Jed Asher has been named facilities and grounds coordinator at the MSU Corey Marsh Ecological Research Center. He is the site’s first full-time facilities employee since its establishment in 2018.
Asher will work closely with Jen Owen, center coordinator for Corey Marsh and an associate professor in the MSU Department of Fisheries and Wildlife, to maintain equipment, facilities, trails and other infrastructure.
Providing implementation and training of procedures for the faculty and students at Corey Marsh on safe use of equipment and the ongoing maintenance needs of the center will be central to Asher’s new role.
“I’m extremely excited to join the team at Corey Marsh,” Asher said. “This is a dream job for me that blends my work experience and personal interests very well. The faculty and students have been doing a great job maintaining this beautiful center thus far, and I hope that my experience only enhances our work and reputation.”
Corey Marsh is one of 15 off-campus research centers throughout Michigan supported by MSU AgBioResearch. Efforts at the 350-acre center are focused on natural resources restoration and management through research, outreach and teaching.
Given its proximity to MSU’s campus, Corey Marsh is an ideal place for undergraduate students to engage in research and learning opportunities, from participating in faculty-led projects to working directly with the public through outreach activities.
An array of trails are also open to allow for public enjoyment of the diverse species of animals and plants.
Owen believes Asher will bolster the center’s ability to meet the objectives outlined in its strategic plan.
“Given the tremendous growth of the center and the number of users and programs, it’s essential that we have someone who can maintain the facilities, grounds and equipment so we can support all of the ongoing research, outreach and teaching,” Owen said. “Additionally, having Jed in this position allows me in my role as center coordinator to focus on leading the implementation of the center’s vision. That includes building our programs and engaging more faculty, students, partners and the community, as well as working with multidisciplinary teams to secure funding.”
Asher comes to Corey Marsh after 18 years with MSU Infrastructure Planning and Facilities, or IPF. Most recently with IPF’s Safety and Compliance department, from 2016 to 2024, he led fire extinguisher maintenance, serving as a liaison with the East Lansing fire marshal and ensuring the proper maintenance and operation of all fire extinguishers on campus. He joined MSU as a custodian in 2006, supervising a staff of 14 custodians and providing training on equipment use and proper procedures.
From 2002 to 2020, Asher was a firefighter and lieutenant with the Bath Township Fire Department, while also working at MSU for much of this time. In addition to firefighting and emergency response, he oversaw daily operations of the department and staff, as well as maintenance of buildings and equipment.
“In my professional life, I’ve led many teams focused on safety and maintenance of the equipment needed to achieve the organization’s goals,” Asher said. “And in my personal life, I’m an avid outdoorsman with experience planting food plots and creating habitat for a variety of animals. I think these two aspects will allow for a seamless transition to Corey Marsh that will help ensure the center’s research, outreach and teaching are of the highest quality.”
This story was originally posted on the AgBioResearch website.
