CEO
Ezra is originally from Saranac Lake and spent 10 years working in academia in Kentucky, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin. Ezra moved back to Saranac Lake in 2012 with a goal to use his passion for research to improve regional social and environmental issues.
Ezra uses research expertise to guide our processes, including program design, data analysis and project evaluation. By combining ecological research with print and digital media, Adirondack Research is able to communicate science to help our clients reach their policy goals.
Ezra’s work with the Intervale Lowlands Preserve in Lake Placid recently won an Environmental Excellence Award from the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation and his work with Adirondack Council and Adirondack Action is changing the way policy advocates use science in state and regional decision-making.
Ezra’s Curriculum Vita can be viewed here
GIS Engineer
Boris Vitlic is a full-stack GIS engineer specializing in the development of advanced geospatial applications and web mapping systems. He holds a Master’s degree in GIS Science and Geography and a Bachelor’s degree in Geography from the University of Zadar.
Boris has extensive experience designing and building scalable geospatial software solutions, combining modern web development frameworks with spatial analysis and mapping technologies. His work integrates tools such as React, Node.js, PostGIS, Mapbox, and cloud infrastructure platforms including AWS. Through this combination of software engineering and GIS expertise, he develops mapping systems capable of handling complex spatial datasets and interactive applications.
At Adirondack Research, Boris supports the development of interactive web maps and spatial data systems used by conservation organizations, municipalities, and research initiatives. His work helps translate geographic data into intuitive mapping platforms that allow users to explore landscapes, infrastructure, and conservation information in dynamic ways.
Federal Contracts Acquisitions Assistant
Louise Gava supports Adirondack Research with project coordination, operational strategy, and research related to government programs and funding opportunities. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Biology from St. Lawrence University and has built a career managing complex programs that connect communities with renewable energy resources.
Prior to joining the Adirondack Research team, Louise served as Director of Operations and Regulatory Affairs at Joule Assets, where she managed operational processes supporting more than 100,000 renewable energy accounts across New York State. Her work involved coordinating municipalities, utilities, energy suppliers, and regulatory agencies within a rapidly evolving energy marketplace. She also founded Northern Power & Light, a company focused on connecting renewable energy producers with local consumers.
Louise brings extensive experience in regulatory analysis, strategic planning, and multi-stakeholder program management. At Adirondack Research, she contributes to organizational development, federal opportunity research, and project coordination, helping the team identify new partnerships and deliver complex projects efficiently.
Certified Arborist
Randall Swanson brings decades of experience in forestry, arboriculture, and natural resources management to his work with Adirondack Research. He holds a Master of Science in Natural Resources Management with a concentration in Urban Forestry from the University of Michigan and a Bachelor of Science in Forestry from the same institution. Randall has spent much of his career teaching and mentoring the next generation of environmental professionals as a professor in the Arboriculture and Landscape Management program at Paul Smith’s College, where he has coordinated curriculum development, advised students, and served as the primary instructor for numerous courses.
He is an ISA Certified Arborist and a New York State Certified Pesticide Applicator, with professional affiliations that include the International Society of Arboriculture and the New York State Arborists’ Association.
Randall supports Adirondack Research projects with his extensive knowledge of forest health, tree management, and applied field practices. His long-standing connection to the Adirondack region and his background in both research and practical land management bring valuable perspective to the team’s work in conservation and natural resource stewardship.
GIS Specialist
Karen Ruiz is a GIS and data visualization specialist who supports Adirondack Research with spatial data management, mapping workflows, and geospatial analysis. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Geography from Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile and has additional training in ontological coaching from Escuela Protagonista de Cambio.
Karen specializes in transforming complex datasets into clear, actionable geographic information. Her experience includes developing interactive maps and spatial dashboards using platforms such as ArcGIS and QGIS, as well as producing high-quality cartographic outputs using tools like Adobe Illustrator and Power BI.
At Adirondack Research, Karen plays a key role in preparing and organizing GIS datasets used in mapping and analysis projects. Her work includes structuring spatial databases, managing attribute tables, and preparing data for web mapping platforms such as ArcGIS Online. By ensuring that geospatial data is clean, accurate, and well organized, she helps support mapping applications, conservation planning, and environmental research projects.
Cartographer
Roman, originally from Ukraine, currently resides in Kyiv. He graduated from Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv in 2013, earning a master's degree in Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and Cartography. Since then, he has consistently worked in the fields of cartographic design, geospatial analysis, and the processing of remotely sensed data.
In recent years, Roman has balanced his role as an external expert at one of the Ukrainian ministries (Minregion) with freelance projects. His work at Minregion primarily involves contributing to the implementation of administrative-territorial reform by handling tasks related to cartography and geospatial data collection and processing.
In this capacity at Adirondack Research, he focuses on cartographic design and data visualization, creating various thematic maps, layouts, and graphs for both print and web applications.
Lead Designer
Claire Rosenfield serves as Lead Designer at Adirondack Research, where she oversees the development of visual materials that support conservation, recreation, and environmental education initiatives. Her work focuses on translating complex information into clear, engaging design solutions that help organizations communicate effectively with the public.
Claire is a graphic designer from the San Francisco Bay Area who is passionate about applying design to environmental challenges. She graduated from the University of California, Berkeley with a Bachelor of Arts in Sustainable Environmental Design. Claire began her graphic design career while living in New Zealand, where she developed a strong interest in using visual communication to help people connect more deeply with the natural environment.
Prior to working with Adirondack Research, Claire contributed to environmental design projects in New Zealand, India, and California. Her background in sustainability and planning informs her design approach, allowing her to create materials that not only communicate information clearly but also support stewardship of natural landscapes.
At Adirondack Research, Claire leads the design process for projects such as interpretive signage, trailhead kiosks, maps, brochures, and other visual materials used by land trusts, municipalities, and conservation organizations. In her spare time, she enjoys surfing along the California coastline, hiking in the Sierra Nevada, and creating artwork.
Director of Field Operations
Justin graduated in 2023 from Siena College with a degree in Environmental Studies. At Siena he took classes on invasive species, GIS, and was involved in the national Snapshot USA study for the previous 4 years. Through his education at Siena, Justin also studied abroad in Ireland and traveled to 16 countries during his time in Europe and is looking forward to the next adventure!
Justin grew up in the Finger Lakes and enjoys spending days out on the water. He has previously worked for the Finger Lakes Institute with their boat steward program working to stop the spread of and educate the public on aquatic invasive species. Justin grew up camping in the Adirondacks with his family, eventually going onto become an Eagle Scout. He has spent many weekends enjoying all the Adirondacks has to offer.
