Staff
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.
Bennett Kottler
Project 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.
Linda Keller
Finance Director
Linda has a strong background in community and nonprofit work. An optimist and a connector, Linda has worn many hats throughout her career. She served in the U.S. Peace Corps in a village in the Andes Mountains in Ecuador from 1989 to 1991 as an agriculture extension volunteer, working on soil conservation, erosion control, gardening, and small animal husbandry.
Linda earned a B.F.A. in Fine Arts and an M.Ed in Curriculum & Instruction from the University of Cincinnati.
Johnny Dwyer
Education Director
Johnny is a previous park ranger and life sciences/Montessori teacher. He has a passion for photography. He joins MCA as our Education Director and social media manager. 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
Community Outreach Director
After earning a B.S. in Biology and Environmental Studies from the University of Cincinnati, Beth spent time working in community organizing, invasive species research, and outdoor recreation. She has spent her career leading teams as a people and project manager as well as a community coordinator.
Passionate about native plants, diverse ecosystems, and building resilient and connected communities, she enjoys participating in events benefiting many of our local environmental organizations.
When not at work Beth enjoys traveling, kayaking, mountain biking, hiking, baking, playing music, and spending time outside with friends.
She is currently a graduate student studying natural resource management through Harvard’s Division of Continuing Education.
Rufaro Bulathsinghalage
Environmental Education AmeriCorps Member (ArchaeoCorps)
My name is Rufaro Bulathsinghalage and I am finishing my final semester at the University of Cincinnati. There, I study environmental science and political science and I plan to integrate my love for the environment with legislation to further educate, protect, and conserve the Earth and its natural resources. I joined AmeriCorps because it directly aligns with my passion to educate the world around me about the importance of the environment. It also allows me to further educate myself about what it means to be an environmental steward. I am looking forward to spreading my current knowledge and what I plan to learn with my community and those around me.
Pip McCullars
Restoration AmeriCorps Member (ORBCorps)
Pip is the new Mill Creek Alliance’s Environmental Restoration AmeriCorps Member. He is looking forward to collaborating on current and future habitat and stream restoration projects as well as leading volunteer events. He recently graduated from University of Cincinnati with a BS in Environmental Studies. 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. Outside of service Pip enjoys hiking, kayaking, reading, and working with LGBTQ+ youth.
Interns
Kylie Lawson
Blue Team Lab Leader, 2025
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. .
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
Patricia O’Connor, Treasurer
Retired
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
Joe Bunke
Retired, Cincinnati Federal
Savings & Loan
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
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