stephenson co-authored several reviews, including in 1996 and in 2010.

Since STAC’s beginnings, Virginia Tech faculty have participated in and led STAC. STAC’s inaugural Chair was served by Dr. Clifford Randall for 21 years, and Dr. Waldon Kerns served multiple terms of chairs in the mid-1990’s. “There’s certainly a focus on service at Virginia Tech,” explained Benham, “including service to our community, the state, our environment, and Chesapeake Bay.” Benham and Stephenson noted that the university’s motto, “That I May Serve,” influences the culture of service at Tech.