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.

Patricia Ceglia

Landscape Designer

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Elizabeth Eakes

Volunteer Coordinator

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Born and raised in rural Northern MD, Elizabeth has always possessed an affinity for nature and a strong connection to Maryland's waterways. Elizabeth received her bachelor’s degree in Global Studies with a minor in Environmental Science, and is currently pursuing a master’s degree in Writing. Before joining the GVC team, she was a second-grade teacher. She is passionate about motivating others to engage in their natural curiosity and to care more deeply about their local environment. She loves applying this passion to her work with GVC. In her free time, Elizabeth can be found reading or writing, running on trails, or traveling with her camera.

Darcy Herman

Program Director

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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.

Brody McAllister

Forest Stewardship Technician

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Brody has a Bachelor's degree in Ethnobotany from Frostburg State. He has traveled the country working on farms and studying permaculture design and herbalism, and expanding his knowledge of the diverse array of plant communities across the country. He is a licensed arborist focusing on tree preservation and is excited to join the team to help conserve the forests of the Gunpowder Valley.

Karen Stupski

Grants and 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

Associate Program Manager

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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.

Ebram Victoria

Landscape Designer

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Ebram is a graduate student in Landscape Architecture at Morgan State University. With a Bachelor of Science in Corporate Communication and a minor in Philosophy, Ebram uses his inner vision and voice to communicate the importance of bringing people and nature closer together. As an ecologically sensitive designer and builder, the aim is to create landscapes that remind us (and the birds, bees, and butterflies) of Nature's allure with texture, color, and smells. Ebram has experience working in many different aspects of the landscape industry, from the plants and people at the nursery to complete project installation and management, both community and private. His future focus is finding ways to utilize nature as therapy, as the mission has become to heal both the land and the man simultaneously.

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 the Vice President of Business Resilience at T. Rowe Price. 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 Johns Hopkins University, Carey Business School. He also earned a Doctorate of Business Administration at the University of Maryland Global Campus. 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 GVC's goals and enthusiasm.

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 Bunk

Secretary

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Sarah Bunk is a water/wastewater project manager at Johnson, Mirmiran & Thompson (JMT). She holds a B.S. in Civil Engineering from Bucknell University and a M.S. in Environmental Engineering from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Sarah has volunteered with GVC as a reforestation crew chief since 2014 and joined the GVC board in 2023. She loves being outdoors and spends her time hiking, gardening, kayaking, and backpacking. She values the personal connection the region has to the watershed - both as a major source of drinking water to the Baltimore metropolitan area and for the outstanding close-to-home opportunities for outdoor recreation.

Mary Ann Wilson

Treasurer

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Mary Ann Wilson is a CPA and a fractional CFO Consultant. She received her undergraduate degree in accounting from Towson University. A Harford County resident, she enjoys the outdoors, walking her golden retrievers, biking, gardening , and traveling with her family. The Loch Raven Reservoir holds a special place in her heart as she spent many hours biking and hiking there in her younger days and wants to help preserve the area for future generations.

Board

Brittany Anuszkiewicz

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Brittany Anuszkiewicz is passionate about improving nonprofit organizations’ capacity and outcomes. She has led community change and child welfare reform initiatives at the Annie E. Casey Foundation. She holds a Certificate in Nonprofit Management and Master’s in Liberal Arts from Johns Hopkins University and a Master’s in Social Work from the University of Maryland in Baltimore. She is on the Board of the Oregon Ridge Nature Center Council and volunteers with MD Nonprofits and Baltimore Community Mediation. She has a strong interest in philanthropy and the environmental sector and enjoys working with communities for climate change innovations and solutions. She volunteered to restore a farm in Puerto Rico following Hurricane Maria and traveled to Costa Rica with urban youth to sustainably rebuild a playground to prevent flooding. Brittany enjoys hiking and writing poetry.

Taylor Casalena

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Taylor Casalena is a multidisciplinary strategist who helps forward-thinking organizations connect with nature and deliver thoughtful approaches to sustainability. Taylor holds a B.S. in Environmental Studies from Goucher College. Growing up in Baltimore County, she was an avid explorer of the many trails and tributaries of the Gunpowder River and is passionate about inspiring the preservation and restoration of the watershed for future generations.

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.

Brent Clemmens

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Brent Clemmens is an associate attorney with Bowie & Jensen, LLC in Towson, Maryland, where he advises clients on a variety of business law matters, including mergers and acquisitions and corporate governance. Brent has experience with environmental issues from his time in the Baltimore City Solicitor’s office advising the Department of Public Works, which helps oversee the protection of the Loch Raven, Prettyboy, and Liberty raw water reservoirs. He uses any excuse to get outside to mountain bike, hike, snowboard, or surf. Brent lives near the Loch Raven Reservoir with his wife, son, and daughter.

Lindsay Crone

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Lindsay Crone is inspired by the Gunpowder Valley Conservancy's mission and is eager to contribute her expertise and passion to their conservation efforts. By day, she serves as the Senior Executive Director of Consumer Insights and Integrated Media Strategy with the Y in Central Maryland. By night, she is a dedicated environmental advocate.

Lindsay's activism was reignited in 2021 when she witnessed the Gunpowder River stained a shocking orange from construction runoff, a stark and disturbing visual that underscored the critical need for environmental protection. She volunteers with Gunpowder Riverkeeper, helped establish the northern branch of Chesapeake Water Watch, and co-founded "Mad About Mud," focusing on mitigating runoff into the Gunpowder River. Additionally, she leads the Environment Committee of the Oliver Beach Improvement Association, mobilizing her community on environmental issues.

Outside of her community-building work, Lindsay enjoys all that the outdoors has to offer (except bugs!)—walking her dog, paddleboarding, playing pickleball, hiking, and more.

Bert Ficke

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Roberta "Bert" Ficke is an internist retired from serving in the U.S. Army Medical Corps. On moving to Baltimore 10 years ago, she and her husband bought a woodland property and have been adding hundreds of native trees and shrubs annually to enhance the benefit to wildlife. They have planted 100 wild type American chestnuts they monitor for a Maryland Forestry Research Project. She is an active Baltimore County Master Gardener helping with the Demo garden small fruits orchard. She is the president of a local Garden Club of America affiliated garden club. She spends a lot of time learning about and extracting invasive non-native plants from her property and educating the citizens who walk by on the high traffic public path abutting their property. She volunteers at Johns Hopkins Hospital raising funds for critical equipment that advances patient care for the citizens of Baltimore.

Carl Gold

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Carl R. Gold has practiced law in Maryland since graduating from Duke University Law School in 1981, where he also played basketball (intramural). An adjunct faculty member at Towson University since 2000, Carl is a Maryland Master Naturalist and a Baltimore City Forestry Board certified Tree Keeper and Weed Warrior. He lives 500 yards from the water’s edge of Loch Raven Reservoir and enjoys kayaking, hiking, trash and invasive plant removal there. He is a GVC Stream Captain, and a Trail Guide at Cromwell Valley Park and Marshy Point.

Amir Hammad

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Amir Hammad has over 15 years of experience at Constellation, serving in a variety of roles including engineering, compliance, and plant management. He is currently the plant manager of Conowingo Dam and Muddy Run Pump Storage facility, as well as all associated recreation sites. Amir has a BS in Electrical Engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and an MS in Systems Engineering from the University of Southern California. Outside of work, Amir is passionate about community engagement and volunteers at the Baltimore Animal Rescue and Care Shelter as well as at Moveable Feast. Amir has loved training for triathlons in the Gunpowder watershed as it allows amazing opportunities to swim, bike, and run in ways that Baltimore City cannot. Maintaining the cleanliness and easy access to all that the Gunpowder has to offer is something near and dear to him.

Luke Hancock

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Sachin Hebbar

Chris Johnson

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Chris Johnson is a biologist with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in the Baltimore District. He works directly with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), which includes various studies from stream restorations to coastal storm risk management and civil works navigation projects. Chris is also a Co-Chair in Baltimore District’s Environmental Justice Working group. He received his B.S. in Environmental Science from Salisbury University and was born, raised and continues to work in areas within and around the Gunpowder Watershed. In his spare time, he enjoys landscaping, nature walks with his family, spending time with friends, and attending sports events. Chris is a new Board member to GVC, joining in May 2023, and looks forward to spreading awareness to local communities about the Gunpowder Watershed and the various ways to enjoy and protect it.

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

Kristen McConnell

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Kristen McConnell brings a wealth of experience in bridging the gap between nonprofits and corporate volunteers, both in the Baltimore market and on a national scale. Kristen holds an MBA from Lebanon Valley College and a BSBA in Business Marketing from Shippensburg University. Her academic background, combined with her professional experience in the for-profit sector, equips her with a well-rounded approach to nonprofit engagement and corporate collaboration.

Originally from Pennsylvania, Kristen developed a deep love for nature and the outdoors during her childhood adventures in the local creeks and woods. Now a resident of Maryland, she enjoys exploring the vast variety of trails and waterways, soaking in the diverse natural beauty Maryland has to offer. Green space is her happy place, and she’s passionate about sharing this happiness with others and ensuring it’s maintained for generations to come.

Joseph (Joey) Meyer

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Joseph (Joey) Meyer is the Manager of Transmission & Substation Contracts, and a board member of the EcoTeam Employee Resource Group, at Baltimore Gas and Electric. He holds a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering and an M.B.A. from the University of Maryland. In his free time, you can find him hiking with his wife and 12-year-old puppy, golfing, and enjoying wineries and breweries. He has visited 15 countries, 21 National Parks, 19 of Maryland’s State Parks, and has hiked across Maryland in a weekend. Supporting the GVC is important to Joey because he recognizes the need to combat the negative impact pollution can have on communities and there is no better place to start than your own neighborhood.

Jenn Shunfenthal

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Jenn Shunfenthal believes strongly in environmental stewardship and first began volunteering at a local park in middle school. After college, she continued to work there on weekends and received her Certified Interpretive Guide certificate, volunteered to be a citizen scientist for FrogWatch USA, volunteered through the Master Naturalist program, and led educational programs for various ages. She joined GVC because she explores the Gunpowder Watershed and local parks with her dog and wants to make sure it remains a beautiful natural recreation area. She hopes to inspire the next generation to become environmentalists

Her Master of Science is in Environmental Resource Management, and she currently works for the federal government planning civil infrastructure projects

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

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.

Bill Vondrasek

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Bill is the Chief of Facility and Landscape Management for the National Park Service at Fort McHenry National Monument and Hampton National Historic Site. He received a B.A. in Mathematics from the University of Chicago and a M.A. in Public Horticulture Administration from the University of Delaware’s Longwood Graduate Program. Bill walks his dog daily in the woods around Loch Raven Reservoir, is a very amateur bird watcher, and a slightly better bee keeper.

Elisa Watson

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Elisa Watson is the Creative Director and Partner at the Baltimore based, women-owned agency, Sunny Side Creative. In that position she oversees all creative projects and utilizes her 20+ years of graphic design and marketing experience to help clients meet and exceed their goals while illuminating what makes them shine. Her design career has focused on nonprofits and businesses that are working to make positive change in the world - supporting education, the environment, and communities - including working on the GVC rebrand. Environmental, conservation, and preservation efforts have been a life-long passion that she continues to cultivate. She loves spending her free time outdoors, running, hiking, camping, and gardening, with her husband and kids. Elisa is very excited to join the board and help continue to make a difference with GVC.

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

Patricia Ceglia

Elizabeth Eakes

Darcy Herman

Ann Jones

Jack Leonard

Brody McAllister

Karen Stupski

Kim Thomas

Ebram Victoria

Amy Young

Board of Directors

Cyrus Green

Don Callihan

Sarah Bunk

Mary Ann Wilson

Board

Brittany Anuszkiewicz

Taylor Casalena

Joseph Clark, III

Brent Clemmens

Lindsay Crone

Bert Ficke

Carl Gold

Amir Hammad

Luke Hancock

Sachin Hebbar

Chris Johnson

Jim Martin

Kristen McConnell

Joseph (Joey) Meyer

Jenn Shunfenthal

Deborah Slawson

Edward W. Stuebing

Bill Vondrasek

Elisa Watson

Advisory Council

Nick Capecci

Randy Davis

Justin Esworthy

Purnell Glenn

Bill Rees

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