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

2021 Geauga SWCD Board of Supervisors

Left to right: Tracy Engle, Secretary; Beth McCaffrey, Vice Chair; Dee Belew, Fiscal Agent; Mary Slingluff, Treasurer; and Jeff Huntsberger, Board Chair. 

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 five 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, Beth McCaffrey

Beth McCaffrey joined the District in 2019.  She is a lifelong Geauga County resident and currently lives with her husband, Tom, in Montville Township.  Beth is employed by by Berkshire Local Schools as Chief Financial Officer.  Beth served as Treasurer for the Geauga Historical Society and on the Geauga Credit Union Board of Directors.  Both her and Tom are avid bikers and enjoy the Maple Highland Trail daily.  She loves to garden and is a self-proclamined "foodie."  Beth is committed to protecting Geauga County resources and to maintaining its rural lifestyle.  

Fiscal Agent, Dee Belew

Dee Belew has been a resident of Auburn Township for 47 years.  Currently the Fiscal Agent, 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 14 years.  She worked for 22 years as Zoning Commission secretary for Auburn. 

Secretary, Tracy Engle 

Tracy is a 20-year resident of Auburn Township with his wife, Jeanne, and three daughters (Natalie, Katie, and Lillie).  He previously served on the Geauga SWCD Board of Supervisors from 2006 until 2009 and also served on the Auburn Township Zoning Commission for 9 years.  Since 2006 Tracy has been a member of the Geauga County Planning Commission.  He holds a Bachelors Degree in Natural Resource Management from The Ohio State University, a Master’s Degree in Biology from John Carroll University, and is a Professional Wetland Scientist as certified by the Society of Wetland Scientists.  Tracy works as a Regional Practice Leader for TRC, managing offices staffed by teams of biologists, wetland scientists, archaeologists, and environmental scientists in offices located from Wisconsin to Florida.  As a conservationist, Tracy enjoys kayaking, hiking, hunting and fishing.  He takes great pride in the fact that he has purchased numerous properties for wetland and wildlife habitat conservation, that are perpetually protected under a conservation easement.

Treasurer, 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 ChardonTownship resident and lives with her husband Jody.  They have four children.  As owner of Avalon Gardens Nursery in Munson for the past 24 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.

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 decades 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 nineteen 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.

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 the Nature’s Classroom 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 the Ohio Historic Family Farms program.  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 many natural resource projects, construction site inspections, the stream quality monitoring program (MYC: Millennium Youth Conservations), grants, the Clean Ohio program, and manages the GIS storm sewer outfall database for the County.  Beginning her career as a court reporter, she soon heeded her call to natural resources protection and returned to school for a Bachelor of Science degree from Cleveland State University in Environmental Science and then earned a Master of Science degree from the University of Akron in Biology.  Colleen's past experiences include environmental education, amphibian and water quality research, stream evaluations, wetland assessments, and conservation easement inspections.  

Mike Tadaj, Technician

Mike conducts construction site inspections, post construction stormwater basin inspections, handles the Agricultural Pollution Abatement program, and monitors conservation easements.  He is native to Geauga County, an Eagle Scout, and serves in the Ohio Army National Guard.  He is also working toward a Construction Management degree through Kent State University- Geauga. His background experience includes various types of work as a laborer.

Spence Nash, Conservation Technician

Spence conducts construction site inspections as well as provides technical assistance for residents.  He grew up in Geauga County and continues to assist in the operation of The Pond Ice Arena with his family, promoting environmentally conscious efforts within small businesses.  Spence received a Bachelor of Arts from Bowling Green State University in Environmental Policy and Analysis with a specialization in sustainable management.  His background experience with various projects includes watershed-based approaches, stormwater management, and public outreach.

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@usda.gov.