The Scouter Digest Staff

Joe Sullivan is a Professor and Associate Dean for Academic Programs in the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources at the University of Maryland.  He received his PhD in Plant Physiology from Clemson University in 1985 when he joined the University as a Faculty Research Associate in the Department of Botany.  As Associate Dean, he is responsible for administration and coordination of all academic programs in the college.  He formally taught courses in Environmental Science, Plant Structure and Function, Forest Ecology, Vegetation Sampling and Data Analysis and Advanced Plant Ecophysiology and directs the Urban Forestry program for the Department of Plant Science and Landscape Architecture.  He served from 2015 to 2017 as the Interim Director of the Environmental Science and Policy program.

His research area on the response of plants (trees and forests in particular) to environmental stress has resulted in over 75 book chapters, monographs and  peer-reviewed publications on diverse plants and ecosystems from the Boreal forests of Canada to the southern Appalachian spruce-fir forests to the urban forests of Baltimore and has been awarded in excess of $2M to the University for his research.  He has advised 29 Masters and 43 PhD students as major advisor or committee member and has mentored over 20 undergraduate students in their research.  He serves in leadership positions and board members for organizations such as the Maryland Agricultural Education Foundation, the mid-Atlantic chapter of the International Society of Arborists, the Mid-Atlantic Section of Plant Biologists and the Ecological Society of America, Mid-Atlantic Region.

Joe Sullivan has a long history of involvement in Scouting as a Scout and later Scouter.  He received his Eagle Scout Award as a 13-year-old on September 7, 1969 and following that received the Bronze, Silver and Gold Palms.  He served as an Assistant Scout Master and Merit Badge Counselor during the 1970’s and served again as a Scouter with his two sons, one in National Capital and one in Baltimore.   He currently works with a team of current and former scouters at the University of Maryland to promote STEM educational opportunities for Scouts through the University.

Please join us tonight at 6:00pm as we recognize Joe and his fellow 2021 NOESA Honorees. To reserve your seat, please visit www.NCACBSA.org/NOESA.

Josh Batten is an Executive Partner with Gartner Inc., the world’s foremost research and advisory company employing more than 15,000 employees globally. In this role, he directly contributes to the business and mission success of multiple national-level federal organizations by serving as a trusted adviser and thought partner to C-Suite Executives, Senior Executive Service members, and military Flag Officers from across the U.S. Government. Focusing on organizational evolution and business optimization, Josh leverages more than 25 years of experience as an accomplished leader in both the public and private sectors to help federal agencies develop and execute complex business and resource strategies that cost-effectively save time, increase performance, and maximize impact of investments.

Immediately prior to joining Gartner, Josh served as the Chief Technology Officer and acting CIO for the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration within the U.S. Department of Transportation where his primary focus was to drive innovation throughout the organization and deliver business value to 1,100 geographically-dispersed agency employees, 500,000 commercial carrier companies, 12,000 State personnel, and 5 million commercial driver license holders who relied heavily on agency-managed IT services.

Previously, as a federal civilian, Josh served in a variety of positions of increasing responsibility including Deputy G-38 for Headquarters, Department of the Army, where he was responsible for managing policy, oversight, and enabling activities for Army Counter-Improvised Explosive Device and Explosive Ordnance Disposal capability development and operational support; Deputy Director for Capability Development in a Department of Defense sensitive special operations organization where he provided innovative technology and training solutions to support high-risk operations; and Intelligence Officer and technical program manager with the Defense Intelligence Agency where he managed capability development and integration initiatives. He was also a small business owner providing emerging technology discovery, assessment, and integration for special operations and intelligence community clients.

Josh began his public service career as an Infantryman assigned to the 3d U.S. Infantry (The Old Guard) in Washington DC where he was selected to be a Sentinel at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier (badge #421). Additionally, he has served as a military reservist in the Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve, deploying multiple times in support of Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom. Josh has a BA in History, is a graduate of the Harvard Senior Executive Fellows and Cornell Executive Leadership Certificate programs, and is certified as a Project Management Professional.

Growing up in rural West Virginia, Josh has been involved with Scouting since he was a youth. Having previously served in various unit, district, and council positions over the years, he currently serves in the National Capital Area Council in multiple capacities. In addition to earning the rank of Eagle Scout, he is a recipient of the Silver Beaver, the Community Organization Award (Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal), and the God and Service adult religious award. He is a life member of the National Eagle Scout Association, a member of the Order of the Arrow (originally Shenshawpotoo 276), a James E. West Fellow, and a fellow with several alumni legacy societies. A strong proponent of preserving scouting’s heritage, Josh served for a number of years on the Shenandoah Area Council history committee, as adult adviser for the Virginia OA 100^th Anniversary history display at the 2015 SR-7A section conclave, and routinely displays historical material at local area events to increase public awareness of scouting’s influence on society. He has also attended Wood Badge, Sea Badge, and Powderhorn training and was registered as staff for the 2021 National Jamboree…before COVID delayed the event.

Most importantly though, Josh and his wife, Christie, are the proud parents of two young scouts, Sarah (Webelo/GSUSA Junior) and David (Tiger), who both love the outdoors, nature, and exploring the world.

Please join us tomorrow, June 2nd at 6:00pm as we recognize Josh and his fellow 2021 NOESA Honorees. To become a sponsor for this event, please visit www.NCACBSA.org/NOESA. Proceeds will go towards providing Eagle Scout Recognition Kits for new Eagle Scouts in the National Capital Area Council.