Geauga SWCD

Each of the 88 Soil and Water Conservation Districts in the State of Ohio has a five-member, governing body.  The governing body is the SWCD Board of Supervisors and their job is to set the direction for the District staff.  Board members are elected to serve staggered, three-year terms.  They serve as volunteers and are granted specific powers under Chapter 1515 of the Ohio Revised Code.

The Board of Supervisors has the ethical and legal responsibility to ensure that the SWCD meets its mission.  They set the District policies for the office procedure, county projects, and public requests.  The Board also determines the need for additional staff members, works cooperatively with other agencies and local officials, and assists with the attainment of operational funds.

There are twelve monthly board meetings, and a few special meetings throughout the year including the Annual Dinner Meeting, budget hearing with the County Commissioners, and various committee meetings.  Many excellent opportunities arise throughout the course of the year that allow Supervisors to attend workshops, conferences, and events on an area, state, or even national level.  These opportunities are a great way to learn more about the prominent conservation issues that face the community.

The role of the SWCD Board Supervisor is very important.  Conservation is a prominent issue in Geauga County and the need for conservation leaders is essential. We encourage county residents to attend the Annual Meeting and vote for board supervisors in order to help protect Geauga County's soil and water resources.

Interested in Becoming a Board Supervisor

Anyone who is a resident of Geauga County is eligible to run for Board Supervisor.  If you are interested in being a Supervisor, please send a letter of intent explaining your  background and why you are interested in becoming a Board Supervisor.  A nominating committee chooses a slate of candidates that are voted on at the Annual Meeting .  Either 1 or 2 supervisors are elected to staggered terms each year.  If you are not chosen by the nominating committee to be on the ballot, you may fill out a petition and with the required amount of qualifying signatures will be placed on the ballot. 

Public Records Request Information

Public Records Policy

Freedom of Information Request Form -(Request for Public Records)

Board of Supervisors

2018 Geauga SWCD Board of Supervisors 

            Left to right: Robert J. Rogish, Jr., Vice Chair;                   Jeff Huntsberger, Board Chair; Mary Slingluff, Secretary;          Dee Belew, Treasurer; and Mike Henry, Fiscal Agent  

Board Chair, Jeff Huntsberger

Jeff joined the SWCD board in 2015 and serves as the Chair.  He is a Munson Township resident of more than thirty four years where he and his wife, Sally, raised two boys and two girls.  He grew up in Chesterland and graduated from West Geauga High School.  As a partner with the law firm of McDonald Hopkins, LLC, Jeff has extensive experience in many areas of real estate, oil and gas, and business law.  He served on the Geauga County Planning Commission for 11 years, most recently as its chairperson.  He is a member of the Rotary Club of Chesterland and Celebration Lutheran Church in Chardon.  His hobbies include fly fishing and gardening.  Jeff enjoys being on the board because of his lifelong interest in Geauga County and preserving the County’s resources.

Vice Chair, Robert J. Rogish, Jr.

Bob Rogish has served on the SWCD board since 2015 and is currently the Vice Chairman.  Bob is a lifelong Geauga County resident and currently lives on the Rogish Farm in Chester Township with his wife Amy.  Bob is employed by Patterson Farms and takes part in the daily operations of Patterson Fruit Farm.  Along with their 40 acre farm, he and his wife also own and operate Tannenbaums, a fresh cut Christmas tree business on the grounds of Patterson Fruit Farm. Bob served 8 years on the Geauga County Fair Board and was a founding member of the Great Geauga County Fair Foundation.  He is a Chester Township Trustee, a volunteer for the Geauga County Maple Festival, a member of Geauga County Farm Bureau, a 2007 graduate of Leadership Geauga, and serves on the Geauga County Planning Commission Board.  As graduate of Chardon High School and Auburn Career Center studying Horticultural Science, Bob attended Ohio State University’s Agricultural Technical Institute and studied Crop Services.  Bob is excited to serve on the board as another way to continue giving back to the community and the county that he has called home for the past 38 years.. 

Secretary, Mary Slingluff

Mary has be committed to the board as a member or associate member since 2009 and is currently the Treasurer.  She is is a Chester Township resident and lives with her husband Jody.  They have four children.  As owner of Avalon Gardens Nursery in Munson for the past 22 years, Mary has created this full service nursery and charming Bed and Breakfast as a sustainable green business.  Avalon Gardens specializes in landscape design, specialty gardens, and above all, native plants.  Mary organically grows, sells, and landscapes with native plants and uses her knowledge and passion to teach of their immense value.  In addition to running her business, she also supports other plant sales, hosts many Garden Clubs, presents education programs, and volunteers at the soup kitchen at the Salvation Army in Collinwood.  Mary holds a biology degree from Allegheny College.  She is committed to preserving and protecting natural resources and enjoys working with the engineers, master gardeners, scientists, and educators at the District to serve the people of Geauga County.

Treasurer, Dee Belew

Dee Belew has been a resident of Auburn Township for 45 years.  Currently the Vice Chair, Dee has been on the Board of Supervisors since 2013.  She and her husband own Messenger Century Farm and produce hay, maple syrup, and a “pick your own” blueberry patch.  The Belews protected their farm with a conservation easement through Western Reserve Land Conservancy to preserve the land in its current state.  Dee loves all types of gardening and has been a Master Gardener for 13 years.  She has worked for 21 years as Zoning Commission secretary for Auburn. 

Fiscal Agent, Mike Henry, P.E.

Mike Henry has served on the SWCD board since 2008 and is currently the Fiscal Agent.  Mike resides in Auburn Township with his wife, Michelle, and their two daughters.  He is a Professional Engineer and has spent the past 11 years as a partner with Chagrin Valley Engineers, Ltd.  Mike has served as a member of the Auburn Township Zoning Commission from 2005 - 2015.  He is an avid skier, hunter, and 4-h advisor.  Mike is passionate about managing the resources of Geauga County responsibly and with integrity.

Associate Supervisors

Nancy Speck

Nancy has contributed tireless hours to Geauga SWCD in various capacities.  She is mostly known for her instrumental development and ongoing involvement in the Wonders of Watersheds summer teacher workshops, which she helped start 20 years ago.  She is a  retired  special needs educator and Geauga County Educational Service Center Administrator.  Nancy currently serves on Geauga SWCD's eduation committee, is an Ashland University Adjunct Instructor, and actively volunteers with many organizations throughout the county.

Staff

Colleen Lair, Administrative Assistant

Colleen provides administrative support and customer service, as well as heading up many special projects.  Colleen is a native Geauga County resident of Newbury.  She is a graduate of Newbury High School and attended Kent State University's Geauga Branch in Burton.  Colleen has seventeen years of experience as an administrative assistant.

Carmella Shale, PE, District Director/Engineer

Carmella is in charge of office operations and the Urban Program.  She is a registered Professional Engineer for the State of Ohio. Carmella graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from Cleveland State University, then moved on to earn her Master's degree in Hydrology. Carmella previously worked at the Geauga County Engineer's office.

Bob Griesmer, Urban Technician

Bob provides technical assistance for homeowners and conducts construction site inspections. He is a graduate of North Carolina State University with a BS in Horticultural Science. His professional experiences include agricultural research greenhouse manager and field specialist, ornamental nurseryman, golf course construction, and landscape maintenance.

Gail Prunty, Education/Communications Specialist

Gail provides presentations for all ages, workshops for adults, assists with public outreach and information, and offers assistance with managing and sustaining our natural resources.  Previously, she has worked in environmental education for the Tuscarawas County Park Department, Athens SWCD, Burr Oak State Park, and Nature’s Classroom Outdoor Education Program.  Gail has an Associate Degree in Natural & Cultural History Interpretation from Hocking College.

Katie Nainiger, Conservation Education Coordinator

Katie assist with education programming and coordinates special projects including the Envirothon, Watershed Ripples newsletter, conservation poster contests, and education brochures.  She also aligns District programs to Ohio's current science standards and serves as a council member for the Western Reserve Resource Development and Conservation. Katie received her degree in Wildlife Management and Interpretive Services from Hocking College. She previously worked at Lake Metroparks Wildlife Center for 12 years as the Wildlife Education Coordinator.

Colleen Sharp, Natural Resources Technician

Colleen  assists with mitigation sites owned by Geauga County, conducts stream and wetland assessments, inspects construction sites, and manages the GIS storm sewer outfall database for the County.  She received her Bachelor of Science degree from Cleveland State University in Environmental Science and then went on to earn a Master of Science degree from the University of Akron in Biology.  Colleen's past experience consists of various internships including environmental education, stream evaluations, wetland assessments, and conservation easement inspections.  She has also conducted various studies and research with amphibians and water quality.

Jonathan Mauk, USDA-NRCS District Conservationist

Jonathan is the District Conservationist for the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), working cooperatively with Ashtabula, Geauga, and Lake Counties.  His office is in Orwell and Jonathan can be reached at (440) 437-5888 or Jonathan.Mauk@oh.usda.gov.