Somerset County, Term 2024 - 2028
Alverne “Chet” Chesterfield is currently the Executive Director at Chincoteague Bay Field Station, which is a residential environmental education center and research station located on Virginia’s Eastern Shore.
He is a native of St. Thomas, United States, Virgin Islands but has resided on the Eastern Shore of Maryland since 1973. Chet completed his undergraduate studies at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES) in Princess Anne, Maryland where he received his Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration. He later attended Wilmington University and earned a Master of Science degree in Management (Public Administration). Additionally, he has completed coursework toward a Ph.D. in Organizational Management at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore.
Upon completing his undergraduate work, he immediately began working at UMES as a Residence Counselor with the Office of Residence Life and later served as its Assistant Director. After working with Residence Life for 17 years, Chet joined the Division of Administrative Affairs to spearhead a new department – Auxiliary Enterprises. One year later, he was promoted to the position of assistant vice president of administrative affairs and director of Auxiliary Enterprises. A unique, creative, and resourceful individual, Chet turned Auxiliary Enterprises into one of the most revenue-generating areas on campus. Additionally, he worked with the Upward Bound Program as a Counselor and Assistant Director of the Upward Bound Employment Program and as an Adjunct Professor with the Department of Business and Economics. He also taught math at the Eastern Shore Correctional Institute (ECI). After 36 years of service, he retired from the University of Maryland Eastern Shore in 1973.
After retirement, Chet spent 4 months at Elizabeth City State University serving as a consultant for its Auxiliary Services. Additionally, Chet worked as a Substitute Teacher with the Somerset County School System and recently served as a member of the Somerset County Board of Education. Chet is also involved with other organizations outside of his work environment.
Chet is a Somerset County resident and resides in Princess Anne. He is a member of Mount Carmel Baptist Church where he serves as a Trustee.