STAFF
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR AND SECRETARY – RICK WEBB retired in 2014 as a Senior Scientist with the Department of Environmental Sciences at the University of Virginia. He is a Board Member of the West Virginia Highlands Conservancy.
GIS ADMINISTRATOR – DANIEL SHAFFER is a Geographic Information Systems consultant. He was the principal architect of ABRA’s Compliance Surveillance Initiative (CSI) mapping system. He is responsible for the technical aspects of ABRA’s Conservation Hub.
HUB SITE RESEARCHER – ANDREW YOUNG is a law student at George Washington University Law School specializing in Environmental, Natural Resource, and Land Use Law. He is a Board Member of the Cowpasture River Preservation Association.
HUB SITE RESEARCHER – DARREN SMITH is the founder of Traipse, Inc., a Virginia-based social impact company providing a platform for exploration of historic and cultural resources, and promotion of local resources. His professional focus is urban and regional planning.
COMMUNICATIONS COORDINATOR – OLIVIA MILLER is a writer and strategic communications professional. She is responsible for managing ABRA’s media communications, website development and maintenance, and newsletter production. Olivia is also the Program Director for the West Virginia Highlands Conservancy, and Board Member of the Stewards of the Potomac Highlands.
RESEARCH ASSISTANT – JO WIGGINS is a senior at the University of Virginia studying environmental science with minors in data analytics and urban and environmental planning.
RESEARCH ASSISTANT – HILL NYSTROM is a senior at the University of Virginia dual-majoring in environmental science and global studies.
RESEARCH ASSISTANT – MASON FRANKLIN is a senior at the University of Virginia studying environmental science.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
CHAIR – ALLEN JOHNSON is also Chair of the Eight Rivers Council and Coordinator for Christians for the Mountains.
VICE-CHAIR – KATE BOYLE is Deputy Executive Director of Appalachian Voices.
TREASURER – LARRY THOMAS is President of the West Virginia Highlands Conservancy.
SECRETARY – OLIVIA MILLER
JUDY RODD is Executive Director of Friends of Blackwater.
BEN LUCKETT is an environmental attorney with Appalachian Mountain Advocates.
DAVID SLIGH is an environmental attorney and Conservation Chair of Wild Virginia.
RANDY KESLING is Conservation Chairperson of the West Virginia Chapter of Trout Unlimited and a Board Member of the West Virginia Highlands Conservancy.