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2022 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.
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 thirty six 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.
Beth McCaffrey
Vice Chair
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.
Dee Belew
Fiscal Agent
Dee Belew has been a resident of Auburn Township for 49 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.
Tracy Engle
Secretary
Tracy is a 21-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.
Mary Slingluff
Treasurer
Mary has be committed to the board as a member or associate member since 2009 and is currently the Treasurer. She is is a Chardon Township resident and lives with her husband Jody. They have four children. 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. 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.
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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.