Staff

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Executive Director

Dave is experienced in river conservation, solid waste management, brownfield remediation, and the gamut of environmental laws and regulations.

Dave earned a B.S. in Biology from Marietta College, an M.S. in Forestry from the University of Maine, and a J.D. from the University of Cincinnati College of Law. Dave practiced environmental law for 25 years with Cors & Bassett, LLC. and has served on the boards of several environmental organizations.

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Bennett Kottler

Restoration Director

Bennett has a long history of work in environmental protection, air quality planning, engineering, and remediation. He has worked as an environmental site assessor, consultant, instructor/trainer, urban forestry commission member, and professor of science education and environmental studies. He loves all things food and music and plays guitar and banjo.

Bennett earned B.A. in Biology from Boston University and both a Master’s and Ph.D. from Cornell University in Environmental Toxicology.

Mill Creek Yacht Club

Linda Keller

Finance Director

Linda has a strong background in community and nonprofit work, which began when she served in the U.S. Peace Corps in Ecuador focusing on soil conservation, erosion control, gardening, and small animal husbandry. Since then she has worked in family literacy, technology education, and program management. In her free time, you’ll find her in her garden or behind a potters wheel.

Linda earned a B.F.A. in Ceramic Sculpture and an M.Ed. in Curriculum & Instruction from the University of Cincinnati.

Johnny Dwyer

Education & Digital Media Director

Johnny is a previous park ranger and life sciences/Montessori teacher. He has a passion for photography. He is adept in local and native species of the Midwest and south of the border. He has a love for migratory creatures and local flora especially when it comes to backyard homesteading, invasive species management, and permaculture gardening. Johnny is excited and motivated to get students outside learning!

Beth Himburg

Water Quality & Outreach Director

Beth has B.S. in Biology and Environmental Studies from the University of Cincinnati and a Graduate Certificate in Natural Resource Management from Harvard’s Division of Continuing Education.  She has spent time working in community organizing, invasive species research, outdoor recreation, leading teams and managing projects.  She is passionate about native plants, diverse ecosystems, and building resilient & connected communities. In addition, she loves traveling, kayaking, mountain biking, hiking, baking, playing music, and spending time outside with friends.

Katrina Weiss

Development Director

Katrina graduated from Mount St. Joseph University with a B.A. in English and History. She’ll likely have on a different pair of eyeglasses every time you run into her, the result of working in the optical industry for nearly the last 20 years. Katrina enjoys engaging with her community and serves on Walnut Hills Area Council where she leads the sustainability committee efforts. She loves antiquing with her husband Tony, taking road trips, and the Pittsburgh Penguins.

Pip McCullars

Program Assistant

Pip has a B.S. in Environmental Studies from the University of Cincinnati. He is looking forward to collaborating on current and future habitat and stream restoration projects as well as leading volunteer events. 

While in school, Pip served at Stone Lick State Park, sustainably building the new Blue Heron trail. Pip also worked at Caesars Creek restoring the grounds of The Pioneer Village. He has a passion for the outdoors, conservation, preservation, environmental justice, and invasive species mitigation.

Rufaro Bulathsinghalage

Program Assistant

Rufaro recently earned a B.S. in Environmental Science from the University of Cincinnati. She has spent time removing invasive species, educating the community about the importance of the outdoors, and empowering the youth to appreciate the environment and find their footing within it. 

She plans to integrate her love for the environment with legislation to further educate, protect, and conserve the Earth and its natural resources. In her free time, she loves travelling, cooking, and being active outdoors--you can find her hiking, running, hammocking, or spending time with her family and friends.

Interns

Izzy Leisgang

Blue Team Lab Leader, 2025-26

Izzy finished her B.S. degree in Biology at the University of Cincinnati and is currently finishing her master's thesis at UC. Her thesis uses environmental DNA and land cover usage to understand fish biodiversity in southwest Ohio. She has worked as a graduate assistant at the UC Field Center, assisting in various projects such as invasive species removal, plant distribution surveys in the field center prairies, and freshwater macroinvertebrate assessments. She is passionate about ecology and evolution, conservation and restoration, and environmental education. Izzy loves food, travel, her dog, aquascaping, and participating in all outdoor activities.

Kylie Lawson

Blue Team Lab Leader, 2024-25

Kylie is currently wrapping up her B.S. degree in Environmental Science and Biology at Xavier University. Her experience working in a multitude of labs doing research and her history of volunteering for the MCA emphasize her love for conserving and protecting aquatic ecosystems and ensuring good water quality.

In her free time, she loves reading, hiking, and camping. .

Sam Elliott

Summer Programs and Education Intern, 2025

Sam is currently working on getting his BS in Environmental Engineering. He loves spending time with nature. He looks forward to educating kids about the Earth, and our part within it. He loves fishing, hiking, and swimming whenever possible. He is passionate about restoring native biodiversity and wants to be involved in rewilding efforts in the future.

To reach a staff member, click HERE to send us a message. We will be in touch shortly.

Board of Directors

Michele Gottschlich, Chair
Retired, American Red Cross

Joe Bunke, Treasurer
Retired, Cincinnati Federal
Savings & Loan

Greg Bechtel, Secretary
Retired, GE Aviation

Robert Ashbrock, Director at Large
City of Reading Resident

Larry Falkin, Director at Large
Retired, MSD of Greater Cincinnati

Peter “Zeb” Acuff
Metroparks of Butler County

Chris Caldemeyer
Retired, The Seven Hills Schools

Chris Carr
University of Cincinnati

John Creech
City of Sharonville

Darryl Franklin
North Fairmount Resident

Elizabeth Horton
Advanced Testing Laboratory

Honorable Mayor Ruby Kinsey-Mumphrey, Village of Lincoln Heights

Oliver Kroner
City of Cincinnati Office of Environment & Sustainability

Brendon Leeker
General Electric

John Mangan
Hamilton Co Soil & Water Conservation District

Bradford Mank
University of Cincinnati College of Law

Travis Miller
OKI Regional Council of Governments

Jerry Noble
Pepper Construction

Patricia O’Connor
Retired

Brewster Rhoads
Brewster Rhoads and Associates

Charles G. Skidmore
Law Offices of Charles G. Skidmore

Emeritus Directors

Dave Buesking

Dan Crago

Mike Fremont

Stanley Hedeen

John Hunter

Steve Johns

Bruce Koehler

Michael Miller

Kevin Reynolds

Jerald Robertson

Stiney Vonderhaar