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Geauga SWCD Board of Supervisors
Jeff Huntsberger
Board Chair
Jeff joined the SWCD board in 2015 and serves as the Chair. He is a Munson Township resident of more than forty-two 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 retired 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, including serving as Chair. He is a member of the Geauga West Rotary Club 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.
Robert Lausin
Vice Chair
Robert Lausin lives in Thompson with his wife Cindy of 42 years. On the family properties he farms hay and grain. Bob has lived in Thompson his entire life except for four years of U.S. Navy service. They have three grown sons. Bob joined the Geauga SWCD Board of Supervisors as Vice Chair in 2023 and previously served terms from 1992-1994 and 2001-2006. He is a graduate of Ledgemont High School and had been a 4-H advisor for the Thompson-Ledge Dairymen for 19 years. He is also a member of the AMVET Post #1968. As a lifelong and dedicated farmer, his conservation interests include farmland preservation and composting.
Dee Belew
Fiscal Agent
Dee Belew and her husband Bill have resided in Auburn Township for 54 years and own Messenger Century Farm. Her two children and six grandchildren also reside in Auburn. Dee has been on the Board of Supervisors since 2013 and currently serves as Fiscal Agent. The Belews produce hay, maple syrup, and have a “Pik Your Own” blueberry patch. Their farm has been protected with a conservation easement through Western Reserve Land Conservancy to preserve the land in its current state. Dee loves all types of gardening and volunteers for Western Reserve Land Conservancy. She was the secretary of the Auburn Township Zoning Commission for 24 years. For the love of Auburn Township and Geauga County she would like to continue to be on the Board.
Tracy Engle
Secretary
Tracy is a 26-year resident of Auburn Township with his wife, Jeanne, and three daughters (Natalie, Katie, and Lillie). He currently serves on the Geauga SWCD Board of Supervisors as Secretary and has served three full terms (2006 - 2009 and 2020 - the present). Tracy also served on the Auburn Township Zoning Commission for 9 years and was a member of the Geauga County Planning Commission from 2006 - 2019. He holds an Associate’s Degree in Wildlife Management from Hocking Technical College, a Bachelor Degree in Natural Resource Management from The Ohio State University, a Master of 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 the Carolinas. As a conservationist, Tracy enjoys birding, 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.
Mary Slingluff
Treasurer
Mary has been committed to the board as a member or associate member since 2009 and is currently the Treasurer. She is a Chardon Township resident and lives with her husband Jody. They have four children and five grandchildren. As previous owner of Avalon Gardens Nursery in Munson for the past 25 years, she is now the proud owner of Avalon Gardens Farmer Florist. She is passionate about and committed to sustainable flower farming. She grows a lot of flowers on her property and supports local growers by purchasing their flowers for her weddings and events. 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.
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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.