Partnerships & Contributions

This work is the result of an extraordinary network of professionals, organizations, communities, friends, and family who have provided expertise, collaboration, and unwavering moral support across archaeology, geosciences, and whistleblower advocacy.

Archaeology, Geosciences & Whistleblower Case Support

  • David McDaniel Dyson

    • Retired Forest Service & Park Service Archaeologist: Mentorship, friendship, and moral support. On-site fieldwork, artifact processing and analyses documentation, and generous financial support for case-related expenses.

  • Dr. Philip C. LaPorta

    • Adjunct Senior Research Scientist (Geochemistry), Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory (LDEO), Columbia University Climate School
      Co-founder of CINAQ. Geoarchaeology quarry specialist, bedrock geologist, and geomorphologist. Mentorship and moral support.

  • Dr. Larry Kimball

    • Professor Emeritus, Department of Anthropology, Appalachian State University (NC). Archaeologist specializing in lithic technology and microwear analysis. Mentorship and moral support.

CINAQ: The Center for the Investigation of Ancient and Native Quarries

A 501(c)(3) non-profit scientific research and education organization

  • Dr. Margaret Brewer-LaPorta

    • PhD, Geological Sciences. Bedrock geology and quarry mapping; mentorship and support for both myself and the CINAQ team.

  • Scott A. Minchak, RPA

    • Stone Tool Lithic Specialist. M.A. in Anthropology, Texas A&M University.

  • Dr. Philip C. LaPorta

    • Adjunct Senior Research Scientist (Geochemistry), Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory (LDEO), Columbia University Climate School
      Co-founder of CINAQ. Geoarchaeology quarry specialist, bedrock geologist, and geomorphologist. Mentorship and moral support.

  • Josh Kelly - MountainTrue

    • Resilient Forests Director, western North Carolina biologist. Geosciences and biological landscapes specialist. Field studies, research, documentation support, professional coordination, logistics assistance, mentorship, and moral support.

  • Robert J. Sas (Bobby)

    • North Carolina Geological Survey, Landslide Mapping Team Leader,
      M.S. in Applied Geoscience. Expertise in landslide hazards, geomorphological mapping, geoarchaeology, and LiDAR applications. Mentor, motivator, friend, and source of moral support.

  • Shawn Jones

    • Science and Resource Stewardship Team Lead, Archaeologist, National Park Service. Southern Campaign of the American Revolution (South Carolina) and former Nantahala National Forest Archaeologist. Documentation of slope sites and pre-European quarry sites in NC and SC. Mentorship, moral support, and meaningful friendship.

Eastern Band of the Cherokee Indians (EBCI)

Tribal Historic Preservation Office

  • Dr. Beau Carroll, PhD (University of Tennessee, Knoxville)

    • Archaeologist, traditional perspectives, logistics, and moral support.

  • Stephen Yerka

    • Historic Preservation Manager, Archaeologist (PhD candidate, UTK). Process, logistics, and research assistance, with extensive moral support.

  • Russ Townsend

    • Professor Emeritus, Department of Anthropology, Appalachian State University (NC). Archaeologist specializing in lithic technology and microwear analysis. Mentorship and moral support.

  • Johi Griffin

    • Historic Sites Manager, friend and mentor providing traditional perspective, wisdom, guidance, and moral support.

  • Miranda Panther

    • NAGPRA Coordinator, friend and supporter offering insight and much-needed humor.

Community Support

  • The Celo Community (CCI) & Arthur Morgan School

    • Numerous individuals across both organizations have provided partnership, logistics, and research assistance, along with creative guidance, wisdom, friendship, and moral support.

Legal Representation

  • Whistleblower Aid

    • A pioneering non-profit legal organization that helps public and private sector workers report and expose wrongdoing, safely, lawfully, and responsibly.

  • Federal Practice Group, LLC

    • Attorneys at Law (B. Stautberg). Whistleblower case and retaliation representation.

GoFundMe, Media & Social Media Support

  • Nvest Social

    • Logan Schwartz and Muhammad Ahmed.

  • Ray Anglin (MCN)

    • Director and moderator for context interviews, discussions, and video production. Intellectual and moral support, Tribal perspective, and wisdom.

  • Alyssa Alegritti

    • Social media and content start-up guidance, creative feedback, and general support for launching this initiative.

  • Michelle Nes

    • Extensive research, logistics, and workload support over several arduous years, along with moral support, continual perspective counseling, and encouragement.

  • GoFundMe Contributors

    • Countless generous contributors who have helped keep this fight alive through financial support, debt relief, and the hope of restitution for unforeseen financial burdens.

With Deepest Gratitude

  • Michelle Nes ❤️

    • Life partner and spouse, my foundation and source of inspiration. She has sacrificed and invested an extraordinary amount of emotional, physical, mental, and spiritual energy to keep both me, and this fight, afloat and moving forward, so that one day we may truly find each other again.

To the many additional family members and friends who collectively sustain and motivate both Mimi and me:

You are the reason this fight for justice, truth, and fairness continues.