Meet the team at Gracie & Harrigan Consulting Foresters, Inc.!
Heather J. Gracie-Petty, CF, Chairman of the Board, holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Natural Resource/Forest Management from Cook College, Rutgers University, 1984. She has served on the Executive Committee of the New Jersey Division of the Society of American Foresters, and has been named a Fellow by the Society of American Foresters. She is a Certified Forester (CF) through the Society of American Foresters. For her ongoing accomplishments in continuing education and professional practice, she has been awarded the Bronze and Silver Hard Hat Awards by the American Forest Foundation for her active participation in the New Jersey Tree Farm Program. In 2001, she was awarded the Silas B. Little Award for her longtime service to the New Jersey Division of the Society of American Foresters. She served as a trustee and also as Stewardship committee chair for the Raritan Headwaters Association (formerly the Upper Raritan Watershed Association). She is also an active participant with the Central Jersey Invasive Species Strike Team. She is owner of a Certified Tree Farm and Christmas tree farm in New Hampshire.
Christina Harrigan, CF, Vice-President, holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Natural Resource/Forest Management and Applied Ecology from Rutgers University, 1989. She served on the Executive Committee of the New Jersey Division of the Society of American Foresters for more than seven years, and held several offices including Vice Chair. She was twice awarded the Certificate of Continuing Forestry Education Accomplishment by the Society of American Foresters, and has achieved Certified Forester (CF) status for ongoing accomplishments in continuing education and professional practice. She has also named a Presidential Field Forester by the Society of American Foresters. She was also awarded the Bronze Hard Hat and the Silver Hard Hat Awards by the American Forest Foundation for her active participation in the New Jersey Tree Farm Program. She has served on the NJ Highlands Council’s Sustainable Forestry Technical Advisory Committee, and on the NJ Forestry Association’s Highlands Advisory Committee. She is currently an officer for the NJ Tree Farm Committee.
Steven W. Kallesser, CF, President, holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Natural Resource Management, and Bachelor of Science degree in Environmental Science from Rutgers University, where he graduated with high honors in 2000. In 2005, he achieved Certified Forester (CF) status for his ongoing accomplishments in continuing education and professional practice. He began working with the firm in 1999 as a Student Associate. He was the Chairman of the New Jersey Division of the Society of American Foresters. An active volunteer with Scouting America, he was Conservation Chairman for the Northern New Jersey Council for about 20 years, as well as the Scoutmaster of his sons' troop for 3 years. He has served on the NJ Farm Bureau Highlands Advisory Committee as well as the NJ Forestry Association’s Highlands Advisory Committee. In 2008, he was named Forester of the Year by the Allegheny Society of American Foresters, which serves a five-state area. He is recognized as a Fellow by the Society of American Foresters, and has been recognized regionally and nationally in the fields of leadership and communications.
Alex Kelchner, CF, Senior Associate Forester, holds an Associate of Applied Science degree in Forest Technology, and a Bachelor of Science degree in Ecological Forest Management from Paul Smith’s College, where he graduated with honors: Cum Laude in 2014. Prior to joining the firm, he was employed as a Field Forester from 2014 to 2015, and as a Field Forester Intern from 2012 to 2014. He has received several awards in physical fitness and cross country, and was an active member of both his high school and college cross country teams. His hobbies include bow hunting, hiking, camping, backpacking and farming. He is an active volunteer leader within the NJ Tree Farm Committee.
Jacquelyn Johnson, CCF, Associate Forester, holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Ecology, Evolution, and Natural Resources from Rutgers University, where she graduated in 2023. While at Rutgers, she worked at the Chrysler Herbarium, assisted with a comprehensive tree inventory of the Cook/Douglass Campus, obtained a wetland delineation certification, volunteered for tree planting projects, and received the E.B. Moore Forestry Award. She is the Chair-Elect of the NJ Division of the Allegheny Society of American Foresters, and is a board member of the International Society of Arboriculture's New Jersey Chapter. Her interests are gardening, plant propogation, food systems, hiking, foraging, beekeeping, and road trips to nurseries and farm stands.
