Directors of the Susquehanna County Conservation District

MEET THE DIRECTORS

District Directors are volunteers nominated by local, countywide organizations and appointed by the Board of County Commissioners. Their responsibilities range from policy creation to supporting efforts of district staff and their partner agencies to provide quality administrative, technical, and educational assistance to all county residents who request it.

Chairman / Farm Director - Ray Warriner
Ray is a fourth generation farmer at Agawam Farms at Elk Lake. Currently they grow hay and raise replacement heifers. Over the years many conservation practices have been installed on this beautiful farm. Ray has two daughters and a son with whom he loves to spend time. As a hobby he enjoys antique tractors especially John Deeres.

Farmer Director - Jean Castrogiovanni
Having grown up on a farm in New Milford, Jean was well prepared to handle her role at Castlemont Farms, where, during the last 47 years, she has raised two sons with her husband John. She is an important member of a successful, full-time farm operation which has implemented a Chesapeake Bay Program Nutrient Management System for its 250 head of registered Holsteins. Since 1996 as Farmer Director, Jean has exemplified her "get it done" attitude supporting staff in their efforts to stay at the cutting edge of technology.

Public Director - Curt Helper
Curt has a wide range of experience for the district as he taught at Blue Ridge school district for 37 years until retirement in 2001. Curt purchased his farm in 1981 and started his beef herd at that time to over 100 head presently. Curt practices best management practices and is a valuable member of our board.

Commissioner Director - MaryAnn Warren
MaryAnn became our Commissioner Director in January 2004, and has a keen interest in our district. Prior to her election as Commissioner, MaryAnn served as director of the Chamber of Commerce for 6 years. MaryAnn and her husband Tom have two sons, Brad and Matt. MaryAnn also volunteers for The American Red Cross and the American Cancer Society.

Farmer Director-Wesley Parks
Wesley is a partner with his parents on a dairy farm along the river in Hickory Grove. He has a degree in special education from Marywood University and is pursuing a master’s degree. Wesley is deeply involved producing the best possible crops. When not working on the farm or his education, he is helping with the youth sport program at Blue Ridge School.

Public Director - Daniel Farnham
Dan has a son, Jake and a daughter, Cara. With master’s degree in chemistry and mechanical engineering, he is President of Farnham & Associates, F-Cote Chemical, and Farnham Oil & Gas, LLC. Besides being in numerous professional organizations, Dan is keenly interested in the environmental conservation and alternative energy.

Farm Director - Brian Severcool
Brian comes to the District with a career in logging. He has been active in the forests for 32 years. Brian and his wife Charlotte have two daughters-Kelly and Tracy. In his spare time he restores vintage Fords. He has a special weakness for 1958 to 1964 models.

Public Director - Lillian Theophanis
Lillian served as Manager of the conservation district for 29 years. Lillian developed many of the partnerships for the district. Lillian is also a founding member of the Upper Susquehanna Coalition, as well as an active member of PACD.

Public Director - Stuart Slocom
With his well rounded background Stu is a valuable addition as a director. He has a Masters of Science in Aquatic Biology and Entomology and has worked as a park naturalist, long time high school math and science teacher, and a microbiology instructor at a local college. Stuart and his wife, Carolee also a retired educator have a small beef herd on their farm. He is an experienced bird watcher and leads the local Audubon Christmas Bird Count. Besides being an active member of the Susquehanna County Forest Landowners Association and the Florence Shelly Preserve, he enjoys hunting, fishing, woodworking and gardening.

Associate Directors

Katherine Shelly
Among Katherine’s achievements, she is the 1996 Maurice K. Goddard Forest Stewardship Award recipient; a Tree Farmer; Vice-President, Susquehanna County Farm Bureau; Chair, Ararat Twp.; Secretary, Susquehanna County Rural Development Committee; and a Vision for Pa. Agriculture Education Committee member

Lee Smith
Lee resides in South Montrose. The district is fortunate to have Lee as an associate director as he served ten years as a commissioner director.

Kathy Blaisure
A life long county resident, Kathy has an environmental education background first at Paul Smith’s College and later at Binghamton University. She also had a stint in the US Army. After serving four years as watershed specialist for the District, she “retired” to become a full time wife and mother to husband Joe and children Ryan and Kayla. But she still finds time to be involved with the Northern Susquehanna River Watershed Association and serves as secretary for the board of Friends of Salt Springs.

William Zick
Bill and Brenda Zick have a son and a daughter and four grand children. After a career in dairy farming Bill ran the Recycling Center for a period of time and also was No-Till Specialist for the District for four years. He is active in a number of community groups including Masonic Lodge, Endless Mountain Antique Power Equipment Association, Maplewood Cemetery Association, and the Grace Lutheran Church. Bill enjoys collecting antique farm equipment both toys and full size.

Brody Webster
Brody and his wife Casey both work in Susquehanna County. Brody has a Bachelors of Science Degree in Occupational Safety and Health from Southeastern Oklahoma State University. Over the past 5 years he has worked as a compliance supervisor and manager for oil and gas service companies. Brody is currently employed by Cabot Oil & Gas Corporation as an Environmental, Safety, and Health Specialist. Brody is active in the community and is a member of the American Society of Safety Engineers. In his free time Brody enjoys travel, hunting, fishing, hiking, camping, and golf.

Jim Kessler
After 40 years as the Service Forester in Susquehanna and Wyoming Counties, Jim has found lots of ways to stay busy. This Penn State graduate is on the board of directors for the Friends of Salt Springs Park, Woodbourne Sanctuary, Cooperative Extension, and Camp Lackawanna. A Rotarian and Master Gardener, Jim is very active in the Susquehanna County Forest Landowners Association. Jim and Jan Kessler have four grown children. Besides operating Kessler’s Christmas Tree Farm, Jim enjoys travel, hunting, cross country skiing and woodworking.



> Home > Calendar > What's New > Projects > About Us > Directors > Staff > FAQ's > Programs > Links > Permit Applications > Education > Grants > Directions	MEET THE DIRECTORS District Directors are volunteers nominated by local, countywide organizations and appointed by the Board of County Commissioners. Their responsibilities range from policy creation to supporting efforts of district staff and their partner agencies to provide quality administrative, technical, and educational assistance to all county residents who request it. Chairman / Farm Director - Ray Warriner Ray is a fourth generation farmer at Agawam Farms at Elk Lake. Currently they grow hay and raise replacement heifers. Over the years many conservation practices have been installed on this beautiful farm. Ray has two daughters and a son with whom he loves to spend time. As a hobby he enjoys antique tractors especially John Deeres. Farmer Director - Jean Castrogiovanni Having grown up on a farm in New Milford, Jean was well prepared to handle her role at Castlemont Farms, where, during the last 47 years, she has raised two sons with her husband John. She is an important member of a successful, full-time farm operation which has implemented a Chesapeake Bay Program Nutrient Management System for its 250 head of registered Holsteins. Since 1996 as Farmer Director, Jean has exemplified her "get it done" attitude supporting staff in their efforts to stay at the cutting edge of technology. Public Director - Curt Helper Curt has a wide range of experience for the district as he taught at Blue Ridge school district for 37 years until retirement in 2001. Curt purchased his farm in 1981 and started his beef herd at that time to over 100 head presently. Curt practices best management practices and is a valuable member of our board. Commissioner Director - MaryAnn Warren MaryAnn became our Commissioner Director in January 2004, and has a keen interest in our district. Prior to her election as Commissioner, MaryAnn served as director of the Chamber of Commerce for 6 years. MaryAnn and her husband Tom have two sons, Brad and Matt. MaryAnn also volunteers for The American Red Cross and the American Cancer Society. Farmer Director-Wesley Parks Wesley is a partner with his parents on a dairy farm along the river in Hickory Grove. He has a degree in special education from Marywood University and is pursuing a master’s degree. Wesley is deeply involved producing the best possible crops. When not working on the farm or his education, he is helping with the youth sport program at Blue Ridge School. Public Director - Daniel Farnham Dan has a son, Jake and a daughter, Cara. With master’s degree in chemistry and mechanical engineering, he is President of Farnham & Associates, F-Cote Chemical, and Farnham Oil & Gas, LLC. Besides being in numerous professional organizations, Dan is keenly interested in the environmental conservation and alternative energy. Farm Director - Brian Severcool Brian comes to the District with a career in logging. He has been active in the forests for 32 years. Brian and his wife Charlotte have two daughters-Kelly and Tracy. In his spare time he restores vintage Fords. He has a special weakness for 1958 to 1964 models. Public Director - Lillian Theophanis Lillian served as Manager of the conservation district for 29 years. Lillian developed many of the partnerships for the district. Lillian is also a founding member of the Upper Susquehanna Coalition, as well as an active member of PACD. Public Director - Stuart Slocom With his well rounded background Stu is a valuable addition as a director. He has a Masters of Science in Aquatic Biology and Entomology and has worked as a park naturalist, long time high school math and science teacher, and a microbiology instructor at a local college. Stuart and his wife, Carolee also a retired educator have a small beef herd on their farm. He is an experienced bird watcher and leads the local Audubon Christmas Bird Count. Besides being an active member of the Susquehanna County Forest Landowners Association and the Florence Shelly Preserve, he enjoys hunting, fishing, woodworking and gardening. Associate Directors Katherine Shelly Among Katherine’s achievements, she is the 1996 Maurice K. Goddard Forest Stewardship Award recipient; a Tree Farmer; Vice-President, Susquehanna County Farm Bureau; Chair, Ararat Twp.; Secretary, Susquehanna County Rural Development Committee; and a Vision for Pa. Agriculture Education Committee member Lee Smith Lee resides in South Montrose. The district is fortunate to have Lee as an associate director as he served ten years as a commissioner director. Kathy Blaisure A life long county resident, Kathy has an environmental education background first at Paul Smith’s College and later at Binghamton University. She also had a stint in the US Army. After serving four years as watershed specialist for the District, she “retired” to become a full time wife and mother to husband Joe and children Ryan and Kayla. But she still finds time to be involved with the Northern Susquehanna River Watershed Association and serves as secretary for the board of Friends of Salt Springs. William Zick Bill and Brenda Zick have a son and a daughter and four grand children. After a career in dairy farming Bill ran the Recycling Center for a period of time and also was No-Till Specialist for the District for four years. He is active in a number of community groups including Masonic Lodge, Endless Mountain Antique Power Equipment Association, Maplewood Cemetery Association, and the Grace Lutheran Church. Bill enjoys collecting antique farm equipment both toys and full size. Brody Webster Brody and his wife Casey both work in Susquehanna County. Brody has a Bachelors of Science Degree in Occupational Safety and Health from Southeastern Oklahoma State University. Over the past 5 years he has worked as a compliance supervisor and manager for oil and gas service companies. Brody is currently employed by Cabot Oil & Gas Corporation as an Environmental, Safety, and Health Specialist. Brody is active in the community and is a member of the American Society of Safety Engineers. In his free time Brody enjoys travel, hunting, fishing, hiking, camping, and golf. Jim Kessler After 40 years as the Service Forester in Susquehanna and Wyoming Counties, Jim has found lots of ways to stay busy. This Penn State graduate is on the board of directors for the Friends of Salt Springs Park, Woodbourne Sanctuary, Cooperative Extension, and Camp Lackawanna. A Rotarian and Master Gardener, Jim is very active in the Susquehanna County Forest Landowners Association. Jim and Jan Kessler have four grown children. Besides operating Kessler’s Christmas Tree Farm, Jim enjoys travel, hunting, cross country skiing and woodworking.