Frank Allen—Backyard Conservation

Frank is a physicist by training, now working in technology development for NAVAIR. Earlier job experience has included environmental engineering/industrial noise control, U. S. Coast Guard boat coxswain, commercial lobstering, and marina work. Frank sits on the St. Mary’s County Commission on the Environment, and is vice president of the Patuxent Tidewater Land Trust. He and his wife, Christina, have a homestead in Park Hall where they raise sheep, chickens, and heritage turkeys as well as tending a large organic vegetable garden and fruit orchard.

Joe Anderson—President

Joe Anderson is the president of the St. Mary’s River Watershed Association. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Cultural Anthropology from Tufts University, and is a program manager for the Computer Sciences Corporation in Lexington Park, Maryland. Joe came to St. Mary’s County from Connecticut in 1974 as a Vista volunteer, and has devoted much of the last 30 years to community service. He served as a St. Mary’s County Commissioner (1998-2002) and is a past member of the St. Mary’s County Planning Commission.

George Baroniak

George Baroniak works as an electrical engineer at Patuxent River Naval Air Station. He serves on the Agricultural Preservation Commission and is chair of the St. Mary’s County Ethics Commission. George also serves on the Chamber of Commerce’s TDR Task Force.

Raymond de Leon—Membership

Raymond de Leon received a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science and a Master of Science in Environmental Policy and Planning. He is a strong advocate of improving local aquatic ecosystems through community outreach programs. Ray works as a Geographic Information System (GIS) Specialist at Booz Allen Hamilton Inc. He enjoys being outdoors (running, camping, biking and playing soccer) with his wife and two children.

Will Gates

Captain Will Gates holds the title of “Maritime Curator” at the Historic St. Mary’s City Museum, but is better known for his main responsibility as the Master (skipper) of the replica ship Maryland Dove. He has served in this capacity since 1989, having previously worked on the Mayflower replica in Plymouth, Massachusetts, and for several years in the educational windjammer trade. He apprenticed as a rigger at Mystic Seaport, and was later schooled in archaeology, but soon discovered that, as the bumper sticker says, “He’d rather be Sailing!”

Cindy Greb

Cindy Greb is a principle at Compass Pointe LLC, a local residential and commercial real estate development company.

Richard Holden

Richard Holden received a Bachelor of Arts in English Literature and completed the course work for a Masters in Education at Loyola in Baltimore before becoming a professional photographer. He was recently presented the Arthur B. Hansen Award by US Sailing for his part in the rescue of a fisherman off the coast of Florida. Racing in the Governor's Cup was his introduction to St. Mary's County. In 2002, Richard became a county resident. He now lives on the St. Mary's River in sight of the finish line of the race.

Gary Hunt—Strategic Planning

Gary Hunt received a Bachelor of Arts in Biology with a concentration in Limnology from Franklin Pierce College. He has worked as an environmental technician monitoring onsite fresh and salt marsh health and as quality control inspector and performance management analyst for strategic planning and change management. Gary chairs the Wildlife Habitat Environment Group-sponsored site team responsible for monitoring and enhancing 2000+ acres of Bay-front green space.

Nancy McAllister (founding President)

Nancy McAllister received a Master of Science in Conservation Biology and Sustainable Development from the University of Maryland. She has taught middle and high school science. In her work with the non-profit Wildlife Habitat Council, she set up environmental education programs and outdoor classrooms for school systems across the country. Nancy was recently recognized by the Southern Maryland Audubon Society as the 2006 Conservationist of the Year for her work as founding president of the St. Mary’s River Watershed Association. She loves nature study, scuba diving, and is an avid bird watcher.

Bob Paul—Vice President

Bob Paul is the Steven Muller Distinguished Professor of Science and has been at St. Mary’s College of Maryland since 1977. He received a Ph.D. in Zoology at Virginia Polytechnic Institute. His specialty includes aquatic ecology and the application of Geographical Information System (GIS) technology to land use and ecological problems. Since 1999, Bob has co-directed the St. Mary’s River Project, a long-term, federallyfunded water quality monitoring study of the St. Mary’s River and its watershed. He serves on the St. Mary’s County Watershed Commission, and the Lower Potomac Tributary Team.

Joan Poor—Treasurer

Joan Poor received a Ph.D. in Agricultural Economics from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, majoring in natural and environmental resource economics. She is currently an Associate Professor of Economics and the Coordinator of the Environmental Studies Program at St. Mary’s College of Maryland. Some of her current research activities include non-market valuation of the preservation benefits associated with cultural heritage sites, rural land-use and preservation issues, and valuation of local watershed quality and benefits.

Roger Stone—Oyster Restoration

Roger Stone is a Yale University graduate and former US Naval Aviator. He worked as a news bureau chief and publishing executive at Time Magazine, later becoming Vice President for International Communications at the Chase Manhattan Bank, President of the Center for Inter-American Relations in New York, and Vice President for Communications at the World Wildlife Fund. Roger is the author of five published books on environmental-economic linkages and he serves on the Board for Sotterley Foundation and as CEO of the Washington DC-based Sustainable Development Institute.

Elaine Szymkowiak—RiverFest

Elaine Szymkowiak received a Bachelor of Science in Biology from St. Mary's College of Maryland. Since 1981, she has served as Biology Laboratory Coordinator and instructor in scanning electron microscopy at the College. She is the advisor to the student club, Student Environmental Action Coalition (SEAC). Elaine has an avid interest in conservation issues and a life long love of nature. She enjoys spending free time on outdoor activities including hiking, nature study, sailing, skiing and gardening.

David Waring

David Waring received a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration, Economics, and History from Western Maryland College. A lifelong resident of St. Mary’s County, he has been a real estate professional since graduating. David has been involved with Maryland’s Tributary Strategies Teams for the past 10 years and currently serves as Vice Chair for the Lower Potomac Trib Team. Public outreach and education have been in the forefront of David’s efforts in Annapolis.

Gary Williams—Oyster Restoration

Gary Williams is a senior associate with The Clark Group in Washington DC, an adjunct professor at St. Mary's College (teaching Environmental Sociology), and a lead instructor with the Duke Environmental Leadership Program at Duke's Nicholas School of Environment. He is currently serving on the Advisory Board for Christmas in April and Patuxent Habitat for Humanity where he is currently Vice President.

Linda Williams—Secretary

Linda Williams retired as an award-winning elementary school teacher in Arlington County, Virginia. She was a founding teacher in the Arlington Science Focus School and established their "Investigation Station" Science and Engineering Lab. She has taught the Oyster Bar Community section in the shoreside program at the Chesapeake Bay Field Lab, including hand-tonging for oysters, since spring 2003. She is a Master Gardener, former Vice President of the St. Mary's Garden Club, and active in her church.