As the Executive Director, I manage the Indiana County Conservation District including staff and programs which include agriculture conservation, nutrient management, chapter 102 and NPDES permitting activities, dirt gravel and low volume road infrastructure improvements, and watershed restoration activities. I also develop policies and procedures, manage human relations, engage in board development, manage District finances including grant management/writing, and perform community education and outreach. Some accomplishments include: Exhibited sound fiscal management to balance a District budget that was projecting a $50K loss and ended the fiscal year of 2019 with a surplus and presented a balanced budget for every year since, with each year resulting in a surplus; Grew the District’s operational budget from $1.6 million in 2019 to $3.1 million in 2023 and 2024 through a combination of grants and new program funds; Successfully worked with the PACD Ad-Hoc Budget Committee to advocate for increased funding for Conservation Districts in the FY2022-2023 state budget resulting in a $6.8 Million increase in the Conservation District line-items; Managed over one million dollars (annually) in watershed restoration projects including stream crossings, agricultural practice BMPs, and stream-bank restoration projects; Facilitated grant writing and management including successfully procuring various sources of private, local, state, and federal funds for District projects totaling over $7.3 Million in 4.5 years, maintaining a 92% grant approval rate; Improved and maintained important District relationships with public and private partners local watershed organizations, conservancies, community groups, and local governments/agencies, and state and federal agencies.; Initiated and completed the District’s first strategic planning process in 75 years; Cultivated a workplace culture and improved board/staff relationships that has reduced ICCD employee turnover from 88% to 15%.

I perform the duties of President including conducting board meetings and signing legal documents on behalf of the organization; participating in fundraising; and serving on the Executive Committee’ Upper Basin Committee, Marketing and Fund Development Committee, and Financial Committee.Some accomplishments include: Developed program selection criteria to evaluate current and future programs, ensuring alignment to organizational mission; Assisted with grant writing, project planning, and volunteer recruitment/engagement on several community park, trail, and river access projects including the Stony-Kiski-Conemaugh Rivers Sojourn; Planned and implemented a 2018 terrestrial and aquatic habitat restoration project including riparian buffer enhancements at Conemaugh Gap Gateway Park resulting in planting over 250 native trees, shrubs, and herbaceous perennials representing over 50 different species; Continued to provide guidance on projects and programs aimed at improving regional water quality while expanding recreational opportunities; Worked with the Executive Director to initiate a strategic planning process and carried it out with the strategic planning committee.

I evaluated existing projects/programs to determine how they aligned with the mission of CVC and ensured that all projects met grant requirements; improved program financial success by grant writing and developing funder relationships; managed existing projects/programs ensuring projects were being completed in accordance with grant requirements as well as on time and on budget.Some accomplishments include: successfully facilitated transitioning out the former program director while maintaining seamless continuation of project work; managed project budgets, closed out various grants, and left program with over a $40,000 surplus in its general fund; Developed an organizational scope of work that identifies key project deadlines and grant deadlines to ensure the organization is organized and completing work on task and within appropriate timeframes; evaluated all projects and programs to determine if they all meet organizational priorities and made. recommendations to the board for projects/programs to cut from scope of work based on findings; identified additional sources of funding and met with foundation representatives to discuss projects and funding needs; developed job description for permanent Program Manager, assisted in hiring process, and facilitated training and program transitioning; facilitated partnership between CVC and the Cambria Regional Chamber.

Coordinated all activities associated with the Stony-Conemaugh Rivers Sojourn including: sponsor procurement; event registrations; event promotional materials; day-of event coordination and planning; organize and run committee meeting; and finalize financials post event.

Wild Ones: Native Plants, Natural Landscapes promotes environmentally sound landscaping practices to preserve biodiversity through the preservation, restoration and establishment of native plant communities. Wild Ones is a not-for-profit environmental education and advocacy organization founded in 1979. The Front Range Chapter serves the region from Ft. Collins to Colorado Springs including the Denver-metro area and Boulder. They are the first chapter in Colorado! President:Facilitated Chapter growth through planning/implementing events, holding board meetings, maintaining website and other social media accounts, distributing monthly newsletters, and increasing memberships and member involvement.

I developed and implemented programs and program related projects for the organization including its 8 national volunteer-based programs; procured funding for programs and projects through grant writing and contract negotiations while managing program budgets; ensured program success through community involvement by recruiting volunteers.Some accomplishments included: engaged with local, state, and federal elected officials with the intent of conveying the mission and goals of the organization; established and maintained relationships with state appointed leaders including Secretary Dunn at DCNR; participated in lobbying in Washington DC with the Choose Clean Water Coalition to convey the importance of improving Chesapeake Bay Watershed; facilitated the transfer of the Natural Biodiversity Program to Nature Abounds, transitioning a regional program to a national one while maintaining strong local connections; successfully procured and negotiated terms within a rain garden supplier contract for the Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay, securing an estimated $45K in additional funding for Nature Abounds; organized several volunteer work days for a combined total in-kind value of over $30K; fostered dozens of university and organizational partnerships aimed at creating collaborative approaches to invasive plant management including re-invigorating the Juniata and Kiski-Conemaugh Cooperative Weed Management Areas; tripled the Natural Biodiversity program social media presence and re-designed/developed the new Natural Biodiversity program website; managed the Mid-Atlantic Senior Environmental Corps program aimed at getting Senior Citizens engaged in environmental stewardship mainly by way of water quality monitoring; designed and developed a new website for the Natural Biodiversity program; organized and facilitated a four-day 2018 Juniata River Sojourn, engaging local businesses and nonprofits in the event.

Ensured company success by procuring contracts; fostering client relationships; hiring, training, and managing qualified staff; managing projects; meeting client deadlines; maintaining company insurances and licenses; and managing company finances, budget, and accounting.Some accomplishments included: managed over 40 employees, including hiring, training, and daily oversight; Maintained company finances, including developing and managing project/contract budgets; Marketed company by creating a website, developing a social media presence, and developing various print materials; Negotiated, established, and maintained contracts with 6 national suppliers; Grew monthly business revenues to over $25,000.00 from $2,000.00 at start up; Completed and processed an average of 160 client work orders per month; Remained focused on the local community by engaging employees in community volunteer projects.

As the projects manager, I developed, implemented, and managed organization projects including habitat restoration and invasive plant control activities. I also fundraised by way of grant writing and procured private corporate and individual donations to fund projects. Additionally, I developed and implemented project related marketing; enacted community outreach activities by recruiting, retaining, and managing volunteers; conducted community education seminars, and participated in student environmental education workshops.Some accomplishments included: assisted with the development of the Juniata Cooperative Weed Management Area requiring the engagement of multiple community stakeholders in government and non-profit sectors; Provided technical assistance to 160 CREP Landowners regarding invasive plant management on their properties; Recruited and engaged over 100,000 people in community volunteer habitat restoration and invasive plant control projects; Assisted with the development of the BioBullies Invasive Species Educational Supplement for Schools; Planned, Implemented, and managed multiple habitat restoration and invasive plant control projects; Developed and distributed press releases and media advisories for all community and volunteer events; Facilitated fundraising, volunteer coordination, and field days for Downtown Proud Day plantings while succeeding in getting donations of plants from every nursery and greenhouse within the region; Engaged with various community partner organizations and elected officials on a regular basis to ensure programmatic success.