Our People
Team
Katie Hess
Director of South Mountain Partnership
Director of Pennsylvania Landscape Conservation
Appalachian Trail Conservancy
Boiling Springs, PA 17007
717-609-4581
Julia Chain
Program Manager of the South Mountain Partnership
Appalachian Trail Conservancy
P.O. Box 122
Boiling Springs, PA 17007
Tyler Semder
DCNR Internal Lead
Recreation and Conservation Program Specialist
PA Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Bureau of Forestry, Recreation Section
The South Mountain Partnership Leadership Committee
The Leadership Committee operates to provide strategic direction and oversight of the South Mountain Partnership. The Leadership Committee was convened in 2011 to ensure direct partner engagement in the Partnership’s work; the Committee represents the diversity of partners and interest areas of the broader South Mountain Partnership, and also reflects the region’s geography.
The Leadership Committee is currently comprised of the following individuals:
Holly Smith
Project Manager
Center for Land Use and Sustainability, Shippensburg University
Sarah Merritt
Director of Pennsylvania Creative Communities & the Creative Economy
Pennsylvania Council on the Arts
Brendan Salyards
Manager, Economic Initiatives
York County Economic Alliance
Stephanie Williams
Senior Planning Manager
Cumberland County Planning Department
Elizabeth Grant, AICP
Planning Specialist
Cumberland County Planning Department
Roy Brubaker
District Forester – Michaux State Forest
DCNR-Bureau of Forestry
Steve Thomas
Planning Director
Franklin County Planning Department
Rob Thaeler
Principal Planner
Adams County Office of Planning and Development
Sarah Kipp
Conservation Director
Land Conservancy of Adams County
Patti Nitterhouse
Vice President
White Rock Inc.
Anne Walko
Senior Planner
York County Planning Commission
About Our Committees
The South Mountain Partnership operates through support of diverse and active committees that move the organization forward through programming, communications, and organizational development.
We are currently looking for new committee members and need great people like YOU!
If you strive to be a good communicator and a “doer” who takes action and gets things done, you may be a great fit! This opportunity is especially great for young professionals, those wishing to build their resumes and professional networks, and retired individuals. Each committee member contributes based on their own interests and strengths.
Contact Katie at khess@appalachiantrail.org or Julia at jchain@appalachiantrail.org, any current committee member to learn more or to submit a letter of interest and/or resume.
Communications Committee
Janet Pollard , Melodie Anderson Smith, Courtney Gotham, Kristen Rowe, Jared Abell, Andrew Gehman
Produces collateral and materials like flyers, brochures, newsletters and updates website. Facilitates improved communications that foster awareness and development of our goals, mission, strategies, and programs through print and electronic media, upholding and refining standards for the SMP brand, publicizing programs and initiatives, overseeing website content, and maximizing the use of resources for media and public relations.
Program Committee
Elizabeth Grant , Patricia Nitterhouse, Rob Thaeler, Onnolee Jansen, Frank Grumbine, Brendan Salyards, Sarah Merritt, Denise Tushingham
Guides and contributes to planning and running programs like the Spring and Fall Meetings and the Mini-Grants and Speakers Series programs. Develops, prioritizes, implements and evaluates partnership programs for consistency with our organizational mission and goals. The committee will focus on a thematic priority under the guidance of the Leadership Committee.
Research Corps Committee
Joe Baker, Aura Stauffer, Maria Bruno, Larry Klotz, Suzanne Hartley, Holly Smith
Guides the work of the South Mountain Research Corps and Science Summit.
Fundraising Action Team
Mike Eschenmann, Dan Brannen, Janet Pollard, Sarah Merritt, Mary Ann Leidigh, Caitlin Lucas, Sarah Kipp
Works with the Friends of the South Mountain Partnership and the sponsor program, attends events, and widens our circle.