Administrative/Development & Communications
Michelle Decker
Executive Director
Ph. 740-767-4938
michelle@ruralaction.org
Click to read Michelle’s bio
Susan Roth
Development and Communications Director
Ph. 740-767-4938
susan@ruralaction.org
Click to read Susan’s bio
Sarah Warda
Visual Communications Coordinator
Ph. 740-767-4938
sarah@ruralaction.org
Click to read Sarah’s bio
Candi Withem
Human Resources/AmeriCorps Director
Ph. 740-767-4938
cswithem@yahoo.com
Click to read Candi’s bio
Allan Withem
Computer Specialist
Ph. 740-767-4938
arwithem@yahoo.com
Click here to read Allan’s bio
Financial
Linda Thornton
Financial Director
Ph. 740-797-2783
lindathornton@usa.net
Click here to read Linda’s bio
Elizabeth Atwell
Financial & Administrative Assistant
Ph. 740-797-2783
elizabeth@ruralaction.org
Click here to read Elizabeth’s bio
Sustainable Agriculture
Tom Redfern
Sustainable Agriculture Coordinator
Ph. 740-767-4938
tomr@ruralaction.org
Click to read Tom’s bio
Bob Fedyski
Local/Institutional Foods Specialist
Ph. 740-767-4938
bob@ruralaction.org
Click to read Bob’s bio
Sustainable Forestry
Susi Rankis
Sustainable Forestry Administrator
Ph. 740-767-4938
susi@ruralaction.org
Click to read Susi’s bio
Tanner Filyaw
Forestry Staff
Ph. 740-767-4938
tanner@ruralaction.org
Click to read Tanner’s bio
Richard (Rick) Bush
Green and Oriented Regional Wood Products Specialist
Ph. 330-473-8997
rick@ruralaction.org
Click to read Rick’s bio
Watershed Restoration
Sunday Creek Watershed Group
Michelle Shaw
Sunday Creek Watershed Coordinator
Ph. 740-767-2225
michelle@sundaycreek.org
Click to read Michelle’s bio
Monday Creek Restoration Project
Mike Steinmaus
Director of Watershed Resources
Ph. 740-394-2047
mcrp@mondaycreek.org
Click here to read Mike’s bio
Nathan Schlater
Water Quality Specialist, Monday Creek
Ph. 740-394-2047
water@mondaycreek.org
Click to read Nathan’s bio
Huff Run Watershed Restoration Partnership
Maureen Wise
Huff Run Watershed Coordinator
330-859-1050
maureen@ruralaction.org
Click to read bio
Environmental Education
Joe Brehm
Environmental Education Programs Coordinator
Ph. 740-767-2225
joe@ruralaction.org
Click to read Joe’s bio
Appalachian Ohio Zero Waste Initiative
Kyle O’Keefe
Waste Stream Development Organizer
Ph. 740-767-4938
kyle@ruralaction.org
Click to read Kyle’s bio
Erin Sykes
AOZWI Administrative Assistant
Ph. 740-767-4938
erin@ruralaction.org
Click to read Erin’s bio
Rural Action Americorps Members
Emily Ankney – Mud Run
Teresa Arey – Huff Run
Susanna Bingman – Sunday Creek Watershed Group
Kim Brewster – Raccoon Creek Partnership
Lynn Grabowski – Environmental Education
Rose Keyes – Zero Waste Initiative
Kristin Kindler – Raccoon Creek Partnership
Richard Lutz – Trail Maintenance
Lisa Prince – Leading Creek
Molly Jo Stanley – Environmental Education
Joe Steinbrecher – Zero Waste Initiative
Joe Stitt – Monday Creek Restoration Partnership
Nora Sullivan – Monday Creek Restoration Partnership
Jen Wallace – Environmental Education
Click here to read the AmeriCorps Members bios.
Rural Action Board of Directors
John Kotowski (11/17/08 – 11/17- 14)
Board Chair
Ph. 707-2299
Retired
jkkotowski@gmail.com
Committee: Finance, Executive, Building
Shana Byrd (12/17/07 – 12/17/12)
Vice President
Ph. 740-767-3475
Restoration Ecology Program Coordinator, The Wilds
sbyrd@thewilds.org
Susan Loughridge (5/8/09 – 5/8/15)
Board Treasurer
Ph. 740-797-2637
loughrid@ohio.edu
Committee: Executive, Finance
Scott Miller (6/16/07- 6/16/13)
Ph. 740-797-8649
Director Energy and Environmental, Voinovich School of Leadership and Pubic Affairs
millers1@ohio.edu
Committee: Executive, Fundraising
Leslie Dunn (6/25/11-6/25/16)
Ph.740-593-1790
Ohio University- TechGrowth Ohio Finance Coordinator
dunnl1@ohio.edu
Gary Goosman (6/25/11-6/25/16)
Ph. 740-591-0788,
Senior Programs Director, Corporation for Ohio Appalachian Development
ggoosman@coadinc.org
Paul Benedict (1/19/2010- 1/19/2016)
Ph. 740-707-1303
Ed Map,Senior VP of Business Development
pbenedict@gmail.com
Mary Finney (7/14/06 – 7/14/12)
Ph. 740-590-9553
Professor, Ohio University
finneym@ohio.edu
Committee: Strategic Planning
Amy Grove (6/5/10 – 6/5/16)
Ph. 740-818-8843
Ohio State University Extension, Program Assistant 4-H, Community Development & AgNR
grove.68@osu.edu
Rebecca Vazquez-Skillings (1-19-2010- 1-19-2016)
Ph. 614-256-9317
VP For Business Affairs, Otterbein College
Rebecca.Skillings@yahoo.com
Travis West (6/02/06– 6/02/12)
Ph. 591-7423
OSU Extension – Vinton County, 4-H Educator
west.222@osu.edu
Committee: Finance
John Woodrow (Board volunteer)
Committee: Finance (volunteer)