Staff & Board of Directors
Staff:
Duane Mohr, District Manager
Linda Dunn, Office Manger
Nicole Slazinski, Conservation Specialist
Alex Murphy, Conservation Specialist
Seth Hatfield, Conservation Specialist
Veronica Tangiri, Water Quality Programs/Adopt-A-Stream Coordinator
Kim Lowther, Education Specialist
Josie Anderson, Water Quality Assistant
Jay Yankey, Cost-Share Specialist
Board Members:
John Price, Chairman
Jenny Reed, Vice Chairman
Nancy Vehrs, Secretary
Mansimran Kahlon, Treasurer
Thomas Bolles, Director, Virginia Cooperative Extension Agent
Staff
Duane Mohr, District Manager duanemohr@pwswcd.org
Duane has been volunteering with the Prince William SWCD since September 2017. He had volunteered more than 500 hours, working with county citizens on urban and suburban storm water management, conservation planning, nutrient management, grazing management, and youth education programs. Duane was recognized at the Virginia Association of Soil & Water Conservation Districts 2018 Annual Meeting as the state's Earth Team Volunteer of the Year. He also won the NRCS 2018 National (and Southeast Region) Earth Team Individual Volunteer Award.
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As of July 2019, Duane has joined the team as a Conservation Technician. He is now the District Manager. He currently lives in Nokesville with his wife and 1 Horse and 8 Sheep.
Linda Dunn, Office Manager pwswcd@pwswcd.org
Originally hailing from Upstate NY, Linda recently relocated from Frederick MD to Haymarket. Linda quickly rose to the top of the massive resume pile. She’s very happy to be a part of our team and is looking forward to learning more about the district. She enjoys playing golf, tennis and enjoying nature while hiking and biking.
Nicole (Ethier) Slazinski, Conservation Specialist nicoleethier@pwswcd.org
Nicole joined the District in September, 2006. Nicole earned her Bachelor of Science in Integrated Science and Technology from James Madison University. Her work with the District includes technical assistance to local farmers and horse owners by providing them with environmentally sensitive, efficient, affordable and practical methods in managing their operations. She also organizes educational seminars on topics such as Rain Barrel Workshops, Healthy Horses and a Healthier Chesapeake Bay, Guide to Setting up a Horse Farm, and other agriculture related seminars for county and area residents. Nicole also works on this website. :O
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Nicole lives in Sterling with her husband, 3 kids, and 2 cats.
Alex Murphy, Conservation Specialist alexmurphy@pwswcd.org
Alex joined the District in April 2022. Alex earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Environmental Science from George Mason University. Concentrating in Ecological Science, he has experience in system approaches to maintaining environmental quality. While at George Mason University, Alex conducted a year-long study on the relationships between plant diversity and soil structure. Prior to college, Alex was the first generation of Virginia’s Earth System Science Scholars (VESSS), a program offered by the Virginia Space Grant Consortium and NASA Langley to investigate the dynamics of Earth systems.
Seth Hatfield, Conservation Specialist sethhatfield@pwswcd.org
Seth joined the district as a conservation specialist in March of 2022, after graduating from Liberty University with a Bachelors in Environmental Biology the previous fall. While still in high school, Seth volunteered with the District's water quality monitoring program and attended the Youth Conservation Camp. While completing his degree, he went on to fulfill internships with Prince William County Environmental Services as well as NOAA's Great Lakes Environmental Research Lab. With NOAA GLERL he completed a research project investigating the impact of invasive species on larval fish and zooplankton in the great lakes. At Liberty, Seth also completed a capstone research project studying physiological responses to predation in woodfrog tadpoles.
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Seth has lived in Prince William County for over ten years at Heaven Scent Farm in Gainesville, where his family raises beef cattle and hosts educational farm visit programs and birthday parties. He enjoys backpacking, weightlifting, music, as well as drawing and painting.
Veronica Tangiri, Water Quality Programs Coordinator waterquality@pwswcd.org
Veronica joined us as a staff member in February 2016. She is a Certified Save Our Streams Program Manager for biological citizen water monitoring in Prince William County.
Born and raised in Cameroon, Veronica has always had a keen interest in the earth's natural beauty. She wrote articles for environmental awareness-raising, and amongst them was "Empower the woman and save the environment". She later received a graduate program admission in Sweden where she pursued environmental sciences, and later on she began exploring the Geographic Information System (GIS) as a vital tool for the environment. When her family immigrated to the United States, Veronica joined them in Virginia in 2009.
Veronica believes the environment is a web and looks forward to learning even more about the connections through physical/data analyses and tools like the GIS. She has a certificate in Disasters and Ecosystems: Resilience in a Changing Climate by the United Nation Environmental Program and Python Programming certificate from George Mason University. She is working on her master's research in GIS Ecosystem Analysis at the Lund University. She has a Master's Degree in Environmental Sciences from the Mid-Sweden University, GIS Certificate from Umea University, and a Bachelor of Science in Geology (major) and a minor in Biology from the University of Buea in Cameroon.
Veronica worked as a team leader intern in natural resources management for the National Park Service at Prince William Forest Park. She also worked as a volunteer for the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute in Front Royal, Environmental Services of Arlington County, and the Natural Resources Management of Fairfax County Parks Authority. As a certified stream monitor she helps with the Northern Virginia Soil and Water Conservation District. She is a certified Virginia Master Naturalist, a board member of the Prince William Wildflower Society. She is also a member of the Student Conservation Association/AmeriCorps, Society for Conservation GIS and the Ecological Society of America (ESA). She received a certificate for Community Stream Stewardship from Prince William Conservation Alliance (PWCA) and holds a Stadia Board Society honors from the National Map Corps of the United States Geological Survey (USGS).
Kim Lowther, Education Specialist education@pwswcd.org
Kim joined the District in April 2023. She has an MS in Environmental Studies from Antioch University of New England in Keene, NH and a BS in Environmental Science from Allegheny College in Meadville, PA. Kim has taught Environmental Education for 27 years in many capacities at Children’s Museums, Nature Centers, and Preschools. Kim started out teaching HS Biology but quickly discovered she preferred teaching at informal institutions and worked at a Nature Center in Michigan and an Outdoor Education School in Wisconsin. Shortly after that she moved back to the Washington DC area, where she grew up, and started work at Discovery Creek Children’s Museum for 11 years, managing and teaching a variety of programs such as school programs, camps, and a school garden program. After that, she taught science at Pender Hill Preschool for 9 years. Next, she worked as Education Director at Children’s Science Center for a short period of time and went from there into an Education Program Specialist position at Glen Echo Park Aquarium. There she taught about the Chesapeake Bay Watershed for 5 years. Most recently she worked as a Teacher Naturalist at Walker Nature Center in Reston, VA which incorporated Meaningful Watershed Educational Experiences (MWEE). In 2023, Kim earned her Certificate of Interpretive Guide and became a Certified Water Quality Monitor through Virginia Save our Streams and Prince William Soil and Water Conservation District.
Josie Anderson, Water Quality Assistant waterqualityassistant@pwswcd.org
After volunteering in 2022, Josie met water quality specialist, Veronica Tangiri. Soon after Josie joined the team for an internship as Veronica's water quality assistant. Josie received her BA of Marine Science at Coastal Carolina University . She has interest in chemically monitoring the community’s water for issues such a Harmful Algal Blooms and phytoplankton blooms.
Jay Yankey, Cost-Share Specialist jayyankey@pwswcd.org
Jay returned to the District in October 2011 after serving as the Education and Conservation Specialist from February 2002 through March 2005. Jay brings his expertise in agriculture production and natural resources conservation to the traditional farmers, small acreage/specialty crop producers, exotic livestock and horse operations.
Jay is a Prince William County native, growing up on the family farm in Nokesville. His family raised cattle, grain, and hay as part-time farmers. Jay graduated from Brentsville District High School and received his B.S. in Agribusiness and Environmental Science from Ferrum College. Jay is an active member of the Virginia Farm Bureau, and currently serves on the Prince William/Fairfax Farm Bureau Board of Directors. Jay has chaired the Virginia Farm Bureau Young Farmers Committee.
Jay, his wife, Sonja and daughters Ali and Beth, and son Carter, own and operate Yankey Farms, a Community Supported Agriculture vegetable farm and market in Nokesville.
Directors
John B. Price, Chairman
John was appointed as a Director by the Board of Directors in 2022 and is currently serving a Chairman of the District. Originally he was elected as a Director in 2015 and served as both Chairman and Vice Chairman from 2016 until 2020.
John has been a resident of Prince William County since 1983 and has seen the rapid development of the county and its impacts on the farming community as well as the environment. He is interested in supporting the conservation and preservation of our waterways, farmlands and open spaces by working with owners and overseers of these resources.
John retired from the Federal Government in 2016 after 40 years in the areas of technology research and development, emergency management and government policy development.
John has a BA in Finance from the University of South Florida, an MBA in Business, Government and Public Policy from the George Washington University, and an MS in Information Systems from George Mason University.
John volunteered for ten years with the Prince William Department of Fire Rescue, Buckhall Vounteer Fire Department, as a Firefighter/Paramedic, serving the last two as the President of Buckhall. He also has been a member of the Potomac Appalachian Trail Club for over 30 years where he worked on trails and cabins and served with the Shenandoah Mountain Rescue Group and a local K9 search and rescue team performing wilderness searches. Previously John was a volunteer member of the interpretive staff at the Manassas National Battlefield Park.
Training has always been a particular interest of John’s and he is currently an instructor of the American Heart Association (AHA) teaching CPR and first aid. Previously he was an instructor with the Sierra Club teaching basic and advanced backpacking.
Jenny Reed, Vice Chair
Information Pending
Nancy Vehrs, Secretory
Nancy Vehrs is a native of Northern Virginia and a product of Prince William County Schools. She is an alumna of the College of William & Mary where she majored in Economics. In 2012 she retired from a 32-year career in Fairfax County government, with the last 21 years as clerk to its Board of Supervisors.
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Nancy joined the Virginia Native Plant Society in 1988 shortly after buying her own home in Prince William County. She has served as its president since 2012 and also serves as the president of her local chapter, the Prince William Wildflower Society. Growing up in Manassas near the banks of Bull Run, Nancy traces her love of wildflowers to her discovery of masses of Virginia Bluebells in bloom there when she was a young girl. Conservation of native plants and their habitats is central to her mission in retirement.
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Nancy was elected as a board director of the Prince William Soil and Water Conservation District in November 2023 for a four-year term beginning in 2024. She is an active volunteer and former board director of the Prince William Conservation Alliance, a board director and Vice-Chair of the Upper Occoquan Service Authority (a water reclamation public utility), a member and past president of the Prince William Committee of 100, and a member of many conservation organizations. Along with her companion Harry Glasgow, she helps lead regular walks at Huntley Meadows Park in Fairfax County and at Merrimac Farm Wildlife Management Area in Prince William County. She presents native plant programs to garden clubs and environmental organizations around the Commonwealth. She enjoys visiting parks and natural areas where she can immerse herself in nature.
Nancy was the recipient of the local Cox Conserves award in 2017, and in 2018, she received the Heart of Gold Award from the Prince William Conservation Alliance. Together with her partner Harry Glasgow, they were named the 2019 Conservationists of the Year by the Prince William chapter of Ducks Unlimited. In 2021 Nancy received the highest award that National Garden Clubs gives to non-members — their National Award of Excellence. She was nationally recognized for her work and dedication in conservation, education, and native plant initiatives.
Mansimran Kahlon, Treasurer
Information Pending
Thomas Bolles, Director
Thomas is the Agriculture Extension Agent in Prince William County. His interests include agricultural and environmental education for adults and children, aquaculture and hydroponics and food security/sovereignty/ justice. Thomas is a certified urban nutrient management planner and is trained in facilitation. In the past, he has been to Afghanistan twice to work on agricultural development. He also taught in public schools for 13 years. Thomas earned a bachelor’s degree in History from Virginia Commonwealth University and a master’s in Agriculture and Extension Education.
Associate Directors
Drew Uglow
Information Pending
Harrison Glasgow
Harry comes to us from Fairfax County. He has served the Northern Virginia Soil & Water Conservation District since 2005. He is a member of the Fairfax County Park Authority board from 2005 through 2012. He is a member of the Fairfax Chesapeake Bay Exceptions Committee 2003-2012, and the Fairfax County Tree Commission member since 2006 and serves as chair since 2008.
Harry is a member of the Friends of Huntley Meadows Park, 1990 to present; member of Fairfax County "Friends" Groups: Hidden Oaks Nature Center, Meadowood Farms, Archeology, Riverbend Nature Center, and Lake Accotink Park. He received the Fairfax County "Lord Fairfax Award" in 1993, the Fairfax County Federation of Citizen Association's "Citizen of Merit Award" in 2009, and is a member of the Prince William Conservation Alliance 2009 to present, and Chair of the Alliance Conservation Committee.
Harry was born and raised in Northern Illinois, educated in Illinois public schools and the University of Illinois. He served three years in the U. S. Army, joined the faculty of the U. S. Army Intelligence School at Ft. Devens, MA in 1966 as a civilian instructor. While living in MA he became increasingly interested in conservation matters and projects. He became a volunteer naturalist with the Mass. Audubon Society. He chaired his community's Wetland Conservation Commission which administers the state Wetlands Preservation laws. In 1989 he relocated in Northern VA working as an analyst with the Army's Intelligence Agency. He retired from Federal Service in 2001 and since then has devoted his time volunteering for conservation of his community's natural resources.
Harry states "I can think of nothing quite so simple to understand as the need to conserve the resources of our planet. If for no other reason than the health and well being of our family and ourselves, we should devote what is necessary to this end. The Soil and Water Conservation District program is one of the few direct 'cause and effect' organizations that aims exclusively for that goal. My experience with the Northern Virginia SWCD has been one of the most satisfying volunteer pursuits I have had. The Prince William SWCD offers another facet of that experience that I would like to explore." Harry serves the District on the Education, Technical Review and Finance Committees, and chairs the Districts Prince William Environmental Excellence Foundation, a 501(C)3 non-profit organization. Harry is an enthusiastic participant with our Farm Field Days, Arbor Day, Meaningful Watershed Educational Experiences for third grade students, and science fair events.
Sonnie Cuffey
Sonnie started volunteering with the District as a Water Quality Monitor in 2014. He was introduced to volunteering by Veronica (our Water Quality Program Coordinator). Sonnie began his Water Quality Monitoring at his current stream at Dawkins Branch (Victory Lakes). At Dawkins Branch, Sonnie has conducted stream monitoring & monthly chemical probe testing.
Sonnie serves as a County Poll Chief and volunteers with various County organizations where he encourages involvement in our Water Quality Program.
He loves local fishing and hiking in the Shenandoah.
Jim Gehlsen
Jim joined the District as the appointed Director in February 2012. He has served as treasurer, chairman, and Vice Chariman. He was elected Area II Chairman in December 2016. He earned his B.S. in Building Construction from Clemson University. He and his wife, Jean, raised their 5 children on a 100 acre farm in Nokesville he bought in 1983 and named Evergreen Acres. He planted his first christmas trees in March, 1984 and has been selling them since 1991. He also grows hay and pumpkins. Jim operated as a masonry contractor from 1979 to 2010 and still maintains his class A contracto'rs license. He grew certified organic produce from 2010 to 2017 and was the first grower in PW county to be certified organic and GAP certified. In 2017 he began construction of Cedar Run Brewery on his farm.
Will Lintner
Will joined the Board as an elected member on January 1, 2020. He and his wife are long time residents of Prince William County, both graduated from Woodbridge Senior High School. They raised two daughters here. Mr. Lintner has a B.A. degree in Biology from George Mason University and a B.S. degree in Mechanical Engineering from George Washington University. His desire for safeguarding the environment, especially the quality and quantity of the water within the aquifers, streams and the Potomac River that are a crucial to the residents and wildlife led him to seek office as a director.
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Before becoming a Prince William Soil and Water Conservation District Director, Mr. Lintner was employed as an engineer, technical expert and project/program manager by the Federal Government. During his career he worked in the areas of energy efficiency of buildings, adoption of renewable energy, industrial water treatment, water and steam system efficiency, heating and power plant operations, and environmental clean-up. He provided policy guidance, training, financial assistance and technical expertise to the Federal agencies to assist them in meeting their Federal goals in many of those areas while reducing operational costs. He also collaborated with private companies owning energy intensive laboratories and data centers to assist them with reducing costs through the adoption of best practices that increase the efficient use of energy. Mr. Lintner was the Vice Chairman of the Northern Virginia Section of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers for many years concurrent with his Federal employment.