Term: 2020 - 2023
Action Team Assignments: Engagement & Stewardship, Contaminant Management, Natural Resource Policy & Economics
Monitoring and Assessment Team Assignment: Water Resources
STAC Member Since: August 2012
Title: Executive Director
Department: Washington, NC
Organization: Sound Rivers
Education: MEM Water Resources, Duke University (2000) BA Biology, Lycoming College, Williamsport, Pennsylvania (1998)
Primary Focus Area: Environmental justice, river and estuarine water quality; water resource protection and improvement through advocacy, education, restoration and research
Secondary Focus Area(s): Water quality monitoring and green stormwater infrastructure
Career Experiences: I joined Sound Rivers (previously the Pamlico-Tar River Foundation) as the first Pamlico-Tar Riverkeeper in July 2003. In my current position, as Executive Director, I provide overall direction to the organization’s campaigns and fulfillment of Sound Rivers mission. I support the staff’s development and implementation of our core programs and our policy and advocacy campaigns. Sound Rivers current work includes the planning and implementation of green stormwater infrastructure at community college and K-12 public schools, monitoring for bacteria through our Swim Guide program, watershed restoration planning and Riverkeeper programs. I previously served on the North Carolina Sediment Control Commission, as well as being appointed to the Tar-Pamlico Basin Oversight Committee.
Current project grants include: 1) water quality restoration planning for Meeting House Branch, Greenville; 2) Stormwater improvements at the Edgecombe Community College Campus, Tarboro; and 3) Ecotourism and public access improvements via construction of camping platforms and camping trail, Tar-Pamlico River.
Prior to working with PTRF I worked for ASA Analysis and Communication in Pennsylvania as an environmental consultant. In addition, I was an agroforestry and environmental education Peace Corps Volunteer, located in El Salvador.