Our Leadership

Michael Bagley | Executive Director
Mike Bagley joined Project U.S.E. in 1987 as a Field Instructor with the Wildcat Mountain Wilderness Center. He spent five years as an instructor and Field Coordinator at Wildcat, and then another five years as Program Director. In 1997 Mike moved to Annapolis, Maryland to create the Schooner Imagine. . . !, a 76-foot wooden sailboat that provided educational and recreational programs on the Chesapeake Bay. He “returned home” to Project U.S.E. in 2006 as Executive Director.

Mike’s education includes a Bachelor’s degree from Hartwick College in Oneonta, New York and graduate studies at Catholic University in Washington, DC. His outdoor training began with a 30-day mountaineering course in Wyoming with the National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS) in 1985. He has been a Coast Guard-licensed captain since 1995.

mbagley@projectuse.org | (973) 645-0080 ext. 302

Tracy Semar| Wildcat Mountain Wilderness Center Director
Tracy Semar joined the Project U.S.E. family in the spring of 2011 as a Field Instructor. A life-long tree-hugger, Tracy grew up in New York and eventually attended Queens College where she received her BA in Psychology and Studio Arts. After graduation she set out to fulfill her dream of thru-hiking the Appalachian Trail from Georgia to Maine. Upon her return, she was disillusioned with everyday life and missed the connection she had with the outdoors. By a stroke of good fortune Tracy discovered work in the Outdoor Education field and she has never looked back. Through her work she has been able to connect her love of nature with her passion for education. She is always on the look-out for her next adventure.

tsemar@projectuse.org | (973) 645-0080 ext. 306

Bog Goger | Professional Development Director
Bob Goger has long been associated with Project U.S.E., first as a volunteer and board member; then more recently coming aboard to help us expand our adult training programs. After working as a teacher and social worker in Puerto Rico and New York City, Bob returned to his native New Jersey to assume training and management positions in the State Departments of Health and Education. Among the original group of counselors to receive certification as a Substance Awareness Coordinator, he helped develop the first wave of student assistance programs in local districts throughout the state. More recently he has served as a SAC and Student Services Coordinator for the Montclair Schools.

Bob is a graduate of Fordham University (BA & MA); a biker (‘unmotored’); and a harried part-time beekeeper. He also spends some time each week at the Y as a certified fitness instructor and ropes course facilitator.

bgoger@projectuse.org | (973) 645-0080 ext. 305

Donna Hoffman | Business Manager
Donna Hoffman began working at Project U.S.E. as a part-time bookkeeper in the spring of 1994. With an educational background in accounting and business, she soon became the full-time bookkeeper as well as the executive secretary for Phil Costello. She continued to work here until December 2002, leaving when she was due with her second child, and so she could dedicate more time with her family. Over the years she has become very involved at her children’s preschool and serves on their board of directors. Donna gladly returned to Project U.S.E. in July 2006 to manage the business office.

dhoffman@projectuse.org | (973) 645-0080 ext. 304

Lisa Hutchings | Bookkeeper
Lisa Hutchings began working at Project U.S.E. in 1999 as an Administrative Assistant to Phil Costello and the Program Directors. She left in 2002 to care for her newborn daughter and enthusiastically returned in 2008 to assist with bookkeeping.

Prior to coming to Project U.S.E., Lisa lived in the Silicon Valley to work for McAfee as an antivirus and network management software technician. She then returned back to the east coast to work at as a financial manager Macy’s Headquarters in New York City. Lisa studied Early Childhood Education at Lynn University in Florida and Art & Design at UC Berkeley in San Francisco.

lhutchings@projectuse.org | (973) 645-0080 ext. 303

Marie Pasquariello | Boatbuilding & Park Works Coordinator
Marie Pasquariello joined Project U.S.E. in 2008 as the Boat Building Instructor teaching in three schools in Newark and Asbury Park in the spring. In the summer of 2008 Marie led an initiative in partnership with the Trust for Public Land to create and deliver a curriculum for a new landscaping and work experience program for Newark teens. She conducted the pilot of Park Works with ten employees at the Mildred Helms Park in the South Ward of Newark. Marie hopes that these programs will expand into more schools and parks in Newark and continue providing new experiences that foster empowerment, initiative, and a strong work ethic.

Marie holds a BA in Visual Arts and Mathematics (with a concentration in pedal powered devices) from Rutgers College. After graduation, she spent a season at The Alleged Farm in New York State. She prides herself in having an assortment of hobbies, including riding her bicycle, crafts, food and spirit making, building custom bicycle frames, and developing a viable hydroponics system for urban living.

mpasquariello@projectuse.org | (973) 645-0080 ext. 301

Carl Schmidt | Special Projects Director
Carl Schmidt was introduced to experiential education while taking classes through Washington State University in the late 1980’s. By 1995 he decided to give the industry a go and signed on with a challenge course construction company in New Jersey. Three years later Carl was asked by an industry friend to be part of a growing business opportunity in Long Island, New York and accepted. The next five years were spent developing a successful challenge course company with his good friend and founder. They went on to earn a Level III accreditation with the Association of Challenge Course Technology. With their goals achieved and his commitments over on Long Island, Carl settled back into New Jersey to become the Director of Special Projects at Project U.S.E. in 2003.

Carl attended Lebanon Valley College in Pennsylvania before starting his military career with the United State Air Force in 1985. He’s been in the industry for twelve years delivering full challenge course services throughout the east coast, in the mid-west and overseas.

(908) 884-0810

Lawrence Wilson | PREP Program Supervisor
Lawrence Wilson joined Project U.S.E. in 2010 as the Parks Re-Entry Program (PREP) Supervisor. Lawrence is committed to helping young adults experience a different way of living life. His personal mission is to give young adults the encouragement and the opportunity they need to see life from a different perspective. Lawrence has worked with physically and emotionally disadvantaged youth through Integrity House, Project Pride, and Newark’s Prisoner Re-Entry Program and as a Teaching Assistant in a horticulture program.

A lifelong Resident of Newark, Lawrence attended South Side High School and graduated from Independence High School. In his spare time he enjoys music, sports, and film.

(973) 645-0080 ext. 301