On November 3, the Wildlife For Everyone Foundation announced the appointment of Judy Onufrak to the position of Interim Executive Director and Alexander B. Deveney, Jr. "Sandy" as Board Member.

“The Board is very pleased that Judy has agreed to take on the new position while maintaining the business management assignment as well,” said Board Chairman Russ Schleiden. “As the business manager Judy has been involved in all aspects of WFEF operations including meeting with grantors of the granted funds that were dispersed for the many habitat projects in our Commonwealth over the last 5 years of her tenure.”

“Our new board member Sandy Deveney is an excellent addition to the board. He has a wealth of knowledge in the area of fund raising,” added Schleiden.  “He fits right into the ADA wetlands project as he was the key to the 10-year success of the Wounded Warriors in Action project here in Centre County. When Sandy takes on a project he makes certain it is completed successfully.” 

Judy Onufrak

Onufrak has been with the foundation for five years. She is currently the business manager and will continue in that role as well.

She serves on several of WFEF’s committees and coordinates their fund raising events.

Onufrak has a BA in Liberal Arts, Sociology from The Pennsylvania State University.

Alexander Deveney

Deveney was raised in suburban Philadelphia and graduated from Penn State in 1970 with a degree in Law Enforcement and Corrections. At Penn State, he was a member of the Men's Swimming Team and Phi Delta Theta Fraternity.

Following graduation, he accepted a position with U.S. Customs as a Sky Marshal. He worked flights throughout Europe, the Mideast, the Far East, South Pacific, South America and the Caribbean.

In 1972, he accepted a position in the private sector and worked over 28 years as a Criminal Investigator for Philadelphia Electric, now Exelon Corporation. During those years he worked several high profile investigations, including the infamous Johnston Gang.

In the mid 80's when drugs became a major issue, Deveney started the first utility based K-9 drug detection program, which placed dogs at two nuclear power plants, as well as other corporate facilities.

The ability of the dogs did not go unnoticed and Deveney and his partner were "loaned" to numerous Federal and local law enforcement organizations. He handled three dogs over a twenty year period.

In 2000, he retired from PECO and started a private detective business, specializing in K-9 drug detection. His clients included law enforcement, corporations and school districts. 

In 1984 he married Elizabeth Roberts. "BJ", is a retired teacher, is an accomplished artist and donates her works to the Wildlife For Everyone Foundation Spring Gala. In 2008, they relocated to Centre County.

For the past ten years, Deveney has coordinated a five-day hunting and fishing event for Combat Wounded Purple Heart Veterans. He has also been involved in the Penn State Alumni Trustee elections for over 10 years.

Sandy and BJ live in Decker Valley, in a home they designed. The property has amazing views and plenty of wildlife for their enjoyment. But it is still a short drive to the amenities of State College.

Deveney’s three-year term will run through the end of 2026.

The Wildlife For Everyone Foundation is a nonprofit, statewide organization based in State College. It supports projects including wildlife and wetland habitat improvements, creek and lake restorations and student educational opportunities.

The Wildlife For Everyone Foundation has completed the first phase of construction on its accessible wetland project in Huston Township, Centre County.

The Soaring Eagle Wetland, our signature property, phase I project was completed in fall of 2022. This included a handicap parking area, ADA approved trail from the parking area to Bald Eagle Creek, where there is a fishing/viewing platform.

Phase II is projected to be completed in summer 2024. This phase will include additional ADA trail, viewing blinds, and interpretive signage.

Just down Rt 220 is The Galen & Nancy Dreibelbis Viewing Area which has an ADA accessible trail and two viewing blinds.

[Posted: November 3, 2023]

11/6/2023