Our Staff

Robert T. Zappalorti, Executive Director

Robert T. Zappalorti founded Herpetological Associates, Inc. (HA) in the spring of 1977. The firm specializes in the conservation and ecology of threatened and endangered amphibians and reptiles. Robert has conducted extensive scientific research on the bog turtle, wood turtle, redbelly turtle, timber rattlesnake, corn snake, pine snake, blue-spotted salamander, tiger salamander, southern gray treefrog, Pine Barrens treefrog, and many other species. He specializes in conservation and mitigation plans and was the first herpetologist to build hibernacula for snakes and other wildlife in natural habitat areas. Robert has also conducted wildlife inventories, intensive herpetological studies, and presence or absence surveys for a variety of clients. He has served as an expert witness and provided testimony in State and County Courthouses and before numerous Township Planning Boards. Robert is a published author of many books, scientific papers, and articles on herpetology. He is also an accomplished wildlife photographer, with photo credits in numerous books and magazines, including National Geographic Magazine. He has served as the official herpetological consultant to the Endangered and Nongame Species Program, Division of Fish and Wildlife, New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, the Division of Coastal Resources (CAFRA), the New Jersey Pinelands Commission, The Trust for Public Land, and The Nature Conservancy.
     Prior to starting HA, he was Associate Curator of Herpetology and Education at the Staten Island Zoological Society in New York between 1974 to1977. Robert also was a Reptile Keeper at the Staten Island Zoological Society between 1964 and 1974, and worked under the late Carl F. Kauffeld.

Michael E. Torocco, Regional Manager, Pennsylvania

Michael E. Torocco is a herpetologist specializing in field surveys for Pennsylvania’s endangered and threatened herpetofauna and works extensively with the federally threatened bog turtle. He is recognized as a qualified bog turtle surveyor in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, and Maryland. Also an expert in the ecology of the New Jersey Pine Barrens, Michael has assisted in original research on the timber rattlesnake, pine snake, corn snake, and Pine Barrens treefrog. This research has included presence or absence surveys, radiotelemetry, habitat analysis, and nesting studies. His interest in the ecology of reptiles and amphibians has led Michael to assist in international research on the Aruba Island rattlesnake and montane Mexican herpetofauna. Mr. Torocco received a Bachelor of Science degree in Natural Resource Management from Rutgers University and a Master of Science degree in Biology from Sul Ross State University. He has been with Herpetological Associates since 1994.

Tessa M. Bickhart, Regional Manager, Pennsylvania

Tessa M. Bickhart is a biologist specializing in turtles. She is currently recognized as a qualified bog turtle expert in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware. Tessa is dedicated to the conservation and study of turtles, and has focused her research on bog turtles, redbelly turtles, spotted turtles, wood turtles, and box turtles. A proficient botanist, her strengths include plant identification and community classification. Her interests in wetland ecology have lead to her studies on the impact of invasive plant species on wetland communities and turtle behavior. Tessa earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Biology at West Chester University in West Chester, Pennsylvania and has worked with Herpetological Associates since 2001.

Michael McGraw, Wildlife Ecologist

Michael McGraw is a biologist with experience in herpetology and ornithology. He started with the Pennsylvania office of Herpetological Associates in March 2003. Since then Michael has assisted with various surveys for bog turtles, timber rattlesnakes, and other threatened and endangered species surveys in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware. Prior to working with HA, he assisted with research on the northern pine snake and timber rattlesnake at the Army National Guard’s Warren Grove Bombing Range, in Ocean and Burlington Counties, New Jersey, for Drexel University, which included intensive radio-telemetry. Competent with bird identification and an understanding of their habitats, Michael is also qualified to assist with bird inventories and presence or absence surveys. He received his Bachelors of Science in Environmental Science from Drexel University in 2002, with a focus on ecology.

Raymond Farrell, Regional Manager, New York

Raymond Farrell is a herpetologist and turtle ecologist. He has worked for Herpetological Associates for over twenty-five years. Ray’s specialty is with the ecology of endangered and threatened turtles of the Northeast, and is recognized as a qualified bog turtle surveyor in New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania. He has assisted with research on the bog turtle, wood turtle, timber rattlesnake, pine snake, and corn snake. Radiotelemetry and monitoring snake movements, plotting animal locations with GPS, presence or absence surveys, and habitat analysis were included as part of these projects. Ray graduated from the American Institute of Banking and majored in Accounting and Finance at Pace University.

Ted Gordon, Senior Staff Botanist

A graduate of Rutgers University and a past president of the Philadelphia Botanical Society (1988–2000), Ted Gordon is a leading authority on the habitats and flora of the New Jersey Pine Barrens. Ted is a research specialist in rare and endangered plant species with more than 35 years experience in botanical studies, including contributions to major plant studies of endangered species in the Pinelands. Equally competent in the vegetation of the entire state and the northeastern United States, Ted primarily conducts rare species surveys and research, monitors habitats, and designs management plans for the conservation and enhancement of rare plants. He has experience in testifying as a botanical expert in court and at administrative hearings.
     Since 1990, Ted has been an instructor in the Rutgers University Short Course, teaching wetland plant species identification to professional consultants. After chairing the Forestry Advisory Committee of the Pinelands Commission for ten years, Ted served as a Pinelands Commissioner from 1999 to 2002. He has been with HA since May 1994 .

Matthew P. McCort, Regional Manager, New Jersey

Matthew P. McCort has been with Herpetological Associates, Inc. since 2000. Specializing in the ecology of the reptiles and amphibians of the northeastern United States, Matthew is recognized as a qualified bog turtle surveyor in New Jersey. Matthew has assisted in research on and conducted surveys for endangered, threatened, and rare wildlife species throughout the northeastern states as well as in South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, and Aruba. In addition to his interest in reptiles, amphibians, and birds, Matthew is proficient in GIS analysis. As a project manager, Matthew interacts with clients in order to tailor projects to each client’s specific needs. Matthew has Bachelor of Science degree in Environmental Studies from the Richard Stockton College of New Jersey.

Dave W. Schneider, Regional Manager, New Jersey

Working out of the New Jersey office, David W. Schneider conducts surveys and oversees various tasks dealing with the study of endangered and threatened reptiles and amphibians in the northeast and southeastern United States. David has 30 years experience with New Jersey Pine Barrens species and is an expert in the ecology of this region. David is also recognized as a qualified bog turtle surveyor by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in New Jersey. David has been employed by Herpetological Associates, Inc. since 2000, and has earned an Associate of Science degree in Biology from Burlington County College and a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology from Richard Stockton College.