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.

Chair / Public Director - George Gardner
George served on the Board for 5 years as Associate Director before assuming the position of Urban Director. His interest in agriculture and the environment dates back to his youth as a student at the Brooklyn School of Vocational Agriculture, two years of Agricultural Sciences in Cincinnatus, N.Y., and his years there as an active farmer after serving in the Army during World War II. He has spent the last thirty-five years at the Goodrich Implement Co. in the roles of salesman and Vice-President promoting Goodrich and Case Kubota farm equipment. George has four children. He and his wife Linda live in Bridgewater Twp.

Vice Chair / Public Director - Thomas Helmacy
Thom resided in Connecticut while working thirty-two years for Sikorsky Aircraft. Thom currently resides in Auburn Township where he is a maple syrup producer and is a director of the Maple Producer association. Before becoming a Director, Thom served the District as an Associate Director for 4 years. Thom has been a valuable member of the Policy Committee as well.

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.

Farmer Director - George Hayes
George lived many years in Colorado and worked for IBM. Upon retirement he and his wife Sandy moved near Friendsville. George enjoys raising sheep, beef cattle, and dairy replacement heifers on his farm. Some BMP's practiced on the Hayes farm include spring development, diversions, and a windmill which pumps water to pastures for grazing. George is a former Conservation Farmer Cooperator of the Year Award Winner.

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.

Public Director - William Ord
Bill has been in the lumbering industry since 1960 and has been very active in the implementation of best management practices to protect our natural resources. Before becoming a Director, Bill served the District as an Associate Director for 4 years.

Farmer Director – Pauline Fallon
Pauline grew up on her parent’s dairy farm in Elkdale. Pauline and her husband Paul have been farming for the past 20 years. They have 5 daughters. Their farm consists of 500 head of dairy cows, calves, and replacements with 270 milking. The Fallons became involved with the Conservation District about 4 years ago after a barn fire caused them to rebuild. Their replacement barn, a new open-air barn with a milking parlor, was designed and built to incorporate Best Management Practices. Since their renovations, the Fallons have utilized several conservation practices with the help of the Conservation District including a nutrient management plan, a manure lagoon, a barnyard access road, a dry cow barnyard project, and quite a bit of No-till planting.

Farmer Director – Robert Warriner
Bob is the third generation owner of Agawam Farms at Elk Lake. Bob has installed many Best Management Practices including spring developments, stream crossings, and grass waterways among many others. Currently Bob raises hay, corn silage, and replacement heifers on Agawam Farms. Over the years, Bob has received many awards for exceptional work in conservation. One of the highlights of Bob’s cooperation in conservation was hosting “Land Resource Days” on his farm. At the Conservation District Award Banquet in 2006, Bob received an award titled “In Recognition of the Promotion of Conservation.”

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.

Associate Directors

Clifford Tinklepaugh
Clifford Tinklepaugh, a pioneer of the Conservation District movement in Pennsylvania, began his first term as Director in 1962. As a young man, Cliff was active in Future Farmers of America and used many of the soil-saving practices promoted during the early years of the conservation movement. As Chairman of the Pennsylvania Association of Conservation Districts and member of its committees, Cliff worked with governments and organizations to establish a comprehensive statewide soil and water conservation program. His active participation in agricultural and civic organizations has earned Cliff a great deal of respect among his peers in the county, region, and state.

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

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.

Lee Smith
Lee resides in Jessup Twp. with his wife Charlotte. The district is fortunate to have Lee as an associate director as he served ten years as a commissioner director.

Sarah Curley
Sarah works as a Community Development Specialist for a non-profit organization called RCAP Solutions, Inc., which provides direct services and community consultations to rural communities throughout the Northeast United States. Sarah grew up here in Susquehanna County and now resides in Montrose.



> 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. Chair / Public Director - George Gardner George served on the Board for 5 years as Associate Director before assuming the position of Urban Director. His interest in agriculture and the environment dates back to his youth as a student at the Brooklyn School of Vocational Agriculture, two years of Agricultural Sciences in Cincinnatus, N.Y., and his years there as an active farmer after serving in the Army during World War II. He has spent the last thirty-five years at the Goodrich Implement Co. in the roles of salesman and Vice-President promoting Goodrich and Case Kubota farm equipment. George has four children. He and his wife Linda live in Bridgewater Twp. Vice Chair / Public Director - Thomas Helmacy Thom resided in Connecticut while working thirty-two years for Sikorsky Aircraft. Thom currently resides in Auburn Township where he is a maple syrup producer and is a director of the Maple Producer association. Before becoming a Director, Thom served the District as an Associate Director for 4 years. Thom has been a valuable member of the Policy Committee as well. 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. Farmer Director - George Hayes George lived many years in Colorado and worked for IBM. Upon retirement he and his wife Sandy moved near Friendsville. George enjoys raising sheep, beef cattle, and dairy replacement heifers on his farm. Some BMP's practiced on the Hayes farm include spring development, diversions, and a windmill which pumps water to pastures for grazing. George is a former Conservation Farmer Cooperator of the Year Award Winner. 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. Public Director - William Ord Bill has been in the lumbering industry since 1960 and has been very active in the implementation of best management practices to protect our natural resources. Before becoming a Director, Bill served the District as an Associate Director for 4 years. Farmer Director – Pauline Fallon Pauline grew up on her parent’s dairy farm in Elkdale. Pauline and her husband Paul have been farming for the past 20 years. They have 5 daughters. Their farm consists of 500 head of dairy cows, calves, and replacements with 270 milking. The Fallons became involved with the Conservation District about 4 years ago after a barn fire caused them to rebuild. Their replacement barn, a new open-air barn with a milking parlor, was designed and built to incorporate Best Management Practices. Since their renovations, the Fallons have utilized several conservation practices with the help of the Conservation District including a nutrient management plan, a manure lagoon, a barnyard access road, a dry cow barnyard project, and quite a bit of No-till planting. Farmer Director – Robert Warriner Bob is the third generation owner of Agawam Farms at Elk Lake. Bob has installed many Best Management Practices including spring developments, stream crossings, and grass waterways among many others. Currently Bob raises hay, corn silage, and replacement heifers on Agawam Farms. Over the years, Bob has received many awards for exceptional work in conservation. One of the highlights of Bob’s cooperation in conservation was hosting “Land Resource Days” on his farm. At the Conservation District Award Banquet in 2006, Bob received an award titled “In Recognition of the Promotion of Conservation.” 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. Associate Directors Clifford Tinklepaugh Clifford Tinklepaugh, a pioneer of the Conservation District movement in Pennsylvania, began his first term as Director in 1962. As a young man, Cliff was active in Future Farmers of America and used many of the soil-saving practices promoted during the early years of the conservation movement. As Chairman of the Pennsylvania Association of Conservation Districts and member of its committees, Cliff worked with governments and organizations to establish a comprehensive statewide soil and water conservation program. His active participation in agricultural and civic organizations has earned Cliff a great deal of respect among his peers in the county, region, and state. 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 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. Lee Smith Lee resides in Jessup Twp. with his wife Charlotte. The district is fortunate to have Lee as an associate director as he served ten years as a commissioner director. Sarah Curley Sarah works as a Community Development Specialist for a non-profit organization called RCAP Solutions, Inc., which provides direct services and community consultations to rural communities throughout the Northeast United States. Sarah grew up here in Susquehanna County and now resides in Montrose.