Our Team

Staff & Consultants

Kim Pause Tucker

Executive Director

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Trained as a molecular ecologist, Kim worked as a faculty member at Stevenson University for nearly a decade teaching in their Biology and Environmental Science programs. She was Founding Director of the SU Center for Environmental Stewardship, which allowed her to connect students from a variety of majors to meaningful conservation and STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) outreach projects. She is a Senior Fellow in the Environmental Leadership Program and served on non-profit boards including Irvine Nature Center and the Maryland STEM Festival. Most recently, Kim was Director of the Whitaker Center for STEM Education at Florida Gulf Coast University, which hosted a variety of K-12 STEM outreach programming, teacher professional development, and administered STEM college scholarships.

Matthew Belmont

Forest Stewardship Technician

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Matt has a serious love of the natural world, especially trees and forests. He has been an organic produce grower for more or less 20 years. He is the part-time manager of a fruit, vegetable, flower and herb growing operation at Heathcote, an intentional community in Freeland, MD where he lives with his wife and young child. Matt holds a Permaculture Design Certificate (Heathcote Education) and a Certificate in Ecological Horticulture (University of Santa Cruz's Farm and Garden program). His other interests include: fitness and healing, languages, puns, hip hop and West African music.

Patricia Ceglia

Landscape Designer

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Darcy Herman

Programs Manager

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After having spent several childhood vacations on the Eastern Shore, Darcy moved to Maryland in 1994 to go to school and expand and indulge her love of the Chesapeake Bay region. Darcy has worked for several federal government contractors as a technical writer, editor, and proposal developer and more recently as a naturalist at Jug Bay Wetlands Sanctuary, and she now serves on the board of the Friends of Jug Bay. Among Darcy’s passions are citizen science, entomology, and birding. Darcy earned bachelor's degrees in zoology and English from Michigan State University and a master's in professional writing from Towson University.

Ann Jones

Land Preservation Consultant

Jack Leonard

Landscape Architect

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Jack is an Assistant Professor of Landscape Architecture and director of the online graduate certificate program in Sustainable Urban Communities at Morgan State University (MSU). A registered landscape architect and LEED accredited professional, Jack is the founder and principal of JGL Design Associates, Monkton, Maryland. He holds a Bachelor in Civil Engineering from Stevens Institute of Technology, a Master in Business Administration from Loyola College of Maryland, and a Master of Landscape Architecture from Morgan State University. Jack has worked with GVC for 10+ years designing rain gardens and microbioretention practices for our Clear Creeks Project. He also mentors MSU graduate students who gain hands-on experience creating rain gardens through a partnership between MSU and GVC.

Peg Perry

Senior Reforestation Specialist

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With nearly two decades of experience directing environmental education programs for governmental and various educational organizations, Peg joined the Gunpowder Valley Conservancy in 2007 and has used her background in natural history, eco-psychology, and deep ecology to fulfill her life’s work: inspiring people of all ages to reconnect to our natural world as well as to restore, preserve, and protect it. She loves greeting the morning sun, sitting silently in nature, and hiking in the mountains.

Karen Stupski

Program Manager

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Karen is a sustainability educator, grant writer, and communitarian. She currently serves as a faculty member at Goddard College and lives at Heathcote Community, a small eco-village dedicated to sustainable living, where she coordinates the permaculture education program. Karen believes that permaculture design is a valuable tool for creating sustainable systems, which is necessary in order to achieve our goal of protecting and restoring the Gunpowder watershed and the Chesapeake Bay.

Kim Thomas

Program Coordinator

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Kim recently graduated from Towson University with a B.S. in Environmental Science & Studies, with a concentration in Environmental Policy and Management. Growing up in Hereford, she enjoyed exploring the Gunpowder River from a young age. When she is not planting or maintaining trees with the GVC, Kim spends time outdoors hiking local trails with her dog and boyfriend, and tending to the plants and animals that they have on their farm. She looks forward to working with GVC, and helping to make a positive difference in our watershed.

Amy Young

Communications Manager

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After spending many years traveling across the country as a field ecologist, Amy is happy to call Maryland home. She has worked in a variety of habitats and plant communities: desert, mountain, prairie, wetland, rainforest, coastal dunes, and Fall Line Sandhills. Her projects have been similarly diverse, including monitoring forest regeneration after a wildfire, studying the reproductive biology of an endangered plant, mapping historical changes in a large wetland complex, and collecting native wildflower seeds for use in large-scale restoration projects. Amy earned a B.A. in Biology with an Environmental Studies concentration from Swarthmore College, and an M.S. in Plant Biology from the University of Georgia. She loves discovering the natural and cultural features of new places and hopes to instill a similar curiosity in her two young sons.

Board of Directors

Cyrus Green

President

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Cyrus Green is a lead manager at T. Rowe Price and joined the GVC board in 2019. He holds a B.S. in Engineering Physics from Morgan State University, an M.S. in Optical Engineering from Norfolk State University, and an M.B.A. from The Carey School of Business, Johns Hopkins University. A resident of Baltimore, he spends his time outdoors camping, sailing, and hiking with his friends and family. He appreciates the importance of preserving the natural landscape of Gunpowder Valley and is attracted by the organization’s goals and enthusiasm towards its cause.

Don Callihan

Vice President

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Don Callihan is a clinical microbiologist and retired Staff Scientist from BD Diagnostics in Sparks, MD. Since retirement, he has become a Maryland Master Naturalist and joined the GVC board (2019). He serves on the Baltimore Area Council, BSA, Conservation Committee in various capacities teaching conservation and ecology, to scouting youth and adults and is the Council Outdoor Ethics Advocate. Don is an active member of the Maryland Invasive Species Council and of the Lake Roland Nature Council’s Environmental and Historic Preservation Committee. Don lives in Cockeysville above the Loch Raven Reservoir and is committed to the health of the forest in watersheds feeding this important regional source of drinking water for Baltimore City and County as well as its significant recreation potential.

Sarah Haines

Secretary

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Sarah Haines taught science at Pocomoke Middle School before moving across the bay to take a position at Towson University, where she has been teaching for 20 years. She earned a bachelor’s degree in biology from Bucknell University, an M.S. and Ph.D. in Zoology from the University of Georgia, and an M.A. in Education from Salisbury University. Sarah’s involvement in science education and environmental education initiatives has led her to hold several positions of leadership at the national level, most notably with the Environmental Protection Agency’s National Environmental Education Advisory Council (NEEAC). Sarah was a founding member of the Maryland Association for Environmental & Outdoor Education's (MAEOE) Environmental Education Certification Committee. Sarah's passion for educating others about the environment led her to join the GVC board in 2020.

Jonathan Lovell

Treasurer

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Jonathan Lovell is a CPA with Gross, Mendelsohn and Associates. He received his undergraduate degree in accounting and an MBA in management, both from Loyola University Maryland. He grew up on a small farm in Frederick County, Maryland but has been a Baltimore area resident for the past 20 years. He enjoys trail-running, biking, and fishing with his family throughout the Gunpowder watershed and wants to help keep it clean and healthy for them and future generations.

Board

Joseph Clark, III

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Joseph Clark 3rd is a Finance Controller at McCormick and joined the GVC board in 2021. He holds a B.S. in Business from the University of Baltimore, and an M.B.A from the University of Phoenix. Born and raised in Jamaica (Queens), New York he now resides in Baltimore County. He loves spending time with his family, swimming, playing golf, and finding DIY projects to complete. The mission of the GVC provides him with a great opportunity to improve the environment for generations to come.

Kathleen Crostic

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Kathleen Crostic is the Partnerships Manager at Towson University, where she also obtained her B.S. in Family Studies and Community Development. In her role, she matches the needs and expertise of TU faculty, staff, students, and community partners and explores collaborative opportunities to further the mission of non-profits while providing experiential opportunities to students. Kathleen is passionate about environmental preservation and conservation and enjoys hiking the many trails throughout the region, camping, kayaking, and gardening. Kathleen began her work with GVC as a volunteer Crew Chief and Stream Captain but is excited to join the board to deepen her positive impact on the environment, our watershed, and on future generations.

Stephanie Gordon

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Stephanie Gordon is a Systems Engineer at Northrop Grumman Corporation and a transplant to the Baltimore area from Pittsburgh, PA. She joined the board in 2017 after receiving her Masters of Science from Johns Hopkins University, and her undergraduate Electrical Engineering degree from Lehigh University. Stephanie is an avid indoor gardener, and hiking, biking, and kayaking enthusiast. As a resident of Baltimore City, she recognizes the importance of the natural resources of the Bay and surrounding watershed regions.

Luke Hancock

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Luke Hancock is a Senior Corporate Social Responsibility Specialist at Baltimore Gas and Electric Company (BGE). He is the Events Co-Chair with the Exelon EcoTeam. Luke holds a B.S. in Marketing and Business and Professional Writing from Salisbury University. A resident of Harford County, he spends most of his time outdoors hiking, running, traveling, and going to the beach with his friends and family. He joined the GVC board in 2020.

Jim Martin

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Director of Research and Development at McCormick and Company, Inc., Jim has worked to drive positive environmental change and encourage social responsibility as both a member of the Corporate Sustainability Team and Chair of the Technical Innovation Center Team. He enjoys running, biking, and hiking in the beautiful northern Baltimore County landscape he calls home and feels deeply committed to protecting and preserving the Gunpowder Valley watershed for future generations.

Deborah Slawson

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Deborah Slawson is a semi-retired Fluvial Geomorphologist most recently working with the French National Research Institute of Science and Technology for Environment and Agriculture in Antony, France, specializing in dam removals and stream channel restoration. Previously she worked with several environmental engineering firms in the mid-Atlantic area. She received a Ph.D. from Pennsylvania State University in landscape ecology and a Master's degree from Johns Hopkins University in environmental engineering. Historically, she has served on the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (PADEP) Legacy Sediment Workgroup, the Maryland Stream Restoration Association Program Committee, the Canaan Valley Institute (Mid-Atlantic Stream Restoration Conference Science Steering Committee), the Virginia Stream Alliance, and the Keystone Stream Team in Pennsylvania. Since retirement, she has become a mediator with the Mediation Services of Adams County (PA) and is pursuing landscape art studies in stained glass and copper plate intaglio printmaking. She became interested in the Gunpowder watershed while doing her doctoral dissertation fieldwork on old dam sites in the Upper Gunpowder Falls and canoeing most of the Gunpowder.

Edward W. Stuebing, Ph.D.

Founder and Past President

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Edward Stuebing is a retired Physical Sciences and Life Sciences Research Program Manager for Joint Services Chemical and Biological Defense, Aberdeen Proving Ground. He founded the Gunpowder Valley Conservancy in 1989, served five years as the first President, and remained Treasurer until 2020. In retirement, Ed enjoys playing trombone in a jazz big band and a symphonic concert band and doing his best to keep up with the wonderful people who are the living, breathing, working, and playing Gunpowder Valley Conservancy.

Advisory Council

Nick Capecci

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Nick Capecci is currently serving as the Employee Relations Specialist for the Baltimore City, Department of General Services, and was part of the Business Volunteer’s Maryland – GIVE 2021 graduating class. During this time, he worked closely with GVC leadership which motivated him to want to join the organization. Nick obtained his Bachelors Degree in Business Management from the University of Baltimore in 2020, and is currently completing his MBA program within the same university. As a resident of Baltimore, Nick enjoys spending time outdoors. His activities include hiking, trash collection, playing Ultimate Frisbee and has started to scuba dive in local Maryland waters. He hopes to bring his passion of diving into GVC, and hopes to continue his efforts of cleaning up Maryland water ways one dive at a time.

Randy Davis

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Randy Davis previously served on the Board of the Gunpowder Valley Conservancy. He serves as the Controller for Catholic Charities of Baltimore, Maryland’s leading provider of human services to individuals and families of all faiths, ages and ethnicities. Randy has lived near the Gunpowder watershed all his life and is a graduate of Calvert Hall High School and Loyola University Maryland. He is also a Certified Public Accountant and Eagle Scout. In his spare time, Randy enjoys sailing on Middle River, golfing, biking, and spending time with his family. He is passionate about environmental issues and helping the Gunpowder Valley Conservancy achieve its mission.

Justin Esworthy

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Justin Esworthy is a partner of the private law firm Timmerman, Beaulieu, Hinkle & Esworthy, LLC based in Towson. When not involved in the litigation process, Justin enjoys spending time outdoors including hiking with his wife and two young sons. Justin and his family are currently building a home on their property that is in a conservation easement in White Hall, which encompasses a portion of the NCR Trail and Little Gunpowder Falls. Justin is committed to sustainable living and preserving natural resources. He became active with the Gunpowder Valley Conservancy in 2016.

Purnell Glenn

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Purnell Glenn received the 2016 Gunpowder Valley Conservancy's Community Leader of the Year award for significant achievements including but not limited to - coordinating and leading numerous community workshops (tree planting, rain barrel and more), contributing hundreds of hours of volunteer service, leading the effort to Bay Wise certify the Miramar Landing community (the first of its kind in Baltimore County,) and being a member of the GVC Clear Creeks Steering Committee. Purnell is also the President of Miramar Landing HOA, represents his community at the Essex Middle River Civic Council, volunteers for Young Life, and is a big brother to kids in need. He has been the owner of a small computer company since 1987. He grew up fishing on the bay which contributed to his love of the outdoors.

Bill Rees

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Bill is a retired Senior Business Analyst from the Baltimore Gas and Electric Company (BGE) and was in various leadership positions in the BGE Vegetation Management Unit during his 36 year BGE career. Bill is originally from southeast Pennsylvania and has a degree in Forest Science from Penn State. He is an outdoor enthusiast and enjoys traveling. Bill currently does part-time consulting and continues to be involved in industry standards development In his spare time he enjoys volunteering to plant trees in Catonsville where he lives and furthering the mission of protecting the environmentally significant Gunpowder River watershed. Bill was a GVC Board member from 2016 -2022.

Our Team

Staff & Consultants

Kim Pause Tucker

Matthew Belmont

Patricia Ceglia

Darcy Herman

Ann Jones

Jack Leonard

Peg Perry

Karen Stupski

Kim Thomas

Amy Young

Board of Directors

Cyrus Green

Don Callihan

Sarah Haines

Jonathan Lovell

Board

Joseph Clark, III

Kathleen Crostic

Stephanie Gordon

Luke Hancock

Jim Martin

Deborah Slawson

Edward W. Stuebing, Ph.D.

Advisory Council

Nick Capecci

Randy Davis

Justin Esworthy

Purnell Glenn

Bill Rees

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