Pumpkin Patch, Winchester, Va., October 2008
H. Hedrick Belin, President
Hedrick joined the Conservancy in January, 2007. Charged with directing the Conservancy as it meets the myriad of challenges facing the Potomac River, he will guide the Conservancy through its next phase of growth and help expand our important conservation work throughout the watershed. Hedrick will provide the leadership to actively protect water quality, preserve scenic beauty, and encourage responsible recreation in the Potomac River watershed. He comes to the Conservancy with over 15 years of nonprofit fundraising and leadership experience, most recently as Vice President of the Metropolitan Group, a strategic communication and resource development consulting firm. Before joining the Metropolitan Group, Hedrick worked for several conservation groups, including the National Park Foundation, Izaak Walton League of America, and the League of Conservation Voters. In addition to his extensive fundraising and management expertise, Hedrick has experience mobilizing grassroots advocates, formulating public policy, partnering with public agencies and developing conservation programs. Hedrick received his bachelor's degree in history from Yale University, and his master's in public administration from George Washington University. He lives with his wife and two children in Silver Spring, Maryland.
Patrick Felling, Virginia Policy Coordinator
Pat works on state and local policy initiatives out of our Shenandoah Resource Center in Winchester, VA. In addition to taking leadership of our existing state-level work, he designs and manages a new policy initiative for the Potomac headwaters area. Pat works with our local partners to implement regulatory changes that will improve water quality throughout the Shenandoah watershed and downstream Potomac, particularly in Shenandoah and Frederick (VA) counties. Pat has a wealth of experience in the environmental field, and a successful history of working with a broad range of partners. He has 14 years of environmental policy experience in state government, including strategic plan development and regulatory work. He is also an adjunct science professor at Shenandoah University.
Monica Lyman, Development Associate
Monica joined the Conservancy in September 2006. She oversees the Conservancy's membership database, provides administrative support, supervises office volunteers, and ensures that the office runs smoothly. Previously office manager for an independently owned distribution company, Monica has nine years of experience in accounting, communications, and office administration. In her free time, she likes to be outdoors hiking and biking with her daughter. When she is indoors, her hobbies are drawing and knitting.
Anne Merwin, Senior Director of Policy
Anne Merwin joined the Conservancy in August 2006 as our Director of Policy. This is a new position that enables Potomac Conservancy to aggressively pursue its goals with government officials at the local and state levels. Anne began working with the Conservancy in 2004 as a legal intern, and her recent experience includes the University of Maryland Environmental Law Clinic, EPA, National Trust for Historic Preservation, and the Resources Committee of the House of Representatives. Prior to this, Anne spent three years as an environmental consultant. She holds a B.A. in history and political science from Rice University, and a J.D. and Certificate in Environmental Law from the University of Maryland. When she can put down her legal pad, Anne spends her time whitewater kayaking and biking.
Heather Montgomery, Conservation Program Associate
Heather joined the Conservancy in September of 2005. She serves as a central point of contact for the Potomac Watershed Partnership (PWP), a public-private partnership dedicated to the restoration and protection of the Potomac River watershed. She also assists in coordinating program events and workshops, providing background research of river issues, and representing PWP and the Conservancy at public events.Prior to joining the Conservancy, Heather worked in environmental education and outreach at the Audubon Naturalist Society, American Rivers, and Patuxent Research Refuge. She holds a B.A. in Environmental Sciences from the University of Virginia.
Bryan Seipp, Forester & Director of Restoration
Bryan joined the Conservancy in the spring of 2003 and serves as its first full-time forester. He provides technical assistance on forestry issues and best management practices, manages the Conservancy's three Potomac River islands, and coordinates and implements all restoration projects. Before joining the Conservancy, Bryan worked as a watershed forester for the Maryland Department of Natural Resources Forest Service. He holds a BS in Forest Resource Management from Virginia Tech, is a licensed forester in the state of Maryland, and is a member of the Society of American Foresters. In his free time, Bryan enjoys fishing, hunting, backpacking, camping, wakeboarding, SCUBA diving, or just about any other outdoor activity.
Anne Sundermann, Senior Director of Communications and Outreach
Anne joined the Conservancy in December 2006. She writes and edits the Conservancy's quarterly newsletter, RiverScape, brochures, reports, and other materials. Anne produces the webpage and email newsletters, RiverUpdate, and works with the media to publicize Conservancy activities. She also oversees the Conservancy's public support activities, including Growing Native and the River Center at Lockhouse 8. Anne was most recently the outreach director at the Kentucky Waterways Alliance, and has worked in communications for several DC-area nonprofit organizations. Anne has a B.A. in English Literature from Villanova University. In her free time, Anne likes to hike, kayak, and sail.
Emily Warner, Conservation Associate
Emily joined the Conservancy in March of 2009. She works in the Potomac headwaters region on land protection transactions, watershed restoration and conservation projects, and educational programs. Before joining the Conservancy, Emily served as Executive Director of the Hampshire County (WV) Farmland Protection Board. Her recent experience includes establishing riparian forest buffers with Chesapeake Bay Foundation and conducting stream assessment and restoration projects with Western Pennsylvania Conservancy. She holds a B.A. in Environmental Studies from Allegheny College of Meadville, PA. In her free time, Emily enjoys running, hiking, canoeing, gardening, and bread-baking.
Kelly Watkinson, Senior Director of Land Protection
Kelly joined the Conservancy in May 2005. Based at our Shenandoah Resource Center in Winchester, Virginia, Kelly is responsible for carrying out the Conservancy's land protection efforts in the headwaters of the Potomac River watershed. This effort includes outreach to landowners about opportunities for land conservation through conservation easements. She is also responsible for representing the Conservancy on issues that affect the communities of the Shenandoah Valley and adjacent West Virginia. Kelly comes to the Conservancy from the Virginia Department of Conservation & Recreation, where she was Watershed Coordinator for the York and Rappahannock River Basins. A former Peace Corps volunteer, she has worked to promote conservation and sustainable farming techniques in Guatemala. Kelly holds a B.S. in Environmental Science and Management from Indiana University's School of Public and Environmental Affairs. In her free time, Kelly enjoys traveling, camping, gardening and restoring an old farmhouse in the country.