Annual Meeting Ballot 2026

Describe your background, interests, and vocation.

I was raised on a small family farm in central Ohio where I fell in love with the outdoors and power tools. I left the farm to go off to college and graduate school in the big city of Chicago in my twenties. What followed was a 30 year career helping the Department of Veterans Affairs deliver support and services through technology. In 2019 I became a senior federal executive and retired in the fall of 2025. I’m pleased to have the opportunity to bring my organizational skills as well as my love of manual labor to serving the Rachel Carson Trails Conservancy.

I have volunteered for the Conservancy since 2005 primarily as a maintenance volunteer for the Baker Trail and “mower” for the Rachel Carson. I have provided support to the board through reports on the Baker Trail condition. I love to help people get out into nature and hike our trails.

Why would you like to be on the RCTC Board?

I have over 30 years of operational and leadership experience from my time at the Department of Veterans Affairs, combined with 21 years of experience working with the RCTC building trails, leading hikes, and getting to know the communities along the trail. I would be honored to bring all those skills to the service of the organization.

What makes you a good addition to the RCTC Board?

I have extensive experience building trails, working with land owners, the Army Corps of Engineers, developing operational plans, implementing effective governance, writing policy, and managing operational functions like budget/finance, Human Resources, and Audit and Compliance.

Describe your background, interests, and vocation.

I have enjoyed the outdoors all my life - hiking, jogging, biking, swimming. My dad (a forester) was a hiker and the family went on camping vacations for years. This led to more outdoor-focused vacations as an adult, hiking many places in the US and even hiking Nepal’s Annapurna Circuit in 2010.

My first long distance hike was the Rachel Carson Trail Challenge around 2005. I have entered several of the Full challenge events and the (half distance) Homestead Challenges. My longest event was the 100K C&O Canal One Day Hike with a friend in 2006. Shortly after the 2 am start we overheard a couple of people mention “Rachel Carson”. They indeed were acquainted with the Challenge and we hiked and chatted with them until daybreak.

I grew up in the North Hills and, after attending Penn State and Pitt, worked for the PA Department of Environmental Resources in the wastewater program. I am now retired and living in northern Allegheny County.

In the late 1990’s, I got involved in the Harmony Trails Council. This group had been working to create and promote community trails in the North Hills for a number of years and was absorbed into the newly formed Rachel Carson Trails Conservancy in 2004. I have been the treasurer of RCTC since 2011 and am a frequent volunteer at the Baker Trail UltraChallenge and the Rachel Carson Trail Challenge.

Why would you like to be on the RCTC Board?

Our lives are enhanced when outdoor experiences are available nearby. The idea of jumping on a trail, following it through woods and across creeks, so close to suburban neighborhoods, then arriving someplace you’d previously only driven to, continues to be amazing. The Conservancy has done much to make this possible, and I want to continue being part of this effort.

What makes you a good addition to the RCTC Board?

My belief in the RCTC's mission and my desire to continue to serve the Conservancy as Treasurer.

Describe your background, interests, and vocation.

I've been an outdoors enthusiast all my life, clearing old farm roads and deer paths to make minibike trails through the woods as a 13 year old. I believe that service to my community is a foundation of my life. As such I have been a disaster relief volunteer with the Red Cross, I've tutored math with the Pgh Literacy Council, done home repairs and maintenance through our Parish's Senior Connection outreach, managed the parking for the Run the Lights event, distributed food to the homeless in association with Operation Safety Net, as well as one off events like the Senior Olympics, various runs and races, etc. I started official trail work in the early 90's serving on the Board of the Harmony Trails Council. I discovered the Rachel Carson Trail running near my home in about 1995 and have been doing things there ever since; Board Member, Trail Stewart, Trail Manager, Hike Leader, Work Crew Leader, Chainsaw Operator, Event Speaker, Expo Representative, Trail Builder (if you haven't guessed I have a hard time saying no when something needs to get done). And something of late, through the recent trail building activities, I have made a conscious effort to foster a sense of community and camaraderie and I am proud of the team of dedicated trail workers that have done so much

Why would you like to be on the RCTC Board?

Since rejoining the Board three years ago I have focused on improving the Rachel Carson Trail. In that time we've removed about 5 miles of 'road trail' and replaced it with about 7 miles of new trail in the woods. We've also made many changes to improve the safety and sustainability of the trail, and to enhanced the overall trail experience. I've also worked hard to build and mentor a team of trail volunteers with the goal of strengthening the organizational aspects of the RCT. I hope to be given another term to continue that work, and to continue leading the organization going forward.

What makes you a good addition to the RCTC Board?

I got a dirt bike for my twelfth birthday and started building trails in the woods, over 50 years later I'm still building trails in the woods. But to supplement my 30+ years working on the RCT, I've started taking formal 'trail classes', because I believe you never stop learning and there's always something new to learn. This experience, combined with a deep seated love of the outdoors and an undying passion for the RCT make me an ideal candidate to serve another term on the Board.

Describe your background, interests, and vocation.

Amy is an accomplished nonprofit professional with over a decade of experience volunteering in a variety of roles. A fierce advocate for the trail-running community and gender equity, she joined the RCTC Planning & Promotions Committee in 2016 and then joined the RCTC Board in 2018. She now serves as the Chairperson for the Planning & Promotions Committee, continues to serve as an RCTC board member, is an active participant in the RCTC Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee and last but not least, is a trail steward for a 4-mile section on the eastern end of the Rachel Carson Trail.

With a penchant for marketing and communications, she has guided the Conservancy to a more than 650% increase in its social media following in the last six years. She has contributed to the growth of the Conservancy’s Baker Trail UltraChallenge, nearly doubling the registrations since 2016, leveraging ties to the North Park Trail Runners, a nonprofit on which she serves as a board member. Prior to dedicating herself to volunteer work, Amy was an IT professional, including 10 years as a Vice President and Program Manager in the Technology Sector at BNY Mellon.

Why would you like to be on the RCTC Board?

I would like to continue serving as a volunteer in the following areas, within the committees already listed above.

1. Website development.
2. Social media administration.
3. Writing News Articles.
4. General marketing of our events, memberships, sponsorships and donations.
5. Planning, hosting and marketing Baker UltraChallengetraining runs (including preview runs prior to the training events, to identify any trail maintenance issues).
6. Assisting Steve at the Challenge (in a variety of roles).
7. Planning and promoting DEI events.
8. Reaching 50% women registration for the Baker Trail UltraChallenge.
   
9. Selling out UltraChallenge registration.
   
10. Chairperson of Planning & Promotion Committee
11. Chairperson of Equity and Inclusion Committee
12. Event director for the annual Women's Run and Raffle, 6-hour endurance run (we are in our 3rd year now)

What makes you a good addition to the RCTC Board?

I would say the information in my bio covers my qualifications, as it highlights my accomplishments related to RCTC.

Describe your background, interests, and vocation.

I live in Hampton Township and enjoy being in the outdoors – especially hiking anywhere and everywhere. I grew up in the city of Pittsburgh (Morningside) but still managed to find woods there to explore. My parents took us on camping trips from a very young age so I developed an early appreciation for the value of everything outdoors

I’m a chemist by degree and have worked for over 44 years employed at a local chemical company – holding various positions throughout the years. Currently in Research and Development: Manager of Raw Materials & Regulatory. Handle various functions including regulatory issues, product costing, working closely with manufacturing to ensure efficiency and product quality, working closely with the Sales Division to ensure customer satisfaction, general management. Served on the Chemical Advisory Board at Bidwell Training Center for 20+ years.

As such I have a great appreciation for the delicate balance of having a clean safe environment while also living in these times with all the modern conveniences.

Why would you like to be on the RCTC Board?

I’ve always enjoyed the outdoors and have spent many hours hiking on various trails. I want to continue to help maintain the trail system locally so others can find enjoyment on them as I have over the years. There is nothing better for you than getting outside.

I’m a dedicated, hard working and well organized individual, and have served the Conservancy in various ways over the years ( see below ) including being a two time current Board member and would be honored to be selected to continue with the work. I believe in the mission of the Conservancy and want to continue to foster it.

What makes you a good addition to the RCTC Board?

I’ve been directly involved with the Rachel Carson Trails Conservancy steadily since 2006 as follows:

Have served two terms on the Board. I’ve been a member of the Planning and Promotions Committee for approximately 13 years now Assisted with all aspects of the committee --- including planning the Rachel Carson Trail Challenge and all that involves including scheduling, T-Shirt selection, obtaining donations from various entities, soliciting sponsorships, participation statistical data, arranging partnerships with 3ROC and breweries, etc. I co created and co-manage the Rachel Carson Trails Conservancy Geo-Trail (Geocaching) . My wife and I have given the annual preparation for the Challenge talks at REI, Public Lands and at 3 Rivers Outdoor Store for years now.

I have completed the Full Challenge four times, the Homestead Challenge three times, and The Friends & Family Challenge once. When not a participant in the Challenge, I have volunteered to work the Challenge a few years – at the picnic and at checkpoints. I have also volunteered for trail re-route activities.

Serving my third term on our Nominating Committee.

Describe your background, interests, and vocation.

Born and raised in Western PA (Farrell), I grew up in an avid outdoors family: hunting, fishing, canoeing, camping, etc. I attended Penn State University where I earned a professional degree in Landscape Architecture with a minor in Environmental Studies. After college I worked for the National Park Service in the National Capital Region (Washington D.C.).

My home unit was Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts. During my time there I worked on many natural resource projects, most notably the planning/implementation of a 1-acre meadow as well as the restoration of a shade garden. In partnership with the Potomac and Appalachian Trail Club (PATC) we implemented a 2.5 mile loop trail providing hiking opportunities and access to the entirety of the park property that previously did not exist.

I attended George Washington University as a Rodger Kennedy Fellow (NPS) where I received a Graduate Certificate in Environmental Policy. I went on to attend Virginia Tech, earning a Masters degree in sustainability/resource management. In 2017 I took a position with the US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) which brought me back to Western PA as a Natural Resource Specialist in the Pittsburgh District Office.

I now oversee a number of programs for the 16 reservoirs located in NY, OH, PA, WV, and MD and 23 locks and dams on the three rivers within the District. My first summer back in PA my wife and I signed up for the Full Rachel Carson Trail Challenge. We were able to do it again in ‘21 and our oldest daughter (4-months old at the time) accompanied us on all our training hikes! My wife and I have two daughters now (2yo and a 6-month old) and both still accompany us on all our hikes along with our 7yo German Shepard, Maverick.

Why would you like to be on the RCTC Board?

Being able to advocate for and have an impact on the resources in your backyard is profound. It’s partly why I accepted the position with USACE. I grew up hunting/fishing on the reservoirs I now help to manage. I walk on my section of trail everyday as it is right out my front door. I love the trail challenge and the conservation/preservation that goes into making it all possible. It is with that same enthusiasm I am seeking consideration. Additionally in my current role for USACE, I work with a number of 501(c)3 non-profits, I am very interested in acquiring experience on the side of the non-profit organization.

What makes you a good addition to the RCTC Board?

I have 10-years of experience in the Natural Resource Management/Outdoor Recreation field as well as Government Operations. In my current position with USACE, I am the Partnership/Volunteer program coordinator. I also serve as a Local Government Liaison during Federal disaster responses. In that role I network with local governments relaying their needs and concerns with the federal agencies responding to that disaster. This organization depends a great deal on volunteering and partnering as well as engaging outside entities to accomplish its mission and I feel that my previous work experiences provides me a unique perspectives that I would bring to this position.

Describe your background, interests, and vocation.

I'm a father of two who loves the outdoors and, when stuck indoors, I'm a weld shop manager.

I'm always on the go with my many hobbies. Here are some fishing, MT biking, hiking, backpacking, camping, gardening, canning and making wine, plants, rock collector, SUP, and more to list a few.

I enjoy volunteering with the Rachel Carson Trails Conservancy doing trail reroutes, I'm a trail steward, and also volunteer at Frankie's friends.

Why would you like to be on the RCTC Board?

I hope to bring new ideas and have inputs for the future of the Rachel Carson Trails Conservancy. Also for my love of being involved with the RCTC and volunteering as much as I can.

What makes you a good addition to the RCTC Board?

Being a weld shop manager and also in charge of laborers, I have leadership, organization, problem solving, and people skills.

Now being on the board and involved with the RCTC for 4ish years I have great understanding of how the organization works, what it takes to keep the trail in safe conditions, and the amount of work that is involved in all aspects of the RCTC.