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Pierina “Pieri” Fayish earned a bachelor’s degree in marine and environmental science while at the U.S. Coast Guard Academy. As a commissioned officer, she served aboard the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Madrona (WLB 302) while stationed in Charleston, South Carolina, from 1997-1999, and as a port operations officer at the Marine Safety Office Pittsburgh from 1999-2003.
During her time at the Marine Safety Office, Pieri earned a master’s degree in environmental science and management from Duquesne University. She has a combined 28 years of federal service, with 18 years at NETL.
Pieri currently works on the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) Team in the Office of the Chief Counsel. The NEPA team reviews all internal and external research or site improvement projects for potential impacts to the “human environment” before the projects can commence. Outside of her official duties, Pieri serves as the president of the nonprofit board of directors for Bruceton Kids Inc., the day care at NETL-Pittsburgh.
In addition, Pieri enjoys reading, quilting and explaining to her two awesome kids that they will, indeed, need math in “real” life.
What is one highlight of your career at NETL that you would like to share?
I would say that one of the most important things that I do is try to be a mentor to young people. It doesn’t necessarily happen at work, and it is probably not in your position description, but it is important to recognize the seemingly random phone call or email from a friend’s cousin or your child’s coach’s daughter as an important opportunity to bring more people into the STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) fields.
We all get those requests from friends, neighbors and college students. Please, always take the time to speak to that Scout troop, look over that resume, write that letter of recommendation or answer questions about what you do, and share your passion for STEM to inspire and help our young people.
Pierina “Pieri” Fayish
